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Combilift Unveils Self-Propelled Inloader at Bauma 2025

Munich, Germany – Combilift, the global leader in innovative material handling, unveiled its pioneering Self-Propelled Inloader ‘COMBi-SPI’ at Bauma 2025. This highly anticipated launch marks a significant milestone in the transport of high loads, such as precast concrete, wall panels or glass A-frames, within production facilities and yard environments.

Revolutionising High-Load Transport

Development of the COMBi-SPI began in April 2022, driven by the need for an efficient, manoeuvrable, and cost-effective alternative to expensive trailers and trucks. The objective was clear: to create a versatile solution capable of handling 30-tonne loads on industry standard Inloader Pallets with superior visibility, agility, and ease of operation.

The collaboration with Spaansen, a specialist in precast concrete, influenced the design through to the final stages. Early prototypes focused on reducing overall length and width and enhancing manoeuvrability for working in busy production facilities. However, the project took a significant turn when Spaansen opted for a fully electric model mid-development. This shift required a complete redesign to integrate the electric wheel motors as well as fit the interchangeable batteries into the legs of the machine.

Advanced Features for Unmatched Performance

  • Side-Facing Cab: Provides operators with a clear view of both the load and direction of travel, ensuring enhanced safety and precision.
  • Sliding Load Supports: Adjustable supports along the chassis to accommodate various load lengths and heights during travel.
  • Pivoting Front Dual-Wheel Configuration: Eliminates the need for suspension, optimises stability and gives a tighter turning circle.
  • 300mm Ground Clearance: Designed for both concrete and gravel yards, offering reliability across diverse work environments.
  • Power Options: Available in Electric (with interchangeable battery system), Diesel, and LPG, catering to different operational needs.
  • Large Solid Tires for durability and yard maintenance.
  • Compact Yet Powerful: The short chassis enhances load support, maintains a low centre of gravity and offers more manoeuvrability, especially while operating within production facilities.

Industry-Changing Efficiency

With unmatched manoeuvrability and faster operational speed, the Self-Propelled Inloader transforms yard-based logistics by eliminating the reliance on multiple trailers and shunters, significantly enhancing efficiency and reducing operational costs for businesses handling oversized, high loads.

“This project showcases Combilift’s commitment to innovation and customer-driven design,” said Josh Moffett – Heavy Equipment Manager at Combilift. “We’ve leveraged decades of expertise in specialised transport machinery to develop a state-of-the-art solution that meets the evolving needs of the concrete and glass industries.”

The Self-Propelled Inloader is now on display at Bauma 2025 at stand FS.1003/4. Attendees are invited to experience this revolutionary solution firsthand and discover how it redefines material handling for high-load applications

For further information, visit www.combilift.com/spi or contact our team at Bauma 2025.

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Why ‘Zero’ is a Plus for West Fraser’s SterlingOSB  


The UK government classified formaldehyde as a carcinogen in 2016, prompting industry to observe restrictions on its use, and West Fraser is one company that has gone above and beyond to reduce the chemical compound’s impact on the built environment and building occupants, who cannot normally know it is present.

 

Anomalies regarding its use remain, such as the ‘caged salmon industry’ being permitted to employ the chemical as a disinfectant.  It was also once favoured in the NHS for sterilising soft instruments such as arthroscopes.  Statistics for formaldehyde’s full impact on health outcomes are unclear, but caution is definitely the wise option.

 

This is because we do know of formaldehyde’s dangers not only as a carcinogen, but an acute respiratory irritant and being highly corrosive to skin.  In the home, it has long been found in materials like plywood, panelling, adhesives and foam insulation.  Surprisingly, shampoo, skin lotions, and even baby washing products have been shown to contain it; while the emissions from gas hobs, fabrics and floorcoverings all emit it.

 

It is inevitable that particleboard and plywood are listed as in fact, formaldehyde occurs naturally in trees: so, there is no such thing as formaldehyde-free wood products.  The crucial issue is what the concentration rises to when wood is processed.

 

Currently, the HSE directs that the workplace exposure limit (WEL) for formaldehyde should not exceed two parts per million (2.0 ppm) as a time weighted average over an eight-hour period.  Beloved as a symbol of the English countryside, an oak tree, emits just 0.009 parts per million (ppm) of formaldehyde in its natural form.

 

Unfortunately, the amount of formaldehyde present increases during the processing of wood into wood-based panels – unless, that is, they are sourced from West Fraser, as a specialist which has developed a methodology which results in there being no added formaldehyde introduced during the manufacturing process.  And it is this fact which enables the company to claim that it produces “the only UK-manufactured OSB With Zero-Added Formaldehyde.”

 

Hence, we see panel products with appellatives such as SterlingOSB Zero, SterlingOSB Zero OSB3, SterlingOSB Zero Tongue & Groove, and SterlingOSB Zero PrimedPlus being utilised across construction, including by housebuilding, commercial development and by offsite specialists as well as fabricators generally.  So, it makes sense when one sees all the everyday fixtures and fittings within the buildings where we live and work, containing elevated amounts of formaldehyde, to take the opportunity to minimize its presence wherever possible.  And an opportunity to do this is by specifying panels with the lowest of emissions.

