Ardent makes biggest ever UK Loadall order

Ardent Hire Solutions has placed the biggest single order of Loadall telescopic handlers in the UK to date.

Worth £75 million (€83 million), the rental company has signed a deal for a fleet of 1,100 JCB Loadalls, which range from JCB’s compact 525-60 model to the 550-80.

Yvette Henshall-Bell, JCB Group Managing Director Global Major Accounts, said, “We are delighted to secure this major order from one of the UK’s leading plant hire companies. It shows great confidence in JCB machinery and also in the wider construction sector which Ardent’s plant hire business supports.”

The machines, which are built at JCB’s UK factories, include engines from JCB Power System and transmissions and axles from JCB Transmissions.

The handlers are also fitted with JCB’s LiveLink telematics fleet management system, which provides real-time information on the machines’ operation and safe usage.

Anuj Patel, Ardent Hire Solutions Head of Marketing, said, “This latest acquisition further strengthens Ardent’s telehandler fleet which is the largest available in the UK today. The availability of advanced technology and telematics on the entire fleet was critical for us when specifying JCB machines.

Ardent, which has 11 depots in the UK, is also said to be investing in a fleet of JCB 3CX backhoe loaders, rough terrain fork lifts and 7T Hi-Viz site dumpers, which the manufacturer said address key safety concerns.