Hanson put their faith in Bell Equipment

Company takes delivery of its first-ever Bell loaders and ADTs in landmark 15-machine deal

BELL Equipment UK have completed a major deal with Hanson for the supply of 15 machines, representing the first time that the construction materials company has used Bell articulated dumptrucks (ADTs) and wheel loaders.

The landmark order has seen two ADTs and 13 wheel loaders deployed at Hanson sites producing aggregates, asphalt, cement, concrete and building products.

Discussions began after Hillhead 2012 when Robin Piper, national accounts manager at Bell Equipment, met with Chris Hope, continuous improvement manager at Hanson’s parent company, HeidelbergCement. At that point no Bell ADTs or wheel loaders were in use within the Hanson UK business.

According to Mr Hope, awareness of Bell machines among colleagues was not high, with little direct experience of using Bell products and a poor perception. Mr Piper offered to implement a number of site demonstrations of Bell ADTs to prove that the reality of using Bell would be a positive experience.

However, while Hanson’s purchasers went elsewhere on that occasion, there was enough feedback from site managers for Mr Hope to note that Bell were now a definite option in the company’s future plans.

At the same time, tests conducted by HeidelbergCement in Belgium revealed exceptional performance results for wheel loaders from John Deere – the company which manufactures the Bell range of loaders.

As a result of these tests and demonstrations, Bell were invited by Hanson to tender for their 2014/15 purchasing period. This marks the latest step in an ambitious programme of investment in new plant, following a long period post-2008 when the downturn necessitated a freeze on purchasing.

‘The brighter economic outlook of recent years has made it essential that we have equipment capable of meeting growing demand, and we had a remit to replace a sizeable number of machines nationwide with the focus on key sites and applications,’ explained Mr Hope.

Bolstered by the feedback from the previous tests and demonstrations, Bell secured an order for 15 machines, with Hanson citing the manufacturer’s willingness to determine the optimum machines for each site as a key factor in the company’s success. As part of this process, Bell surveyed the sites where machines were needed.

‘The suggested spec was based on a like-for-like comparison with the existing machines, but much has changed in terms of machine performance since those models were purchased,’ said Mr Hope. ‘Developments in technology meant that we could go smaller without compromising on performance and achieve greater cost efficiencies.’

Servicing was another key reason for Bell Equipment securing such a large order. ‘We have opted for a full repair and maintenance package covering everything aside from consumables,’ added Mr Hope. ‘We have real confidence in the ability of Bell to deliver ongoing machine support.’

Deliveries were staggered throughout late 2014 and early 2015, with the last completed in July.

Hanson UK’s aggregates and asphalt divisions took the majority of machines, with seven units – a Bell B40D ADT and six Bell L2606E wheel loaders – located across five sites.

Hanson Concrete took the first L1506E wheeled loader in August 2014, and four Bell wheel loaders (three L1706E and one L1506E) went to Hanson’s packed products division.

The final three machines (a B25E ADT, plus L2106E and L1204E loaders) were specified for the building products division. Although this part of the Hanson business was sold in March 2015, the company is still providing technical and administrative support, including machine orders.

All of the machines had to meet the strict safety requirements of Hanson and the MPA’s ‘Safer By Design’ protocol, which calls for extensive alarms, sensors and work lights, in addition to an improved integrated access and egress system that can be retracted and locked into place when not in use.

Since delivery, the 15 machines are said to have performed well. ‘Quarry managers are traditionally the most difficult people to please, so they’d certainly let me know if there were any problems,’ commented Mr Hope. ‘It’s clear that the Bell machines have settled nicely into our fleet and that operators are getting on with them.’

Robin Piper added: ‘For Hanson to take the bold step of purchasing so many machines is testament to the quality of Bell ADTs and wheel loaders. We have worked hard as a company to improve perceptions of performance and reliability, and Hanson’s commitment proves that once a company has the opportunity to see a Bell at work, then they buy Bell.’