Aw De Brit ar mo ish ds lit ed ion iti on
#championingdemolition DemolitionHub.com
September/October 2026 | Issue #34
DEMOLITION DISCUSSION Leanne Corkery of Corkery Smith
BRITISH DEMOLITION AWARDS All the thrills and the spills of the demo event of the year
UK, Irish & European demolition
matters SUPPLIER TALK Mark Winfield of HSS Training
Waste Provider of the Year 2025 WINNERS
British Demolition & Asbestos Awards
Get in touch
01277 225 428 www.bowmerwaste.co.uk enquiries@bowmerwaste.co.uk
Nationwide 24 hour asbestos disposal service All our hazardous waste drivers are fully qualified with A.D.R. licences
Gary Bowmer LinkedIn
100% of all our domestic and commercial waste is recycled Members of the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association
“no job is too large or too small”
A
utumn is upon us, and what does that mean? Just four days in to the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness (meteorologically speaking) came the eighth annual British Demolition Awards, accompanied by the British Asbestos Awards. There were sixteen awards in all this year, with winners coming from organisations large and small and those just starting out in the industry to those with a lifetime of achievement behind them. There was an international flavour this year, with Jeffrey Lambert, Chief Executive Officer of the National Demolition Association, and Kevin Wiley of the Demolition Group of America flying in to London especially for our event. Both of their contributions to the demolition industry were recognised as International Personality entrants to the Hall of Fame, alongside Tim Clifford, Non-Executive Chairman of Clifford Devlin. Needless to say the event was a celebration of all that is great about the demolition and asbestos remediation industries and we are looking forward already to next year’s Demolition DEMMY Awards at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield and the British Demolition Awards in London. We encourage you to get your award entries in and book your tables early to avoid disappointment. All award winners are featured in this issue of Demolition Hub, from page 16. Elsewhere in this issue we have the Demolition Discussion interview with Leanne Corkery of Corkery Smith, a pioneer for women in demolition and a strong advocate for ethical business practices in the industry. We wish her well in both these regards. A relative newcomer to the industry, Corkery Smith also shared a case study with us, detailing their soft strip at Airbus’ wing manufacturing facility in Broughton, North Wales. Other case studies include Sky Revolutions’ coverage of Erith Contractors’ blowdown of chimney stacks at Aberthaw power station in South Wales and Windsor Waste Management’s asbestos removal on a Cawarden warehouse demolition project in Dunstable. The Supplier Talk interview is with Mark Winfield of HSS Training detailing how they can lighten the load for demolition contractors in terms of training and compliance. We hope that you enjoy this British Demolition Awards issue, and that it will inspire you to get those entries in for next year’s events. All the best,
Toby Wilsdon Managing Editor
PUBLISHER
Ben Chambers ben@chambers.media 01903 952 648
MANAGING EDITOR Toby Wilsdon toby@chambers.media 01903 952 645
PHOTO CONTRIBUTOR Sky Revolutions
ADVERTISING SALES Ben Chambers ben@chambers.media 01903 952 648
LAYOUT DESIGN
Toby Wilsdon toby@chambers.media
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Beverley Chambers beverley@chambers.media
PRODUCED & PUBLISHED BY
Demolition Hub Ltd Suites 5 & 6, Chapel House, 1-6 Chapel Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN11 1EX demolition@demolitionhub.com 01903 952 640
Demolition Hub is a proud member of the National Demolition Association Demolition Hub is published six times a year. The subscription rate is £60 per year. Subscription records are maintained at Demolition Hub Ltd, Suites 5 & 6, Chapel House, 1-6 Chapel Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN11 1EX Articles and information contained in this publication are the copyright of Demolition Hub Ltd and may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publishers. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss of, or damage to, uncommissioned photographs or manuscripts.
CONTENTS
6: NEWS MB Crusher attachments turn challenges into opportunities LANDCROS Connect: Smarter fleet management from one simple platform CDE and JN Civils turn tide on waste with 150‑tph recycling plant CNH Construction partners with Norcar to strengthen compact wheel loader portfolio JCB Hydromax sets 406.320 mph land speed record
13: ASSOCIATIONS News from the trade associations that back our industry NFDC launches 60 free demolition training pathways Why London is the place to be for CECE Congress 2026
16: BRITISH DEMOLITION AWARDS
28: DEMOLITION DISCUSSION Leanne Corkery of Corkery Smith on doing things right and her journey as a pioneering woman in demolition
35: CASE STUDY Corkery Smith on stripping out facilities at Airbus’ wing-making plant at Broughton, North Wales
38: SUPPLIER TALK Mark Winfield tells how HSS Training can help strike compliance training off demolition contractors to-do lists
43: CASE STUDY Sky Revolutions records Erith Contractors’ blowdown of the Aberthaw power station concrete chimney stacks
All the thrills and spills from the eighth annual British Demolition and Asbestos Awards, including 16 award‑winners and three Hall of Fame inductees
54: DEMOLITION ROBOTS
26: DEMOLITION WINS
Yuchai‘s D170 electric demolition robot
P.P. O’Connor wins the Brotherton House, contract in Wythenshawe
Brokk celebrates 50 years as a pioneer in demolition Husqvarna DXR demolition robots: Power and versatility on rubber tracks
DemolitionHub.com
61: CASE STUDY Windsor Waste Management takes care of asbestos removal on the redevelopment of a WH Smith site before Cawarden does the demo
66: DUST CONTROL Dust control beyond the demolition zone with Corgin Campbell Associates – Why environmental monitoring has become an operational advantage for UK demolition
70: OPINION My ten-point plan for Andy Burnham, by Bradley Lay of TrueNorth Capital Group Burnham government could transform construction, by Terry Lloyd, Head of Vendor, SME Lending at Paragon Bank
74: RECRUITMENT The latest demolition jobs from Romax Solutions
DemolitionHub.com
ALWAYS IN REACH Industry leaders in design and manufacture of bespoke excavator equipment and modifications Kocurek Excavators Ltd. 24 Arkwright Road Hadleigh Road Ind Est, Ipswich, Suffolk IP2 0UB
t: +44 (0) 1473 217477 e: sales@kocurek.co.uk www.kocurek.com
news
MB Crusher attachments turn challenges into opportunities Everyone knows Rome wasn’t built in a day – and one day certainly isn’t enough to experience everything the city has to offer. Summer is holiday season for many, but not for everyone – construction sites don’t stop. Summer is a time to recharge, but for those who keep working, it’s also the perfect opportunity to rethink how to make the most of the resources already available on site, saving both time and money. This is especially true on medium and large infrastructure projects, where contractors must deal with logistical challenges, weekend truck traffic ban, strict environmental regulations, increasingly tight schedules and shrinking profit margins. This is a combination of challenges that is easily overcome by those who had the foresight to use MB Crusher hydraulic attachments in place of or alongside traditional plant to
6 | DemolitionHUB Magazine
recycle waste material. Whether the jobsite is in the heart of a busy city or in a remote area, any project can become faster, simpler and more costeffective by equipping existing construction equipment with an MB Crusher attachment. Better still, what was once considered waste can become a valuable resource. An efficient jobsite means completing work faster, at lower cost and to the highest quality standards – meeting deadlines, satisfying clients and maximising profitability. How? Let’s pick a destination and find out. Destination: India – A six-lane round trip On the six-lane Kacchi Dargah–Bidupur bridge, a road construction company is demolishing part of a structure and managing the resulting debris. On site, a BF90.3 crusher bucket mounted on a TATA Hitachi EX215 excavator, is ready
to turn the demolition material into reusable aggregate. The method is straightforward, like packing a good suitcase: with the crusher bucket, demolished concrete is crushed directly on site, reducing blocks of approximately 250 mm down to a 60 mm output size, ready to be reused in the project’s ongoing works. The material is put back to use without ever leaving the site – fewer trips, less logistics, fewer costs. Destination: Australia – Keeping concrete on track Near Melbourne, Austrak Management and Consulting Pty Ltd developed the Somerton Business Park, a major logistics hub extending for more than one kilometre, with direct connections to the region’s main highways and airports. Given the scale of the project, operational efficiency was essential. Material generated from excavation and concrete demolition was processed directly on site using an MB Crusher BF120.4 crusher bucket mounted on the excavator already working on the project. The recycled material was then reused to build internal roads and infrastructure throughout the development. By eliminating the need to transport material off site, the company reduced logistics and disposal costs while
DemolitionHub.com
news ensuring continuous operations and dramatically minimising downtime. The result was a more efficient jobsite with a significantly lower environmental impact. Whether your summer destination is India, Australia or somewhere else entirely, every construction site presents its own unique challenges. Yet the underlying issue is often the
same: how to manage materials without slowing down operations or increasing costs. That is why more and more companies are bringing the recycling process directly to the jobsite. By installing an MB Crusher attachment on the equipment already in operation, companies gain complete control over demolition and excavation
material, reduce logistics, and transform waste into a valuable resource.
mbcrusher.com
LANDCROS Connect: Smarter fleet management from one simple platform Managing a mixed fleet across multiple sites can be challenging, particularly when equipment data is spread across different systems. That’s where LANDCROS Connect comes in. LANDCROS Connect is an advanced fleet management platform designed to give equipment owners, contractors and rental businesses greater visibility and control over their operations. By bringing machine data together in one easy-touse system, it helps businesses improve productivity, reduce downtime, and make betterinformed decisions.
DemolitionHub.com
A single view of your entire fleet Whether you’re managing Hitachi machines or a mixed fleet of equipment from multiple manufacturers, LANDCROS Connect provides access to key operational data from a single platform. Instead of switching between different telematics systems, users can monitor machine performance, track utilisation and review site activity all in one place, helping save time and improve efficiency. Turn data into actionable insights LANDCROS Connect provides 24/7 access to valuable machine and fleet information, enabling businesses to stay on top of performance wherever they are. The platform allows users to: • Monitor machine performance and operating data across mixed-brand fleets, • Create customised reports focused on the metrics that matter most, • Track fuel consumption, utilisation, and idling time, • Monitor CO2 emissions and sustainability performance, • Receive real-time machine alerts and notifications,
• Access information easily from both desktop and mobile devices. Improve productivity across every site Using smart geofencing technology, LANDCROS Connect enables users to create sitespecific boundaries and analyse machine productivity at both project and location level. This helps identify opportunities to improve efficiency, optimise machine allocation and better understand how equipment is being used across different job sites. Designed around your business LANDCROS Connect has been developed for businesses that need a smarter way to manage their equipment fleet. Its intuitive interface makes it easy to access the information you need, helping you make faster decisions that support productivity, profitability and operational performance.
hitachicm.com
DemolitionHUB Magazine | 7
news
CDE and JN Civils turn tide on waste with 150 tph recycling plant
Blackpool-based JN Civils has strengthened its commitment to sustainable construction and resource recovery with the commissioning of a new construction, demolition and excavation (CD&E) waste recycling wash plant designed and engineered by wet processing experts CDE. With a processing capacity of up to 150 tonnes per hour, the CDE solution represents a significant step forward for the north-west-based civil engineering and utilities contractor. Established in 2010 by founder and managing director Joel Cossins, JN Civils has grown from a start-up into a trusted provider of civil engineering, utilities and infrastructure services throughout the UK. Before investing in its own plant, JN Civils was transporting waste material at great cost from its operations to a third-party wash plant; coincidentally, also a
8 | DemolitionHUB Magazine
CDE-engineered solution. David Scott, Operations Manager at JN Civils, said: “It was a workable solution but haulage costs, processing fees and delays in being able to return those materials back to use meant we needed a more sustainable option over the long term.” Ultimately this set up allowed JN Civils to see CDE’s solutions in action. “It showed us just how impactful the CDE wash plant was,” David said, “and set us on a path to explore commissioning our own plant.” CDE business development manager Nathan Loboda-Smith said: “Bringing wet processing capabilities in-house gives JN Civils greater control over material quality, availability and, importantly, cost, all while creating a platform for sustainable growth through the sale of recycled products to construction and groundworks customers.” Experience of how CDE
technology operates from when JN Civils was transporting waste to another site with a CDE solution, coupled with a site visit to one of CDE’s customers, IMS in Dublin, to see the plant in a live environment, solidified the company’s decision to partner with CDE on the project. “This is understandably a major investment for us, so we did our due diligence,” David said. “We looked at what was available in the market, not just in terms of the technology itself, but also the expertise and support available to us once the plant is commissioned. CDE was outperforming on all fronts. The other options wouldn’t have delivered the capacity we needed, nor the quality. When it came to aftercare and keeping us up and running, CDE’s availability and proactivity was unmatched.” The complete solution designed and engineered for JN Civils includes an R4500 belt feeder with integrated feed hopper, an AggMaxTM scrubbing and classification system, EvoWashTM sand washing system with patented InfinityTM dewatering screening technology, an AquaCycleTM thickener for primary stage water management, and the X3 ProPressTM filter press. The system is engineered to process CD&E waste in a compact urban environment with a small footprint, producing a range of washed and graded materials including fine sand,
DemolitionHub.com
news coarse sand and aggregates, such as 10-4 mm, 20-40 mm and 80-40 mm. As an Environment Agencycertified organisation, the company is aiming to recycle 90% of its waste to recover high-quality recycled sand and aggregates for reuse across its own projects and for sale to the wider construction market. “This facility will allow us to reach that ambitious goal, initially helping us to recycle up to 80% of our excavation waste, extracting sand and stone materials to meet product specifications,” David said. “It’s a significant step forward in our commitment to sustainability,
supporting the circular economy, and providing enhanced value for our customers. By integrating this technology, we aim to reduce our environmental footprint and enhance our operational efficiency.” Since commissioning, the plant has created new commercial opportunities for JN Civils and helped maximise profitability. Recovered products are being used within the company’s own civil engineering operations and with additional processing capacity surplus materials are now being sold externally to construction and groundworks businesses as part of a new revenue stream.
