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Boost Your On-Site Productivity: Tips from our Expert

8th, January 2025

Introduction

Ever feel like your site could run smoother? With tight deadlines and complex tasks, every moment matters. We spoke to Andy Greener, to give you insider tips that can improve your site’s efficiency. Here’s what he had to say.

Q: Please introduce yourself and your role.

I’m Andy Greener. As the Technical Support & Product Development Manager at Conquip, I work closely with our Technical Engineers and customers to design innovative solutions that solve problems we see occurring on a regular basis across various sites.

Q: What small changes can you make on-site that have a big impact on productivity?

Small changes can make a big difference. For instance, maximising the use of existing machines by adding versatile attachments makes a big impact on site productivity. By turning an excavator into a telehandler or a forklift into a mobile crane means you get highly versatile equipment. This approach reduces the need for additional machines, saving time and money.

When it comes to lifting, using a crane with a Goods Cage for loose items such as bagged sand or kitchen units to higher levels, or just across site, is another game-changer. This not only guarantees safer lifting by preventing material spills and accidents, but also means a smoother and more effective movement of goods.

Q: What’s an example of a project that significantly improved productivity through innovative equipment?

A great example is the Working Platform we designed for HS2. This platform significantly improved the efficiency of waterproofing a shaft. By tailoring the equipment to the task, we cut downtime and streamlined operations.

Our Excavator Drag Skip is a durable flat-bed skip designed to reduce wastage of shingle, sand and dry concrete and saves time by negating the need to track back and forth from stockpiles. It is a product that many of our customers use on civils and infrastructure projects, to improve their onsite productivity as well as keep their back pockets full.

Another good productivity example is the use of BulkX. BulkX was born out of the Crossrail project. We designed BulkX when traditional excavation methods were taking too long and delaying the dig programme. With BulkX we cut 12 weeks off the excavation programme at the Stepney Green site. It’s since been used as the go-to muck away solution for many of our clients, including internationally, with 50 trucks loaded each day on the Sydney Metro project and loading times cut by 30% at Parramatta Square, New South Wales.

Q: What are common mistakes contractors make that cost time?

A common mistake is overcomplicating processes or using the wrong equipment for the job. For instance, sites often struggle with brick deliveries because they lack sufficient pallets at the delivery point. This leads to double handling of bricks which can result in a huge amount of damage and waste. A simple solution? Having more pallets onsite for deliveries! Or using tools like the Conquip Block Grab to move bricks safely and efficiently. An easy fix to save your budget and manual handling time.

Q: What’s your top tip for anyone looking to improve productivity?

Planning, Planning, Planning!

Going back to basics, site planning is essential for productivity. Identify problem areas and ask: 1. Is this the most efficient approach? 2. Could someone suggest a better way? 3. Are you using the right equipment—and maximising its potential? These questions can uncover hidden productivity gaps. For example, having a CantiDeck on-site without properly planning the crane integration with the deck means the deck will not be used to its maximum capability.

Q: How can sites balance safety with efficiency?

Safety and efficiency go hand in hand. Tools like the Autolock Tipping Skip keep operators safe by eliminating the need to leave their cab, while also speeding up workflows.

Regular maintenance is just as critical—well-maintained and checked equipment means fewer breakdowns, better safety, and no delays. Check out our blog on extending equipment lifespan for more tips.

Also see our blog 3 steps to take – our guide to equipment safety, usage & compliance.

Q: What role does training play in boosting on-site productivity?

Too many operatives have the ‘I’ve always done it that way’ mindset. Training is key to both safety and efficiency; making sure best practice is being applied on site. When your team knows the right way to use the right equipment for the right job, you’ll reduce accidents and minimise downtime, ensuring smooth and productive operations. We carry out tailored on-site training sessions for this exact reason – we feel that it’s a priority that staff feel confident using the kit that they work with.

Ready to make your site more productive? Explore Conquip’s range of equipment and see the difference for yourself.