Xwatch and BlueSky control system partnership

Xwatch Safety Solutions and its distribution partner plant safety specialist Sphere 24 have been working alongside the UK’s BlueSky Solutions and Nationwide Platforms to develop the latest in height and slew control for MEWPs.

Nationwide Platforms equipment with the Xwatch system installed

James Samuel, head of product Innovations at BlueSky and Nationwide, which are both part of the Loxam Group of companies, helped develop Xwatch. The system needed to be compatible with scissor lifts, boom lifts and truck mounts, which form part of the Nationwide Platforms specialist vehicle fleet. The machines were to be deployed to a number of high-profile National Highways projects and key schemes including HS2 and Hinkley Point C.

Chris Trent, managing director, Sphere 24, said, “Existing solutions for height and slew control on MEWPs are very basic and far too limiting to be practical in operation on a job site, therefore would not meet the required safety standards set by tier one contractors.

“By collaboration with the Xwatch team of skilled design engineers, we were able to offer a solution for BlueSky, who is focused on MEWP safety for the Loxam Group worldwide, and Nationwide Platforms.”

Dan Leaney, Xwatch director of sales and operations, added, “The newly developed solution, and the very first of its kind to reach the market, has been on trial with Loxam and has been working successfully in the field for over 12 months, in real-life applications, and with bona fide customers. We have had excellent feedback and the new systems have experienced zero problems and no downtime.”

Leaney added, “We have a number of systems on trial and will be progressing the partnership further in the coming weeks with new announcements. We are delighted to have played a significant part in this joint venture and that we were able to bring all the latest safety innovations to the MEWPs sector, in line with the excavator safety market.”

James Samuel, head of product Innovations, at BlueSky Solutions and Nationwide Platforms commented on the collaboration; “Working with Sphere 24 and Xwatch has been a pleasure. We needed a safety solution for our fleet that met and exceeded safety regulations. The Xwatch team and Sphere 24 were able to deliver – a real combined effort. We have been very pleased with how the systems have been performing over the last year and are looking forward to the development of the partnership. I would like to thank all involved for a successful venture and look forward to continuing the partnership”