Skip to main content
Demolition News Radio

Demolition News Radio

By Mark Anthony

All the latest news and views from the global demolition industry.
Available on
Apple Podcasts Logo
Castbox Logo
Google Podcasts Logo
Overcast Logo
Pocket Casts Logo
RadioPublic Logo
Spotify Logo
TuneIn Logo
Currently playing episode

Demolition News Radio #59

Demolition News RadioNov 23, 2017

00:00
04:42
Didcot - 8 years, 0 answers

Didcot - 8 years, 0 answers

Eight years after four men were killed in the worst accident in UK demolition history, Thames Valley Police and the Health and Safety Executive ,have STILL not delivered any answers, explanation or closure. 

Feb 23, 202407:57
A life in attachments

A life in attachments

So there I was at Plantworx, minding my own business and watching some attachments being put through their paces on the AugerTorque stand.

A young guy comes up to me and we get to talking.   A few minutes later, he is picking my brains about social media while I am picking his brains about attachments.

He’s a nice guy.   Very enthusiastic.   We get on well.

Turns out, that young guy was William Forrest, the head of what is now The Attachment Company.

So, having got on so well during our chance encounter, I thought it was high time that we did something a bit more formal together.

That is how this episode came together. 

Nov 14, 202319:56
A new circularity
Nov 03, 202315:20
The Girl in the Green Coat [Remastered]

The Girl in the Green Coat [Remastered]

The world's first (and only) demolition ghost story, resurrected for Halloween 2023.

Oct 30, 202327:50
For the love of tilt rotators

For the love of tilt rotators

Tilt rotators. They are probably the single most divisive item in the field of construction plant and equipment.

There are some operators that love them and that would refuse to work without them. And there are some that believe the use of a tilt rotator makes them less of an operator; less of a man even.

Despite those reservations, tilt rotators have proliferated.

Visits to the Bauma exhibition in 2022 and the Plantworx exhibition in 2023 proved that the acceptance of tilt rotators is on the rise; and that an increasing number of manufacturers are adding these divisive tools to their product line.

But not all tilt rotators are created equal.

In this exclusive interview with Kinshofer’s Adam Haycock, we address that unfounded resistance; why Kinshofer’s cylinder-less design has advantages in certain applications; and how a tilt rotator can save time and money.

Aug 24, 202318:50
The new NFDC President speaks

The new NFDC President speaks

John Lynch was elected President of the National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC) back in March, less than 24 hours after the Competition and Markets Authority handed down fines of almost £60 million to 10 NFDC member companies for their part in a bid-rigging and price-fixing scandal.

In his first interview since his election, Lynch comes out fighting and sets his sights on rebuilding the Federation with a new CEO, a new headquarters and an expanded membership.

Jun 07, 202347:27
Protector of a proud history

Protector of a proud history

Imagine sitting down with Willi Liebherr to talk about how his father designed the mobile tower crane.

Or being granted an audience with Lord Bamford to learn how his father Joe perfected the backhoe loader that would forever sport his father’s JCB initials.

Well, during a trip to the Bobcat facility in the Czech Republic, I was given just such an opportunity.

Together with a couple of other people, I got to speak to Joe Keller whose father Louis and uncle Cyril invented the Keller Loader.

That Keller Loader would evolve into the world-famous Bobcat skid steer loader of today.

Joe traced the creation of a machine designed specifically for mucking out turkey sheds in Minnesota through its development into a more versatile construction machine.

In addition, he explained how he has become the unofficial historian safeguarding his family’s proud legacy.

The following podcast was captured during an open discussion so it does get a little disjointed at times.

But Joe Keller’s passion for the subject and his dedication to his family’s history shines through.

We really hope you enjoy this chat.

Jun 02, 202348:07
Gone but never forgotten

Gone but never forgotten

On Friday 28 April, Ann Mackay should be celebrating her wedding anniversary. Instead, she will be attending a Workers Memorial Day event in her native Scotland. She will be there to remember her husband John who – together with Tommy Williams – died in an horrific demolition accident at the former Teesworks facility in Redcar back on 19 September 2019. Three years and seven months after John and Tommy died, Ann Mackay is still waiting for answers. She knows how her husband died, but she has no idea why. This is Ann's story in her own words.

Apr 28, 202344:57
20 years at the heart of the industry

20 years at the heart of the industry

Under normal circumstances, the 20th anniversary of a consultancy company is not something I would get too excited about. It might be big news for them but it’s not generally a big deal for the rest of us. C&D Engineering Consultancy is different. The company is so closely allied to the UK demolition industry that its 20-year history is interwoven into the very fabric of the sector. Many of the changes that have taken place in the demolition sector over the past two decades is reflected in or was actually pioneered by C&D. So, as the company marks its 20th anniversary, we caught up with founder John Woodward; current owner Mike Kehoe; and the man tipped as the future of C&D, Matthew Bardgett.

