Caunton Engineering is one of the UK’s leading fully automated structural steelwork contractors and a world leader in Just-In-Time manufacture. Designing, fabricating, painting and erecting structural steelwork for the construction industry, the Nottinghamshire business employs over 250 people and has annual turnover in excess of £64m.
Designing, fabricating, painting and erecting structural steelwork for the construction industry, the Nottinghamshire business employs over 250 people and has annual turnover in excess of £64m.
Over two thirds of Caunton’s projects are design and build, and the company has an impressive line-up of experienced structural engineers, most of whom are graduates or Chartered.
Supplying around 26,000 tonnes of steelwork annually, the company places great store in its ability to remain flexible, specialising in both primary and secondary steelwork, and covering the full gamut of services from designing and fabrication, painting and erecting.
Maintaining that flexibility means working with the right MHE partner. One that is able to support the business when needed and advise on new ways of working. Windsor has itself spent a great deal of time focussing on providing customers with exceptional service and support, something which Caunton can attest to.
“We’ve worked with Windsor for almost a decade,” says production director, Mark White, who has been with the company for over 25 years.
“We rely on their support to ensure we keep working. If a vital machine goes down, it can have a knock-on effect across the different parts of the business, so it’s important to know that we’ve got the response there. Good response times are critical.”
Tyres, service, maintenance and of course, new equipment is all part of Windsor’s remit. Multi-directional machines, powered pallet trucks, 5 tonne capacity counterbalance, access equipment, telehandlers and a £300K investment in a bespoke straddle carrier is proof of Caunton and Windsor’s partnership approach.
“Service and repair times are good and reasonable, but the help and advice on projects has been incredibly useful,” adds Mark.
The latest additions to the fleet are three GX80L Baumann sideloaders, a machine known for its durability and high build quality, and an essential cog in the operation. Sideloaders are a proven way to handle long loads safely and productively, particularly over longer distances.
The Baumann sideloaders come complete with the award winning Archimedes outreach system, ensuring fine control for the operator. Hydraulic cylinders traditionally drive a sideloader outreach system (the method by which the forks reach out to the load and return it to the load bed) by applying pressure to opposing rollers that slide along their respective channels, in a pantograph-style mechanical linkage.
The new Baumann GX Series utilises the direct drive Archimedes screw to extend the fork carriage, whilst preventing horizontal movements and eliminating unnecessary stresses.
The system is low in maintenance and simple in design, with a high level of engineering and durability to ensure greater safety, and perfectly synchronised outreach for highly accurate, smooth, efficient load control.
The whole outreach system works in unison, which means ideal results each time, and maximum working speeds. It’s a great feature and a good fit for the site, say’s Windsor’s Andy Lane.
“It’s a heavy industry,” says Andy, “heavy loads, over long hours, often in an atmosphere that can prove harmful to most engines. Where there’s contact between a truck and steel, the steel wins, so we are keen to ensure that the visibility is good and that the best kit gets the best possible service.”
Both Andy and Mark know the value of the equipment. Windsor previously provided a different sideloaders brand which demanded a great deal of work to maintain.
“ The Baumanns are more robust and operator-friendly and offer much better build quality. You can see that the operators are a lot more in tune with the machine. The door interlock is a good safety feature, preventing operations without the doors being closed, the masts are better, the operator cabin is excellent, even down to the lights being solid LEDs that don’t fall to pieces.”
With the business split over different sites, a breakdown would have the capability of stopping other parts of the business, but now that’s no longer the case.
“We’ve added greater flexibility,” adds Andy, “but ultimately it’s about doing the simple things well and keeping on top of the maintenance regime. We have a great working relationship with Mark and the team, and that only happens if you work together to solve issues as they arise and recognise that we are in it together.”
Inevitably, conversations with our existing and prospective customers have involved the impact of the rule change of rebated red diesel duty and biofuels that came into effect on 1st April 2022, where industries affected are having to switch to more expensive alternatives.
The move is designed to help the UK achieve its 2050 net zero carbon target by reducing commercial reliance on fossil fuels, forcing great pressure on businesses to ensure that sustainability is at the top of their strategic priorities.
