More Hyundai machines for Emmitt Plant
Ipswich-based plant hire company ramps up Hyundai equipment fleet with three new R220LC-9A crawler excavators
PART of One Group Construction, Emmitt Plant are one of the largest independent plant hire firms in the East of England with depots in Ipswich, Suffolk, Diss, Norfolk and Corby, Northamptonshire.
Emmitt Plant began to introduce Hyundai excavators, supplied by Corby-based Hyundai dealers Willowbrook Plant Services, to their fleet in 2013 and today the company operates a 25-strong fleet with machines ranging from 12.5 tonnes to 22 tonnes.
The plant hire firm recently took delivery of three 22-tonne R220LC-9A excavators from Willowbrook. Emmitt Plant director Luke Findlay commented: ‘We chose Hyundai predominantly as they represented excellent value for money. However, one of the biggest deciding factors was the exceptional dealer support and service we get from Willowbrook.’
‘When we first opened our Corby branch in 2008, we were running Case and Volvo machines but the dealer we were using closed its doors for good in 2012 – it was then we began talks with Willowbrook about purchasing some heavy line kit.’
Among the first Hyundai machines purchased by Emmitt Plant were six 14-tonne R140-9 excavators. To date, the company says it has invested in excess of £1.8 million in Hyundai machinery.
Mr Findlay said: ‘We have very little downtime with the Hyundai machines as they have proven to be reliable and perfect for the plant hire sector. We are a self-drive plant hire firm so we don’t have our own operators, but our clients have really taken to the Hyundai machines particularly the fuel efficiency of the machines and the power behind them.’
Moving forward, Emmitt Plant said that they are exploring the possibility of investing in the new Hyundai HX range at the end of the year.
Mr Findlay continued: ‘They look very appealing especially from a client and operator safety point of view with the AAV 360° camera system. It’s a fantastic initiative by Hyundai to offer this built-in system and they are well ahead of their competitors who, as far as I am aware, only fit similar systems as an after-market product. Some of the leading contractors are already specifying this level of safety on machines working on their sites.’
