Flannery Plant Hire was the first major plant hire company to support Xwatch Safety Solutions, part of Hexagon, when the company (Xwatch) began its operations in July 2019. Since then, Flannery has invested significantly in Xwatch, purchasing almost 300 XW4 height and slew control systems along with XW5 total protection RCIs (rated capacity indicators).
Much of Flannery’s work is secured through the tender framework, with 80% of their business coming this way. This involves tendering up to 6-9 months ahead of a contract award or a project. Current schemes include the A3, M5 and M25 National Highways widening works at Wisley and HS2.
The company plans its purchases 12 months ahead. Last year, Flannery invested heavily in new machinery for upcoming key infrastructure projects. While the company has tapered its CAPEX this year, more than £105 million has already been committed for new machinery and equipment.
Flannery’s strategic focus remains on National Highways, UK Power Networks, Utilities, and Airports and through their supply chains with customers, including the likes of Kier Group, Balfour Beatty, Morgan Sindall, and various contractor joint ventures (JVs), specify Xwatch XW4s and XW5s. Additionally, some specify the Xwatch 3D collision avoidance system by Leica Geosystems part of Hexagon, which integrates with the Leica MC1 3D machine control software. This system allows users to create or import 3D avoidance zones above and below ground directly into the MC1 tablet without additional screens.Currently, upwards of 45% of Flannery’s fleet is equipped with Xwatch systems, highlighting their trust in the technology. This preference is a strategic decision based on customer service excellence and the ability to react swiftly. The Xwatch systems are renowned for their reliability, providing operators with consistent performance and peace of mind. Adding to the confidence in the product, Xwatch offers a comprehensive 5-year warranty, ensuring long-term support and reducing downtime risks. This combination of reliability, extensive warranty coverage, and rapid response capabilities makes Xwatch an indispensable asset in Flannery’s fleet management strategy.
“The construction sector is inherently dynamic,” says Patrick Flannery, MD Flannery Plant. “Clients base their purchases on who they trust to deliver the service and reliability they demand. They trust Flannery as we consistently demonstrate our willingness, ability, and adaptability. Consequently, we choose our partners carefully, looking for those who share our ethos of delivering first-class service efficiently. This is why we collaborate with a select few OEMs and partners who can react quickly and ‘get it done’!”
Martin Flannery also praised Xwatch, highlighting its role in taking the pressure off operators and enhancing safety. “Xwatch systems are designed to manage and control safety parameters actively, allowing our operators to focus on the job at hand without being overwhelmed by excessive in-cab notifications.”
Ben Seabright, Flannery’s Buying Manager, commented, “We have just purchased an additional 75 new Cat machines from Cat Finning, all equipped with Xwatch. The reliability of Cat machinery, combined with the advanced safety and efficiency features of Xwatch, ensures that our operations run smoothly and securely. The user-friendly interface of Xwatch makes it easy for operators to adapt quickly and work more effectively. Additionally, the exceptional customer service provided by Xwatch is consistently outstanding.”
Active and passive protection on machines for operators is crucial, allowing them to concentrate on their tasks. The Xwatch XW systems are an excellent example of active protection, managing and controlling various safety parameters of construction machinery to ensure safe operation.Flannery’s attitude toward safety in construction revolves around utilising all available tools to keep the operator, site personnel and the public safe. For example, on a road project, this would include height, slew, and full 3D Avoidance to prevent machines from entering the carriageway, vastly improving site safety. Another example would be MoD facilities, which can be particularly complex, with diverse surroundings demanding various ‘tools’ for operators to focus on their tasks safely and effectively.
One challenge in modern construction machinery is in-cab clutter, where too many screens obscure the operator’s view. Lights and constant alarm tones can overwhelm operators, running the risk of becoming just background or white noise. Tasks in busy worksite environments demand intense concentration and strict personal safety rules—in-cab clutter risks distracting the operator, and the constant alarms may go unheard.
Flannery’s future vision for plant and machinery safety involves a streamlined, integrated system in which a single set of machinery controls incorporates all technological partnerships. This approach would simplify operations and improve productivity and safety.
Patrick said, “Achieving this vision requires more technology partners to collaborate, despite potential reluctance to integrate. The benefits of reducing cab clutter and developing a cohesive, user-friendly environment make this collaboration essential. By working together, technology partners can ensure all components interact seamlessly, providing a superior user experience and driving efficiency across operations.”
“Flannery Plant Hire’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge safety solutions aligns perfectly with our mission at Xwatch,” says Dan Leaney, Sales and Operations Director at Xwatch Safety Solutions. “Their significant investment in our XW4 and XW5 systems highlights their dedication to operator safety and efficiency. We are proud to support Flannery’s forward-thinking approach, improves on-site safety and ensures seamless and reliable operations for their projects. The trust Flannery places in our technology motivates us to continuously innovate and deliver solutions that meet the evolving needs of the construction industry.”
Flannery is also dedicated to comprehensive training, offering programs for apprentices, qualified operators, and managers. They currently operate three permanent Skills Hubs, with three more set to open by the end of the year. Each hub has advanced technology and machinery, offering unique training experiences that prepare operators for any project. In partnership with Balfour Beatty, these Skills Hubs feature purpose-built outdoor training areas for safe and realistic machine training and simulators provided by Tenstar for low-pressure, sustainable training without safety risks.
The Skills Hubs are at the forefront of preparing operators for digitally-enabled construction sites. Supported by industry leaders such as SITECH/Trimble, Leica, and Xwatch Safety Solutions, the hubs offer training on the latest semi-autonomous machinery, which is crucial as the UK construction industry increasingly adopts digital technologies.
The Skills Hub has also launched its Compliance Plus program, focusing on operator competence, machine control familiarisation and eco-operation. Patrick emphasised, “All technology is contained within a ring-fenced site at the Skills Hub, which we are proud of. This setup distinguishes us from other plant hire companies and allows us to quality assess and train operatives to a high standard required for the diverse nature of the work they will be required to undertake.”
Flannery’s commitment to safety, efficiency, and comprehensive training, along with its strategic partnerships with technology leaders like Xwatch, positions it as a leader in the construction industry. It continuously pushes the boundaries of what is possible in plant hire and operator safety.
