Why tracking construction equipment is essential
In the construction industry, deadlines are tight, and budgets are even tighter, so having full control over your equipment is crucial.
From excavators to generators, each piece of construction equipment plays a vital role in project success. But with the rising threat of theft, maintenance costs, and operational inefficiencies, it's time to consider a comprehensive tracking solution to safeguard your investments and streamline operations.
A study conducted by leading insurer Allianz Cornhill revealed that over £70 million of construction plant, including excavators, compressors and even cranes, are stolen from construction sites annually, despite the fact that machinery theft is down 57% from its peak in 2010.
The Construction Equipment You Should Be Tracking
Excavators: Excavators play a crucial role in construction projects, used for digging, trenching, and earthmoving tasks. With prices ranging from £40,000 to over £800,000, excavators are valuable assets often targeted by thieves. Excavators are among the most commonly stolen construction equipment in the UK. By implementing tracking solutions, construction businesses can deter theft, recover stolen excavators, and ensure compliance with insurance requirements.
Forklifts: Forklifts are indispensable for material handling tasks on UK construction sites, with an average cost of £20,000 to £40,000 per unit. Due to their portability and resale value, forklifts are prime targets for theft. By equipping forklifts with GPS tracking devices, construction businesses can monitor their location in real-time, prevent unauthorised use, and optimise fleet management.
Generators: Generators are essential for providing temporary power on, with prices ranging from £300 to several thousand pounds. Generator theft is a significant concern for construction businesses, with thieves targeting them for their high resale value. Implementing tracking solutions can help UK businesses monitor generator usage, prevent theft, and ensure uninterrupted power supply for projects.
Power Tools: Power tools such as drills, saws, and nail guns are indispensable for UK construction tasks. Despite their smaller size, power tools are frequently stolen due to their high resale value and ease of transport. According to the CEA, power tools are among the most commonly stolen construction equipment in the UK. Implementing tracking solutions such as Bluetooth-enabled tags can help UK businesses monitor the location of power tools, deter theft, and streamline inventory management.
Concrete Mixers: Concrete mixers play a vital role in UK construction projects, used for mixing and pouring concrete. With prices ranging from £500 to £3,000 or more, concrete mixers are valuable assets susceptible to theft. Implementing tracking solutions can help UK businesses protect their concrete mixers, prevent theft, and ensure project continuity.
Scaffolding: Scaffolding is essential for providing temporary support and access on sites, with prices ranging from a few hundred to several thousand pounds per set. However, scaffolding theft is a common occurrence in the UK, with thieves targeting it for its scrap value. Implementing tracking solutions can help UK businesses monitor the location of scaffolding, prevent theft, and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
Light Towers: Light towers are indispensable for illuminating UK construction sites during nighttime or low-light conditions, with prices ranging from £2,000 to £8,000 or more. However, light tower theft is on the rise in the UK, with thieves stealing them for their high resale value. Implementing tracking solutions can help UK businesses protect their light towers, prevent theft, and ensure safety and security on construction sites.
Small Tools: Theft of small tools, such as hammers and saws, poses a significant risk as they are portable, often left unattended, and easily resold, making them prime targets for theft. The cumulative loss of multiple tools over time can result in substantial financial and operational setbacks. To combat this, implementing a culture of site security is crucial, emphasizing secure storage of tools after each shift.
Why Tracking Solutions Are Essential
With the right tracking solution in place, you can gain full visibility into your construction equipment, allowing you to:
Deter Theft: Visible tracking devices act as a deterrent to would-be thieves, reducing the risk of theft and minimising financial losses.
Recover Stolen Equipment: In the event of theft, real-time tracking allows you to quickly locate and recover stolen equipment, minimising downtime and disruption to your projects.
Improve Maintenance: Tracking data provides valuable insights into the usage patterns and performance of your equipment, allowing you to schedule preventive maintenance and repairs to extend their lifespan and reduce downtime.
Ensure Compliance: Many tracking solutions offer features such as geofencing and usage logging, allowing you to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and safety standards.
Investing in a comprehensive tracking solution for your construction equipment is a smart decision that can help protect your investments, streamline operations, and ensure the success of your projects. With real-time visibility into your assets, you can stay one step ahead of the competition and take your construction business to new heights of success.
Reach out to the team to find out more about tool tracking and smart inventory solutions.