Investment in new plant to ensure safe operations & improved efficiency

INVESTS IN NEW PLANT EQUIPMENT TO ENSURE SAFE OPERATIONS AND IMPROVED EFFICIENCY

Ferguson Modular, part of the Ferguson Group, specialist providers in accommodation and workspace modules to the offshore energy industry around the world, recently invested in state-of-the art plant equipment to improve operations. 

Ferguson Modular has made significant investment in equipping their Kintore base with the latest tools to ease daily operations.  A brand new Combilift straddle carrier, the first to be implemented in North East Scotland, went into operation recently at Ferguson Modular.  The new plant will improve the safety and efficiency its mobilization of the accommodation modules during loading/unloading. 

The Combilift straddle carrier has a 35t capacity and offers complete independence for the transportation of containers and similarly oversized loads. It can lift fully loaded containers from the ground to trailer, from trailer to trailer and to stack modules.

Previously, moving accommodation units has entailed a complex logistical exercise including hiring crane, completing lifting plans, utilizing 4 banks men/slingers, all relying on a combination of standard forklifts and mobile cranes.  One single lift could take over an hour to complete, which can be delayed by high winds and bad weather, all of which could have an impact on clients.

Mr McVicar, Managing Director – Combilift said: “Combilift’s business model is to offer customer material handling solutions which allow them to handle their products more safely and efficiently.  Ferguson Modular is an excellent example of this put into practice.  The management at Ferguson Modular worked very closely with our engineering team during the design and manufacturer of this Straddle to meet their bespoke requirements.” Combilift recently installed the straddle carrier with assistance from Gray Forklift, at the Ferguson Modular base.  

The new plant equipment means that Ferguson Modular can eliminate costs associated with crane hire and bad weather is no longer an impediment to the operations with the loading/unloading process easily managed by just 1 operative in a matter of minutes. The new Combilift straddle carrier will help Ferguson Modular to improve efficiency and help reduce potential accidents.

Graeme Bisset Modular Hire Manager said: “Having such a specialised piece of equipment will prove invaluable to Ferguson Modular, streamlining the operation of moving expensive accommodation modules around yard in a quick and efficient manner.  We will now have a system to move accommodation and workspace modules around the site, onto delivery lorries safely, quickly and cost effectively.”