A South East plant hire specialist has invested in a fleet of more than 100 new JCB Loadall telescopic handlers in a deal worth £5 million. The order includes five of JCB’s new 20-metre 540-200 models.

Morden-based B&T Plant Hire, which has recorded growth of 30% over the past three years, has ordered the machines to gear up for even greater demand.

JCB UK and Ireland Sales Director Dan Thompstone said: "We are delighted to have secured this important business from one of the South East of England's biggest plant hirers. It's a huge vote of confidence in our Loadall product which is already the biggest selling telescopic handler in the world."

Supplied by dealer Greenshields JCB, B&T Plant Hire has taken delivery of models ranging from 7 to 20 metres in lift height, with 530-70, 535-95, 533-105, 535-125, 535-140 and 540-170 models joining the flagship 540-200 machines.

The 20-metre models in particular are proving popular with customers looking for a powerful high reach solution – notably in the hotel construction sector.

B&T Plant Hire Managing Director, Tom O’Brien said: “We chose JCB telehandlers for several reasons. Residual value and reliability are obviously important factors but equally crucial is that our customers prefer JCB. The 540-200 is a good addition to our fleet, extending the maximum height capability we can offer and companies building hotels have already recognised its quality. The drivers are happy and we are too. The final benefit of JCB equipment is the LiveLink telematics system. It’s a very useful tool and we are excited about the benefits it can bring in terms of managing servicing and monitoring fuel consumption.”

The latest JCB models join over 1,500 machines in B&T Plant Hire’s extensive range of equipment available from its Morden and Kent depots.

Founded in November 1995, B&T Plant Hire provides plant to a wide range of construction and civil engineering applications from small projects to major contracts focused in the South East but expanding across the UK. The company is fully compliant with all the current health and safety requirements and its plant equipment and operators comply with the CITB & CPCS Schemes.