At Plantforce, giving back to our communities goes beyond business, it’s something we genuinely care about. This week, we were proud to roll up our sleeves and spend time volunteering at four of Children’s Hospice South West’s (CHSW) charity shops: Exmouth, Plymouth, Bristol, and Wellington.
These volunteer days give our teams the opportunity to step away from the day job and help where it’s needed, sorting donations, arranging displays, and welcoming customers. Whether it was tagging clothes, restocking shelves, or chatting with visitors, our team got stuck in with a shared purpose: to support the incredible work CHSW does for children and families across the South West.
“Spending time in the Exmouth shop was humbling. It’s a reminder of the power of small acts. Whether that’s giving a few hours of your time or helping raise awareness. You can see first-hand the passion their people, and we’re proud to stand beside them and play our part.” said Jane Gibbons, Operations Director.
Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW)offers vital care and support to children with life-limiting conditions and their families in a warm, comforting, and homelike setting during some of life’s most difficult moments. Unlike the clinical setting of a hospital, CHSW’s three hospices across the South West—Charlton Farm, Little Harbour, and Little Bridge House deliver respite, palliative, and end-of-life care in an environment where children can be children, and families can find vital support and moments of joy.
Since announcing our partnership, our team has embraced the cause with enthusiasm and purpose. We began our fundraising efforts with a Cream Tea Morning, bringing all our depots together to raise funds and awareness in a relaxed setting. With scones, jam, and good conversation, it was a heartwarming start to a meaningful relationship.
We’ve also brought our wider network into the fold through events like our Charity Golf Day, held at Mendip Springs Golf Club. This brought together customers, suppliers, and our team for a day of friendly competition, connection, and generosity. With support from those who attended and sponsored holes, we raised thousands of pounds to support CHSW.
From fundraising to volunteering, it’s been inspiring to see the impact CHSW has, and the difference even small gestures can make. Every pound raised and every hour volunteered helps children and families facing incredibly difficult circumstances to find comfort, relief, and hope.
We’re incredibly proud of the work done so far—but this is only the beginning. Plantforce is committed to continuing our partnership with CHSW, raising awareness, offering support, and doing our part to make life just a little bit easier for those who need it most.
We teed off for a great cause at Mendip Springs Golf Club, bringing together customers, the team, and suppliers for a day of friendly competition and fundraising at our Charity Golf Day in support of The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity and Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).
With the sun shining and spirits high, the day began with hearty baps and a warm welcome before golfers headed out for a shotgun start across the course. Teams made their way through the 18 holes, taking on light-hearted but competitive challenges like ‘Beat the Pro’—where our guest pro, Monty Milne, kept players on their toes as well as Nearest the Pin competitions that added some extra eagerness.
We were proud to be joined by a range of customers from across the industry, and grateful to the suppliers who generously sponsored holes and contributed prizes for the day. Their support made a real difference, helping us amplify our fundraising impact.
After the final putt dropped, everyone gathered in the clubhouse for a well-deserved dinner, where the day’s best performances were recognised with a prize presentation. But the highlight of the evening was the charity auction, which featured an incredible lineup of donated items and experiences. Thanks to the generosity of all involved, we were able to raise thousands of pounds for two incredible charities that do vital work in our communities.
The Lighthouse Charity provides emotional, physical, and financial wellbeing support to construction workers and their families across the UK, while Children’s Hospice South West delivers life-changing care to children with life-limiting conditions and their families. Both causes are close to our hearts, and it was a privilege to dedicate the day to raising both awareness and funds for them.
Beyond the fundraising total, the event was a brilliant opportunity to bring together people from all corners of the construction industry. From the healthy competition on the greens to the generosity shown in the auction, it was a day full of laughs, connections, and collective goodwill.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us, donated, or supported in any way. We’re also incredibly grateful to those who sponsored holes, including Keen Attachments, Qualitronics UK, Strickland, Interpump Fluid Solutions, Molson Group, Thwaites, Autosmart, MachineMax, Brendon Powerwashers, Leach Lewis Rubber Tracks, Stan Fogg & Son, Euro Auctions, John Moore, Gordon Engineering Hydraulic Services, Equipment One, Image Sign, Wain Homes.
