JCB secures £14m digger deal

STAFFORDSHIRE excavator manufacturer JCB has secured a deal worth almost £14m to supply machines to a UK plant hire firm.

Kent-based H.E. Services has signed an order for 350 vehicles including mini excavators, Loadall telescopic handlers, 3CX backhoe loaders, skid steer loaders and tracked excavators.

The machines will be supplied by a dealer of the Uttoxeter firm, Greenshields JCB.

The announcement was made as part of a visit by Chancellor George Osborne to JCB Transmissions, in Wrexham, which will manufacture axles and gearboxes for more than half of the products ordered.

Chief executive Alan Blake said: “This order follows a number of major deals JCB has secured so far this year and we are delighted that a company of H.E. Services’ reputation has chosen JCB products when updating its fleet.

“H.E. Services are long-standing JCB customers so it’s testament to both the quality of JCB’s machines and our service back-up that we have retained this important business.

“This year has certainly got off to a flying start for JCB. Our order books are in their healthiest position for four years and at this stage the outlook for the rest of 2011 is extremely promising.”