Osborne makes construction MD redundant Grant Prior | Wed 21st March | 17:30 inShare 1 Osborne construction managing director Keith Taylor has been made redundant. Taylor was head of the construction and homes business and is the highest profile casualty of a slimming-down of the firm’s management structure. Taylor joined Osborne from Mansell in August 2010. David Fison, Chief Executive of Osborne, said: “Keith did a great job, especially in a difficult market, but it became clear that the extra stage in the reporting line that his role created meant that we were not operating as efficiently as we could. “It was therefore decided, with regret, that to streamline the process, our sector heads would report directly into board director Phil Shortman from now on instead.” Phil Shortman joined Osborne in January 2008 as managing director of its Construction Division and was promoted to the company board as executive director in January 2009.

Bids invited for £25m road upgrades near M60 The search has started to find a contractor to deliver a series of road improvements bundled up into the Western Gateway Infrastructure Scheme. The civils works around Salford include realigning the existing A57, a mile-long new dual carriageway link to Trafford Way and a new lift bridge over the Manchester Ship Canal. Improvements to local roads and junctions are also involved in the project to improve access to the area and boost regeneration. WGIS improvements are needed as part of developer Peel Group’s Port of Salford development to reduce traffic on local roads and relieve peak time congestions on the M60 Barton Bridge. One of the major challenges for a successful contractor will be coping with many stakeholders in the Western gateway project which include the Highways Agency, Manchester Ship Canal Company, Salford City and Trafford Borough Councils, The Trafford Centre and Salford City Reds. Firms have until 24 April to express an interest in bidding. Contact Donna Fletcher at Gleeds’ Manchester office or email wgis@gleeds.co.uk

EASI UPLIFTS INVESTS Irish-based international rental company Easi uplifts has launched a substantial capital investment program for 2012 ,with sizeable order for JLG boom and scissor lifts along with Teupen sider lifts.The bulk of the JLG order is for 60 and 80 foot telescopic and articulated booms and two 150 foot (47 mtr working height)JLG1500SJ the worlds largest self-propelled boom lift.The new lifts will be added to Easi UPlift big boom fleet and will be available for re-rent throughout Europe.