£50m order for JCB

JCB has secured one of its biggest single orders ever.

One of the UK's biggest equipment hire companies, A-Plant, has ordered 1,550 machines worth £50m.

Last year A-Plant ordered 1,000 machines worth £35m.

The deal marks a major milestone for A-Plant - the company has bought 10,000 machines from JCB since its first order more than 25 years ago.

The latest products are now rolling off production lines and delivery will continue throughout 2015.

JCB CEO Graeme Macdonald said: "This is order is very significant as it is one of the largest JCB has ever won. We are delighted that A-Plant has chosen JCB to supply such an extensive range of products."

The deal is good news for JCB's Staffordshire factories in Rocester, Uttoxeter and Cheadle which will manufacture the micro, mini and midi excavators, Loadall telescopic handlers and tracked excavators which have been ordered.

A-Plant is also buying a fleet of JCB site dumpers which were launched earlier this year.

Asif Latief, A-Plant Marketing Director said: "This is the biggest order A-Plant has ever placed for JCB equipment and this substantial investment in new JCB machines signals our intent to offer our customers one of the youngest fleets in the industry."

A-Plant is part of FTSE-100 company Ashtead Group.