Hanson puts faith in Bell Equipment

Bell Equipment UK joins with Hanson for the supply of 15 machines, representing the first time the company has used Bell Articulated Dump Trucks and Wheeled Loaders.
This order has seen two ADTs and 13 Wheeled Loaders deployed at Hanson sites producing aggregates, asphalt, cement, concrete, and building products.

Discussions began after Hillhead 2012, when Robin Piper met with Chris Hope — at which point, no Bell ADT or Wheeled Loader was in use within the Hanson UK business.

Piper offered to implement a number of site demonstrations of Bell ADTs to show the benefits of using Bell. Tests conducted by HeidelbergCement in Belgium showed ideal performance results for Wheeled Loaders from John Deere — manufacturers of the Bell Wheeled Loaders.

As a result of this, Bell was invited by Hanson to tender for its 2014/15 purchasing period. This is the latest step in a programme of investment in a new plant.

Hope said: “The brighter economic outlook of recent years has made it essential that we have equipment capable of meeting growing demand, and we had a remit to replace a sizeable number of machines nationwide with the focus on key sites and applications.

“Bolstered by the exceptional feedback of the previous tests and demonstrations, Bell secured an order for 15 machines, with Hanson citing the willingness of Bell to determine the optimum machines for each site as a key factor in the company’s success.

“The suggested spec was based on a like-for-like comparison with the existing machines, but since much has changed in terms of machine performance since those models were purchased.

“We have opted for a full repair and maintenance package, covering everything aside from consumables. We have real confidence in the ability of Bell to deliver ongoing machine support.”

The aggregates and asphalt divisions took seven machines located across five sites. Hanson Concrete took the first L1506E Wheeled Loader in August and four Bell Wheeled Loaders went to Hanson’s packed products division.

Robin Piper, Bell Equipment, added: “For Hanson to take the bold step of purchasing so many machines is testament to the quality of Bell ADTs and Wheeled Loaders. We have worked hard as a company to improve perceptions of performance and reliability and Hanson’s commitment proves that, once a company has the opportunity to see a Bell at work, then they buy Bell.”