East Midlands-based contractor AR Demolition has announced significant investment in new vehicles and maintenance premises.
The business, recently taken into new shared ownership, has invested more than £2.6 million in new plant and HGV fleet additions, alongside new facilities at its home in Carlton near Market Bosworth, Leicestershire.
The expanded premises will be used for plant and vehicle workshop, fabrication and engineering, as well as welfare for the 12 staff based at the new facilities.
They will also be the basis for AR’s haulage activities, and will be managed by Alex Murrell, the company’s plant and logistics manager.
AR has also created a new concept in the demolition sector with the purchase of their KMC600P-7 excavator along with crane technology – uniquely adding three quick release arms is a UK first which reduces downtime on site and provides greater efficiency for client projects requiring a 34m high reach machine.
Also covered by the investment are three further new demolition excavators and the addition of new HGVs and smaller vehicles to AR’s current fleet.
Founded in 2007, AR is now under joint ownership by new Managing Director Mike Henderson and finance director Matt Munro, alongside CEO Richard Dolman.
Mr Henderson, who joined the senior management team in late 2016, said: “We are pleased that this latest stage of the development of our company is complete, and the foundations are all in place for our future.
“For the benefit of our own business but also the demolition industry as a whole, AR is determined to pioneer standards for safety, staff welfare, sustainability and innovation.
“Over several years to shape and offer our clients true enabling solutions, we have innovated with technology, engineering and demolition techniques as can be seen in our latest investment in our high-reach demolition excavator with quick release arms and attachments, a first for the industry in Britain. These solutions themselves require good maintenance to ensure they remain effective and efficient.
“Our new premises will help us ensure that standards remain high, both in how we do our work and in how we look after our staff.
“That’s a key part of how we take our company forward. Under our new joint ownership and with our expanded premises, plant and vehicles secured, the next stages of our journey have clarity and direction, with focus on key deliverables and areas of business activity.”
The investment brings AR’s total ownership to over 50 vehicles – a variety of LGV, HGV, plant and cars.
The company plans to switch its diesel vehicles to low carbon fuel in the early part of next year and is currently researching the costs and practicalities of using Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVOW).
The rest of the fleet already consists of hybrid and electric vehicles, as AR bids to set an example as a sustainable demolition contractor.
Mr Henderson said: “We’re in this for the long haul and the investment in our new machinery, vehicles and facilities demonstrates the belief we have in our business and values.
“Of course as a specialist demolition contractor, it’s exciting to be continuing to add to our fleet. We’ve created a reputation for innovation and sustainability, so having modern machinery is essential for the delivery of our services.”
