Another Volvo machine for Scottish Plant & Operators
Glasgow-based firm purchases new 22-tonne EC220E excavator for plant hire duties
HAVING started out as an online advertising platform for recruiting plant operators and mechanics in Scotland, Scottish Plant & Operators have enhanced their profile by growing into a dedicated plant hire firm and choosing Volvo machines along the way.
In February 2014, the company was born out of a realization that there was a demand within the industry for recruiting high-quality operators and service engineers. Managing director Stewart McNeish quickly saw a niche in the marketplace for providing such a service for fleet operators and contractors.
His vision was to create an online advertising platform using the strength of social media to revolutionize and speed up the recruitment process, and so Scottish Plant and Operators were formed.
‘We have at least 40 large companies operating a whole range of plant advertising with us on a regular basis,’ said Mr McNeish (left of photo). ‘There’s a huge demand and this method of recruiting good-quality operators, fitters, welders etc is proving very successful.’
An almost immediate by-product of the online recruitment service was a demand for machines for hire as well. Mr McNeish explained: ‘Our plant hire side was born out of the service we were providing online. Our first excavator was a 14-tonne Volvo, which has proven to be very reliable, and we have recently traded out an EC220D for a newer E-Series model. In all, we now have seven excavators, a dozer, screens and crushers, along with some items of smaller plant.’
He continued: ‘One of our main reasons for choosing another Volvo is the after-sales service and support we receive from the firm’s customer support centre in Stirling. The plant industry is a people business and we like to deal with the people we know and can trust.’
Powered by a six-cylinder Volvo engine developing 174hp, the new 22-tonne EC220E excavator for Scottish Plant & Operators is said to offer the latest in engine technology and operating sophistication.
Operator comfort is another key plus point. The machine’s Volvo Care Cab provides plenty of leg room and foot space for the operator, with excellent all-round visibility enhanced by pressurized and filtered cab air supplied by a 14-vent climate-control system. An adjustable, easy-to-read LCD colour monitor provides real-time information on the machine functions.
‘Our operators are certainly impressed, not only with the cab comfort, but also with the smoothness and responsiveness of the machine itself,’ said Mr McNeish. ‘We’re really pleased with the new EC220E.’
As well as plant hire duties, the Volvo E-Series excavator will also be used to service other parts of the Scottish Plant & Operators business. These include: soil and aggregates screening; contract crushing and screening; and handling inert industrial waste material under the auspices of Allstone (Glasgow) Ltd and GS Site Services.
