Clements Plant Hire Firm Expands Machine Fleet With Kubota Mini Excavators

Clements is one of the West Midlands' largest independent plant hire firms. With mini excavators forming an increasingly popular part of the company’s portfolio, and a growing business base, Clements needed to expand its machine fleet but was faced with a difficult decision.

Issues relating to its existing mini excavator brands and suppliers – including manufacturing faults, after-care problems and pricing factors – led Clements managing director Jim Longstaff to research other machine options available on the market. Top of the list was Kubota, whose reputation Jim was well aware of given his long-term association with Ben Elliott, boss of local Kubota distributor BTE Plant Sales Ltd.

Machine quality, cost-effectiveness, security and the high standard of after-care available from its distributor were instrumental in the decision of Clements Plant & Tool Hire Ltd to upgrade its equipment fleet with a move to Kubota mini excavators.

"I've known Ben for last 25 years, and we’ve worked together in the past, but until recently we've had no need to employ BTE’s services," explained Jim. "Failures elsewhere in our supply chain opened the door, and BTE underlined its excellent reputation by helping us out."

BTE provided Clements with a trial machine, which proved to be ideal for the firm’s purposes. In particular, Clements valued Kubota's commitment to integrating customer-friendly features into its range, perhaps most notably the extra machine security and peace of mind provided by its unique 'ANTI-THEFT' system and their industry-leading three year warranty as standard.

Fitted as standard equipment, the Kubota 'ANTI-THEFT' device uses encoded keys to ensure that only authorised drivers can access and operate the vehicle. Having suffered incidents of theft in the past, Clements is well aware of the inconvenience and cost of having to replace stolen equipment.

"It might seem a small thing, but the fact that this is a supplier trying to do things for the benefit of its customers is something in Kubota's favour. It’d be easy to have the attitude that, if the machine was stolen, we’d have to buy another – but Kubota want us to get long-term usage, and that's a really attractive quality in a manufacturer."

Clements purchased five Kubota machines initially, comprising three 1.5 tonne KX36-3 models and two 2.5 tonne U25-3 machines.

The compact KX36-3 model has been developed to deliver efficient handling and performance over the broadest range of jobs. Versatility across all construction applications is achieved via a powerful bucket digging force, a long arm for increased dig depth and digging radius, and a well-protected boom cylinder.

For bigger jobs, the powerful U25-3 model adds further power with a travelling system designed for rough terrain, zero tail swing for working in even the tightest situations, and simultaneous operation of boom, arm, bucket and swivel.

Clements has been so impressed with the performance of the Kubota minis that it has since acquired a fourth KX36-3. Between them, the six models now account for around 25% of Clements’ mini excavator fleet.

"There’s a good reason why Kubota is No.1 in the market," confirmed Jim Longstaff. "Overall, this was the best deal, both in terms of machine quality, cost-effectiveness and standard of after-sales service. Their machines tick all the boxes."

Jim was also keen to underline the exceptional service it received from BTE. "Ben delivered everything he said they would and more. When we needed to make a small warranty claim, it was resolved immediately.