Thomas Plant Hire has stepped up its investment in JCB equipment as part of a growing partnership with Scot JCB, underpinning the company's rapid expansion across the UK.

In 2025 the business added more than 400 new JCB machines, with a further order of over 300 scheduled to arrive in 2026. The orders span everything from mini excavators and site dumpers to tracked excavators and telehandlers, helping Thomas Plant Hire keep a modern, reliable fleet in service nationwide.

Founded in 2000 in North Wales, the company has evolved from supporting its own contracting activities into a major national hire provider. It now operates from 14 depots across the country, supplying sectors including housebuilding, civil engineering, utilities, agriculture, industrial maintenance and large-scale events.

Grant Rees, Head of Business Development at Thomas Plant Hire, said the company's expansion has been driven by diversification alongside geographic growth. "In recent years we've expanded both geographically and in terms of the services we provide," explained Grant. "We've acquired several businesses and developed additional divisions including tool hire, accommodation, powered access and machine control.

-- Advertisement --

"That diversification means we can support customers across multiple sectors, from construction and infrastructure through to film productions, large events and industrial projects."

Rees said sustaining a young fleet is central to customer service and performance. "When customers hire a machine, they expect it to arrive looking fresh, modern and ready to work," he said. "Keeping the fleet young helps us maintain high utilisation and reliability. Older machines naturally require more repairs and maintenance, so by investing regularly we reduce downtime and ensure our customers receive dependable equipment."

With thousands of items of plant and equipment in circulation, Thomas Plant Hire ranks among the UK's largest operators in the sector.

The relationship with Scot JCB accelerated after Thomas Plant Hire expanded into Scotland, including the acquisition of Mulholland Plant. With machines working across Scotland, England and Wales, consistent after-sales coverage has been crucial. "One of the key factors for us when choosing a manufacturer is the level of after-sales support and the relationship we have with the supplier," he explained. "In a fast-moving hire environment, response times and support are critical. From what we have seen, Scot JCB has been extremely reactive and supportive."

"In terms of the relationship with Scot JCB, it's been seamless," Grant added. "When we place orders, everything runs to plan, and the after-sales support is key. As the saying goes, the salesperson sells the first machine, but the service sells the second."

Looking ahead, Thomas Plant Hire expects continued investment in its fleet to complement further geographic growth and a widening service offering. New depots are planned in key regions, and the partnership with Scot JCB is set to remain central to those plans.

David Park, Construction Sales Director at Scot JCB, said: "Thomas Plant Hire is an important customer for Scot JCB and a fantastic business to work with. Their growth over recent years has been remarkable, and it has been great to support them as they continue to expand their fleet across the UK. We are proud to supply JCB machines to a company with such exacting standards for its equipment and customer service, and we look forward to continuing to grow our relationship with Thomas Plant Hire over the coming years."