 

All West Fraser panel products produced in the UK are net carbon negative and manufactured in mills that have obtained the coveted environmental ISO 14001 accreditation.  Responsibly sourced, the panels are FSC® certified (C012533) and created from locally grown timber, cutting embodied carbon from transportation.

 

For further information, call 01786 812 921 or visit https://uk.westfraser.com/

 

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TORMAX Delivers Access Solutions to Prestigious Commercial Facility

 

As part of a major expansion, TORMAX was invited to return to the headquarters of De Soutter Medical Ltd – a decade after installing an automatic curved-sliding door to the main entrance – to enhance the facility with four additional automatic door systems.

 

A newly created main entrance features an impressive semi-circular, curved sliding door, like the initial installation. Two bi-parting sliding doors systems provide side-access to the building. In the warehouse, a double set of curved sliding doors work in tandem to create a D-shaped lobby, where small deliveries can be quickly and easily processed.

 

All entrances are powered by TORMAX iMotion 2202.A door drives. Uniquely engineered with a motor that features none of the working parts that generally wear out, such as gears or brushes, the iMotion 2202.A delivers exceptional reliability and longevity.

 

De Soutter Medical specialises in the development, production, and global distribution of high-performance, powered orthopaedic tools, for surgical procedures. At the UK headquarters in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, the company combines premium office space with advanced manufacturing facilities, as well as substantial landscaping and outdoor features that contribute to a positive working environment.

 

TORMAX worked with sub-contractor, Apic, and the architect, to deliver functional yet aesthetically impressive automatic entrances throughout the facility.

“TORMAX doors have well-deserved reputation for durability,” said Simon Roberts, MD for TORMAX UK Ltd. “The original system installed at De Soutter Medical is still performing reliably and the new entrances will continue long into the future. With minimal ongoing maintenance demands, our door drives have been known to last more than 25 years.”

 

As well as adding a prominent architectural detail to the front of a building, curved-sliding door systems are intensely practical, providing up to 40% more pass-through space than linear sliding doors.

 

In buildings with entrance pods formed by two curved sliding doors, like in the De Soutter warehouse facility, heat loss can be greatly reduced by programming the doors so that one is always closed. This setup ensures a continuous physical barrier against outside elements, helping to maintain indoor temperature.

 

www.tormax.co.uk

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Reducing carbon in steel construction

 

With increasing pressure from central government and local authorities to minimise the carbon emissions and environmental impact of construction projects, voestalpine Metsec has introduced a reduced carbon steel option for its renowned light gauge steel construction solutions, including the pre-panellised loadbearing solution, Metframe, SFS, Purlins and its range of internal non-loadbearing stud, track and MF ceilings.

Branded Metsec Decarb, the steel is produced in new, state of the art electric arc furnaces and is a true move towards a reduced carbon future for the construction industry, containing less than half the amount of carbon dioxide per tonne for the same quality of steel.

Andy Hackett, General Manager of voestalpine Metsec’s Dry Lining Division, states,

“Together with our commitment to Net Zero Carbon operations by 2035, Metsec Decarb underlines our commitment to providing specifiers, developers and clients with a very real opportunity to reduce a project’s carbon footprint and enhance its sustainability credentials.

“Metsec Decarb is a bona fide lower embodied carbon steel. It does not rely on greenwashing, carbon offsetting, allocation of green energy or mass balance approach to achieve this, providing real peace of mind for the designer.”

voestalpine Metsec construction systems and products are backed by comprehensive verified manufacturer statements and Environmental Product Declarations, which can be included in the final project’s carbon assessments.

 

Web: www.metsec.com

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Chancellor Rachel Reeves visits Premier Modular factory

Chancellor Rachel Reeves visited East Yorkshire based construction company Premier Modular today.

Premier Modular in Driffield said the modular industry contributes significantly to the UK economy and can boost capacity in schools, hospitals, infrastructure and emergency housing across the UK. The Chancellor undertook a site tour, factory visit and an in-person briefing with Group CEO, David Harris, to discuss the opportunities of modular construction and its role in meeting ambitious infrastructure targets.

David Harris, Group CEO of Premier Modular, said: “Being able to demonstrate first-hand the contribution that the modular construction industry has on facilitating growth, has been a real pleasure.

“Giving it the national recognition, as an important lever in the UK’s growth agenda, is crucial to reach the Government’s ambitious targets. Without collaboration between public sector and private businesses – which can lead the charge with quality, pace and reliability top of the priority list – these growth ambitions will not be met.

“We’re proud to be at the forefront of that and have our facilities as the backdrop of these latest announcements.” Premier Modular said it supports social initiatives and has a growing apprenticeship programme which has expanded year-on-year in order to close the local skills gap and provide fulfilling long-term careers.

In her speech yesterday, Reeves said: “The problems in our economy, the lack of bold reform that we have seen over decades, can be summed up by £100m bat tunnel built for HS2 – the type of decision that has made delivering major infrastructure in our country far too expensive.

“So we are reducing the environmental requirements placed on developers when they pay into a nature restoration fund that we have created so they can focus on getting things built – and stop worrying about the bats and the newts – to build a new infrastructure like nuclear power plants, train lines and wind farms more quickly.”

Source: Hull Live

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