Ardent Places Biggest Ever UK Telehandler Order With JCB

Ardent has placed the biggest single order of telescopic handlers ever placed by a UK customer with JCB as part of a two-year deal worth more than £75 million.

Ardent Hire Solutions, one of the country’s leading plant hire companies, and the UK’s largest telehandler hirer, has invested in a fleet of 1,100 Loadalls ranging from the compact 525-60 through to the 550-80.

The company 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 today. By using a low-slung chassis design and revised skip, the 7T Hi-Viz operator benefits from huge improvements in front visibility with an improvement of 77% compared to conventional six-tonne dumpers when laden.

The machines are built at JCB’s World Headquarters in Staffordshire, powered by JCB engines from the Power Systems factory in Derbyshire and with transmissions and axles from JCB Transmissions in Wrexham. They are also fitted with the latest JCB LiveLink telematic fleet management system giving real-time information on the machines’ operation and safe usage.

Group Managing Director Global Key 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 Head of Marketing, Anuj Patel said: “This latest acquisition further strengthens Ardent’s telehandler fleet which is the largest available in the UK today. 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.”

Trading from 11 depots nationwide and specialising in providing plant hire to major housing, civil and construction clients, Ardent is constantly investing in the most technologically advanced machines and innovations on the market. It has a range of over 5,000 units for rent with an average age of less than two years.