CDE ProMan David Gordon said: “The vision for this project was clear from the outset – to help JN Civils take greater control of its waste streams, improve operational efficiency, and recover high-quality materials that can support sustainable construction. We’re proud that the plant and our partnership with JN Civils is delivering strongly on all of these aims.”
cdegroup.com
CNH Construction partners with Norcar to strengthen its compact wheel loader portfolio CNH Construction has announced a strategic industrial cooperation agreement with Oy Norcar Ab, a Finnish company renowned for manufacturing high-quality compact loaders since 1998. Built on Finland´s west coast, Norcar´s machines deliver outstanding performance across a wide range of applications, from green area maintenance and agriculture to material handling, construction, and municipal operations – both indoors and outdoors. Through this partnership, products will be distributed under CNH´s CASE and New Holland Construction brands. Norcar´s compact and subcompact wheel loaders will be integrated into CNH´s product portfolios, reinforcing its existing lineup in the under four tonne operating weight segment.
DemolitionHub.com
Scheduled for unveiling later this year and European dealer arrival in Q1 2027, the new models are designed for agility, ease of use and transportability, offering practical solutions for navigating confined spaces with minimal ground disturbance compared to skid steer loaders or larger compact wheel loaders. Humayun Chishti, CNH Construction President said: “Norcar´s products integrate seamlessly into our brand portfolio, allowing us to meet customer needs in the smaller compact and sub-compact segments that our current lineup does not fully cover. Norcar was selected as the ideal partner thanks to its complimentary product range, quality, and strong potential for production capacity expansion. This partnership further strengthens
the positioning of the CASE and New Holland Construction brands within an attractive market niche.” Lotta Linden-Svarvar, CEO of Norcar, added: “This partnership with CNH Construction elevates Norcar´s global visibility, confirms the quality of our products and opens the door to international recognition – all while preserving and strengthening the distinct identity of the Norcar brand.”
casece.com www.norcar.com
DemolitionHUB Magazine | 9
news
Hydrogen-powered JCB Hydromax sets 406.320 mph land speed record British engineering giant JCB has set a new world land speed record of 406.320 mph with its hydrogen-powered JCB Hydromax. On 11 August, the car recorded the average speed 400.623 mph in its first run across the Bonneville Salt Flats, and 412.135 mph on its second run, giving the average of 406.320 mph – the fastest a hydrogen internal combustion car has ever travelled. Driven by Wing Commander Andy Green OBE, the twinengined, 32-foot car completed the two runs required under FIA rules – one in each direction within an hour – comfortably beating the previous FIAofficiated hydrogen internal combustion benchmark of 185.5 mph set by the BMW H2R
10 | DemolitionHUB Magazine
in 2004. The record is subject to official ratification by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motorsport. In doing so, JCB Hydromax surpassed the 350.092 mph world diesel land speed record set by JCB Dieselmax – also driven by Green, on the same salt, in August 2006. Twenty years on, JCB has beaten its own benchmark with an engine that produces no CO2 at the tailpipe. The speed also exceeds the 303 mph hydrogen fuel cell mark – making JCB Hydromax the fastest hydrogen-powered vehicle of any kind in history. The record was set using two of JCB’s own productionbased hydrogen digger engines, producing a combined 1,600
bhp and manufactured at the company’s engine factory in Foston, Derbyshire, UK. They are modified versions of the engines now powering JCB machines and equipment rolling off production lines in the UK as part of the company’s £100 million hydrogen programme. JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford has led JCB’s hydrogen engine project and came up with the idea of a hydrogen world land speed record bid early last year. He said: “Twenty years ago we came to Bonneville with JCB Dieselmax and showed what British engineering could do with diesel power. Today we have done it again – this time with engines powered by hydrogen. This record was set by production-based engines,
DemolitionHub.com
news the same engines powering JCB diggers right now. That is the point of JCB Hydromax: it shows hydrogen works, and it works today at the highest level with zero emissions.” Andy Green said: “Bonneville is the spiritual home of the world land speed record, and JCB Hydromax has just written itself into that history. The car was terrific – stable, strong and fast. Setting a world land speed record with hydrogen power, twenty years after Dieselmax, is a huge privilege. This record is a huge achievement by a world class team and superb technology.” JCB Engineering Director Ryan Ballard, who is leading the project, said: “This record belongs to the engineering team which took a hydrogen digger engine and made it the fastest of its kind on Earth. This has been an amazing challenge from the outset of the it being set
DemolitionHub.com
in February last year. We came here fully prepared and the car delivered.” President of the FIA, H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, said: “This is a truly historic milestone for motorsport showcasing how innovation, performance, speed, and sustainability can go hand in hand. “Motorsport has always been a catalyst for technological progress pushing the boundaries of what is possible. This new land speed record continues this tradition, showcasing the potential of hydrogen combustion for the future of sustainable mobility. “For over 100 years, the FIA has proudly played a central role officiating land speed record attempts. I would like to thank our Member Club, the Automobile Competition Committee for the United States, for their support during this record attempt and offer
my congratulations to Lord Bamford, Andy Green OBE and to everyone involved in this remarkable achievement.” Wing Commander Andy Green is the only person to break the sound barrier on land, and was the driver of JCB Dieselmax when it set the FIA world diesel land speed record of 350.092 mph at Bonneville in August 2006. That record still stands. The record comes ahead of the opening of JCB’s new $500 million factory in San Antonio, Texas, which will employ 1,500 people manufacturing machines for the US market. JCB has long pushed the limits of speed and in addition to the JCB Dieselmax success, the JCB Fastrac became the world’s fastest tractor at 135.191 mph in 2019, and in 2014 the JCB GT set the backhoe loader record at 72.58 mph. jcb.com
DemolitionHUB Magazine | 11
news
CASE Construction Equipment appoints Hamstead Plant as new dealer for UK The appointment expands CASE Construction Equipment’s dealer network across the West Midlands, reinforcing customer support with access to the full CASE Construction Equipment range, genuine parts and dedicated aftersales service. CASE Construction Equipment is pleased to announce the strategic appointment of Hamstead Plant as its new authorised dealer for the UK, covering Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Walsall, Wolverhampton and Worcester. The appointment reinforces CASE’s presence in a key construction market while strengthening customer support through comprehensive sales, parts and service across the full CASE Construction Equipment range. With more than 100 years of experience serving the construction industry, Hamstead Plant has established a strong reputation for delivering reliable equipment solutions and high levels of customer support to contractors, developers and site managers. Its longstanding expertise and regional presence make the company an ideal partner to represent the CASE brand. Valentina Versino, UK and ROI Business Director CASE Construction
12 | DemolitionHUB Magazine
Equipment, said: “We are delighted to welcome Hamstead Plant to the CASE Construction Equipment dealer network as our authorised dealer for the West Midlands. Their strong regional presence and deep understanding of customer requirements make them an ideal partner to represent the CASE brand. We look forward to working together to provide customers across the region with high-quality equipment, genuine CASE parts and responsive aftersales support.” Joseph Bayton, Managing Director of Hamstead Plant, said: “Joining the CASE Construction Equipment dealer network is an exciting opportunity for
Hamstead Plant. The CASE Construction Equipment range complements our commitment to providing customers with reliable equipment and exceptional service.” Together, CASE Construction Equipment and Hamstead Plant are committed to helping customers find the right machine for every application, backed by high standards of safety, efficiency and on-site performance.
casece.com
DemolitionHub.com
associations
NFDC launches 60 free demolition training pathways Industry initiative will help individuals gain recognised accreditation and begin or progress a career in demolition The National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC), in partnership with the National Demolition Training Group (NDTG), is offering 60 fully funded CCDO Labourer Card pathway places to eligible individuals seeking to start or progress a career in the demolition industry. The initiative has been created to remove some of the financial barriers that can prevent people from accessing industry-recognised training and employment opportunities. The campaign is part of the NFDC’s wider commitment to supporting the demolition sector,
strengthening its workforce and encouraging more people to become appropriately trained and qualified. Each funded pathway includes both the CCDO Labourer training course and Asbestos Awareness training, providing successful learners with the qualifications required to apply for a CCDO Labourer Card. Before attending the training, applicants must have passed the required Operative Health, Safety and Environment test. Candidates are encouraged to complete the appropriate test through CITB or NOCN. Applicants must also be able to understand, communicate and read English to the level required to participate safely and successfully in the training. Courses are taking place during September, October and November 2026 Commence your CCDO career pathway and will be FREE CCDO Labourer Training. The National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC), in partnership with the delivered either National Demolition Training Group (NDTG), is offering 60 free Certificates of Competence of Demolition Operative (CCDO) Labourer Card pathway places for eligible individuals. Each learner live online or at will complete both the CCDO Labourer and Asbestos Awareness training courses. the NDTG training CSCS centre in Hemel This opportunity is suitable We welcome CSCS operatives Places are limited and Hempstead. for individuals who are looking to progress from allocated on a first-come, exploring a new career general site work to demolitionfirst-served basis, subject Adrian route. specific competence and a to eligibility and full recognised CCDO pathway. pathway completion. Corrigan, Requirements: Applicants must have passed the President of required Operative, Health, Safety and Environment Test through CITB or NOCN. For more information the NFDC, said: and eligibility scan Course dates: September through to November. the QR code Course delivery: Online or at our training rooms in Hemel “Supporting Hempstead. You can choose what suits you best. people into 01442 217144 (Option 2) hello@ndtg.training demolition and helping them gain
CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE OF DEMOLITION OPERATIVES
DemolitionHub.com
recognised industry accreditation is an important part of our role as a Federation. “This initiative is about creating opportunities, supporting the future workforce and helping more people enter the industry with the knowledge and qualifications they need to work safely and responsibly. “Demolition offers a wide range of long-term career opportunities, and we hope these funded places will provide a valuable first step for people who may not otherwise have been able to access the training.” Whether applicants are considering a completely new career or are already working in construction and want to develop specialist demolition skills, the opportunity offers a chance to join one of the built environment’s most dynamic and highly skilled sectors. Applications for the free CCDO Labourer Card pathway are now open.
demolition-nfdc.com
DemolitionHUB Magazine | 13
associations
CECE President Phil Layton on why London is the place to be for CECE Congress 2026 With the UK hosting the biennial CECE Congress, the Construction Equipment Association is leading delivery of the event on behalf of the Committee for European Construction Equipment. CECE Congress 2026 will bring more than 150 senior figures from Europe’s construction equipment industry to IET Savoy Place in London from 27 to 29 October. Conversations will continue outside the conference sessions. A Welcome Reception at IET Savoy Place opens the Congress, while the Gala Dinner will take delegates onto the Thames for an evening cruise through central London. Ahead of the Congress, the CEA sat down with Phil Layton to talk about what is on the agenda, who delegates will hear from and why he believes anyone serious about the sector should be in London. For anyone unfamiliar with it, what is the CECE Congress and why does it matter now? The CECE Congress is one of the few occasions when the European construction equipment industry can step back from immediate business pressures and look properly at the forces shaping its future. Manufacturers are dealing with economic uncertainty, changing regulation, skills shortages, technology investment, global competition and a rapidly shifting political landscape. Those issues affect every business, but they cannot be solved company by company or country by country. The Congress brings together industry leaders, policy voices, technical experts and people from outside our sector who can challenge how we think. It is a place for the industry to test ideas, understand the wider picture and make better decisions about what comes next. Why is London the right host city for 2026? London gives the Congress the right setting because this is an international industry facing international issues. The UK remains an important manufacturing, engineering and
14 | DemolitionHUB Magazine
construction equipment market, and hosting the Congress here is an opportunity to bring European colleagues together at a time when the UK-EU relationship, trade, regulation and industrial competitiveness remain very much on the agenda. It also sends the right message. Europe’s construction equipment industry is strongest when it is outward-looking, connected and prepared to work together. London is a major global meeting point, and it gives us a strong platform for a Congress focused on the future of European industry. This year’s theme is Create, Innovate, Inspire. What does that mean in practice? For me, it is about what businesses must do to remain competitive. Create is about finding better ways to solve problems, develop people and build value. Innovation rarely begins with technology alone; it starts with ideas, curiosity and the confidence to challenge established ways of working. Innovate is about turning those ideas into industrial advantage. That means more productive factories, more capable machinery, stronger
supply chains, better use of data and technology that delivers a genuine return. Inspire is about people. Our sector needs engineers, technicians, digital specialists, operators and leaders. We need to make a much stronger case for the careers and opportunities this industry can offer. The programme brings in voices from well beyond construction equipment. Who will delegates actually hear from? The Congress will tackle the issues businesses are already dealing with: geopolitical volatility, the outlook for European manufacturing, industrial competitiveness, technology, leadership, skills and market conditions. These are not distant policy discussions. They shape investment decisions, product development, supply chains, recruitment and the confidence businesses have to plan ahead. The programme is designed to bring together different perspectives, including economists, manufacturing leaders, industry figures and voices from outside construction equipment. That matters because our industry cannot keep looking
DemolitionHub.com
associations
at the same challenges through the same lens. What should delegates expect to take away? Delegates should come away with a sharper understanding of the environment their business is operating in, new ideas they can apply and contacts that will remain valuable long after the Congress ends. No business should be setting its strategy based on headlines, assumptions or a narrow view of its own market. The Congress gives people direct access to informed perspectives on the issues influencing our sector across Europe. It also creates the space for conversations that do not happen in the normal working week: honest discussions
DemolitionHub.com
between manufacturers, associations, suppliers, policy experts and industry partners. Those discussions can influence how businesses think, collaborate and move forward. Finally, why should the industry not miss CECE Congress 2026? Because the decisions shaping our industry are being made now. Businesses are having to respond to changing markets, regulation, global competition, technology, skills and investment pressures, often at the same time. Standing still is not an option, and neither is looking at those issues in isolation. CECE Congress 2026 puts manufacturers, association leaders, economists, technical experts and policy voices from
across Europe in the same room. It is the place to hear what is affecting the sector, compare experience and help shape how the industry moves forward. For anyone serious about construction equipment, London is the place to be in October. CECE Congress 2026 takes place from 27 to 29 October at IET Savoy Place, London. It is open to CEA members and nonmembers, with tickets available for the full programme.
