“They’ve got a ‘can do’ attitude…” So says Joint Managing Director, Steven Igoe, of Middlewich based WPI Group, citing the aftersales support provided by Volvo Construction Equipment’s distributor, SMT GB.
“That’s why we’ve taken the decision to broaden our experience of owning and operating Volvo wheeled pavers to also encompass Volvo branded excavators, ranging from fourteen to thirty tonnes in operating weight,” he continues. “We’ve had faultless support running our two wheeled pavers over the last five years so we’re confident we will get the same level of support with these new machines.”
“We were very impressed with the two machines SMT put in to us on demonstration,” says Steven’s brother and Joint Managing Director, Michael Igoe. “The thirty tonne machine we trialed had in the order of 7,000 hours on the clock and we were impressed with the distinct lack of wear on the equipment’s pins and bushes – it could have been a brand new machine!” he continues. “That, and the quality of the machine’s build and the all-round performance experienced in the demonstration persuaded us to move away from our traditional brand and try Volvo excavators for the first time.”
In all, WPI has taken delivery of ten fourteen tonne EC140Es, four EC220Es an EC250E and a thirty tonne EC300E which represent an increment in the Group’s fleet of over one hundred excavators ranging from 1.5 to 50 tonnes in operating weight.
The machines will be deployed on WPI’s core activities which are ground working and civil engineering projects, sub-contracting to blue chip house building companies covering the north west and north Midland counties of England.
Powered by Volvo four and six-cylinder engines, WPI’s new charges offer the latest in engine technology and operating sophistication. For example, pump flow is controlled for combined digging and swinging operations to reduce the flow loss through the overload relief valves, whilst maintaining digging power and maximum swing torque. When Eco-mode is selected, the machine provides better fuel efficiency without loss of performance in most operating conditions.
The Volvo Care Cab offers a large roomy interior with plenty of leg room and foot space. The excellent all-round visibility is enhanced by pressurized and filtered cab air supplied by a 14-vent, climate control system. An adjustable easy to read LCD colour monitor provides real time information of the machine functions.
Established in 1979 by Steven & Michael’s father, the WPI Group is a family-run business employing 400 personnel. The company provides a range of conventional and specialist products for use in a wide variety of applications throughout the north of England including civil engineering, surfacing and ground working for major housing developers, construction companies and local authorities.
SMT GB markets Volvo Construction Equipment products which include wheeled loaders, articulated haulers, hydraulic excavators, Volvo utility equipment and Volvo road equipment products in Great Britain. There are eight strategically placed Customer Support Centres, a dedicated National Used Equipment Centre and a network of utility equipment dealers to ensure high quality customer support is maintained throughout the country.
