Mark Simpson of Tower Mark says overseas companies have confidence in hiring construction equipment from Hong Kong, due to its strict safety requirements

Mark Simpson, managing director of Tower Mark Ltd, says Hong Kong's wide-ranging health, safety and environmental regulations provide a competitive edge when leasing heavy plant equipment to companies involved in construction projects around the region. "Many construction companies find it more cost effective to lease equipment rather than tie up huge sums of money in new or specialist plant equipment. However, they need to know that the equipment they are hiring is well maintained and meets international safety standards," he said.

Over the past four years the company has leased equipment that includes cranes, hydraulic hammers, pile drivers and high-performance pumps to companies in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. In May, Tower Mark signed a multi-million dollar contract to supply specialist equipment to the Sinopec-Shell joint venture, which is building a petrochemical facility in Daya Bay, southern China. The company is also sending equipment operators and safety officers to assist with the implementation of safe operating procedures.

David Gerrard, health, safety and environmental (HSE) manager for Technip-Coflexip CSPC Nanhai SMPO/MPG Project, the main contractor with responsibility for Daya Bay petrochemical HSE issues, said the use of equipment supplied by Tower Mark would certainly help the project to achieve its required targets and goals as the company shows an attitude and ability to meet strict HSE requirements.

High standards a priority

Attaining high quality environmental and safety standards including those relating to heavy plant equipment has become one of the prime objectives of Hong Kong's construction industry," Mr Simpson continued. "In some areas Hong Kong's safety regulations are industry leaders, such as the requirement for load sensitive safety indicator lights to be attached to cranes, which is not yet mandatory in Europe." Equipment is also maintained to meet international noise and smoke emission levels and wherever applicable are fitted with custom designed oil drip trays to prevent ground contamination.

With a rental fleet of over 100 cranes and numerous other types of construction machinery, Tower Mark is well established in the field of heavy plant rental and sales to the Hong Kong and regional markets. The company is also engaged in international plant trading, having exported cranes and plant worldwide It employs around 80 staff consisting of engineers, mechanics, and environmental and safety officers.

Tower Mark was set up in 1991 and acted as a key player throughout the construction of Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok. and related infrastructure projects.  Recently the company was the sole provider of crawler (moving) cranes to Hong Kong's KCRC (Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation) West Rail project. The company was also involved in the KCRC East Rail project, and its heavy plant equipment is currently being used at the Penny's Bay construction site ─ the location for Hong Kong's new Disneyland.

Related link:
Tower Mark www.towermark.com