Apr 19, 202339:18
Construction Equipment News #1

Construction Equipment News #1

Welcome to the first-ever episode of our brand-new show – Construction Equipment News – Your up-to-the-minute resource for the latest and greatest developments in the field of construction and demolition equipment.

In this week's episode:

Kobelco launches a pair of new mini excavators: https://tinyurl.com/ycyc8jf7

Caterpillar unveils the latest additions to its range of rotary cutters: https://tinyurl.com/djc45azu

Volteq joins the charge towards an electric future: https://tinyurl.com/2p9emwna

And Epiroc has set its sights on The Moon: https://ispace-inc.com/

Apr 14, 202305:38
The CMA Files #8 | A chapter closes
Mar 23, 202308:10
Demolition's Greatest Threat #3
Mar 13, 202306:50
Didcot Disaster Commemorative LiveStream

Didcot Disaster Commemorative LiveStream

On 23 February 2016, the boiler house at the Didcot A Power Station partially collapsed, killing four demolition workers:  Michael Collings, Ken Cresswell, Christopher Huxtable and John Shaw.

Seven years on, the investigation into their deaths remains ongoing.

To mark this tragic anniversary, DemolitionNews hosted a dedicated LiveStream in memory of the four men.

This is a recording of that LiveStream.

Feb 23, 202359:60
Talking Cards with Ollie Gunns
Feb 20, 202350:52
Tech 4 Sites | AI by AI
Feb 13, 202310:03
Demolition's Greatest Threat #2
Jan 30, 202308:29
Tech 4 Sites #3 | featuring Navtech Radar
Jan 23, 202324:14
Predictions 2023
Jan 19, 202359:42
In conversation with | Ben the Operator

In conversation with | Ben the Operator

Ben Wade is just 17-years old.   But he has set his sights on inspiring the next generation of construction professionals.

If you enjoy this episode, please be sure to follow Ben on Instagram - @bentheoperator

And please be sure to subscribe to this channel.   Better still, please leave us a review.

Jan 10, 202318:08
Tech 4 Sites #2 | featuring JCB
Jan 09, 202311:39
Demolition's Greatest Threat #1
Jan 08, 202306:23
In conversation with | John Christofides | Bobcat

In conversation with | John Christofides | Bobcat

At Bauma 2022, Bobcat showcased a number of new machines and innovations that place it at the very cutting edge of demolition and construction equipment development.  

In this exclusive conversation, we caught up with Bobcat's John Christofides to find out how Bobcat maintained its high level of innovation and product development even during the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdown.

Jan 05, 202320:58
In conversation with | Timur Abied | Volvo Construction Equipment

In conversation with | Timur Abied | Volvo Construction Equipment

When it comes to the electrification of demolition equipment, Volvo Construction is thinking outside the box and inside the building.  

In this exclusive interview with Timur Abied, we discuss the potential application of electric mini excavators as a replacement for the manual labour involved in the soft stripping of structures prior to demolition and a whole lot more besides.

Jan 02, 202310:43
In conversation with | Bill Law | Volvo Construction Equipment

In conversation with | Bill Law | Volvo Construction Equipment

Volvo Construction Equipment has nailed its colours to the sustainability mast with its Change starts here initiative.  

In this exclusive interview with Bill Law that was shot at the world-famous Nurburgring race circuit, we hear how the company is putting emissions reduction and sustainability at the very heart of all that it is doing.

Dec 30, 202204:36
In conversation with | Dr Hubertus Muenster | Hyundai Construction Equipment Europe

In conversation with | Dr Hubertus Muenster | Hyundai Construction Equipment Europe

One of the companies making the biggest splash at the recent Bauma 2022 exhibition was unquestionably Hyundai Construction Equipment Europe.  

The company staked its claim as an innovation leader, showcasing its first hydrogen-fuelled excavator, electric mini excavators and even a demolition specification wheel loader.  

In this exclusive interview, DemolitionNews' Mark Anthony caught up with Hyundai’s Dr Hubertus Muenster.

Dec 28, 202209:07
In conversation with | Alexander Sturm | Sennebogen

In conversation with | Alexander Sturm | Sennebogen

Equipment manufacturer Sennebogen used the Bauma 2022 exhibition as the international launch-pad for its latest demolition excavator: The 830E.  

In this exclusive interview, we caught up with Sennebogen's head of Business Unit Deconstruction & Demolition Machines Alexander Sturm to find out more about the new model and what marks Sennebogen demolition machines as unique in the industry.

Dec 22, 202205:29
In conversation with | Paul Latham

In conversation with | Paul Latham

You never know quite where life and your career might lead.   And that is certainly true of former construction demolition man Paul Latham.  Having been diagnosed with a potentially fatal brain tumour, Latham's life took a sharp left turn.  

