Construction Plant-hire Association

18/06/2026

Day 2 of Rail LIVE and it's shaping up to be a glorious day ☀️

If you're visiting the show today, make sure to stop by and say hello to the Construction Plant-hire Association/Rail Plant Association Ltd (RPA) team.

17/06/2026

The CPA is delighted to welcome SmartEquip as a new Platinum Corporate Package member.

SmartEquip is offering CPA members an exclusive benefit 👇

Receive a 15% concession on the initial annual software subscription.

About SmartEquip

SmartEquip is the leading technology standard for equipment lifecycle management, service and procurement support for the construction industry. Maximise uptime and reduce workshop friction with a solution that allows your team to research and diagnose parts information through digital diagrams, update purchase and work orders, and check parts inventory or delivery status within a single log-in platform. SmartEquip supports 800+ original equipment manufacturer (OEM) brands and 100,000+ users across 70,000+ locations worldwide.

Further details of this offer can be found on the CPA Members Benefits Page 👇

https://cpa.uk.net/exclusive-membership-benefits/

Contact:
Martin Bestwick, VP of Sales - Europe
[email protected]
07747 219747

16/06/2026

On 9th July, the CPA Stars of the Future Apprentice and Trainee Awards 2026 will take place, and we’ve been truly impressed by the exceptional quality of nominations received this year.

Not only that, but 2026 has been a record-breaking year, with almost 110 entries submitted across the categories.

The standard of competition has been incredibly high, giving our judges some very difficult decisions to make. We look forward to welcoming all nominees to the awards ceremony at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre, near Coventry, next month, where Peter Haddock will be our host.

We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to our sponsors. Their support is invaluable and makes it possible for us to deliver an awards event that celebrates the outstanding talent emerging across our industry.

With thanks to our sponsors:

Event Sponsors: GAP Group Careers, Sunbelt Rentals UK & Ireland and SMT GB
Plant Mechanic and Plant Technician of the Year Award Sponsor: Flannery Plant Hire
Young Plant Operative of the Year Award Sponsors: ACOP Group and NPORS
Plant Operative of the Year Award Sponsors: ACOP Group Group and NOCN Group
Associate Sponsor: JCB
Crane Operative of the Year Award Sponsors: Ainscough Crane Hire and Liebherr
Technical Support Person of the Year Award Sponsor: McHale Komatsu
Judges’ Special Award Sponsor: Southern Hoist Services
Best Personal Statement Sponsor: WOLFFKRAN
Crystal Awards Provider: 741 Awards
Media Partner: Plant Planet

A limited number of sponsorship opportunities remain, including Hire Controller of the Year and Apprentice Mentor of the Year. This is the final week to get involved and align your brand with one of the industry's leading talent recognition events.

For further information, please contact Lisa Collins on 07968 840390 or email [email protected]

15/06/2026

Construction Plant-hire Association Decarbonisation & Sustainability Manager Luis Bassett will be speaking at the ‘Off-Highway & Power Generation Europe’ Conference taking place in Frankfurt on 22nd and 23rd September 2026.

Luis will present “Scalable Energy Solutions for the Construction Sector”, exploring practical approaches to decarbonisation.

The conference will showcase the latest innovations that are rethinking, refuelling and repowering the internal combustion engine, alongside advances in battery and fuel
technologies.

For information about the event or to book your place, visit 👇

https://www.emissionsanalytics.com/conferences-offhighway-europe

11/06/2026

11/06/2026

It’s Day 2 of the Wernick Power Solutions Open Day in Aldridge and we’re here with new Construction Plant-hire Association Platinum Member Peter Beach of Groundhog®. Come and say hello if you’re visiting today!

10/06/2026

The Daily Express has published an article quoting Construction Plant-hire Association Chief Executive Officer Steve Mulholland, who has urged Andy Burnham to reduce pressure on construction firms if he becomes the Prime Minister.

Steve Mulholland said: “Andy Burnham is right to highlight the need for more homes, including more social and council housing, and there is a strong case for giving local leaders greater freedom to deliver them.

“But the housing debate too often focuses on ownership when the bigger challenge is delivery. Whether homes are social, affordable or private, they still need skilled people, machinery, investment and viable construction businesses to build them.

“The reality on the ground is that construction firms are being squeezed by rising costs, skills shortages, higher National Insurance contributions and inheritance tax reforms. We are already seeing the consequences, with construction output falling at its fastest rate in more than six years - highlighting the gap between housing ambition and delivery reality.

“If government wants to build significantly more homes, it must do more than set targets. It needs to create the conditions for the construction supply chain to invest, recruit and grow.”

Read the Daily Express piece here 👇

Burnham’s got a lot to prove fast

10/06/2026

We’re all set up for the Wernick Power Solutions Open Day in Aldridge. Looking forward to seeing everyone!

09/06/2026

🎉 We are pleased to welcome Dyne Solicitors Limited to the Construction Plant-hire Association as a Platinum Corporate Member.

Dyne Solicitors is offering an exclusive member benefit: a free initial telephone consultation of up to one hour, available via the CPA Members Benefits Page.
👇
https://cpa.uk.net/exclusive-membership-benefits/

Dyne Solicitors is a specialist regulatory and litigation law firm, advising businesses and individuals across the UK. Their expertise spans environmental law, road transport, operator licensing, health and safety, and the defence of regulatory investigations and prosecutions, with a particular focus on criminal defence of environmental and transport prosecutions.

With extensive experience supporting businesses in the construction, plant-hire, waste, recycling, and logistics sectors, the firm helps clients navigate regulatory challenges, manage risk, and provide representation in the criminal courts, civil courts and tribunals; they also specialise in matters concerning mobile crane operators and special types vehicle operators.

To find out more, contact:

James Edes

📧 [email protected]

📞 07775 077736

09/06/2026

The Construction Plant-hire Association's first Regional Golf Day of 2026 got the season off to an excellent start at Tenterden Golf Club in Kent last week.

It was fantastic to see CPA members and guests enjoying a day of friendly competition, networking and catching up with industry colleagues. A big thank you to our sponsors for their support: Spartan Solutions Ltd as Headline Sponsor, KPC Group for sponsoring Nearest the Pin and Safety Shield Global for sponsoring the Longest Drive.

Congratulations to Nick Whittaker of Safety Shield Global, who claimed the individual title. Safety Shield Global also enjoyed success in the team competition, with Lee Goodger, Lee Summers, Matthew Reed and Nick Whittaker taking top spot.

Well done also to Ken Archbold of Compass Business Finance Ltd for winning Nearest the Pin, and Sam Jepson of City Lifting Limited for securing the Longest Drive prize, along with a golf club generously donated by Safety Shield Global.

Missed out this time? There are still three CPA Regional Golf Days remaining in 2026:

⛳ Midlands Regional Golf Day - 23 July, Rutland Golf Club, Oakham

⛳ Scotland Regional Golf Day - 26 August, Ratho Golf Club, Edinburgh

⛳ North West Regional Golf Day - 3 September, Grange Park Golf Club, St Helens

Whether you're keen to play, join us for dinner, or simply drop in to meet the CPA team and fellow members, we'd be delighted to see you at one of our upcoming events.

You can book your spot here 👇

https://cpa.uk.net/regional-golf-days/