thecea.org.uk/cececongress-book-now
DemolitionHUB Magazine | 15
On Friday 4 September, the demolition industry came together in London with Demolition Hub and some very special international visitors. The eighth annual British Demolition Awards, co-hosted with the British Asbestos Awards celebrated all that is great in both industries with 16 awards and three inductees into the Demolition Hall of Fame. One of the things that made this year’s event particularly special was our two visitors and Hall of Fame inductees from across the pond – Jeffrey Lambert, CEO of the National Demolition Association since 2018, and Kevin Wiley of the Demolition Group of America. They were joined in the Hall of Fame by Tim Clifford, Non-Executive Chairman of Clifford Devlin. All three were rightfully recognised for their long term contribution to the demolition industry. As ever, networking formed an integral part of the night, and many deals were undoubtedly done in the networking area, over dinner, and perhaps even on the dancefloor during the after-party. There were sixteen awards in total as well as the three Hall of Fame inductees. All were well deserved winners as determined by our independent panel of judges, Director of Button Holdings and past President of the NFDC, IDE and EDA – Howard Button; founder and Managing Director of Prosafe Consultants – Dan Kearney; HSEQ Director Cappagh Group – Chris Hallam; and Director at Spectra Holdings – David Harrison. The field was so strong that for the Trainee/Apprentice of the Year Award, the judges agreed that two nominees were equally deserving of the award – meaning we had to get a second one made especially. As ever, much fun was had by all and we, and many of the attendees we have spoken to – or seen on LinkedIn – are already looking forward to next year’s events, the DEMMYs at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield in April, and the British Demolition and Asbestos Awards at an as yet undisclosed location in London. We will see you there for both. Toby Wilsdon
16 | DemolitionHUB Magazine
DemolitionHub.com
DemolitionHub.com
DemolitionHUB Magazine | 17
Demolition Contractor of the Year DSM Demolition
Asbestos Removal Contractor of the Year Omega Environmental Services
Demolition Project of the Year over £1m Rhodar
Demolition Project of the Year under £1m First Demolition Services Ltd
18 | DemolitionHUB Magazine
DemolitionHub.com
Demolition Recruitment Provider of the Year The Labour Desk
Asbestos Recruitment Provider of the Year Tradeslink Recruitment
The Many Faces of Brokk Award Keith Morrow – Euro Diamond Drilling
Waste Provider of the Year Windsor Waste Management
DemolitionHub.com
DemolitionHUB Magazine | 19
Asbestos Industry Trainee/Apprentice of the Year Kian Tynan
Demolition Trainee/Apprentice of the Year Josh Fuller; Kamal Radji
Asbestos Industry Supplier of the Year Windsor Waste Management
Health and Safety Achievement of the Year CJ Charlton Group
20 | DemolitionHUB Magazine
DemolitionHub.com
Asbestos Removal Project of the Year Omega Environmental Services
Innovation of the Year Windsor Waste Management
Demolition Supplier of the Year MB Crusher
Environmental Achievement of the Year SRC Group
DemolitionHub.com
DemolitionHUB Magazine | 21
Demolition Person Tim Clifford has dedicated almost five decades to the demolition industry, including nearly 30 years as Managing Director of Clifford Devlin. Throughout his career he has championed professional standards, training, safety and sustainability. His induction into the British Demolition Awards Hall of Fame recognises an outstanding lifetime of service to Clifford Devlin and the wider demolition industry.
22 | DemolitionHUB Magazine
DemolitionHub.com
International Personality Since 2018, Jeffrey Lambert has served as CEO of the National Demolition Association, strengthening its position as the leading voice of the US demolition industry. His leadership has driven growth, closer collaboration with OSHA and the development of industry guidance. He has also helped introduce the USA’s first nationally recognised demolition certification programme, raising professional standards across the sector.
International Personality Kevin Wiley is a respected demolition and assetrecovery executive with more than 30 years of industry experience. As President of Demolition Group of America, he has built a career defined by leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship and strategic growth. His Hall of Fame recognition celebrates his lasting contribution to the global demolition industry.
DemolitionHub.com
DemolitionHUB Magazine | 23
24 | DemolitionHUB Magazine
DemolitionHub.com
DemolitionHub.com
DemolitionHUB Magazine | 25
DEMOLITION WINS P.P. O’Connor
Brotherton House, Wythenshawe Founded in 1960, P.P. O’Connor is a Manchester-based construction industry specialist employing around 350 people in civil engineering and utilities; demolition and dismantling; bulk earthworks and remediation; aggregate supply and sustainable disposal. The company specialises in technically challenging projects including in the pharmaceutical, energy, manufacturing and public infrastructure sectors. With safety, sustainability and innovation at the heart of its operations, P.P. O’Connor delivers high-quality solutions that enable regeneration and redevelopment across the UK. P.P. O’Connor has been appointed as principal demolition contractor for the Brotherton House site on Cornfield Drive, Wythenshawe, on behalf of Muse Places and Wythenshawe Community Housing Group, supporting Manchester City Council’s wider regeneration vision for the area. The landmark project will see the former office tower and associated buildings demolished and cleared to unlock a major redevelopment opportunity, paving the way for new social housing, enhanced public spaces and improved community facilities. Works are now underway, with P.P. O’Connor delivering the full demolition package, from soft strip through to structural demolition and on-site material recycling. The first phase of the programme includes comprehensive hazardous material surveys, followed by extensive soft strip operations across the site. Internal fixtures and fittings, including floor coverings, suspended ceilings, partitions, insulation, doors, frames and electrical services will be carefully removed to maximise opportunities for material recovery and recycling.
26 | DemolitionHUB Magazine
Following completion of the enabling works, structural demolition will be undertaken using specialist plant and methodologies developed in collaboration with structural engineers. Demolition materials will be processed on site by P.P. O’Connor’s in-house plant division, with concrete and masonry crushed into recycled aggregate for use in future redevelopment works, supporting the project’s sustainability objectives. The 14-week programme will be delivered under stringent health, safety, environmental and quality management procedures, with robust measures in place to manage dust, noise, vibration, traffic movements, asbestos risks, public interface and structural stability throughout the works. The appointment marks another key milestone in the transformation of Wythenshawe, helping prepare the site for a new chapter of communityfocused development. ppoconnor.co.uk enquiries@ppoconnor.co.uk 0161 776 0333
DemolitionHub.com
DemolitionHub.com
DemolitionHUB Magazine | 27
interview header
DEMOLITION DISCUSSION Interviewee: Role: Company:
Leanne Corkery Co-founder and Director Corkery Smith
What’s your earliest demolition memory? My first meaningful experience of the industry came in 2023. What struck me immediately was the pace and scale of the work, but also the amount of perfectly reusable material that could be lost if nobody challenged the usual process. That contrast – creating space for something new while deciding what should be saved – has shaped how I see demolition ever since. What drew you to the industry? My route was completely non-traditional. My career had been in maternity care, health promotion and the charitable sector, with a consistent focus on reducing inequality and improving people’s life chances. In 2023 I was looking for a new role. My husband worked for a demolition company that needed a business development and social media manager, and after speaking with the director, I was offered the position. I quickly discovered a fastmoving, exciting sector with enormous potential for positive change. I enjoyed the industry, the people and the variety; what attracted me most was the opportunity to bring a different perspective to it. What threads run through your career? My career has never been a straight line. I have moved through healthcare, public health, charities, business development and now demolition. On paper those roles may look disconnected, but the same thread runs through them: people, fairness and the unequal distribution of wealth, opportunity and material resources. After 18 months with my first demolition employer, I realised that the industry was right for me but that particular company did not align with my ethics. The key milestone was deciding not simply
28 | DemolitionHUB Magazine
to leave, but to build the kind of business I wanted to see. Corkery Smith was founded with my husband Andrew and our friend James Smith. Andrew is our Chief Operating Officer and leads day-today project delivery; James oversees the financial side; and I lead strategy, people and business development. Every sidestep has given me something useful to bring into the company. Have you felt any specific hurdles as a woman working in demolition? Yes. I am sometimes overlooked or not taken seriously before I have even had the opportunity to contribute. I have been in rooms where men direct technical or commercial conversations around me, and situations where interest disappears once it is clear I am there as a business leader rather than a social prospect. Sometimes people do not even realise they are doing it, which is why unconscious bias can be difficult to challenge. Change is happening, but not quickly enough. The structural barriers start early: girls are still steered towards traditionally female roles, while construction and demolition are rarely presented as realistic choices. We need visible role models, straightforward entry routes, properly fitted PPE and
DemolitionHub.com
interview welfare facilities, flexible working where roles allow it, fair recruitment and progression, zero tolerance of harassment, and leaders who actively invite and value different voices. We should measure people by their contribution, not by whether they fit the industry’s traditional image. What would you say to young women or girls considering a career in construction or demolition? Go for it. Demolition is varied, challenging and genuinely exciting, and it offers far more career options than most young people realise – from site operations and engineering to environmental management, estimating, commercial roles, marketing and leadership. You will meet people who try to hold you back, but you will also meet generous, encouraging people who share knowledge and open doors. Find your tribe and your cheerleaders. Remember that you would not take advice from everyone, so you do not have to accept criticism from everyone either. A good mentor can help you stay focused, especially when you encounter big egos or intimidating behaviour. Learn to identify who wants you to succeed, stay close to them and move away from those who do not.
Clear values and a shared mission keep all three of us steering in the same direction. Tell us about those values and what do you bring to this? Our values are RIBS: Respect, Integrity, Balance and Sustainability. They are not words for a wall; they’re a test for how we make decisions. We have already secured a strong team, and we see every member as an equal and essential to how the company functions. We want people to feel valued, listened to and appreciated, because good work comes from people who are respected and supported. I bring experience from healthcare and the charitable sectors, where the quality of relationships and the impact on communities matter deeply. I do not pretend to have Andrew’s technical demolition knowledge – that’s why our roles complement one another – but I bring strategic thinking, a willingness to question accepted practice and a passion for ensuring our staff, clients and communities are treated properly. When I hear, “We can’t do it that way because demolition has always been done like this,” I think we are asking exactly the right question.
Tell us about the birth of Corkery Smith and your role in that. Corkery Smith was born from the belief that demolition can be commercially successful while treating people and resources with greater care. I founded the company with Andrew and James after recognising that I wanted to stay in the industry but work in a way that aligned with my values. Andrew contributes more than 20 years of demolition knowledge and manages operational delivery. James provides financial oversight. I set the strategic direction, shape our culture and staffing, and develop relationships and new opportunities. From day one we wanted to value the workforce as equals, communicate honestly with clients and make reuse a normal part of project planning. Establishing the business has been harder and more exhausting than I expected; I have been working two jobs while helping to launch it and not having the capacity to be involved in every day-to-day detail can be frustrating. What makes it possible is the strength of the partnership. Andrew’s support, experience and generosity are fundamental, and James is integral to the business.
DemolitionHub.com
DemolitionHUB Magazine | 29
interview header the team dismantled a decommissioned buoy used to measure tidal waves. The buoy was brought into shore and, working from the waterfront, the team carefully cut and dismantled it section by section until it was removed. It was unusual, technically demanding and required careful planning around the location and structure. Andrew managed and worked on that project, which demonstrates that the Corkery Smith leadership team has the experience to deliver distinctive and complex work as the company grows.
Is Corkery Smith focusing in particular areas or do you provide a comprehensive service? Corkery Smith provides full demolition, partial demolition, soft-strip and full strip-out services, together with non-licensed asbestos removal. We work across a broad range of buildings and sectors, tailoring the approach to the client, the structure and the surrounding environment. Our immediate focus is to deliver these core services safely, reliably and sustainably rather than expanding for the sake of it. As the company grows, we will broaden selectively where a new service complements our expertise and values. I have further ideas under wraps, so watch this space. Are there any standout projects from Corkery Smith yet? Corkery Smith is still in its infancy, so our standout story at present is the way we are building responsible reuse into the business rather than treating it as an afterthought. Our exclusive partnership with Refittr enables reusable kitchens, bathrooms, ceiling tiles, carpet tiles, radiators and other items to be extracted and resold without delaying the programme or creating problems for the client. The lesson is that sustainability works best when it is planned early and made operationally simple. Our Take a Seat community project follows the same principle by giving historic church pews a second life as seating in community spaces, preserving heritage while helping people connect. What’s the most technically interesting demolition project you’ve been involved with? The most technically interesting project I have encountered was at a previous company, where
30 | DemolitionHUB Magazine
As a new company, how do you build your reputation within and outside the industry? I am a great believer in building genuine relationships. Networking matters, but every conversation does not need to become a sales pitch. I take time to understand people, the pressures they are facing and whether we can genuinely help. Reputation is built by being honest about what you can do, communicating clearly and then delivering what you promised. We use our website and social media to show our values, services and progress, but recommendations, repeat work and trusted introductions are especially important. I want a close group of clients who are “people like us” – organisations that value respect, integrity and responsible delivery – and who choose Corkery Smith repeatedly because the experience is consistently good. Tell us about any accreditations Corkery Smith has or is seeking. How critical will they be to fully establishing your reputation? Corkery Smith holds Constructionline Gold membership and Cyber Essentials certification. Constructionline Gold provides clients with independently assessed evidence across areas such as governance, risk management and compliance, while Cyber Essentials reflects the importance we place on protecting our systems and information. As the business grows, we intend to work towards relevant ISO certifications over the coming years, building the necessary systems properly rather than chasing badges before the company is ready. Accreditations are important because they give clients confidence that a contractor can manage risk and meet recognised standards, but they must be supported by good leadership, trained people, clear documentation and consistent delivery on every project.
DemolitionHub.com
interview Is there a good pool of potential recruits and what can we do to attract young people into the industry? Experienced demolition people are valuable and competition for talent is real. At the same time, there is a large pool of potential recruits who may never have considered the industry because they cannot see a clear way in. We source people through trusted relationships and look for attitude, reliability and shared values alongside experience. To attract young people, the sector needs simple recruitment pathways, meaningful work experience, apprenticeships, outreach in schools and colleges, and a much clearer explanation of the variety of careers available. We also need to show that people can progress. If young people – including young women – can see someone like them working safely, being respected and building a career, demolition becomes a credible choice rather than an invisible one. Do you undertake any ongoing training, formal or informal? How do you keep your staff up to date and share new skills? Training is essential in a high-risk industry. Our approach combines formal, role-appropriate competence and safety training with site-specific briefings, supervision, toolbox talks and learning between experienced and newer team members. It is not enough to hold a card and assume learning is complete; equipment, guidance, projects and risks change. We want people to ask questions; report concerns and share knowledge without feeling that doing so makes them look inexperienced. That kind of open culture improves both safety and performance.
