World Demolition Summit, the best on stage
27/11/2014
The 6th World Demolition Summit was held 6 November at the Krasnapolsky Hotel in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, with an audience of more than 130 delegates hearing presentations on the current demolition market and important recent demolition projects.
The first speaker, Brian Carroll of Kocurek Excavators, highlighted changes in buying practices in the industry that have been forced through by the financial crisis.
“Buying used to be speculative, but not anymore. Life expectancy is longer. Years ago it was 4 or 5 years and then trade-in. Now people want more value from their equipment and are looking at 10 years or more.” Mr Carroll said.
Mr Carroll added that demolition contractors were looking for more flexible, multi-purpose machines, and making technical demands on the OEMs.
“Engaging with local community groups well in advance of explosive demolition projects is just as important as the technical aspects of such projects”, said William Sinclair, managing director of UK demolition contractor Safedem.
Mr Sinclair, whose company has used explosive demolition techniques on 100 high rise structures in the UK, told delegates to the World Demolition Summit: “The key issue is not the proximity of homes and businesses. The key issue is the thousands of former occupants, the general public who often have pre-conceived ideas about demolition.”
The best on stage
The evening of Thursday November 6, 2014, saw the demolition industry gather to hear the outcome of the deliberations of the judges of the 2014 World Demolition Awards.
With entries having come from four continents, this year’s event was the most international in nature to date.
The Contract of the Year over US$1.5 million went to UK contractor Keltbray, with a Highly Commended certificate also awarded to Brazilian contractor Fabio Bruno Construções Ltda.
The Contract of the Year under US$1.5 million was gathered by Australian Decommissioning Services with another Highly Commended going to the US’s Brandenburg Industrial Services.
The 2014 Safety & Training Award was collected by the UK’s AR Demolition, with a third Highly Commended certificate awarded in this category to Coleman & Company.
The 2014 Industrial Demolition Award went to Australian company Liberty Industrial, the 2014 Civils Demolition Award was collected by Keltbray, this company’s second of the night, the 2014 Recycling & Environmental Award was made to Brandenburg Industrial Services, with the final sector award, the 2014 Urban Demolition Award, going to New Zealand contractor Ward Demolition. Keltbray also picked up another Highly Commended certificate in this category.
Link