Together, we proved that when our industry comes together, we can make a big impact, on and off the course.
Every day, our dedicated team at Plantforce go the extra mile to deliver for our customers, ensuring things stay on track, supporting their colleagues, and helping us say yes when others wouldn’t. This month, we’re shining the spotlight on two individuals who embody what it means to go above and beyond: Tara Hardwell and Kateryna Nosova.
Tara Hardwell, Operations Coordinator, is a key member of our Hire Desk team. With deep industry knowledge and system expertise, Tara plays a pivotal role in keeping our day-to-day operations running smoothly. Whether she’s stepping in to resolve a tricky logistics issue or supporting new starters on the hire desk, Tara does it all with a calm, friendly, and solution-focused attitude.
What truly sets Tara apart is her commitment to collaboration and growth. She’s not only a go-to resource for her team, but also someone who takes the initiative to train others, share best practices, and continually refine the way we work. Her ability to keep her cool under pressure, while juggling multiple tasks, makes her an indispensable part of the operations team. When Tara’s involved, things will get done and done well.
On the HS2 team, Kateryna Nosova, Operations Controller, is another example of dedication in action. In a high-pressure environment where timelines are tight and standards are high, Kateryna consistently makes sure that deadlines are met without compromising on quality. She regularly puts in the extra work to keep the wheels turning and is always on hand to support her team, even outside of her core responsibilities.
Kateryna’s work ethic and dependability are vital to the team’s performance. She takes ownership, stays one step ahead, and brings a “can-do” approach to every challenge. Her quiet determination and willingness to help whenever needed doesn’t go unnoticed. She’s the kind of team member every project needs.
Both Tara and Kateryna are perfect examples of the dedication, teamwork, and professionalism that keep Plantforce operating at the highest level. Their impact might not always be visible to our customers, but their effect is. They make a lasting difference, day in and day out.
Thank you to you both, for everything you do. You truly go above and beyond.
Delivering outstanding service is at the heart of everything we do at Plantforce. Every month, we take time to recognise those who embody our core values through their dedication, hard work, and willingness to go the extra mile. This month, we’re proud to present our Above & Beyond award to two exceptional team members, Owen Clevely and Steve Sanders.
Owen Clevely – Digital Fitter
Owen brings a “can-do” attitude to every challenge he faces. As a Digital Fitter, Owen’s role is critical in updating, installing and collaborating our GPS technologies, ensuring our customers’ machines operate efficiently. His determination to go the extra mile is clear in the way he tackles any issue head-on, no matter how complex. Owen’s approach is not just about fixing problems, it’s about providing solutions that enhance machine performance and deliver true value to our customers.
Customers regularly praise Owen’s commitment to service and his refusal to settle for anything less than quality. Whether it’s ensuring the latest digital systems are perfectly calibrated or supporting clients in the field, Owen’s technical expertise and positive attitude make him an invaluable member of the team. His contribution ensures our customers receive not only the equipment they hire, but a premium level of aftercare and support that sets Plantforce apart.
Steve Sanders – Exeter Workshop Fitter
Steve Sanders has built a reputation for reliability and dedication at our Exeter depot. As a Workshop Fitter, Steve plays a vital role in ensuring that machines are fully serviced, maintained, and ready for the next hire. His focus on quality, efficiency, and teamwork highlights his strong work ethic and the pride he takes in supporting both the operations team and our customers.
There have been several occasions where Steve has put in the extra work to turn machines around quickly, ensuring customers are never left waiting. His flexibility and willingness to step up whenever needed help us maintain our promise of delivering reliable, top-performing equipment on time, every time. Steve’s dedication supports both the wider operations team and our customers by keeping downtime to a minimum and ensuring high service standards are consistently met.