DemolitionHub.com
Tell us about any engagement Corkery Smith has in the community. Community impact is central to what I want Corkery Smith to become. One example is Take a Seat, our community legacy project to repurpose around 60 historic timber pews removed from St Patrick’s Church in Newton-le-Willows. Rather than treating them as waste, we are restoring and rehoming them as friendship, conversation, reflection and wellbeing benches in schools, care settings and shared community spaces. Each seat can retain its history through a numbered plaque and QR code. The purpose is practical and human: preserve local heritage, reduce waste and create places where people can connect and feel less alone. We also want to measure the project properly through volunteer hours, timber diverted from waste, recipient stories and social value. My ambition is for this to become a repeatable model for recovering other useful materials from future projects. How do you foresee the circular economy developing in demolition? The circular economy will move from being a desirable extra to an expected part of project delivery. My charitable-sector experience showed me the unequal distribution of material resources, so seeing usable items sent to landfill was genuinely shocking. Our exclusive partnership with Refittr is designed to make salvage practical: they identify, extract and resell suitable kitchens, sanitaryware, ceiling and carpet tiles, radiators and other items without disrupting the client’s programme. The earlier reuse is considered, the more value can be retained. Climate change also affects how sites are planned and how people are protected. Periods
DemolitionHUB Magazine | 31
interview header of extreme heat reinforce the need for dynamic risk assessment, hydration, shade, suitable workrest arrangements and sensible scheduling. Sustainability must cover carbon and materials, but also workforce welfare and resilience. How do you see the demolition industry developing over the next few years? Clients will expect contractors to provide clearer evidence of what happens to materials, not simply report a recycling percentage at the end. More buildings will be adapted and repurposed rather than demolished and rebuilt, which will increase demand for careful strip-out, selective dismantling and enabling works. There will still be a need for full demolition where buildings are unsafe, unsuitable or beyond viable adaptation. Contractors will need stronger digital records, better carbon and social-value data, closer collaboration with reuse partners and supply chains, and a workforce able to use new technology safely. For Corkery Smith, doing things differently means planning for reuse early, treating people well and giving clients transparent evidence of responsible outcomes. What are the biggest developments you have seen in the industry, and what do you envisage will be the future game changers? Remote-controlled and robotic equipment is already helping to place people further away from hazards, and I expect that trend to accelerate. Better surveying, modelling, machine control and real-time data will make planning more precise. AI is currently having its greatest impact behind the scenes – streamlining administration, producing first drafts, organising information and helping teams interrogate data. Over time it will move further onto sites through smarter machinery, risk monitoring and decision support. The opportunity is safer, more efficient work, but businesses need to manage accuracy, accountability and the impact on jobs.
32 | DemolitionHUB Magazine
Office roles may feel the disruption first; responsible leaders should use the efficiency gains to improve work and develop people rather than treating technology only as a route to headcount reduction. Do you have any notable projects in planning? We have growth plans that I am deliberately keeping under wraps until the time is right so the short answer is, watch this space. How do you envisage Corkery Smith developing over five to ten years? I want Corkery Smith to grow sustainably in turnover, capability and team size without losing the culture that made us start it. Success would mean a strong base of repeat clients who share our values, a workforce that feels respected, and a reputation for safe, honest and responsible delivery. I would like us to take on more unusual and challenging projects, as well as complex demolition and strip-out schemes where careful planning and material recovery add real value. I also want to see clear recruitment routes bringing more young people and women into the industry. Over ten years, I hope we are known not only for what we remove, but for what we preserve, recover and give back. And what about you in a few years? I want to be fully focused on Corkery Smith, leading its strategic growth and remaining close enough to our people, clients and communities to protect what makes the company different. I hope I will have helped build a business that proves commercial success, fairness and sustainability can strengthen one another. I also want to keep learning. My career has been a series of risks, challenges, lessons and growth and I do not expect that to stop. corkerysmithltd.com admin@corkerysmithltd.com 07427 019 275
DemolitionHub.com
interview
AND FINALLY What would you be in an alternative life? A journalist or a vet. Those were the careers I imagined as a child – one driven by curiosity and stories, the other by a love of animals Who is your favourite person in the arts? Beyoncé. I admire the combination of creativity, discipline, performance and business instinct behind her work Who do you most admire? Brené Brown for her work on courage and vulnerability What do you do for fun? I coach an under-10s boys’ football team for Maghull FC. I love training, coaching and managing them, and seeing both their football and their friendships develop What would be your desert island luxury? A solar-powered music system loaded with everything from Beyoncé to Satsang When and where are you happiest? In nature with my family – walking in the woods or climbing a mountain. Those are the moments when life feels simplest and most grounded What’s the most expensive non-essential you’ve ever bought? Probably a family holiday. I am much more inclined to spend on shared memories than an object What’s your bucket list activity? To buy a campervan and spend four weeks travelling Scotland’s North Coast 500 with my family What would you do for a company excursion, money no object? Take the team to the Scottish Highlands for an outdoor challenge, brilliant scenery and a proper meal together afterwards What’s your favourite cuisine? Thai food – fresh, full of flavour and with the perfect balance of sweet, sour, salt and heat What’s your tipple of choice? Coffee. I love single-origin beans, especially from Honduras, and I look for coffee produced through women-led cooperatives so the purchase supports women and their communities If you could demolish any building and rebuild it how you like, what would it be? Liverpool Crown Court. Its dark red tones and concrete panelling make it feel forbidding, which must add to the anxiety of those attending. I would replace it with a light, accessible civic building that still feels serious and secure, but calm, humane and fit for the people who have to use it If you could be remembered for one thing, what would it be? For proving that business can be done differently: treating people with respect, challenging inequality and creating new spaces responsibly If you could invent any gadget or tool for your daily life, what would it be? A secure memory organiser that could capture the moments that matter. I sometimes wish I could remember more of childhood and what it felt like simply to be a kid
DemolitionHub.com
DemolitionHUB Magazine | 33
Pirtek, keeping your site moving 24/7 hydraulic support you can rely on When downtime isn’t an option, Pirtek is the partner you can trust, keeping your equipment working whenever and wherever you need us. Fast, reliable response when it matters most – 24/7, 365-day emergency hydraulic hose replacement – Nationwide coverage with one-hour ETA for most locations – Fully employed, City & Guilds trained technicians – no subcontractors – Wide product range from leading manufacturers, fitted on-site More than emergency response Our planned and preventative services help reduce downtime, improve safety, and extend equipment life through maintenance services. Trust Pirtek – ISO 9001, 14001 & 45001 accredited – NEBOSH-qualified Health & Safety support – BFPA accredited training provider
Contact your local centre today pirtek.co.uk | 0800 38 24 38
Case study Project: Client: Contractor: Start date: Completion date: Scope of works: Specific challenges:
Airbus wing manufacturing site, Broughton, North Wales Airbus Operations Limited Corkery Smith 27 July 2026 4 August 2026 (three days ahead of schedule) Stripping existing toilet and changing facilities within the East Factory Building, ready for the next stage of refurbishment Working on a secure, live manufacturing site; managing noise, dust, access and the movement of waste
case study
Corkery Smith Ltd has completed an internal strip-out project for returning client at the Airbus manufacturing site in Broughton, North Wales, finishing the works three days ahead of schedule. The project involved stripping out existing toilet and changing facilities within the East Factory Building, ready for the next stage of refurbishment. All required service isolations were completed before Corkery Smith began the strip-out, allowing the team to safely remove the redundant sanitaryware, pipework and M&E items included within the agreed scope, which included: • Toilets, basins, urinals and sinks • Lockers, benches and other fixed furniture • Ceiling grids • Redundant mechanical and electrical services • Floor coverings • Steel column linings and associated fixings • Wall-mounted and statutory signage The Corkery Smith team also formed four new openings as part of the works. Live aircraft production The project was delivered by a dedicated team consisting of a site manager and four demolition
36 | DemolitionHUB Magazine
operatives. Everyone working on the project completed the required Airbus inductions and security clearances before starting on site. The removal of large lockers, benches and fixed items involved a significant amount of manual handling and the works were therefore carefully planned to ensure everything could be removed safely and efficiently. One of the main considerations was that the work took place within a live Airbus manufacturing environment, with aircraft wings continuing to be produced close to the works area. This meant the team had to carefully manage noise, dust, access and the movement of waste throughout the project. Good communication with Airbus staff and other personnel on site was essential to ensure the strip-out could progress without interfering with the day-to-day manufacturing operation. The team maintained a clean and organised working area throughout, regularly clearing waste and ensuring access routes remained safe and unobstructed. Particular care was taken when moving materials through the building so that Airbus employees could continue working without unnecessary disruption. Despite the additional care required when working within a live and highly secure facility,
DemolitionHub.com
case study
Corkery Smith completed the project on Tuesday 4 August, three days ahead of the agreed programme. Leanne Corkery, Director at Corkery Smith Ltd, said: “Being invited back to work with an existing client meant a lot to us because it shows they have confidence in our team and the way we deliver our work – we’re really pleased with how the project went. “Working inside a live Airbus facility, while aircraft wings were still being manufactured around us, meant our team had to be extremely mindful of the people and operations nearby. The lads kept the work area clean, communicated well with everyone on site and made sure we didn’t get in the way of Airbus staff or interrupt production. “The project has been a great opportunity for us to continue building our relationship with the Airbus team and to complete the job safely and finish three days ahead of schedule is a brilliant result. It reflects the effort put in by the whole team and the pride they take in delivering a good job for our clients.”
something the company wants to measure, report and improve upon with every project it delivers. Waste from the strip-out was carefully managed and recorded throughout the works, supported by the relevant waste transfer documentation. The company produces a carbon and recycling report following every completed project. This provides the client with a transparent record of how waste has been managed, the recycling achieved and the carbon impact associated with the work. The completed project demonstrates Corkery Smith’s ability to deliver carefully controlled stripout works within live, secure and operational environments – safely, cleanly and with minimal disruption to the people working around them.
Responsible delivery For Corkery Smith, sustainability is not just something discussed at tender stage. It is
corkerysmithltd.com leanne@corkerysmithltd.com 07580 073 668
DemolitionHub.com
Creating new spaces responsibly The Airbus project has been another important one for the growing Liverpool-based contractor and demonstrates its ability to carry out carefully managed demolition and strip-out works within live, sensitive and secure environments.
DemolitionHUB Magazine | 37
interview header
SUPPLIER TALK Interviewee: Role: Company:
Mark Winfield CEO HSS Training
What is your core message to our demolition contractor readership? Compliance is only getting more complicated, but managing it shouldn’t be. That’s really where we come in. Demolition contractors have enough to think about without trying to manage multiple training providers, hundreds of qualifications and changing legislation. Our job is to take that complexity away. Whether a customer needs a single course or support managing compliance across multiple sites, we want them to know they’ve got one trusted partner they can rely on. That’s what we’ve spent the last 23 years building. Give us some background on HSS Training. We’ve grown a lot over the last 23 years , but the principle behind the business hasn’t really changed. We’re here to help organisations stay safe, compliant and confident that their people have the right skills to do their jobs. Today we’re the UK’s largest national health, safety and technical training provider. We have more than 70 employed trainers, a national network of training centres and an extensive portfolio covering everything from work at height and plant training through to first aid, confined spaces and leadership development. We’re fortunate to work with organisations of every size, from local businesses through to some of the country’s largest employers, but our approach is always the same. We listen to what customers need and build a solution around them rather than expecting them to fit around us.
38 | DemolitionHUB Magazine
Tell us about your career. How did you start out in the industry? Construction was always around me because my father worked in the industry. I worked at builders’ merchants, as a road digger, in civil engineering, and then spent 12 years with Enterprise, the car hire business. When the opportunity came up to join HSS Training in 2008, I jumped at the chance. At the time, there wasn’t really a national training provider doing what we wanted to do. The vision I shared with our then-CEO, Chris Davies, was to build something that could genuinely support customers wherever they were in the UK. That really appealed to me. It was an opportunity
DemolitionHub.com
interview
to build something different and create a business that genuinely helped people. At that time we had seven trainers in a building in Daventry and now nearly 20 years later we have more than 70 trainers nationwide. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see how far we’ve come. Tell us about the services you provide and how your relationship with clients works. We work with everyone from someone who just needs one course right through to large national contractors managing hundreds or even thousands of employees. The bigger customers obviously need more support, so they’ll have dedicated account managers helping them plan training, monitor compliance and make sure nothing gets missed. Smaller businesses can simply book online or speak to our customer service team whenever they need us. One thing we always say is that if we don’t deliver a particular course ourselves, we’ll find someone who does. Customers don’t want to spend their time dealing with five different training providers. They want one number to call, one partner they trust, and one place where everything is managed for them, and that’s exactly what we try to provide. Our strength is providing a complete training solution for demolition contractors. Demolition
DemolitionHub.com
projects require a wide range of competencies, so customers often need support across multiple disciplines rather than one standalone qualification. Our portfolio includes site access, work at height, confined spaces, demolition plant, lifting operations, asbestos awareness, temporary works, respiratory protection, first aid, fire safety, CAT and Genny, environmental awareness and supervisory training. By bringing all of those together through one provider, we make it much easier for contractors to manage workforce compliance. And, if any of our customers need anything beyond the courses we advertise, we can work with them to create a bespoke compliance solution. Tell us about your team and working culture. We spend our lives helping customers keep their people safe, so it’s important we create exactly the same environment within our own business. We’re a very collaborative organisation. People are encouraged to share ideas, support each other and speak openly. Even though many of our colleagues work remotely, we’ve worked hard to build a strong culture. Our customer service team are fantastic at making sure our remote teams feel supported and organise things like weekly quizzes, games and fun ways to get to know other team members even though they’re remote. We also have a lot of long-serving colleagues, which I think says a great deal about the business
DemolitionHUB Magazine | 39
interview requirements or simply finding a better way to organise training. That’s where we tend to add the most value. Because we’ve got a national network of 70 trainers and such a broad training portfolio, we can build solutions around the customer rather than asking them to fit around us. There aren’t many organisations geared up to do that nationally, and I think that’s one of our biggest strengths.
