Smiths Hire, one of the North West’s largest independent equipment hire companies, has made a significant investment in Kubota excavators, adding 35 machines to its fleet.
Based in Blackpool, the well-established and respected hire company operates 16 depots in areas such as Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester and Preston. Having recently marked its milestone 50 year anniversary, and previously being named HAE-National Hire Company of the Year 2018/19, Smiths Hire has recently undergone significant growth in its business and will be adding a further three depots to its roster later this year in Burnley, Castleford and Morecambe servicing the Lancaster area.
The purchase further strengthens a multi-year relationship with Kubota dealer PV Dobson, which supplied all 35 excavators.
A sharp upturn in home renovations is responsible for sky-high demand in the mini-excavator market, Thomas Smith, Managing Director of Smiths Hire, explained: “While we’re always extremely busy at this time of year, with a lot more people working at home, and current restrictions allowing construction work to continue, home-scale projects are on the rise and demand for smaller excavators is huge. This is especially the case for Kubota’s sub-5 tonne range, which are perfect for domestic jobs”.
The lightweight and maneuverable U10-3, KX016-4, U17-3a and U27-4 models make up the majority of Smiths Hire’s investment, while two newly released U50-5’s provide extra power. Part of the newly released 5-tonne range, the U50-5 features a completely redesigned interior, offering the latest features and enhanced comfort. The excavator also benefits from a refreshed, modernised exterior and a cleaner, more powerful Stage V engine.
Thomas continued: “Smiths Hire has been working with Kubota for the past 20 years and our whole fleet, in excess of 120 excavators, is Kubota. They’re extremely reliable, come with an excellent backup service, and perhaps most important – customers love them. As we continue to expand the business, Kubota is absolutely the best choice for us.”