Congratulations to you both on this well-deserved award. Your commitment makes a real impact, not only within the team but across every site we support.
We recently collaborated with Taylor Woodrow to host a dedicated People Plant Interface (PPI) Stand Down Day—an important initiative focused on improving safety around mobile plant machinery. The event aimed to raise awareness around safe behaviours for those working in proximity to heavy equipment, always ensuring visibility and communication with operators.
A key focus of the day was teaching safe approaches to working machines—where to stand, how to be seen, and how to interact with operators clearly and safely. Understanding operator blind spots and visibility limitations is essential for preventing incidents and creating safer working environments.
The event also provided a great opportunity to showcase the latest innovations in safety systems for construction plant. Talyor Woodrow also welcomed a number of clients and suppliers to take part in the event. Our team members Alex Willis, Business Development Manager, and James Smith, Health and Safety Manager, supported the stand down and shared their insights into evolving industry safety standards.
Our Digital Lead, Matt Milkins, demonstrated some of the cutting-edge technology we are bringing to sites across the UK, including our human detection camera systems and our digital thumbs-up confirmation system. These tools are designed to enhance operator awareness and enable clear, non-verbal communication between workers and operators—especially vital in high-noise or low-visibility situations.
Safety systems like these provide an additional layer of protection on site, helping to reduce risk and prevent accidents. By improving awareness and accountability, they not only safeguard lives but also reduce delays and improve site productivity.
As digital technologies continue to develop, safety systems are becoming more intelligent, integrated, and user-friendly. Real-time alerts, AI-driven human detection, and advanced communication protocols are changing the way safety is approached, giving our customers the tools to lead on best practices and compliance.
Events like this PPI Stand Down Day highlight the importance of collaboration and innovation in building safer construction sites. Sharing knowledge, embracing new technology, and working together as an industry are key to long-term improvements in health and safety.
We’re proud to have hosted this initiative alongside Taylor Woodrow and look forward to continuing our efforts to promote a safer, more forward-thinking future in construction.
To mark the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, we brought various departments together for a dedicated health and safety coffee morning. This informal but focused gathering was a chance to catch up with the team, share updates on our digital safety systems, and reinforce our ongoing commitment to creating safer work environments for both our operators and our customers.
The session kicked off with a look at the advanced safety solutions we currently offer, including our training simulator. Designed to replicate real-world operations, the simulator allows trainees to build confidence and develop their skills without posing a risk to others on site. It’s not only safer, but also more efficient, reducing fuel usage and equipment downtime. Customers can also use the simulator to familiarise themselves with machine control systems and gain hands-on experience before getting onto live kit.
We also discussed the digital safety systems we now offer, including human form recognition cameras and 3D avoidance systems. These technologies play a crucial role in accident prevention by alerting operators to the presence of people and obstacles, reducing the risk of collisions and improving all-around visibility.
The use of AI in safety is constantly evolving, and we took time to review some of the latest innovations currently hitting the market. These include smart vests and helmets, fatigue-monitoring watches, and autonomous construction machinery—highlighting how technology is being used to reduce human error and increase site safety.
In addition to digital solutions, we also supply a comprehensive range of physical safety systems across our hire fleet. These include hydraulic quick hitches on machines from 8 tons upwards, slew and height restrictors, handrail systems, three points of contact features, and keypad immobilisers. All these measures work together to protect operators and support site-wide safety compliance.
We also work closely with industry training partners to deliver mobile training sessions from our Plantforce trailer, covering key topics such as general health and safety, People Plant Interface (PPI), and machine control. These on-site sessions give our customers and their teams access to expert guidance exactly where and when they need it.
More importantly, we used this event as an opportunity to hear directly from our team. We opened the floor to questions, feedback, and any health and safety concerns they wanted to raise. These systems are not only put in place for the benefit of our customers but our own team and operators also.
