New investment for Yeoman Glensanda
Operated by Aggregate Industries business Yeoman Glensanda, it is Europe's largest granite quarry and is uniquely positioned in that it has no road access, and all deliveries of both goods and personnel are brought in by sea. The six-year materials handling contract with Alfred McAlpine Plant Services involves the delivery of two CAT 992 loading shovels and eight CAT 777 dumpers, one new D9 dozer and one Komatsu pc1250 Hydraulic Excavator replacing Yeoman Glensanda's old fleet for new.
Colin Fergusson, quarry manager said: "When you are moving the amount of material we do each year at the quarry, it is crucial to choose a partner who is a specialist in providing services that will guarantee maximum productivity at a competitive cost. Alfred McAlpine Plant Services was able to meet this requirement."
The 800 tonne consignment was transported by low loader from Finning distribution centre at Cannock and Finning distribution centre at Glasgow to Troon from where it was then taken by P&O ferry to Oban pier in the early hours of Sunday 16 December.
Due to the helpfulness of Harbour Master Kenny Boyd, the units were stored at the harbour until they were taken in pairs 14 nautical miles across Loch Linnhe to the quarry's jetty, using Yeoman Glensanda's own 430 tonne barge, the Rose of Lorne - a process which took four days.
Under TUPE some 38 Aggregate Industries employees transferred over to Alfred McAlpine, and employees had an opportunity for a one-to-one consultation with their new employer. During the consultation process it was stated that all efforts would be used to ensure this particular contract would be undertaken by local labour where ever available and would be supported by other functions within Alfred McAlpine Plant Services where and when needed.
Throughout the term of the 6 year contract Alfred McAlpine will maintain the equipment on site with specialist support from the local Caterpillar Dealer Finning. It is Alfred McAlpines' way to use genuine equipment supplier's parts, and so support from Finnings depot at Perth will be integral to the success of this contract.
Materials produced at Glensanda Quarry are transferred from the primary crusher using the ‘Glory Hole' method, where stone is dropped down a vertical shaft (300 m high and four metres in diameter) then transferred by tunnel (1.8 km in length) on an underground conveyor belt to crushing, screening and storage facilities before loading onto ocean-going ships.
All of the granite material produced leaves the quarry by sea, destined for ports around the UK and Europe, including Liverpool, Glasgow, Leith, Barrow-in-Furness, the Isle of Grain in Kent, Poland, Germany, France, Holland and occasional deliveries to the USA.
The quarry was incorporated into the Overseas Business division of Aggregate Industries following the acquisition of Foster Yeoman.