we’ve built. People stay because they enjoy working here and because they know they’re making a genuine difference to our customers. Are there any standout contracts, projects or developments from HSS Training’s history? We’ve been fortunate to work with some fantastic organisations over the years, including some of the UK’s biggest, such as Mitie, KPMG and Tesco Maintenance. What’s interesting is that many of those relationships started because a customer had a particular problem they were trying to solve. It might have been managing compliance across multiple sites, responding to increased regulatory
Tell us about how you see the labour market? Is there a good pool of labour and are they armed with the right skills? The labour market is hugely challenging. We’ve got an ageing workforce, we’ve lost a lot of experienced migrant labour since Brexit and, at the same time, compliance requirements are becoming more demanding. Those challenges aren’t going away any time soon. We also need to do a much better job of attracting young people into construction. There are some fantastic careers available, but I don’t think we’ve done enough to showcase them. Too many people still see university as the only route into a successful career, when construction offers brilliant opportunities for people who want to learn practical skills and build long-term careers. Apprenticeships are a big part of the answer too. Lots of organisations pay into the apprenticeship levy but don’t always make the most of it. Better use of that funding will help develop the skilled workforce the industry needs. Training providers have an important role to play in all of this. Our job isn’t just to deliver courses; it’s to help customers develop competent, confident people who can build lasting careers. How is AI impacting training – do you see it as a threat or a tool? AI is a tool and not necessarily a threat. Most of what we do is practical, technical training. You still need experienced trainers, practical assessment and real-world competence. AI isn’t going to replace that. Where it can make a real difference is behind the scenes. It can help
40 | DemolitionHUB Magazine
DemolitionHub.com
interview customers identify the training they need, improve booking journeys, streamline administration and make information much easier to access. Like any technology, it’s about using it where it genuinely adds value rather than adopting it for the sake of it. Do you have any notable developments in progress? One recent development has been strengthening our lifting operations capability by bringing on board new lifting specialists and launching new courses, which gives customers access to even greater specialist expertise. We’ve also appointed a Head of Apprenticeships to help customers make better use of funded training opportunities and support the development of future talent. Alongside that, we’re investing heavily in our own systems to make booking easier, improve reporting and give customers even better visibility of their compliance. Like everything else we do, it’s about making things simpler for the customer. Tell us about any engagement HSS has in the community? Supporting communities is something we’re passionate about, whether that’s through charities, grassroots initiatives or helping customers deliver their own social value commitments. We support organisations including the No Falls Foundation and the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, and we also sponsor Hucclecote Netball Club, as well as offer a referral/employment pathway to young women in the club. We’re increasingly working with customers on their own social value initiatives too. For example, we’ve supported Mitie’s Social Value Charter as one of its key suppliers, and we’re involved in programmes that encourage more women into construction by providing additional training opportunities for electrical and plumbing students. How do you envisage HSS Group developing over the next five to ten years? We’ll continue investing in our people, broadening our training offer and making it easier for customers to manage compliance. The industry will keep evolving, regulations will continue to change and customers will expect more from their training partners. That’s exactly where we want to be – helping organisations navigate those changes without adding unnecessary complexity. As part of Pro Service Group, we’re also supporting a much wider ambition to become the leading marketplace for building services.
DemolitionHub.com
HSS Training has an important role to play in that journey and it’s an exciting time for the business. And how about you in a few years? I’ve spent nearly two decades helping build this business and there’s still plenty I’d like to achieve. What motivates me is seeing the business continue to grow, creating opportunities for our colleagues and knowing we’re making life easier for our customers. If we can keep doing those three things well, I’ll be very happy. hsstraining.com training@hss.com 0345 605 0006
AND FINALLY What would you be in an alternative life? A professional golfer Who do you most admire? My wife. She’s a cognitive behavioural therapist and spends every day helping other people. She’s an incredible wife, mother and friend, and I’m very lucky. What do you do for fun? I enjoy playing padel and golf, skiing, travelling, cooking and reading. More than anything, though, I enjoy spending time with my family. When and where are you happiest? On holiday with my family. That’s when I completely switch off. What’s your most expensive non-essential purchase ever? My wife’s second engagement ring because the first one wasn’t big enough apparently. What’s your bucket list activity? Watching the Ashes in Australia What would you do for a company excursion, money no object? I’d take everyone to Universal Studios’ Islands of Adventure for a week. I think we’d all have a great time. What’s your tipple of choice? A good red wine.
DemolitionHUB Magazine | 41
PERFORMANCE BONDS. BUILT FOR DEMOLITION. Specialist support for demolition performance bonds Fast, responsive support for demanding deadlines Flexible terms from an extensive panel of underwriters THE UK’S ONLY DEMOLITION BOND SPECIALISTS
Reach Out to One of Our Dedicated Specialist Account Managers:
0330 164 2553 enquiries@demoshield.co.uk www.demoshield.co.uk
Case study Project: Structure: Scope of works:
Contractor: Client: Start date: Completion date: Techniques:
Aberthaw chimney stack demolition Reinforced concrete chimney stack containing three 156-m flues, constructed during the late 1960s and early 1970s Comprehensive filming of the controlled explosive demolition of the former Aberthaw Power Station chimney stack, including pre-event reconnaissance, staffed ground cameras, interviews, fixed sacrificial cameras positioned inside and outside the structure, aerial coverage and post-blowdown footage. Footage to support the project record, industry press coverage and communications around the wider Aberthaw redevelopment Sky Revolutions Ltd Erith Contractors Ltd, CCR Energy Ltd’s demolition contractor, supported by PDC Explosives Engineering 2026 (pre-event planning and reconnaissance) 12 June 2026 (blowdown day) Multi-camera ground and aerial filming, recorded interviews, fixed sacrificial cameras inside and outside the structure, pre-planned camera positions and flight paths around exclusion zones, and coordination with demolition and safety teams
case study Sky Revolutions’ work at the former Aberthaw Power Station provides a clear example of how a complete filming operation can be integrated into the planning of a controlled explosive demolition. On 12 June 2026, the site’s reinforced concrete chimney stack was brought down as part of the wider demolition and site-enabling programme being delivered for CCR Energy Ltd. Erith Contractors Ltd was responsible for the demolition works, supported by PDC Explosives Engineering, while Sky Revolutions was appointed to create a comprehensive visual record using staffed ground cameras, recorded interviews, fixed sacrificial cameras positioned inside and outside the structure and aerial filming before, during and after the blowdown. The distinction between the demolition work and the filming brief remained important throughout. The design, preparation and execution of the controlled demolition were the responsibility of the specialist demolition and explosive engineering teams. Sky Revolutions’ role was to document that work without interfering with it. Every camera position, crew movement and flight path therefore had to sit within the operational controls established for the site, including the exclusion arrangements, access restrictions and final authorisation process. The production plan
44 | DemolitionHUB Magazine
followed the demolition plan, not the other way around. Aberthaw generated electricity on the Vale of Glamorgan coast for almost half a century before the power station ceased generation in 2020. The former power station covers approximately 500 acres and is now being prepared through a phased programme intended to support opportunities connected with clean energy, advanced manufacturing, industrial innovation and environmental resilience. Removing its major redundant structures is an essential enabling stage within that longer-term programme. The chimney stack was one of the most prominent structures remaining at Aberthaw. Constructed during the development of the power station in the late 1960s and early 1970s, it stood approximately 156-m high and encased three flues. For more than five decades it was visible from communities across South Wales and around the Bristol Channel. Its removal represented both a technically significant demolition operation and a substantial change to a long-established industrial landscape. The blowdown did not take place in isolation. Erith’s wider package at Aberthaw includes soft stripping, asbestos removal, de-planting and the demolition of the turbine hall and auxiliary structures. The turbine hall and deaerator bays had already been brought down by controlled explosive demolition in February 2026. The chimney stack
DemolitionHub.com
case study event in June formed the next major public milestone within that sequence, so the filming brief needed to record the individual demolition while also placing it within the continuing transformation of the wider site. For the chimney, controlled explosive demolition provided a method that could bring the structure down within a defined area while limiting the duration of the operation and the exposure of demolition operatives. The method remained subject to detailed engineering, safety and environmental planning. Those arrangements created the fixed framework for the production team. Camera operators could not move closer for a preferred view, enter restricted areas during the final phase or request changes to the programme for the benefit of the film. Unlike routine construction filming, a blowdown cannot be repeated. There is no opportunity to review the footage, adjust a position and record the event again. A single camera, whether on the ground or in the air, would leave too much dependent on one sight line and one piece of equipment. Sky Revolutions therefore planned the commission as a coordinated multi-camera production covering the standing stack, the demolition sequence, the developing dust plume and the postblowdown condition from complementary positions. Pre-event reconnaissance was used to plan the whole production rather than the aerial element alone. The team reviewed the structure, anticipated felling direction, site boundaries, remaining buildings, local terrain, access routes and the extent of the controlled area. This identified where staffed ground crews could operate, where fixed cameras could be placed, which viewpoints would remain useful as dust developed and where the aircraft could fly without entering the demolition exclusion zone. It also established the order in which equipment needed to be installed before access became restricted. Each part of the camera plan had a specific function. Staffed ground cameras provided the principal continuous record from agreed safe positions. Different ground viewpoints retained a wide view of the complete structure while also
DemolitionHub.com
recording closer detail of the initiation and collapse. The aerial camera supplied the wider spatial context, showing the stack in relation to the power station site and fall area. Sacrificial cameras created close-proximity perspectives from positions where no operator could remain, while interviews added project information and context that collapse footage alone could not provide. Ground filming formed a substantial part of the commission. Camera crews were positioned at different distances and angles outside the exclusion zone, avoiding dependence on a single line of sight. A wide master view kept the complete height of the stack and the full movement of the structure visible throughout the sequence. Secondary positions added closer detail and alternative perspectives, giving the final edit options if dust, foreground structures or the direction of the fall reduced visibility from one location. The ground teams also recorded the site before demolition. Footage of the standing chimney, the surrounding power station and the preparations around the approved filming positions established the pre-event condition and provided context for the final production. It documented a structure that had formed part of the South Wales skyline for more than 50 years and created a clear reference against which the scale of the change could be understood after the blowdown. Interview filming provided a separate layer of documentation. Members of the project team were recorded explaining the significance of the milestone, the wider redevelopment and the work required
DemolitionHUB Magazine | 45
Gnat-UK
Gnat UK - Shaping the Fu
Gnat UK One-Stop-Shop Selective Demolition Specialists for Main Contractors • BROKK Robotic Demolition • Aquajet Robotic Hydro Demolition • Diamond Drilling & Concrete Cutting • Abrasive Cold Cutting in Volatile Areas Precision. Safety. Nationwide. With cutting-edge Robotic Technology and unrivaled expertise, we deliver tailored solutions for complex demolition projects across the UK.
tel 01748 826046 web www.gnatuk.com
Future, One Cut at a Time
Gnat-UK
Brokk Robotic Demolition
Aquajet Robotic Hydrodemolition
Cold Cutting in Volatile Areas
Diamond Drilling & Concrete Cutting
case study
to prepare for a controlled demolition of this scale. These contributions gave the finished film a factual narrative and allowed technical and project information to sit alongside the images. They also made the material more useful for press, stakeholder and public communications, where an unexplained sequence of the collapse would not provide the same context. The sacrificial cameras were among the most distinctive parts of the production. Fixed cameras were positioned both inside and outside the structure in locations that could not be occupied by an operator during the demolition. Once installed and recording, they remained in place through the
48 | DemolitionHUB Magazine
final exclusion period and the blowdown itself. They were treated as sacrificial because exposure to debris, dust, vibration and the force of the collapse created a recognised possibility that the equipment could be damaged or lost. Using those cameras allowed closerange views to be obtained without placing people within the hazardous area. Their positions were determined in advance with the relevant site teams and had to take account of the demolition methodology, access arrangements and the point at which the area would be closed. After that stage there was no opportunity to move, reframe or check them. Internal positions could record the immediate environment at the first movement of the stack, while external positions provided close views of the lower structure and surrounding area. The wider ground and aerial coverage ensured that the production did not depend on these cameras alone. Aerial filming remained important, but it was one component of the wider production rather than the entire commission. Flight paths were planned around the exclusion zone and principal contractor’s controls, with safe take-off and landing areas identified before the site entered its final restricted phase. The elevated viewpoint showed the relationship between the chimney, the intended demolition area and the remaining power station structures. Ground and sacrificial cameras were used for closer perspectives rather than attempting to make the aircraft perform every role. This division of roles created resilience across the production. Dust is a major consideration during explosive demolition because a clear view can be obscured within seconds of the structure reaching the ground. A close camera may lose the later stages, while a distant camera may retain the overall view but show less detail. By combining staffed ground crews, fixed sacrificial positions and aerial coverage, the same event could be followed from several distances and directions without relying on a single view remaining clear throughout. The public interest surrounding the demolition added to the coordination required on the day. CCR Energy arranged a designated viewing area at
DemolitionHub.com
case study Fonmon Castle and asked members of the public not to stop on nearby roads or public spaces around the site. The filming crews operated within this larger controlled event and therefore needed to be in position, fully briefed and self-contained before final restrictions were introduced. Coordination with Erith, PDC and the site safety teams continued as the event approached. The production team needed confirmed information on the programme, expected sequence, felling direction, access arrangements and the point at which non-essential movement would cease. Ground positions and sacrificial locations had to be agreed and prepared in advance, while the aerial crew needed the same operational picture. Clear communication ensured that filming supported the project without introducing uncertainty into the demolition plan. On the morning of 12 June, the ground crews established their positions and completed equipment checks well before the final countdown. The fixed cameras inside and outside the structure had already been placed so that no one needed to enter the controlled area during the final phase. Recording began before initiation to capture the lead-in and avoid making the production dependent on a start command during a time-critical sequence. The aerial team was also prepared within its approved operating area, subject to the final decision of the demolition team. Once the responsible specialists confirmed that the controls were in place, the charges were initiated and the chimney moved through its planned demolition sequence. The main collapse lasted only seconds. The ground cameras recorded the movement from separate positions, the fixed cameras captured close-proximity views from inside and outside the structure, and the aerial footage showed the stack in relation to the surrounding site, the controlled demolition area and the dust spreading across the footprint after impact. No single angle told the complete story. The wide ground view provided continuity and showed the full height of the chimney. Closer ground positions recorded detail that was less visible in the master shot. The sacrificial cameras brought the viewer into areas from which personnel had been removed for safety, while the aerial
DemolitionHub.com
footage explained the geography and scale of the operation. Together, those views created a more complete record than any one camera could have produced. As the dust plume developed, some close views naturally became obscured, while more distant and elevated positions retained a broader overview. The cameras continued to document how conditions changed rather than stopping immediately after the stack reached the ground. Access to the demolition area remained subject to the safety team’s clearance and cameras within the controlled zone could only be approached once the area had been inspected and permission given. Post-blowdown
DemolitionHUB Magazine | 49
case study filming then recorded the changed condition of the site from approved positions. The material from the separate cameras was brought together in post-production. The principal ground footage provided the continuous framework, with aerial and sacrificial views adding context and close detail at the relevant points. Interviews explained the purpose of the works and significance of the milestone, while pre-event and post-event images showed the wider transformation. The result was a coherent project film rather than a collection of unrelated clips of the same demolition. The completed footage supports the project record, supplies authorised imagery for industry press and provides material for public and stakeholder communications. It enables people who were not on site to understand the scale and controlled nature of the operation. The interviews are important in this respect because they connect the images to the engineering preparation, safety controls and redevelopment objectives that are not visible during the few seconds of the collapse itself. There is also a historical dimension. Aberthaw’s chimney had formed part of the South Wales skyline for generations and was closely associated with the region’s industrial and energy history. CCR Energy has encouraged former workers, residents and members of the public to contribute photographs, video and memories to an Aberthaw archive as the site changes. The professionally produced film adds a structured record of the
50 | DemolitionHUB Magazine
chimney’s final condition, demolition and immediate aftermath to that wider collection. The future of Aberthaw is being approached as a phased redevelopment rather than a single fixed scheme. Demolition, remediation, site preparation, infrastructure assessment and masterplanning will continue as opportunities are developed across the energy, industrial and innovation sectors. The chimney blowdown was therefore not an endpoint, but a visible stage in preparing a major former power-generation site for future investment and uses. For Sky Revolutions, the project demonstrates the value of treating demolition filming as a complete production service. Aerial coverage provided one layer of the final record, but the ground crews, interviews and sacrificial cameras were equally important to the result. Early involvement allowed those elements to be planned together, with each camera assigned a clear purpose and every position aligned with the demolition and safety arrangements. The result was a comprehensive visual record while recognising that the engineering achievement belonged to Erith, PDC and the wider teams responsible for preparing and delivering the demolition. skyrevolutions.co.uk sales@skyrevolutions.co.uk 01778 560 929
DemolitionHub.com
ALLU CONCRETE Tight site+Fines+Rebar = No problem
Production up to 100 t/h EXCAVATOR
MAX. PRESSURE
t
lbs
bar
psi
25-45
55,000 - 100,0000
320
4,600
VOLUME
OIL FLOW
Handles rebar and steel 50 mm and 100 mm output
WEIGHT
m3
cu yd
l/min
gpm
kg
lbs
0.7-1
0.9-1.3
350-400
90-105
2,500
5,500
Less hauling, more savings
Tight demolition sites don’t leave room for extra machines. When access is restricted or it’s simply impossible to bring a mobile crusher on site, the ALLU Concrete Bucket lets you crush and screen concrete and brick right where it’s generated - using the excavator you already have. And if your material is fines-heavy, you’ll appreciate this: the bucket is designed for exceptional production capacity with high fines content, helping keep material moving in conditions where jaw crushers often slow down. Built for real demolition feed: it’s designed handle rebar or other steel objects, and they won’t cause damage, so rebar doesn’t turn into downtime. www.allu.net
info@allu.net
Watch it work!
