CPA Bulletin

38 CPA Bulletin > May 2023 www.cpa.uk.net Investment and Growth for Thomas Group Prolectric Launches Solar Hybrid Power Unit Thomas Plant Hire began its journey a quarter of a century ago in 1998 when MDWyn Thomas founded a contracting business in Holywell in North Wales. The company has since grown significantly, with many subsidiary companies within the Thomas Group - in fact, there are seven other Thomas Plant divisions, and the company has no plans to slow down its future growth. Thomas Plant Hire boasts more than 3000 machines within its hire fleet including a wide range of excavators ranging from 1.5 tonne up to 50 tonne - including machines from OEMs Hitachi, Caterpillar, Kobelco, Komatsu and Liebherr. Also, the company owns an impressive fleet of 72 dozers with another 20 on order. Ian McMillan, Head of Business Development at the Thomas Group reported that the company had invested in the region of £50m in new plant and machinery during 2022 and is planning to invest a similar figure during 2023. The company is also a big investor in ‘machine technology’ with its OnGrade Machine Control division, which offers training, sales and hire for Intelligent GPS Machine Control systems, including Leica, Topcon and Trimble. Thomas Plant is also a big advocate of safety and the company has around 65 Xwatch systems installed on a variety of excavators, with many more on order as they future-proof their fleet. The systems have been installed by Xwatch partner Gareth James owner of GJ Plant and Auto Electrics and Xwatch’s, sister company Fitzgerald Plant Services, based in Cwmbran, Wales. Ian McMillan said: “We chose the Xwatch systems as they have Network Rail approval, which is a very valuable endorsement for the products and allows us to operate on Network Rail projects.” Prolectric, the off-grid, renewable lighting and power specialist, has responded to market demand with the introduction of the ‘ProPower 3-Phase’ solar hybrid power unit, a high performance system that brings 60kw of hybrid power output to worksites, helping to cut carbon emissions and reduce diesel use. Prolectric’s solar technology provides a practical way for businesses to achieve their carbon reduction commitments, by enabling them to move away from polluting fossil-fuelled or mains powered systems. The new ProPower three-phase brings solar hybrid power to sites with high power generation needs and can also be connected up with existing diesel generators up to 100kVA to further expand on-site power capacity. Housed in a compact trailer, it is loaded with the latest integrated solar systems and battery technology. The ProPower runs in silent mode when battery-operated, making it ideal for urban and residential areas. By minimising generator run-time the ProPower saves on fuel costs, reduces maintenance, and cuts CO2 emissions by an average of 70%. The ProPower also comes with remote real-time monitoring and management via an online power portal. The portal gives complete visibility of the units performance with diagnostics and alarms, and the ability to remotely adjust the unit to optimise its operation. The power portal also provides reports for measuring carbon, diesel, and quiet running hours, all in one place, across an entire fleet. Fitted with hydraulic operating solar panels and fast-charging lithium-ion batteries, the ProPower provides highly accurate state of charge information, which can be finely optimised when the ProPower switches over to the generator. This means lower emissions and less maintenance in combination with remote administration via the portal. NEWS FROM CPA MEMBERS: 5