Hamilton Ross Group

Alan Marshall, owner of John Marshall & Sons contracting business, just can’t get enough of Wacker Neuson’s new Dual View Dumpers so he ordered four from the Hamilton Ross Group!

The plant, agricultural and industrial fencing contractor based in Ayrshire distributes over 70 machines all across the country to work on major contracts. Behind this vast business is Alan Marshall, a man with a passion for high quality machinery, “I don’t buy my machinery on price,” Alan explains “it’s got to be the right quality.”

Indeed, this ethos of prioritising quality is what has driven success for family business, John Marshall and Sons, which started back in 1892 under the trading name of Ferguson Fencing before moving to the Marshall family and becoming John Marshall & Sons Ltd in the 1930s.Wacker Neuson, Dual View, Dumper, John Marshall & Sons, Hamilton Ross Group, Wacker Neuson, Scotland

After covering railway work in the early sixties, the business progressed and today they specialise in various types of premium fencing and contracting.

Alan reminisces, “In 2006 I got the opportunity to do a bit of civils work and that’s where the civil side has come from. The workforce has grown from three to thirty.”

Despite the growth of the business, Alan has been careful not to compromise on his key principle, “We don’t want to get too big and lose control of the quality of our work. It’s what gets us a lot of repeat business because we will not leave a bad job.”

In order to ensure their work is to a high standard, Alan looks to Wacker Neuson and the Hamilton Ross Group for supply of his machinery. He most recently purchased four Dual-View Dumpers.

“When it comes to dumpers every single dumper has been a Wacker Neuson bar one, because I do feel they are streets ahead. They seem to be so far ahead of competitors in their thinking.”

After searching for a machine like the Dual View Dumper for years, Alan acknowledged that he could not understand why no one had thought about it sooner, revealing “the dual view is something I’ve been talking about for years.” The idea came to mind after he purchased a tractor that had the ability to change the direction of the seat like the Dual View. Alan shares, “I’ve got a tractor down there and it has a rotating leaver next to the seat, so you never have to reverse it - and it’s 18 years old!”

John Marshall & Sons use their dumpers on a daily basis to haul hundreds of tons of stone. With a heavy load to take tackle, there’s no better machine than a Wacker Neuson Dumper. Alan outlines the process of their work, explaining, “we’ll put all the infrastructure in to build a powerline and then we take it all back out to make it look as though they’ve not been there. You’re talking hundreds of tons of stone we put in and take out.”

Alan Marshall explains how his new Dual View Dumpers have helped with day to day business and reveals that they even put the Dual View to the test after timing the job. Alan shares, ‘It saves time. On a half mile trip, we’re saving about two minutes.”

Alan goes on to reveal why he chooses innovative construction machinery giants, Wacker Neuson, over competitors in the market. “The innovative design of their dumpers is much further forward than the competitors. It’s what drew me to Wacker!”

As the longest standing Wacker Neuson Dealer in Scotland, the local Hamilton Ross Group Tarbolton depot were on hand to supply John Marshall & Sons with their dumpers.

Alan’s relationship with Hamilton Brothers started when an Area Sales Manger paid him a visit and introduced him to Wacker Neuson. “The Construction Sales Manager would just pop in for a chat and that’s how I got into the dumpers,” he explains, “He was pushing the dumpers way back at the start.”

Won over by Wacker, it seems there is only one choice of dumper for the future of John Marshall and Sons. Alan says, “We want to keep doing what we’re doing and doing it well, and to keep the core staff that I’ve got working. We don’t want to take over the world, we’re quite happy at the moment.’

The Hamilton Ross Group wish John Marshall & Sons the best of luck with their business!

Rural came to the city this week on Tuesday 4th June as the Hamilton Ross Group and Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime (SPARC) took up post on George Square, Glasgow in the fight against rural crime.

SPARC in the City – an event which aimed to speak to those who live, work or visit rural areas – saw various organisations involved in SPARC interacting with those in the city centre throughout the day.

This event is part of ongoing efforts to raise awareness of rural crime and educate the public on the impact it can have with issues such as fly-tipping and livestock worrying.

Our Hamilton Ross Group Police branded Valtra T174EA and Kubota RTV X1110 took centre stage with many stopping to take photos and engage in conversation about rural crime. There was also a branded skip at the event, alongside police horses and activities for children.

Speaking on behalf of SPARC, Inspector Alan Dron, National Rural Crime Co-ordinator said: “We are delighted Glasgow City Council has provided this opportunity to highlight its work within the heart of the city. Regardless of geographical location, across Scotland our partners and police work extremely hard to make a real difference to communities and today is about raising awareness of rural crime and the steps being taken to reduce it.

“Rural crime can impact on us all and it should be remembered incidents relating to for example high value theft of plant equipment or fly tipping are just as relevant to urban areas as they are to the rural. By bringing some of the work SPARC does into the centre of Glasgow, hopefully SPARC can help those who enjoy the rural environments to do so responsibly and contribute in whatever way to what we are trying to achieve.

“SPARC, with the combined effort of all 16 partners, is making great traction in this fight against rural crime and we have some exciting announcements and events coming up to help us see more results for the rural community in Scotland.”

This event is one of over 30 in which the Hamilton Ross Group SPARC tractor and/or RTV are due to attend this summer to raise awareness of the issue. Hamilton Ross Group Managing Director, Eric Gardiner, commented:

“It has been wonderful to see so many people, including those within and out with the farming industry, engage with this campaign. In our role as machinery dealers, we often see first hand the impact rural crime has on our customers and other parts of society. When SPARC approached us about getting involved in this initiative we were fully supportive as it sends a vital message to the rural sector that we are all working together to crack down on rural crime across the country."

Did you miss SPARC in the City? The SPARC Tractor or RTV could still be coming to an event near you. Follow our Facebook and Twitter for further updates!

The Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime (SPARC) have teamed up with the Hamilton Ross Group to launch a Police branded tractor to tackle rural crime and raise awareness of the issue.

The creation of the flashy new Valtra T174EA SPARC-branded tractor follows on from the popularity of a similar branded tractor at the Royal Highland Show last year, which was created to raise awareness of the partnership at agricultural shows and to open discussion with the public and those within the agricultural industry.

The Hamilton Ross Group supplied this year’s tractor in partnership with SPARC, which celebrated its first outing this week at Emergency Services Day. The tractor will visit more than 30 agricultural shows across the country in the coming weeks and months.

SPARC is made up of partners from across the rural community, including Police Scotland, NFU Scotland, Scottish Land and Estates and NFU Mutual.

Alan Dron, Rural Crime Co-ordinator for SPARC, said: “A key aspect of SPARC is to build confidence and trust amongst those living, working and enjoying Scotland’s rural communities that any crime related issues affecting them are taken seriously, acted upon and understood.”

“Attending agricultural events and shows is one way SPARC will be engaging with people. We are delighted Valtra and the Hamilton Ross Group understand what SPARC is trying to achieve and by working in partnership it is hoped the tractor provides a focal point that can initiate positive discussion about how others can help reduce opportunities for criminality to occur within the rural communities of Scotland.”

Eric Gardiner, Managing Director of the Hamilton Ross Group, said: “As local dealers, we see first-hand the impact rural crime has on the lives of our customers. However, with modern day trackers, advanced technology and policing we also see the opportunity to help prevent rural crime, which is why we are delighted to support SPARC with their initiative.”

Follow our social media channels for further updates on the SPARC tractors travels. It could be coming to a show near you!