Ground engineering specialist Keller has been recognised for its innovative working practice, 'Three into Two'.

The company's practice was awarded the Technology prize at the Federation of Piling Specialists' annual awards.

The initiative reduces the number of HGV lorries needed for the deployment to site of Vibrocat and Minicat machines, loading shovels and supporting equipment and removed the requirement for a hydraulic lorry loader.

Billy Skeen, Keller's Ground improvement Construction Manager, who came up with the idea to reduce the number of lorries, said: "One of the first things I noticed when I came into this job was the amount of space wasted on the lorries when equipment was being loaded.

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"So we started with the dimensions of the lorries and worked back and made things fit them, taking one unit at a time. It's taken about three-four years to come to fruition but it's nice to get a bit of recognition."

The Three into Two plan has involved completely redesigning site welfare cabins, the stores unit and the fuel bowser which have all been reduced in size to fit more neatly onto the back of the lorries.

A video has also been made to show site staff how to load them most efficiently.

The plan has brought many benefits to the UK business including:

• Reduced carbon footprint

• Reduced mobilisation costs

• Reduced site traffic

• Reduced deployment time and improved efficiency

• Reduced road congestion by taking the extra vehicle off the road

• Improved safety

• Made the UK business unit more sustainable,

• Enabled the business unit to become self-sufficient when loading in the yard and at site

• Significantly enhanced clients' view of Keller.

Keller is now looking to see how the initiative can be replicated within other divisions.

(CM)