Blackwood Plant Hire, one of Scotland's largest plant hire companies, has announced a significant £3.5 million investment in its fleet, securing a deal with Finning UK & Ireland for 23 new Cat® machines and additional cutting-edge technology.

The substantial order from Finning, the world’s largest dealer of Cat machinery, includes:

• Five Cat 313 2D hydraulic excavators

• Four Cat 315GC compact excavators

• One Cat 336 2D excavator

• Six Cat 320 2D excavators

• Two Cat 308 mini hydraulic excavators

• Four Cat CS13 vibratory soil compactors

• One Cat CS16 vibratory soil compactor

Paul McCormack, Managing Director at Blackwood Plant Hire, emphasised the strategic importance of this investment: "This significant investment reflects our commitment to achieving the highest standards in quality, service, sustainability and safety for our customers. The machines we have invested in will service multiple contracts throughout Scotland and we are looking forward to leveraging their technology, efficiency and productivity benefits."

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A key aspect of the investment is the integration of advanced Cat technologies. Mr McCormack highlighted the benefits of Cat 2D Grade Assist technology on the new excavators, which is expected to "reduce passes and improve consistency for operators of all experience levels." This system provides real-time guidance to help operators achieve precise grading more quickly.

Safety was also a paramount consideration. "Safety was also key to our investment as it is a high priority for ourselves and our customers. We are pleased to be able to utilise Cat E-Fence on our new excavators, as this will set boundaries to keep our customers out of harm’s way, as well as reduce the risk of damage to the machines themselves," Mr McCormack added. Cat E-Fence creates virtual boundaries to automatically stop machine motion, preventing collisions with obstacles or restricted areas.

In addition to these integrated Cat features, Finning also ensured that the Cat 320 2D excavators were made Trimble® Earthworks 3D Automatics ready. This advanced technology, provided through Finning partners SITECH UK & Ireland, will offer operators real-time guidance for precise grading and enhanced situational awareness, further boosting safety and efficiency on site.

John Stuart, Territory Account Manager at Finning UK & Ireland, commented on the long-standing relationship: "Finning has a 20-year working relationship with Blackwood Plant Hire and is pleased to have been able to support the company maximise its most recent investment with additional technology. The combination of machines and grading technology will not only work to meet the current demand in the industry, but will enhance productivity and efficiency, futureproofing Blackwood Plant Hire’s operations for years to come."