This conversation is among my favourites of this part year - It is horrific yet life affirming; scary and yet somehow funny.   

And, unless you know Paul Latham personally, you probably won't guess the outcome of the story before we get to it.  

This is a long one but trust me - t is worth every minute and Paul Latham is an inspiration.

If you enjoyed this episode, if you got value from it or if you would like to help support this newsletter, then please consider buying the author a coffee...or two. Just click the image.

Mark Anthony is the founder of DemolitionNews.com.

Dec 21, 202247:03
Tech 4 Sites #1 | featuring Built Robotics

Tech 4 Sites #1 | featuring Built Robotics

The demolition and construction industry is developing at a faster pace than ever before.   New equipment, new technology and new forms of fuel are revolutionising the sector and changing the very landscape of the industry.  

We have created an entirely new audio and video podcast series to chart that progress, and to help keep you abreast of these rapid and revolutionary changes.   

This is Tech 4 Sites.

In this first-ever episode, we speak to Erol Ahmed of San Francisco-based Built Robotics; a company that is looking to bring machine autonomy to the field of construction.

Please consider subscribing to this podcast.

If you would like to speak to the author - Mark Anthony - you can book an appointment here.

If you enjoyed this episode, if you got value from it or if you would like to help support this newsletter, then please consider buying the author a coffee...or two. Just click here.

Mark Anthony is the founder of DemolitionNews.com.

Dec 16, 202217:39
Tackling construction's mental health epidemic with sport
Oct 26, 202235:39
Rail beats demolition in safety stakes
Oct 14, 202204:48
Misinformation and the death of a demolition worker

Misinformation and the death of a demolition worker

An internal investigation, a Health and Safety Executive investigation and a corner's court enquiry have each failed to determine that cause of an accident that would ultimately lead to the death of a demolition worker.  

So what really happened at Ironbridge Power Station on Valentine's Day 2021?

Oct 14, 202203:10
World Mental Health Day 2022

World Mental Health Day 2022

To mark World Mental Health Day 2022, we look at how the demolition and construction industry has chosen awareness over action; and how tis mistake is set to be repeated in the fight against on site drug and alcohol abuse.  

Useful links:    

  • The Lighthouse Club charity:  https://www.lighthouseclub.org/
  • Bill Hill interview:  https://youtu.be/V6zff-GIMjo
  • Awareness vs Action article:  https://tinyurl.com/3tjvwd6x
Oct 10, 202203:08
IPAF sets the safety standard

IPAF sets the safety standard

The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has placed accident reporting at the very heart of its activities; and that information is now used to hep develop training.     

The global demolition industry would do well to follow the access industry's lead.

Oct 06, 202203:37
A tale of two pities

A tale of two pities

We are constantly told that the UK demolition industry is suffering from a skills shortage; that we need to find another 50,000 people each year for the next decade to meet workload demands; that we need to attract more young people into the sector.   

So why is the industry giving the run-around to willing workers?

Oct 06, 202203:48
Beyond the reporter's notebook #8
Sep 30, 202208:21
Who ordered the Build UK word salad?
Sep 29, 202202:58
Beyond the reporter's notebook #7
Sep 23, 202206:49
Beyond the reporter's notebook #6
Sep 16, 202208:00
Beware the card scammers
Sep 12, 202203:56
Made in Wales
Sep 07, 202222:39
In conversation with author David Wylie
Aug 31, 202227:30
The Model Maker
Aug 15, 202209:58
The disappearance of Dr Diesel
Aug 10, 202205:11
Short-sighted. Greedy. Stupid.

Short-sighted. Greedy. Stupid.

How the greed, stupidity and short-sightedness of the demolition and construction industry's training regime is potentially costing the sector experienced workers.

You can read Demolition Duality here.

If you enjoyed this episode, if you got value from it or if you would like to help support this podcast, then please consider buying the author a coffee...or two. You can do so here.

Aug 08, 202205:18
BISCUITS! BISCUITS!! BISCUITS!!!

BISCUITS! BISCUITS!! BISCUITS!!!

How the stress of an excavator operator training course had an unexpected effect upon a candidate.

Jul 25, 202204:07
A sign of things to come?

A sign of things to come?

If climate experts are to be believed, then the wildfires that swept across vast swathes of the south of England yesterday should serve as a warning; a foreboding glimpse of a potentially Hellish future.

But is the demolition and construction industry prepared?

Jul 20, 202203:23
Construction's climate of fear
Jul 18, 202205:36
Demolition, the CMA and the Manchester United effect
Jul 15, 202206:18
The imbalanced scales of justice

The imbalanced scales of justice

Why is the life of a roofer valued at 27 times that of a demolition worker; and should there not now be a minimum fine for companies found guilty over a site fatality?

Jul 12, 202203:26
Compliant? Well, sort of...
Jul 11, 202204:42