JCB has won an order for more than 800 machines worth more than £27 million from a leading UK rental company.
The order has been placed by rental firm A-Plant for a fleet of micro, mini and midi excavators and 240 Loadall telescopic handlers.
It is a big boost for JCB’s factories in Britain, where all the machines will be made.
Delivery of the new fleet to the hirer’s extensive UK depot network begins this month through JCB dealer Greenshields JCB.
This deal comes on the back of an order last year from by A-Plant for 550 machines, meaning the company has now bought 7,500 machines in a 25-year trading relationship with JCB.
JCB CEO Alan Blake said “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.
“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.”
Most of the machines ordered are one-tonne class JCB 8016 and 8018 mini excavators, which have just gone into production following their international launch at the Bauma construction equipment trade fair in Munich.
JCB says the machines feature more than 30 improvements including and 11% increase in dig depth.
Amongst A-Plant’s new fleet are Loadall telescopic handlers powered by JCB’s fuel efficient Ecomax engine. The Ecomax Tier 4i engine has no need for diesel particulate filters or exhaust after treatment fluids, resulting in low cost, efficient operation for customers.
Director for purchasing and fleet management for A-Plant, Andrew Winlow, said: “A-Plant is committed to offering its customers the most productive, innovative and fuel-efficient machines on the market, and this order fulfils that promise.”