We’ve been working with several of our customers for some time now in providing full support to help streamline their fuel transition to meet their business objectives, whether they be driven by cost implications or environmental factors, with many looking towards our electric forklift ranges for the first time.
One of the main implications of the change in legislation will be the imposition of additional costs associated with the purchase, storage and security of white diesel. From 1st April 2022, machines supplied by Windsor Engineering (Hull) Limited will be supplied to customers with white diesel at a tracked market rate, the cost of diesel will be reviewed on a weekly basis and will be adjusted accordingly.
The cost benefit for using diesel machines over electric, combined with the convenience of refuelling, meant it has long been the UK’s preferred choice, but that has changed significantly. Complicated engine management systems designed to reduce emissions has made the investment into diesel trucks on a par, and in some cases, more expensive than that of their electric equivalent. Add to this the lower total lifetime costs and the benefits on environmental impact, the case is clear.
This has expedited discussions around the ‘shift to electric’ and Windsor is in an advantageous position to advise on a range of battery solutions. Undoubtedly, one of the stumbling blocks in the uptake of electric has been shift length and re-charging. The battery type that works best depends on individual requirements, work cycles and environmental challenges which is where customers are seeing real benefit from working with us – they want to know that they can trust that the solution being recommended is bespoke to their needs and that it makes commercial sense.
We continue to champion ways to utilise lithium battery and intelligent charger technology, to improve productivity without the increase in cost or harm to the environment, and have seen that this is a crucial component of the way in which the market is moving.
In fact, we remain confident that there are many opportunities for businesses to take advantage of new technologies to rebalance their operations and move forward with highly knowledgeable assistance from Windsor.
Paul has become a highly regarded and much-loved colleague and friend to people across the business and the news of his retirement comes with a heavy heart, and although still young, he has decided that the time is right for him to spend time with his wife and family, travel the world and perhaps take to the golf course a little more than he does already!
Joining in 1991, Paul has seen Windsor grow from a two branch business in Hull and Scunthorpe to one that is now 13 strong and UK wide and on talking to Paul about his years within in the business, he recalls many fond memories.
There was a particular occasion where he and Managing Director Stephen Burton had spent a number of late nights in the office preparing for a customer pitch – it was a 35 truck deal for a high profile business that they were determined to work with.
The meeting took place in Leeds where they were met by the customer and where the incumbent was also present – unaffected by the competition, they put their best foot forward and the hard work paid off. They were awarded the contract and the deal was to be a key win for Windsor and one that landed as they walked – on a high – into the festive break. We still work with the customer to this day and the partnership has resulted in the development of close friendships, as well as a mutual growth of both businesses.
Paul went on to say; “Any sales role is met with many highs and of course some lows but it is these moments, these wins where passion and determination pull people together to achieve – and it’s the formation of these strong relationships that has resulted in a career at Windsor that spans over three decades.”
“I will miss my colleagues and peers very much, though they have become far more than that to me – they are my pals and I leave with a tear in my eye. I thank Gerry, Jonathan and Stephen for backing me all of these years and I look forward to celebrating my time here with them over the coming days. Worry not, I will stay in touch!”
Paul is infamous in his territory which covers Hull and the surrounding areas and it’s true to say that his charisma and upbeat personality has not gone unnoticed.
Chairman Gerry Burton reflects on Paul’s time at Windsor; “Paul has been a tremendous asset to the business and he leaves behind him very big shoes to fill. His relentless enthusiasm and commitment to the business has resulted in the accolade of ‘Windsor Sales Person of the Year’ more times than not and he has also received numerous awards from suppliers Komatsu, Doosan and Unicarriers. He has been instrumental into the growth of the business and has developed many successful contracts with customers such as William Jackson Food Group, MKM and Cranswick Country Foods to name a few.”
Managing Directors Stephen and Jonathan Burton go onto say; “Paul has had a hugely successful career at Windsor over the years and is highly respected both within Windsor and the MHE sector. He has been with Windsor through its good times and bad times and seen it evolve from a single brand Komatsu dealer to a multi-brand MHE consultancy. His dedication and loyalty is something that is rare in the modern world and should be applauded.”
Join us all at Windsor in wishing Paul a very long and happy retirement.
