CPA Bulletin

www.cpa.uk.net CPA Bulletin > May 2021 11 2021 is a significant milestone for the CPA, as itmarks the association’s 80 year anniversary. The CPAwas originally formed in 1941 by a group of contractors and early plant-hire companies, and at that timewewere known as the Contractors Plant Association. Our early work involved discussions with the Ministry of Works regarding the supply of plant andmachinery for reconstruction projects duringWorldWar II. The association’s first AGM was held on 24th September 1941 and was chaired by Douglas Abelson of Abelson &Co (Engineers) Ltd, supported by Harold Spragg of Crow, Catchpole &Co Ltd. Harold was the individual whose vision and determination really got the association established to the overall benefit of the UK plant-hire industry. As a founder member of the CPA, he became the association’s first President and Chairman of the Executive Council. He was awarded a CBE in 1960 for his work and served the CPA until he passed away in 1968. By the end of WorldWar II, the CPA had accumulated around 100members. By that time, we were actively involved in advising on hire issues and the concept of plant-hire was well and truly established in Britain. It is without question that one of themost significant achievements of the CPA was the creation of the Model Conditions for the Hiring of Plant. These were first issued as the General Conditions back in 1951 and their creation took two years of intense discussions. Since then there have been several updates to the Model Conditions, and in fact they are currently undergoing a reviewwith an updated version due later this year, alongside several Supplementary Conditions. From the outset, the policy of the CPA has been governed by a Council composed of elected representatives from themembership. Over the years, Council members have includedmany influential names fromacross the UK plant-hire industry and the expertise they have voluntarily provided has helped the association grow and prosper. By 1981, whenmore plant was being purchased by plant-hire companies as opposed to contractors, we changed our name to the Construction Plant-hire Association but still retained our iconic initials. As the CPA grew, we gained our own offices and full time staff. Wemaintain a list of our current members in date order of their joining the association and at the top of this list is a company whose membership dates right back to 1st July 1941. ASSOCIATION NEWS: 4 Serving our Members for 80 Years