Visit website
CRUSHING DUO
MB Crusher demolition pulverizer and crusher bu Demolish. Crush. Recycle. 1,5 - 100 ton
ucket.
Scan for the full range of attachments MBCRUSHER.COM
feature header
DEMOLITION ROBOTS Brokk celebrates 50 years as pioneer in demolition Brokk is the world’s leading manufacturer of remote-controlled demolition robots. With a relentless commitment to innovation and engineering excellence, Brokk delivers innovative solutions that enhance safety, efficiency, and precision in demolition and construction projects worldwide. Brokk, the world leader in remote-controlled demolition machines, marks its 50-year anniversary in 2026. Since 1976, Brokk has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible in the demolition industry, transforming hazardous work environments and redefining productivity, precision and safety on jobsites worldwide. Brokk’s journey began in northern Sweden, inside a smelter furnace at Rönnskärsverken. Faced with dangerous manual demolition tasks, brothers Lars and Per-Martin Holmgren envisioned a new solution: a remotely operated machine capable of doing the job with greater safety and efficiency. Their first prototype did far more than solve a local challenge, it laid the foundation for an entirely new industry. From that first machine to today’s advanced fleet operating around the globe, Brokk has
54 | DemolitionHUB Magazine
remained true to the same core mission to protect workers, increase efficiency and engineer equipment built for the most demanding environments. “Brokk was born from necessity, to protect workers and improve productivity in some of the toughest industrial settings,” says Martin Krupicka, CEO Brokk Group. “Fifty years later, that driving purpose remains unchanged. While our technology has evolved dramatically, our commitment to solving real-world challenges for our customers is as strong as ever.” Today, Brokk robots operate in industries including construction, cement and metal processing, nuclear decommissioning, tunnelling, mining and more. Brokk continues to develop specialised machines and attachments designed to meet the evolving needs of complex and highrisk workplaces.
DemolitionHub.com
feature
Brokk 130+ – More power, more precision, more possibilities The BROKK 130+ is built from the ground up to deliver more power, enhanced durability and unmatched precision. With an optimised hydraulic powertrain, a reinforced structure and the intelligence of Brokk SmartPower+, it takes compact demolition to the next level. Unleashing more power The Brokk 130+ is designed for maximum efficiency and force. Thanks to an optimised hydraulic powertrain, it delivers greater breaking power with the same energy input, setting a new benchmark in demolition. Every movement is more controlled, every action more powerful, and every task more productive, meaning less energy waste, higher output, and unmatched demolition performance. • 40–60% increase in production – Greater efficiency with enhanced hydraulic output, delivering more force without increased energy consumption. • Optimised power conversion – Less energy waste, more productivity. • New motor, pump and hydraulic valve – Engineered for peak performance.
DemolitionHub.com
A breaker built for impact Power needs precision and the BHB 175 breaker is designed to perfectly match the Brokk 130+. With 20% greater hitting force and 40% higher impact frequency, it maximises efficiency and productivity. Engineered for the Brokk 130+, the BHB 175 ensures seamless integration, delivering consistent, high-performance with every strike. Brokk SmartPower+ With BROKK SMARTPOWER+, the Brokk 130+ optimises power distribution to ensure peak performance and efficiency. Every function, from hydraulic control to energy flow, is intelligently managed to maximise output while protecting key components. The system adjusts in real time, preventing overloads, reducing unnecessary wear and increasing uptime. More precision, more responsiveness and more control – allowing operators to work smarter, faster and with greater confidence. brokk.com/uk marketing@brokk.com +46 910 711 800
DemolitionHUB Magazine | 55
feature header
Yuchai D170 electric demolition robot empowers high-risk, lowcarbon operations across industries As global urban renewal and industrial intelligence accelerate, emissions and safety regulations are becoming increasingly stringent. Remote‑controlled electric demolition robots have become indispensable in high‑risk applications including building demolition, metallurgy, cement plants, tunnelling, emergency rescue and nuclear facilities. Traditional manual methods or conventional excavators suffer from high safety risks, limited breaking power, poor access to confined spaces and excessive noise and emissions. Yuchai Equipment’s self‑developed D170 compact all‑electric remote demolition robot combines a small footprint with powerful performance. It has obtained CE certification and is now being introduced to the European market. This remote‑controlled unit is particularly suited to space‑constrained sites such as old‑city renovation and indoor demolition. In high‑temperature, high‑dust and confined environments – metallurgical furnaces, cement kilns and tunnel/underground works, the D170 significantly enhances safety and productivity. Compared with manual pneumatic breaker crews, it boosts efficiency by 30%, while fully meeting EU noise and emission standards. Core configuration The D170 integrates world‑renowned components: an ABB three‑phase asynchronous motor, a Rexroth load‑sensing main pump and a Parker electro‑proportional multi‑way valve. Its hydraulic system is on a par with mainstream international counterparts. An optional
56 | DemolitionHUB Magazine
frequency‑conversion motor allows it to adapt to varying voltage and frequency conditions worldwide. Standard equipment includes wireless remote control plus panel emergency backup, an extendable/retractable undercarriage, steel tracks and four hydraulic outriggers. A wide range of attachments is available as options. Key advantages • Exceptional accessibility – machine width adjustable down to 780 mm, easily passing through doorways, elevators and narrow tunnels, • Powerful and globally adaptable – powered by a 24-kW imported motor with ample reserve, the optional frequency‑conversion motor accommodates regional voltage/frequency differences, ensuring worldwide usability, • Superior breaking force – operating at 17 MPa and 65 L/min flow, equipped with a standard Epiroc SB202 high‑temperature breaker, delivering impact force equivalent to a six‑tonne mini‑excavator and capable of sustained work in metallurgical high‑heat conditions. Other benefits include strong climbing ability, 360-degree unrestricted working range, multiple anti–overturn safety features, durable modular design, zero emissions with low noise, intelligent power control and quick‑coupler attachment changeover.
DemolitionHub.com
feature
Safety and compliance The D170 has passed CE certification by an accredited third‑party body, fully meeting the EU Machinery, Low‑Voltage and EMC Directives. It features outrigger interlock, emergency stop, hydraulic overload protection and IP55‑rated enclosure. The remote-control system is interference‑proof, making it reliable in dense urban signal environments. Electric demolition equipment has become a necessity for modern industrial and urban
DemolitionHub.com
renewal projects. Yuchai Equipment also offers the U17 (a 1.7‑tonne dedicated demolition excavator) and the S35 all‑electric skid‑steer loader, which together enable a complete workflow from indoor demolition to waste material transport, forming a comprehensive demolition equipment product line. yuchaicm.com dig@yuchai.com
DemolitionHUB Magazine | 57
feature header
Husqvarna DXR demolition robots: Power and versatility on rubber tracks Husqvarna DXR demolition robots are known for their high-impact force and long reach, with their solid chassis providing impressive stability and making them a powerful platform for a wide range of attachable tools. The DXR work can in various areas, with its intuitive remote-control unit keeping operators safer from falling debris, vibration, heat and hazardous materials at up to 300m away. Their low weight, compact dimensions and ability to handle inclines make them highly versatile and useful in many applications. From deep-down digging in narrow mining tunnels, to demolishing tall factory chimneys while elevated on platforms. Complete power Demolition has always demanded strength, control and confidence. Today’s sites demand smarter ways to work too, particularly when access is tight, risk is high and downtime is costly. From industrial maintenance and tunnelling to mining, process plants and controlled dismantling, contractors need power exactly where it is required. When you need it, the DXR range gives you the power you need: • Power and performance: All DXR models stand out with their remarkable cutting, crushing and breaking capabilities. Designed to excel in diverse tasks, they consistently perform with precision and efficiency, helping you get the job done faster. • Optimised power: Machine performance is always optimised under all working conditions, which means operators can work with efficiency in performance in various demanding and hot environments. • Performance monitor: Monitor the machine’s performance in real time on the remote’s display.
58 | DemolitionHUB Magazine
Get in control – precision at your fingertips Husqvarna DXR’s remote control puts real power in the operator’s hands comfortably: • 2.4 GHz radio link with a long, interferencefree range of up to 300 m, • Superior control through immediate response, • Joysticks with convenient thumb switch, • One-hand transport mode, • Multiple operator patterns, • Ergonomic harness + belt option. More than just demolition The versatility of the DXR platform means its role extends beyond straightforward concrete breaking. In tunnelling and mining, long chisel breaker attachments can support scaling after blasting, while buckets and drum cutters assist with digging, cleaning, levelling and the removal of semi-hard materials. In kiln maintenance and process-industry tasks, the robots can help remove coatings, refractory material and buildup while reducing the need for dangerous manual labour. A range built around choice and attachments for more flexibility The lineup – DXR 95, DXR 145, DXR 275, DXR 305 and DXR 315 – gives contractors a choice of machine size, power and reach. Each model has a clear role. The DXR 95 is the most compact option, weighing 589kg with 9.8kW of power and a maximum recommended tool weight of 120kg. The DXR 145 increases capacity to 985kg and 18.5kW, while the DXR 275, DXR 305 and DXR 315 step up again, with machine weights from 1,750kg to2,020 kg and power outputs of 24kW to 27kW. Depending on the model,
DemolitionHub.com
feature
upward reach extends from 3.2m to 5.5m and forward reach from 2.7m to 5.2m. Attachment flexibility is central to the DXR concept. Contractors can equip the robot with hydraulic breakers, crushers, drum cutters, buckets, grapples, steel shears and other tools depending on the task. Optional packages and accessories, including heat protection, enhanced cooling, steel tracks and long working tools, further extend suitability for specialist applications and help improve utilisation across varied work. See Husqvarna DXRs in action Husqvarna Construction UK is holding its annual Innovations event at its East London Service
DemolitionHub.com
Centre (Gumley Road, Grays RM20 4XP) from 15–17 September. This is a great opportunity for contractors and owners to understand the capability of remote demolition robots, see them in action and get hands on with all the equipment on display. The event offers the chance to see new technology up close, explore equipment and speak to product specialists. Visit www. husqvarnaconstruction.com/uk/discover/events/ innovations-event for more information and to register your attendance. husqvarnaconstruction.com/uk husqvarna.construction@husqvarna.co.uk 0344 844 4569
DemolitionHUB Magazine | 59
CIRCLE UK GROUP
Protecting Demolition Sites. People. Assets. Circle UK Group provides integrated security, monitoring and training solutions designed for demolition and construction environments.
