Xwatch, Flannery Plant Hire and Leica Geosystems wins prestigious TechFest Award
Xwatch Safety Solutions, together with Leica Geosystems, and Flannery Plant Hire has been recognised at the TechFest Awards, organised by Construction News and New Civil Engineer, for their pioneering 3D avoidance safety solution, marking a significant advancement in construction site safety.
The innovative solution first trialled and adopted by Flannery Plant Hire, was created in collaboration with Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, and Xwatch Safety Solutions. It has been recognised for its significant contribution to enhancing safety and well-being on construction sites. The system’s sophisticated design enables the creation or importation of 3D avoidance zones, both above and below ground, directly within the Leica Geosystems MC1 3D machine control software.
Chris Matthew, Head of Business Strategy at Flannery, highlighted the solution’s impact, saying: “This technology is a game-changer. It not only enhances our safe operation onsite but also supports our operator community. The integration with the MC1 tablet simplifies the process, making it a popular addition among our operators. They now have an extra layer of protection, allowing them to work with greater confidence.”
The TechFest Awards, are a testament to the innovative spirit driving the construction and civil engineering industry. These awards recognise the role of technology in addressing current challenges and shaping a better future. This year’s event, praised for showcasing cutting-edge developments, has placed a spotlight on the collaborative efforts of companies like Flannery Plant Hire, Leica Geosystems, and Xwatch Safety Solutions.
Matthew, added: “Last week, we celebrated not just an award but a testament to innovation and collaboration. The partnership of Flannery Plant, Xwatch, and Leica Geosystems has created a significant leap in safeguarding our operators within complex landscapes. Winning ‘Best use of Technology – Health and Safety’ at TechFest reflects our commitment to boosting safety by isolating assets above and below ground. It’s an acknowledgement of overcoming complexity, protecting our teams from the now predictable hazards of our work sites.”
Neil Williams, Industry Director of Heavy Construction at Leica Geosystems Ltd, reinforced Matthew’s sentiments, remarking: “Last week, we were fortunate to be recognised for our dynamic 3D avoidance solution- this is unique in many ways; the highlight for me was the real collaboration from the client and through the supply chain, demonstrating true partnership and understanding of roles, working together to overcome a real on-site problem, we are very pleased with the market uptake, and we look forward to expanding on this innovation.”
Dan Leaney, Xwatch Sales and Operations Director expressed his pride in the achievement, stating: “Winning this award is a testament to the hard work and joint efforts of our teams. It’s a validation of our commitment to advancing construction safety. This collaboration has not only brought an innovative solution to life but has also set a new benchmark in the industry.”
This ground-breaking 3D avoidance solution has already demonstrated its value in ‘real world’ applications, having been tested on sites with Tier One contractor Kier Group. Its adoption signifies a major step forward in the continuous pursuit of enhanced safety standards in the construction industry, proving that technological innovation is key to advancing workplace safety and operational efficiency.
Leaney, concluded by saying how pleased he is with the industry’s swift and positive response to this innovative technology: “We are extremely pleased with how quickly and positively the industry has embraced our collaborative ground-breaking solution. A special thanks goes to Flannery for pioneering the adoption of this technology. Their initiative has been a catalyst, encouraging many other hire companies across the UK to adopt this system, with even more coming on board.”
