JCB secures £75m order
JCB has received its biggest single order for loadall telescopic handler forklifts placed by a UK customer as part of a two-year deal worth more than £75m.
Ardent Hire Solutions, based in Enfield, Middlesex, is one of the country’s leading plant hire companies has invested in a fleet of 1,100 loadalls ranging from the compact 525-60 through to the 550-80.
The company, which is the UK’s largest telehandler hirer, is also investing in a fleet of 3CX backhoe loaders, rough terrain fork lifts and the flagship 7T Hi-Viz site dumpers that address key safety concerns experienced on construction sites.
It follows an almost £17m order for a new fleet of loadalls and compact excavators by Plant Hire UK in April.
The machines on order are built at JCB’s Staffordshire factories, powered by JCB engines from JCB Power Systems factory in Derbyshire and with transmissions and axles from JCB Transmissions in Wrexham.
Group Managing Director Global Major Accounts, Yvette Henshall-Bell, said: “We are delighted to secure this major order from one of the UK’s leading plant hire companies. It shows great confidence in JCB machinery and also in the wider construction sector which Ardent’s plant hire business supports.
“JCB has worked closely with Ardent for a number of years and it’s testament to the quality of our range of Loadalls and safety credentials of our site dumpers, as well as the world-class service back-up, that we’ve secured this valuable business.”
Ardent Hire Solutions trades from 11 depots nationwide and specialises in providing plant hire to major housing, civil and construction clients.
“This latest acquisition further strengthens Ardent’s telehandler fleet which is the largest available in the UK today,” said Head of Marketing, Anuj Patel. “The availability of advanced technology and telematics on the entire fleet was critical for us when specifying JCB machines.
“For Ardent clients, the knowledge that we are working closely with our supply chain to provide solutions that increase productivity, reduce their costs and, most importantly, reduce their on-site risk gives great reassurance. We are stepping away from the plant hire norm and offering a service that sparks real change in the market.”
Ardent has a range of over 5,000 units for rent with an average age of less than two years.