Site Security & Monitoring
Manned Security
Rapid-deploy CCTV towers Perimeter beam detection 24/7 live monitoring Keyholder and police escalation Solutions without existing power or communications
Professional security officers Access and delivery control Out-of-hours site checks Alarm and incident response Support during critical project stages
Reduce theft and trespass Protect valuable assets and materials Minimise disruption and delays Strengthen safety and compliance SCAN FOR MORE
Maintain robust, auditable site protection
Workforce Training Banksman training Fire Marshal training Health & safety courses Compliance and site awareness Training for operatives, supervisors and managers
CIRCLE UK GROUP 020 3988 2444 24/7 020 3239 9991 info@circleukgroup.co.uk Theobalds Enterprise Centre, Platinum Way, Waltham Cross, EN8 8YD
Case study Project: Structure: Scope of works:
Contractor: Client: Significant stakeholders: Start date: Completion date: Techniques:
Future use:
Redevelopment of former WH Smith, Dunstable Warehouse and distribution building with large cement bonded asbestos roof Collection and disposal of cement bonded asbestos roof sheets as part of the demolition of the former warehouse. Windsor Waste Management supplied eight 40-yard roll-on roll-off containers and safely disposed 75 tonnes of hazardous waste throughout the project Windsor Waste Management Confidential redevelopment client Cawarden March 2026 June 2026 Cement bonded asbestos roof sheet disposal using 40-yard roll-on rolloff containers, ADR-compliant transport, hazardous waste consignment tracking and disposal to licensed hazardous landfill. Collections were coordinated around Cawarden’s demolition programme to maintain productivity and minimise disruption. Demolition of the former industrial building to prepare the site for future redevelopment.
case study
In spring 2026, Windsor Waste Management partnered with award-winning demolition contractor Cawarden to provide specialist asbestos disposal services during the demolition of the former WH Smith building at Woodside Industrial Estate in Dunstable. While this was not the largest asbestos project undertaken by Windsor Waste Management, it perfectly represents the type of high-volume commercial demolition work delivered every day across the UK. Successful demolition projects rely on dependable waste management partners who can provide responsive collections, compliant disposal and flexible logistics that keep programmes moving. Over a four-month period, Windsor Waste Management safely collected and disposed of 75 tonnes of cement bonded asbestos roofing materials using eight 40-yard containers. By integrating closely with Cawarden’s demolition programme, the team ensured waste was disposed of efficiently as works progressed, allowing demolition activities to continue without unnecessary delays. Project background The former WH Smith warehouse occupied a prominent site within Woodside Industrial Estate and formed part of a wider demolition programme ahead of future redevelopment. Before structural demolition could begin, the building’s extensive cement bonded asbestos roof had to be safely removed by licensed contractors. Once removed, the asbestos waste required compliant transportation and disposal in accordance with hazardous waste legislation. Working alongside Cawarden, Windsor Waste
62 | DemolitionHUB Magazine
Management developed a disposal programme that complemented the demolition sequence, ensuring waste was collected as it arose rather than becoming a constraint on site operations. The project operated within standard site working hours, requiring collections to be carefully coordinated around the site’s daily activities. Initial planning and coordination Although relatively straightforward in scope, the project required careful planning to ensure demolition activities could continue uninterrupted throughout the roof removal programme. Early discussions between Windsor Waste Management and Cawarden established a collection schedule that reflected the pace of asbestos removal while remaining flexible enough to respond to changing site conditions. This proactive approach ensured containers were available when required, reducing downtime and maintaining productivity. Particular attention was given to efficient container management. The use of 40-yard rollon roll-off containers maximised loading capacity, reducing the number of vehicle movements required while providing ample storage for large volumes of cement bonded asbestos roofing sheets. Alongside the logistical planning, every collection was supported by hazardous waste consignment documentation and ADR-compliant transport, providing complete traceability from collection through to final disposal. Execution of asbestos disposal Throughout the programme, Windsor Waste Management supplied and managed eight 40-
DemolitionHub.com
case study yard roll-on roll-off containers, removing a total of 75 tonnes of cement bonded asbestos roofing materials. Collections were scheduled to align with the demolition programme, ensuring full containers were exchanged promptly and replacement containers delivered without interrupting site operations. This allowed Cawarden to maintain momentum while keeping work areas clear, organised and compliant. Following collection, all asbestos waste was transported using ADR-compliant vehicles to a licensed hazardous landfill facility. Every load was accompanied by hazardous waste consignment documentation, providing a complete audit trail and ensuring full compliance with Duty of Care obligations. Although roof removal is only one phase of a demolition project, it is often one of the most critical. Delays at this stage can impact every activity that follows. By providing a reliable, responsive disposal service, Windsor Waste Management helped ensure the programme remained on schedule from the first roof sheet removed through to completion. Project outcomes and compliance The asbestos roof removal programme was completed safely, compliantly and on schedule, with all hazardous materials disposed of in accordance with environmental legislation. During the project, Windsor Waste Management successfully managed: • 75 tonnes of cement bonded asbestos, • Eight 40-yard containers exchanged throughout the programme,
• Complete hazardous waste documentation and full audit trail, • Licensed disposal of all asbestos waste. The project demonstrated Windsor Waste Management’s ability to seamlessly integrate its operations into live demolition sites, providing reliable logistical support while maintaining the highest standards of safety and compliance. Why this project matters Although smaller in scale than some of Windsor Waste Management’s flagship regeneration projects, the former WH Smith redevelopment reflects the type of work undertaken every day for demolition contractors across the UK. Projects like these highlight that successful asbestos disposal is not measured solely by tonnage. It is measured by reliability, communication and the ability to deliver consistently throughout the demolition programme. Partnering with an industry-leading contractor such as Cawarden also reinforces Windsor Waste Management’s reputation within the demolition sector. Trusted by award-winning contractors to support live demolition projects, the company continues to demonstrate its ability to deliver specialist asbestos disposal services on projects of every size. The imagery captured throughout the works further showcases the professionalism of Windsor Waste Management’s fleet operating within complex demolition environments, providing a strong visual representation of the company’s commitment to safe, compliant and dependable service delivery. Tom Williamson, Hire and Purchasing Controller at Cawarden said: “Windsor Waste Management provided a reliable, responsive service throughout the project. Their team ensured containers were available when we needed them, allowing the asbestos roof removal works to progress safely and efficiently while giving us complete confidence that the waste was being managed compliantly.” Conclusion The former WH Smith redevelopment demonstrates the value of strong partnerships between demolition contractors
DemolitionHub.com
DemolitionHUB Magazine | 63
case study and specialist hazardous waste providers. By working closely with Cawarden throughout the roof removal project, Windsor Waste Management delivered a responsive and fully compliant disposal service that enabled demolition works to progress safely and efficiently. Whether supporting a landmark regeneration scheme involving hundreds of tonnes of hazardous waste or the routine demolition of commercial
buildings across the UK, Windsor Waste Management applies the same principles to every project: responsive communication, operational reliability, regulatory compliance and a commitment to helping customers deliver projects on time. It is this consistent approach that has made Windsor Waste Management a trusted partner for many of the UK’s leading demolition and asbestos removal contractors.
Windsor Waste Management is a market leader in asbestos disposal. They are a significant provider of total waste management services to construction, demolition and related industries across the UK. With over 25 years of experience and an unrivalled reputation, they manage storage, collection and disposal solutions for asbestos, demolition, construction, business and hazardous waste.
Cawarden is a Derbyshire-based, family-led specialist contractor delivering demolition, asbestos removal, remediation, earthworks, civils and groundworks projects across the UK. Through specialist expertise and integrated solutions, it creates opportunity by transforming complex sites responsibly and preparing the ground for what comes next.
cawarden.com cawardeninfo@cawarden.com 01332 820 488
winwaste.com enquiries@winwaste.com 01708 559 966
64 | DemolitionHUB Magazine
DemolitionHub.com
Honouring the People that Power Demolition... Date: Friday 16 April 2027 Location: The Belfry, Sutton Coldfield Speak to our team to secure your seats and sponsorship options BritishDemolitionAwards.com/TheDEMMYS demmys@chambers.media
feature header
DUST CONTROL Dust control beyond the demolition zone Why haul roads deserve a place in every demolition site’s dust management plan On any demolition project, dust control is fundamental to protecting people, maintaining safe operations and meeting environmental responsibilities. The Health and Safety Executive warns that regular exposure to dust can cause life-changing lung diseases. Of particular concern is respirable crystalline silica, or RCS, which can be released when concrete, brick, mortar and other silica-containing materials are broken, crushed or cut. The impact is not limited to respiratory health. Airborne dust can reduce visibility for plant operators and drivers, contaminate neighbouring properties and affect sensitive receptors such as homes, schools, businesses and habitats. Visible plumes, complaints or monitoring exceedances can also undermine community confidence and place a project’s environmental compliance under scrutiny. Multiple sources, one site-wide challenge Demolition creates dust throughout the project lifecycle. High-risk activities can include soft stripping, breaking and crushing concrete or masonry, cutting and grinding, processing rubble, excavating dry ground, loading skips, dropping materials, handling stockpiles and moving waste. Weather and site conditions can
66 | DemolitionHUB Magazine
amplify the problem, particularly during dry periods or when wind carries dust towards the site boundary. Effective control therefore requires a sitewide view. Suppression at the point of demolition is essential, but it addresses only part of the overall site risk. The dust source hiding in plain sight The most dramatic dust plume usually comes from the demolition activity itself. Understandably, this is where attention, equipment and resources are concentrated. However, the repeated movement of excavators, dumpers, lorries and other vehicles across unmade surfaces can create another significant and persistent source of dust. Vehicles disturb and grind fine material at the road surface, while traffic movement
DemolitionHub.com
feature
and wind lift it into the air. This airborne dust can not only affect site workers health and visibility, but it can travel past site boundaries, affecting neighbouring communities, businesses and habitats. Unlike a specific demolition task, this source may continue throughout the working day. Every passing vehicle can regenerate dust, including when the main demolition activity has paused. The limits of repeated watering Water bowsers remain a familiar and useful control in the right circumstances. However, repeatedly watering haul roads as the default response to a persistent surface dust problem deserves closer scrutiny. The approach can consume substantial volumes of water. In warm, dry or windy conditions, water may evaporate quickly, so the bowser must return several times a day to maintain control. Each application requires labour, fuel and equipment, while the tractor and bowser add another moving vehicle to an already busy site. This can disrupt traffic routes and divert people and plant from productive work. Repeated watering may also contribute to surface erosion, potholes, mud and runoff if it is poorly controlled. As responsible water use receives greater attention, best practice means matching the control method to the source. Water can remain important for dust generated at the point of demolition, while a longer-lasting surface treatment may be better suited to haul roads.
DemolitionHub.com
One application. Up to three months of waterless dust control DustFast is a nonpolymer surface treatment developed for unmade haul roads, compounds and other trafficked areas. Unlike traditional bowsering, DustFast does not rely on repeatedly wetting the road to achieve ongoing control. Once applied, it treats the surface and helps prevent fine material from becoming airborne as vehicles pass. A single DustFast application can remain effective for up to three months, depending on traffic, weather and surface conditions. This provides a waterless approach to ongoing haul road dust suppression and can replace weeks of repeated bowser activity with one planned treatment. The benefits reach beyond water conservation. Reducing bowser activity can cut the labour, fuel, plant and maintenance costs associated with repeated applications. Fewer bowser movements can ease site congestion, release operatives and equipment for other work, and provide more consistent control throughout the treatment period. Avoiding repeated wetting can also help protect the haul road surface. By addressing traffic-generated dust as part of a wider dust management plan, sites can improve visibility, operational efficiency, environmental performance and relations with neighbouring communities. Corgin can assess a site’s haul roads, review its existing suppression activity and help quantify how much water, bowser activity and cost could be saved. To explore what one DustFast application could achieve over the next three months, speak to Corgin to arrange a product demonstration. corgin.co.uk sales@corgin.co.uk 01785 229 300
DemolitionHUB Magazine | 67
feature header
Smarter, cleaner, quieter: Why environmental monitoring has become an operational advantage for UK demolition Environmental monitoring is no longer simply a planning condition or compliance requirement. On today’s demolition projects, it has become a valuable management tool that helps contractors reduce risk, protect programme delivery and maintain positive relationships with local communities. With increasing scrutiny from local authorities and stakeholders, contractors are expected to demonstrate compliance with Section 61 consents, BS 5228 for noise and vibration, IAQM guidance for dust management and, where required, BS 7385 or DIN 4150 for vibration assessment. Increasingly, clients also expect transparent reporting that proves environmental impacts are being effectively managed throughout a project. Rather than reacting to complaints after they arise, many contractors are now using real-time monitoring to identify trends early, adapt working practices and provide objective evidence that site operations remain within agreed limits. From compliance to proactive site management Every demolition site presents unique challenges. Urban developments, constrained city centre locations and projects close to schools, hospitals or residential areas leave little margin for error. A single noise complaint or dust incident can damage community relationships, trigger investigations or even disrupt planned works. Modern environmental monitoring enables project teams to make informed decisions as conditions change. Live alerts can warn site managers when noise thresholds are being approached, vibration monitoring provides reassurance that neighbouring structures are protected and continuous dust monitoring helps identify issues before they become complaints. By combining noise, vibration, dust and weather monitoring within a single cloud-based platform, contractors gain a complete picture of site performance while producing clear, auditable records for clients and local authorities.
