The UK’s largest telehandler hirer is expanding its fleet with the purchase of £26 million worth of JCB Loadall models.
Ardent Hire Solutions is adding 525 new JCB Loadall telescopic handlers to its fleet, as the UK construction hire equipment market rebounds strongly from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The order spans the compact 525-60 to the 540-200 models, which have reaches of between six and 20 metres. The new machines – supplied by JCB dealer Watling JCB – are already in manufacture, along with 25 3CX backhoes, which are part of the same deal. The recent acquisitions follow a deal in 2019, when Ardent bought £75 million worth of JCB machines.
JCB Group Managing Director for Global Major Accounts Steve Fox said: “We are delighted that Ardent Hire Solutions has placed this substantial order with JCB given the very competitive nature of the UK equipment supply market.
“The size of the order shows enormous faith in the quality of JCB’s machines and also underlines the need to invest in new machinery to support the growth in the UK construction industry, which continues to recover strongly after the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Ardent Hire Solutions has 11 depots nationwide, specialising in plant for major housing, civil and construction projects, and with over 7,000 units in its fleet. The new JCB machines will feature JCB ‘LiveLink’ telematics technology.
Speaking of the new deal, Ardent CFO Julian O’Neill added: “Our telehandler fleet is already the largest anywhere in the UK and this substantial investment strengthens our position in the telescopic handler hire sector.”
