Woods choose to demonstrate Bell wheel loader at Hillhead 2014
National contracting and plant hire firm to put Bell L2606E through its paces in the demo area
BARRY Wood Plant Hire, better known as Woods, have selected two newly purchased Bell Equipment L2606E wheel loaders to take centre stage at this year’s Hillhead exhibition. One will perform throughout a series of live demonstrations being conducted by the company within the exhibition showground, while the second will be on static display on the Bell Equipment stand.
The Bell loaders were purchased by the national contracting and plant hire firm because of their impressive re-handling and manoeuvring capabilities. The machine on demo duty will give visitors an idea of exactly what the L2606E – the largest loader supplied by Bell – is capable of, from stockpiling and re-handling to mobility around the often tight restraints of crushing and screening sites, as well as demonstrating the reasons why Woods have purchased two machines to add to their fleet.
Over the past 35 years, Woods have grown into a well-respected multidiscipline contractor, and Bell Equipment have long played an important role within the company’s fleet, having supplied seven of its articulated dumptrucks.
More recently, Woods have turned to Bell for their wheel loader technology. Their first two Bell loaders were purchased in 2012, and the additional L2606Es bring the Bell contingent to a total of four out of Woods’ nine loaders.
Highlighting the multiple advantages of Bell vehicle ownership, Woods’ managing director, John Hattersley, explained the reasons behind the decision to invest in Bell: ‘We’re well regarded for what we do and have become renowned for our reliability. As a multidiscipline contractor operating at a national level we need to supply a wide range of competent machines – machines we can be confident in, so we don’t let our customers down.
‘That’s why, once again, we’ve chosen to be supplied by Bell. Like us, they’re a customer-focused company who will bend over backwards to better their service, and that’s not just the sales team. Client dedication extends from the top of the company down – no matter what a person’s position or seniority, they’ll always talk to us, are constantly there for us and, in our opinion, form one of the best suppliers in the market.
‘We’ve a long history of investing in Bell ADTs, which we’ve found to be cracking, fuel-efficient trucks. The same quality is apparent in the Bell shovels, which have consistently proven themselves to be superb, reliable performers for plant hire. With that in mind, it’s clear to see why, for us, choosing Bell is such a natural decision.’
Woods employ the skills of highly trained and proficient machine operators, whose preferences are always taken into account when selecting new machines. Bell vehicles are seen as ‘choice kit’ by many at the firm, as Mr Hattersley explained: ‘The lads get on really well with the Bell machines and find them to be reliable as well as extremely comfortable to operate.
‘Both of the loaders being exhibited at Hillhead will be used by our operators within our own crushing and screening contracts, as well as for loading aggregates on to road trucks and dumptrucks, in addition to general stockpiling.’
Mr Hattersley and his team will also be using the company’s existing Bell B30D ADTs at Hillhead, giving a wider impression of the Bell Equipment models that can be supplied and utilized through Woods.
Richard Higgott, sales and marketing manager for Bell Equipment UK, was delighted to hear that Woods had chosen equipment supplied by Bell for use at the premier showcase for the UK construction industry. He said: ‘It’s a terrific testament to hear that our equipment is deemed appropriate for Hillhead Exhibition status, especially when demonstrations in the showground are involved as part of the event.
‘Naturally, we hope Hillhead proves successful for Woods as a mechanism to further increase their already buoyant and expanding business, and we anticipate further supply to the firm in the years to come.’
