UK renters make fleet investments

Several UK rental companies have recently announced significant investments in their fleets, including A-Plant, Jewson Tool Hire and L Lynch.

A-Plant's Lux Traffic Control & Management division is spending more than £2.25 million in new two-way and multi-phase battery powered traffic lights from Hollco Traffic Signals.

Jewson Tool Hire is investing £7.7 million in more than 450 JCB machines and 200 Thwaites mini dumpers. The orders include £5.5 million worth of JCB equipment, comprising 300 JCB 8014 mini excavators, 100 JCB 8008 micro excavators, 53 JCB VMT160-80 vibratory tandem rollers and a £2.2 million order for 200 Thwaites mini dumpers. All the JCB and Thwaites machines will be supplied by JCB dealer Gunn JCB.

Meanwhile, plant hire business L Lynch, based in Stanmore in west London, will invest £15 million this year to reduce the age of its already young fleet. The company will add 3 and 6 t Thwaites dumpers, among other machines.

Jim McLachlan, business development director for A-Plant Lux, said: "Over recent months, we have seen a strong demand from the market place for battery powered traffic lights with the inherent benefits of vastly reduced noise, reliability, minimal maintenance, eco-friendly properties and prolonged running times."

At Jewson Tool Hire, Richard Pederson, tool hire director, said; "This is a significant investment which makes our fleet of micro and mini excavators one of the most modern in the industry. We are committed to offering our customers the most powerful and up-to-date machines around and this investment delivers on this promise."

Robert Lynch of L Lynch, said its £15 million investment this year would help it reduce the average age of its fleet below 18 months; "Customers benefit from a very young fleet through improved reliability and better corporate image. At the moment the average age of our 1800 mixed fleet items is about 18 months old, but we hope to reduce this even further with more new purchases."