Major JCB order from A-Plant

JCB has signed one of its biggest deals of the year with an order for 1,200 machines worth £35 million ($43.4 million) from the UK rental company A-Plant.

The contract from A-Plant, which follows its purchase of 1,500 machines from JCB last year worth £50 million ($62 million), includes a fleet of 13 tonne JS130 tracked excavators produced at JCB Heavy Products in Uttoxeter, UK.

Mini excavators, Loadall telescopic handlers and rough terrain fork lift trucks have also been ordered. A-Plant is also buying a fleet of site dumpers. All the machines are being supplied by JCB dealer Greenshields JCB.

For the first time A-Plant is also investing in a range of UK-produced generators for the rental market from JCB Power Products. The range, produced by the former Broadcrown business acquired by JCB last year, is fitted with the JCB LiveLink for Power feature. Almost 40 sets have been purchased, providing enough power to keep two hospitals or 1,000 homes running.

The latest order marks a milestone for A-Plant and means the company has bought more than 11,000 machines from JCB since the first one purchased more than 25 years ago.

JCB UK & Ireland sales director Dan Thompstone said, “JCB has a long-standing relationship with A-Plant and we are delighted to cement that with this huge order.”

A-Plant, which is part of Ashtead Group plc, is the UK’s largest equipment rental company with over 150 service centres in Britain, more than 3,000 employees nationwide.