Bringing Hybrid technology to Wales
Tom Pritchard Contracting Ltd became the first construction business in Wales to take on a brand new Komatsu HB215LC-2 Hybrid machine, adding to the 25 plus Komatsu’s already in their fleet.
Established as a plant hire company in 1995, Tom Prichard Contracting are now the first in the industry to add a Hybrid to their fleet. Over the last 20 years, they’ve diversified and now offer a wide range of services including demolition, bulk earthworks, site clearance, ground remediation, recycling, civil engineering, infrastructure services and waste management.
Marubeni-Komatsu spoke to Chris Goodfield, contracts manager at Tom Prichard who talked through a few of the problems they had with the current set-up. ‘Our fuel usage on our own recycling plant was far too high. The way we were doing it before just wasn’t feasible, it just ends up eating into our profits.’
Marubeni-Komatsu’s solution to this problem was a Hybrid machine. Hybrids are the moulding of hydraulic and electric power. People have already seen the eco-friendly switch from fuel to electric in the conventional car, but it’s the fusion of hydraulic and electric machines that has given birth to a brand new breed of ecological and sustainable machinery. Marubeni-Komatsu say users see on average 30% lower fuel consumption, (compared to a standard PC210LC-8 excavator) and less CO² emissions, making it a greener machine.
Marubeni-Komatsu gave the company a Hybrid machine on demonstration, the only distributors to do so, which was a huge factor during the decision making process.
The Komatsu Hybrid joins Tom Prichard’s ever expanding Komatsu collection, with over 25 in the fleet. They’re already looking forward to the potential cost savings. Chris Goodfield commented: ‘We’ll be running the Hybrid for around 10h a day, or 60h a week. So, obviously the cost savings were an important issue for us. There is a definite need for us to be more sustainable! We’re hoping for around a 40% cost saving on the Hybrid.’
It’s widely regarded that the construction industry has been subject to heavy scrutiny, and as a result, a litany of regulations intended to promote a more sustainable industry have been introduced. With more restrictions set to be introduced, the most cutting-edge, innovative and low emission vehicles will be the difference between a customer winning or losing a contract.
