JCB Groundcare and Swan Plant Services join land forces

JCB Groundcare and Swan Plant Services join land forces

By Nicola Jones

Swan is pleased to announce that it is expanding its range of specialist grounds equipment for hire by partnering with JCB.

JCB has developed a range of dedicated equipment directed towards the professional landscaper. The range includes easily towable, compact, lightweight backhoes, powerful micro-excavators small enough to fit through a 2' 6" doorway, the "Gravemaster" mini digger specifically designed for cemetery use and a range of dumpsters and low vibration saws. Through Swan's new Professional Landscaping sector, this range of equipment is available on short or long term hire with full service and maintenance back up nationwide.

Commenting on the new range of JCB machinery, Swan's Plant Director David Curwell says "It is recognised equipment with the reliability and support cover that we have come to expect from a well respected company. We rely on this level of service to provide a good standard of hire to our customer base. Swan had no reservations about adding JCB's machinery to our expanding fleet of professional equipment".

JCB Groundcare, manufacturers of a range of products for specialist groundcare users, has announced their support for the launch of the new Swan Rental Landscape Division. Paul Hartshorn, General Manager, JCB Groundcare, commented "Swan is one of the biggest groundcare rental organisations and we are delighted to support their decision to launch a new landscape division. The machines, provided by Gunn JCB, will be supported by the JCB network of dealers around the country, backed up by the JCB World Parts Centre - the best parts and service support in the business".

JCB Groundcare offers a range of products; the JCB Micro excavator, the JCB range of Dumpsters including the new High Tip version, and the new JCB Mini CX, to professional Groundcare users. With a series of further launches planned, the JCB Groundcare range will continue to uphold the JCB reputation for performance, value and reliability.

For further information please contact Jane Atkinson 07802 260865 or e-mail jane@glenfern.com

First 'Spider' sale to Swan Hire for Leeds City Council contract

The new machine, which has been specifically designed for mowing steep banks and slopes, will be leased out on a 30 week contract to work in dedicated areas around Leeds. Chris Simpson, Transport and Fleet Manager at Leeds City Council Parks & Countryside, saw the machine at IOG Saltex in September. While watching the demonstration on the Ransomes Jacobsen stand, he immediately recognised its potential and began discussions with Swan to organise a demonstration for Leeds City Council. "As responsible employers we have a duty to pursue all avenues with regard to the health and safety of our operators," he said. "Hand and arm vibration is a particularly important issue and this machine, being remotely operated, alleviates this at a stroke. Also, it removes any issues of operators sitting on ride-on machines at acute angles and also removes the stress on hips, knees, ankles and spine associated with strimming operations.

A further demonstration on a particularly difficult site in the City confirmed the benefits of the Spider and it was then that Chris Simpson contacted their business partner Swan Plant, who they work closely with on various contracts. "As this is relatively new technology we wanted to test the water, so to speak, so I contacted David Curwell, Swan's Plant Director, and we agreed that they would purchase the machine and that we would hire it for a 30 week contract period.

We will be using it throughout the winter on steeper embankments where we have carried out site specific risk assessments. Four operators are receiving training and will use it at the various locations," he added.

Commenting at the recent handover of the Spider, David Curwell said, "As one of the leading groundscare hire specialists we are keen to evaluate any new equipment that comes into the market place. The exposure of operators to vibration is becoming a particularly important issue and we all know of the dangers inherent in cutting steep slopes. An important part of what we do is to find solutions to clients' problems and, in this particular case, the Spider could provide the answer to both issues; it's certainly an innovative step in the right direction." The sale of this machine to Swan Plant Services was facilitated through Ransomes Jacobsen's local dealer, Palmers Groundcare Ltd of Selby.

APSE welcomes Swan Plant Services as Approved Partner

Swan is delighted to announce that it has been granted APSE Approved Partner status by the Association of Public Service Excellence. To achieve this award the company had to demonstrate its experience and commitment to providing high quality cost effective groundscare services and supplies to the public sector.

Tim Jones, Chief Executive of Swan Plant Services says "We are delighted to have passed the stringent application process, to become fully approved APSE partners. This is an important status for Swan as we work closely with over 240 public sector organisations in raising the standards and profile of groundscare services." To date, Swan is one of only 12 approved partners and is the only specialist groundscare company to be included in this scheme.

Swan Plant Services general info:

Swan Plant Services is the largest supplier of ground care equipment for hire in the UK. Formed in 1991 they work with over 240 local authorities offering all major manufacturers' horticultural machinery and supporting the service with innovative H&S, training and maintenance packages.

The Company offers an extensive range of products and services from short term spot hire to long term tailored partnerships. Swan is committed to maintaining high standards in health and safety and training and is sensitive to operational, environmental, technological, commercial and social responsibilities.

For further details please contact: Dr Nicola Jones, Business Development Manager, Swan Plant Services on Tel 01565 650567 or e-mail nicola.jones@swan-services.co.uk