JCB has won an order for more than 800 machines from one of the UK’s leading rental firms - a deal worth more than US$44 million (£27mn). The lucrative A-Plant order for a huge fleet of micro, mini and midi excavators and 240 Loadall telescopic handlers is a big boost for JCB’s British factories, where all the machines will be made. Delivery of the new fleet to A-Plant’s extensive UK depot network begins this month through JCB dealer Greenshields JCB. The latest deal comes on the back of 550 machines order
JCB CEO Alan Blake pictured with one of the A-Plant order machines
The lucrative
The latest deal comes on the back of 550 machines ordered by A-Plant last year. The firm has now bought 7,500 machines in a 25-year trading relationship with JCB.
“This is the biggest volume deal of the year for JCB from a UK customer and we are absolutely delighted that A-Plant has ordered such a significant number of machines,” said JCB CEO Alan Blake. “It is a huge vote of confidence not only in the quality, reliability and fuel efficiency of JCB’s products, but also in the UK hire market.”
Among the machines ordered are one-tonne class JCB 8016 and 8018 mini excavators, just in production after their international launch at last month’s bauma 2013 exhibition in Munich, Germany. The machines feature more than 30 improvements including and 11% increase in dig depth.
The Loadall telescopic handlers within A-Plant’s new fleet are powered by JCB’s fuel efficient Ecomax engine. Developed to meet the EU Stage IIIB/US Tier 4 Interim emissions standards, the JCB Ecomax Tier 4i needs no costly diesel particulate filters (DPFs) or exhaust after treatment fluids, resulting in low cost, efficient operation for customers. This is said by JCB to have resulted in the world’s cleanest and most efficient off-highway engine and Loadalls that use 7% less fuel than outgoing models.
Andrew Winlow, A-Plant’s director - purchasing and fleet management, said: “A-Plant is committed to offering its customers the newest, most productive, innovative and fuel-efficient machines on the market, and this order fulfils that promise.”
A-Plant is one of the UK’s largest plant, tool and equipment hire companies, hiring a vast range of non-operated equipment for industry and construction. Its hire fleet comprises over 110,000 itemised pieces of plant, tools and equipment. The company invests a multi-million dollar figure each year in new equipment and state-of-the-art technology.
