McHale Plant Sales, Komatsu’s distributor in Ireland, is reporting a rise in demand for what Komatsu classifies as utility machines.
Typically, these include the micro/mini/midi size diggers and compact-size wheeled excavators popular amongst utility services providers and plant hire renters for whom the ‘short-hire, call-and-collect rental and DIY markets are paramount’. Major deals in this segment include what McHale Plant Sales director, Denis McGrath describes as “multiple unit deliveries to customers such as Kilkenny’s Total Highway Maintenance,
Limerick’s Treaty Plant Hire, and Ballina-based plant rental specialist, Davy Tool Hire”. Explaining this upsurge, McGrath said: “in addition to a naturally occurring growth in demand, the trend towards ‘contracting out’ by local authorities, gas, electricity and alternative energy suppliers, and by major computer, communications and broadcast services providers has increased purchasing and rental activity”.
“Another explanation can be found in an increasing tendency on the part of ‘big plant users’ to include compact-size diggers in their inventory, there to perform minor ‘project finishing’ and final surface dressing, landscaping, rectification, and small-scale ‘second-thoughts’ applications,” he added.Looking ahead, McGrath forecasts a ‘continuance’ of demand at the entry level.
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