68 | DemolitionHUB Magazine
Supporting more sustainable projects As the demolition industry works towards Net Zero, attention is increasingly turning to every aspect of site operations – including temporary monitoring equipment. Traditionally, remote monitoring stations have relied on diesel generators or frequent battery replacements, adding fuel costs, maintenance requirements and unnecessary carbon emissions. Renewable power solutions, including solar powered systems and long-life lithium battery technology, now allow monitoring stations to operate continuously with minimal maintenance. Silent operation also ensures the monitoring equipment itself does not contribute to ambient site noise, making these systems particularly well suited to sensitive urban environments. Reliable data starts with reliable equipment Environmental data is only valuable if it can be trusted. Regular calibration, robust equipment and ongoing technical support are essential to producing accurate information that can withstand scrutiny from clients and regulators. For more than 25 years, Campbell Associates has supported the UK’s demolition and construction sectors with precision environmental monitoring solutions, flexible hire options and four UKAS-accredited calibration laboratories. From installation and commissioning through to technical support and calibration, the focus is on providing contractors with dependable data they can use to manage projects with confidence. Looking ahead As projects become more complex and expectations around environmental performance continue to grow, monitoring is evolving from a compliance exercise into a strategic project
DemolitionHub.com
feature management tool. Contractors who can demonstrate proactive environmental management are better placed to reduce project risk, strengthen community relationships and provide the transparency that clients increasingly expect. With the right technology and support, environmental
DemolitionHub.com
monitoring becomes more than measuring site conditions – it becomes another way to deliver successful projects. campbell-associates.co.uk hotline@campbell-associates.co.uk 01371 871 030
DemolitionHUB Magazine | 69
opinion
My ten-point plan for Andy Burnham to fix Britain’s construction industry by Bradley Lay, founder TrueNorth Capital Group Having sat across the table from hundreds of subcontractor business owners and witnessed firsthand what works and what breaks them, here’s the top 10 things I’d do to fix the structural problems crushing construction businesses in this country. 1. Reverse the Employers’ National Insurance increase The rise in Employers’ NIC hit construction businesses harder than most because construction operates on thin margins where labour represents 60-70% of total costs for most subcontractors. Subcontractors had to make a tough call to either absorb the cost and see a reduction in profits, or pass it on to clients and lose work to competitors. Returning this to previous levels would stop penalising businesses for employing people. 2. Reduce corporation tax to reward risk At between 19 and 25%, UK corporation tax sends a message to entrepreneurs that the government will take a quarter of everything they build. When I talk to business owners about growth, the conversation always comes back to the same question. “Why would I work harder to show more profit when the government takes 25% of it?” Lower corporation tax encourages people to start businesses, take risks and reinvest in growth, with the tax receipts from a thriving business ecosystem far exceeding what you collect through higher rates. Reducing corporation tax would make entrepreneurship in the UK worth the risk again. 3. Bring back decent levels of Business Asset Disposal Relief The UK used to have a system that encouraged business owners to build something valuable and exit cleanly. Business Asset Disposal Relief gave owners a reason to grow their business with an exit in mind, rewarding long-term thinking. Now, with Capital Gains Tax at up to 24% (with the
70 | DemolitionHUB Magazine
first £1m of qualifying gains reduced to 18% under BADR), many owners in the boomer generation who’ve built £5-10 million revenue businesses look at the tax bill on a sale and decide it’s not worth the aggravation. They’d rather just let the business fade. Those businesses could be sold to younger operators who’d inject capital and energy, yet instead they die with their owner’s exit. Bringing back meaningful tax incentives for business sales would make exits attractive again. 4. Reverse Employee Ownership Trust changes Employee Ownership Trusts were one of the best vehicles for passing businesses to the people who actually built them. They allowed owners to exit while giving their team a stake in the future, creating a structure that aligned everyone’s interests. The recent tax changes to only 50% of the sale being tax free, have gutted the incentive. I’d reverse those changes immediately to encourage business owners to reward the people who helped them build something and create a pathway for wealth creation beyond selling to private equity or strategic buyers. 5. Create real tax incentives for investment The UK desperately needs infrastructure investment across housing, transport and energy, yet global investors look at the tax environment and put their capital elsewhere. Even if you offer investors attractive tax breaks, a £3 billion project generates massive tax receipts from everyone else involved. Contractors pay corporation tax, subcontractors pay corporation tax and CIS, employees pay income tax and NIC, material suppliers pay VAT and corporation tax. The direct tax from the investor represents a fraction of the total tax generated by the project. Creating aggressive tax incentives for development investment would make the UK the obvious choice for capital deployment.
DemolitionHub.com
opinion 6. Fix the broken lending schemes for SMEs The Government Guarantee Scheme sounds good in theory, yet in practice it remains almost impossible to access. With criteria so restrictive that the businesses that need it most can’t qualify, banks rarely approve applications. Construction SMEs need working capital to bridge the gap between paying subcontractors and getting paid by main contractors, as well as to fund growth. Replacing the current schemes with something that works would make finance available to businesses with real revenue and real contracts, moving beyond the pretence of helping while maintaining barriers that exclude the people you claim to support. 7. Make construction careers attractive There’s currently no campaign making construction appeal to young people. They don’t realise it offers both white collar and blue collar careers. They don’t see the technology, the design work, the project management, the commercial roles. At TrueNorth, we launched the Design Academy to attract young talent through 3D modelling and design. It works because it shows them a different side of the industry. And if they decide construction isn’t for them, it gives them design skills that transition to more creative industries. Funding a proper campaign to showcase the breadth of construction careers would show young people the earning potential, the variety and the technology, making it a sector they want to join. 8. Bring back manufacturing Running a UK manufacturing business has become almost impossible. Energy costs are among the highest in the world, labour costs are high and import costs make materials unsustainable. The country has outsourced its industrial capacity for 40 years and depends on supply chains it doesn’t control. Creating incentives for manufacturing businesses to set up in the UK, reducing energy costs for industrial users and offering tax breaks for companies that manufacture here rather than import would begin to address this. Rebuilding our manufacturing base is strategic, creating jobs, generating tax revenue and reducing our vulnerability to global supply chain disruptions. 9. Source our own energy from the North Sea If the UK achieved total carbon neutrality tomorrow, it would impact roughly 0.8% of global emissions. Meanwhile, we’re crippling our economy while other countries abandon the same targets.
DemolitionHub.com
I support reducing emissions, yet destroying our economic independence in the process makes no strategic sense. The UK has oil and gas in the North Sea that should be extracted, refined and used, because energy independence matters more than symbolic gestures that achieve nothing. Sourcing energy domestically rather than from countries with worse environmental standards than our own would give British businesses the energy security they need. 10. Protect subcontractor payments with government backing While eliminating retentions is a good start, it doesn’t solve the real problem. The construction payment chain is broken, with main contractors delaying payments to subcontractors as a matter of course and some using subcontractor cash flow as free working capital. Creating a government-backed payment protection scheme whereby when a main contractor doesn’t pay within agreed terms, subcontractors still get paid leaving the main contractor to deal with the government, would change payment behaviour overnight. Protecting the people at the bottom of the payment chain is how you build a functional industry where businesses can plan, invest and grow without wondering if they’ll get paid for work they’ve already completed. What this actually means These 10 policies share a common thread in that they remove barriers for people who want to build things without picking winners or creating dependency. I’ve watched the UK tax system push wealth creators out of the country. I’ve seen business owners choose to wind down rather than sell because the tax treatment makes exits unattractive. I’ve watched talented young people avoid construction because nobody showed them what the sector actually offers. These are decisions that determine whether businesses survive or fail, whether owners build wealth or just work harder for the same result and ultimately whether the next generation sees opportunity or looks elsewhere. The construction sector needs the government to stop making it harder than it already is. Removing obstacles and letting the people who build things get on with it is how you create jobs, generate tax revenue and build an economy that works. tncap.co.uk bradley@tncap.co.uk
DemolitionHUB Magazine | 71
PROUD SPONSOR · 2026
SPECIALIST ASBESTOS REMOVAL CONTRACTOR
COMPLEX PROJECTS.
CONTROLLED DELIVERY. ONE TEAM. FOUR SPECIALIST CAPABILITIES.
Omega brings asbestos removal, land remediation, asbestos surveys and scaffolding together under one turnkey service. From early planning through to completion, we manage highrisk, programme-critical work with safety, compliance and delivery certainty at the forefront.
2025 WINNER ASBESTOS REMOVAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR
OUR CORE CAPABILITIES
ASBESTOS REMOVAL
LAND REMEDIATION
ASBESTOS SURVEYS
SCAFFOLDING SERVICES
PROUD SPONSOR
BRITISH DEMOLITION & ASBESTOS AWARDS 2026 01462 418 814
info@omega-enviro.co.uk
www.omega-enviro.co.uk
opinion
Burnham government could transform construction by Terry Lloyd, Head of Vendor, SME Lending at Paragon Bank Regardless of the economic landscape, a new Prime Minister always brings a sense of possibility. For the construction and demolition sectors, this offers the prospect of a leader whose political identity has been shaped not in the Westminster bubble, but through hands-on experience delivering regeneration, housing and infrastructure projects in one of the UK’s fastest-growing city regions. Construction and demolition is an industry measured by completions, and in order to deliver it relies on coordinated action from across the public and commercial sectors. Burnham’s record as Mayor of Greater Manchester suggests he understands this. He has consistently championed devolution, advocated for greater local control over planning and regeneration and overseen significant investment in housing and infrastructure across the region. He has also placed housing supply at the centre of his political agenda, speaking about the need for a major expansion of council and affordable housing. This is an encouraging approach. The reality is, Britain needs more homes, upgraded infrastructure, modernised utilities and large-scale regeneration. Every one of those ambitions creates demand for demolition contractors, civil engineering specialists, builders and the wider supply chain. If a Burnham government follows through on its ambitions, this will lead to a stronger pipeline for years to come. That’s not to say there’s a case for blind optimism. One lesson from Greater Manchester is that ambition alone does not guarantee delivery. While the region has experienced significant development, debate continues around affordability, social housing provision and whether housing delivery has kept pace with need. Now, that challenge is moving from a city-regional level to a national scale. If it was hard to deliver before, it’ll only become more challenging now. One of the biggest mistakes any government can make is failing to recognise the power of construction as an economic tool for growth. The industry is often discussed in terms of output
DemolitionHub.com
targets, yet its contribution goes much further. Construction and demolition creates jobs, speeds up investment, regenerates communities and supports productivity growth across the wider economy. To deliver his promises of economic growth, three priorities stand out for Burnham to focus on. The first is the skills shortage. In a survey of 1,000 SMEs, Paragon found that more than a quarter of business leaders see skills shortages as a major challenge, while more than four in ten have struggled to recruit suitably skilled staff over the past year. Infrastructure should also sit at the top of the agenda. Successive governments have announced ambitious programmes for transport, energy, utilities and public infrastructure that become trapped in procurement delays and funding uncertainty. For demolition contractors, certainty matters as much as workload. Firms invest in people, training and equipment based on future demand, so a clearer pipeline of nationally significant infrastructure projects, coupled with more predictable delivery timelines, would give businesses confidence to invest and grow. It would also bring forward the demolition and remediation works that underpin every major infrastructure scheme. The third, and arguably most important, is ensuring local authorities are given greater powers while maintaining national consistency. Burnham has long argued that decisions are often best made within and by the communities they affect. That intention is admirable, but investors, developers and contractors also need clear and predictable rules. Lenders like Paragon want to support businesses investing in people, equipment and growth, but investment follows certainty. A stronger project pipeline and fewer barriers to delivery would drive deployment of capital, support business expansion and create opportunities throughout the demolition sector. paragonbank.co.uk terry.lloyd@paragonbank.co.uk 01489 775 699
DemolitionHUB Magazine | 73
recruitment
Since being established in 2012, Romax Solutions has set a high standard when it comes to recruitment. Finding the best candidates is our driven desire and passion, we aim to meet the recruitment needs of a diverse range of clients within the construction industry. Being based just outside of London gives us easy access to service all clients throughout Essex, London, Kent and surrounding areas while also having the capabilities to support and service nationwide projects and clients. With a depth of knowledge, our experienced and trusted staff are on hand to deliver a bespoke service to each and every client, supplying reliable and talented staff of all levels both nationally and locally. Romax Solutions
74 | DemolitionHUB Magazine
is fully accredited by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation and the National Federation of Demolition Contractors. These accreditations have enabled us to work alongside other NFDC members to meet their scope of needs on multiple projects. These projects range from small scale strip outs to large scale power station decommissions. We are also always keen to add new talent to our current pool of candidates nationwide. These include those from management level downwards, including skilled demolition operatives and even those just starting out their demolition careers. We work effortlessly to ensure all candidates are fit for purpose, including using accredited training providers to upskill our operatives.
DemolitionHub.com
recruitment CCDO Operative (Cat B Non-licensed asbestos removal) Wandsworth, south-west London Role: CCDO Operative with Cat B, for demolition works Rate: £17 – £19 p/h Requirements: • CCDO Green/Red qualification • Cat B Non-licensed asbestos removal • Full PPE • Minimum of two years’ experience in demolition • Good timekeeping and willingness to work What we offer: • Ability to work through CIS / self-employed • Weekly payments • Assistance in regard to progression within construction • Ongoing labourer work for the right candidate For more information and to work on this project please contact the account manager of this specific job on 07557 196 353. Romax Solutions provides long term work for the right candidates depending on reliability and willingness to work. CCDO Operatives Oxford Circus, central London Role: CCDO Operatives, work involves demolition, soft strip, long term works. Rate: £16 – £18 p/h Requirements: • CCDO Green/Red Card • Full PPE • Minimum of two years’ experience within construction as a CCDO • Good timekeeping and willingness to work What we offer: • Ability to work through CIS / self-employed • Weekly payments • Assistance in regard to progression within construction • Ongoing work for the right candidate For more information and to work on this project please contact the account manager of this specific job on 07557 196 353.
DemolitionHub.com
360 Operator (D90) Victoria, south-west London Role: 360 Operator (D90) required for a demolition breaking works Rate: £21 – £22 p/h Requirements: • Blue CPCS (NVQ Level 2) + D90 ticket • Full PPE • Minimum of three years’ experience as a 360 Operator and in demolition • Good timekeeping and willingness to work What we offer: • Ability to work through CIS / selfemployed • Weekly payments • Assistance in regard to progression within construction • Ongoing work for the right candidate For more information and to work on this project please contact the account manager of this specific job on 07557 196 353. Romax Solutions provides long term work for the right candidates depending on reliability and willingness to work.
CCDO Burner Shoreditch, east London Role: CCDO Burner for burning works taking down structural steel works Rate: £20 – £22 p/h Requirements: • CCDO/ CSCS card • Oxy Fuel Cutting qualification • Full PPE • Minimum of three years’ experience within construction as a CCDO Burner • Good timekeeping and willingness to work What we offer: • Ability to work through CIS / self-employed • Weekly payments • Assistance in regard to progression within construction • Ongoing labourer work for the right candidate For more information and to work on this project please contact the account manager of this specific job on 07557 196 353.
DemolitionHUB Magazine | 75
A Whole New Robot. A Whole New Standard.
More power. More precision. More possibilities. The Brokk 130+ is engineered for the future of demolition—stronger, smarter, and built to push boundaries.
Brokk UK | www.brokk.com/uk