JCBs, Family and Rugby a Winning Combination

A look back at one of my articles previously published in Earthmovers Magazine, un-edited, in my own words, bringing it to life on the internet, with alternative photos and video.

In what is sadly an all too familiar story, John Handforth’s original construction business H&H Yorkshire Ltd, fell victim to a main contractor who went into liquidation some 17 years ago, leaving a trail of destruction and forcing many smaller businesses to fail as a result.

John Handforth (47) had always had a strong sporting background, and is a fierce competitor and not one to be beaten, John takes up the story, “I had lost everything I had worked so hard for back then, the machines, vans and most of all our teams of good men, it was a very hard period in my life. When something like that happens, you kind of lose the self-belief, and unfortunately at the time I fell into depression, and lost all my drive and ambition”.

John continues, “My mother Susan convinced me that the best way was to carry on, not give up, and to try and look at all the positives of what I had achieved in my late 20s early 30s. I recall saying to her, 'Mother, I’ve lost everything, I have nothing left, how can I possibly carry on?!'"

"She looked at me and said, 'John you are a nightmare and sometimes come with many issues, but you are my son, I believe in you and therefore I will risk everything I have to help you.'"

John said, “I will never forget that, because at the time, I have to be honest, I didn’t realise what an amazing gift of love and belief she gave me. I miss her dearly – she was a very strong woman and anyone that knew her would tell you, she didn’t hold back!

"She worked tirelessly to get the business back on its feet, just as hard as any of us on the ground, and kept a tight ship, with very little money. She bought back two of my old machines, quite cheaply to be fair, which got us going again."

"With any company you need the services of a very good quantity surveyor, someone who is very commercially minded.

"My mother set about finding one of these individuals by Googling QSs in Wakefield. I came in from work and she said, 'I’ve spoken to a local lad, he only lives in Outwood (the next village from us) he’s calling in shortly.'

"That man turned out be Simon Williams. I call him my golden ticket, big red to the rest of the team. My mother asked him to stick by me and keep hold of the reins, and he has been instrumental in helping to get HH Construction to where we are today some 14 years later.

"We are as good as partners in my eyes, and he has allowed me to succeed. We are a family concern and I have a great team around me, with my two brothers, wife Victoria, and construction manager Damien O’Hare, then we have the loyal team of lads, we have approximately 75 of them who have been with us for 10 years, and around 25 that have been with us for 13+ years, they are the life blood of our business, I’d die for each and every one of them, they are fantastic and without them, there would be no HH Construction, I’m so proud of them they are my little army! Then there’s our team of women who are fantastic too, their no-nonsense approach is amazing!”

Today the Castleford based company employs a 160 strong team working across 33 live sites in the Yorkshire, the surrounding areas and sometimes even further afield. They are currently running 80+ items of heavy plant, mostly from British manufacturer JCB and supplied by local dealer TC Harrison.

John has had a long-standing relationship with TC Harrison and JCB machines in particular, John takes up the story, “As a kid I used to visit the TCH depot in Ossett with my dad. I used to love going there seeing all the new machines out the front. I recall my dad having one of his machines resprayed there – in those days that was a common practice. People didn’t change their machines as regular as they do these days, I remember those days fondly and it’s the reason I stick with them to this day.

"TCH and JCB have become like family to me, and let’s not forget JCB Finance who have been absolutely fantastic for me and HH in the way they have supported our growth. Many years ago now, they took a massive risk in supporting me with funds, when to be honest, they should have run a country mile.

"I’ll tell you the story, I had to attend a meeting with TCH in Chapeltown to discuss the old company and explain why they should consider taking a risk on me.

"Well, I must have said something right, because I then got to have the same meeting with Andrew Cramshaw at JCB Finance, that was a bit more intense and they looked into me in more-depth but it was all very nice and pleasant during the dealings. I was gobsmacked when they offered me a £1.3 million facility!

"I will always stay loyal to them all for having faith in me, just like the men and women that work for us at HH have remained loyal. In my book, loyalty helps you to build. It's like in sport – if you play for each other as a team, you’ll beat the best of them."

Talking of sports, the company has recently signed a 3-year kit sponsorship deal with Castleford Tigers rugby league team. The Handforth family have always been involved in rugby league, with John’s father and middle brother Paul who attained many caps for Ireland both playing at a very high level. John himself and youngest brother Mathew both had decent careers with the egg-shaped ball over the years.

To mark this exciting sponsorship John commissioned a new JCB 220XLC machine in a stunning all black livery which has been emblazoned with the Castleford Tigers logos, that machine is now out on sites earning its keep, but we got to take a look around it in the yard at TCH’s depot in Chapeltown before it was delivered.  

As part of the same order John purchased one of the first examples of the new JCB 245XR zero tailswing model to be sold in the UK, which features an awesome Union Jack wrap on the counterweight supplied by Brandfixx. We visited the machine on the Stonebridge Mills site in Wortley, Leeds.

Running this machine is long serving HH operator Ian Wagstaffe (50) who has been operating machines for 27 years, Ian gave us his initial thoughts on the machine, “I came off a 220XLC to take on the 245XR and it has proven to be a fantastic machine, I’ve been digging out drain runs and manholes in some very tight spots since I’ve had it too, so its really handy in those situations.

"For a short tail swing model, it’s an incredibly stable machine thanks to its larger footprint, its so smooth and precise on the controls and the X Series cabs are second to none in terms of comfort, with the dashboard and all the buttons located just where you need them, a big bonus is that this machine has the full-sized cab same as on the 220XLC, so plenty of room. My only gripe is I wish there was a tool box under the step for the chains and shackles, but overall, a great all-rounder machine”.

John Handforth said, “We have been very impressed with the performance of the 245XR, we love it and feel it will be a great tool in our arsenal of machines, I’ve just ordered two more, this time with TAB booms which will make them even more versatile in tight working space conditions. I am very lucky to be blessed with some very good and clean operators, who really look after the kit, it’s great to know our machines are in safe hands."

Also, during our visit to TCH in Chapeltown, we got to see a 1978 JCB 3CIII which John has had restored to original factory finish condition by renowned JCB man Julian Carder and his team. Talking about the background to this John said, “The 3CIII means a lot of different things to me, a real box of emotions. My father and stepfather both owned 3CII and 3CIII machines in the past, and they hold a lot of family experiences for me personally.

"My fascination with them started when my father Tony, took me to a site many years ago, sat me on a pile of muck with the 3CII and I just loved it, I still recall the sound of the hydraulics on those early machines, the shape, the colours with the yellow, red and white they were just iconic machines. My uncle John also used to train me on the operating techniques, and from that day on I was hooked, I have had this machine done up as a tribute to them and the foundations of our business."

The stunning restoration of this machine started in January 2021 and was completed in time for it to appear on the TC Harrison stand at the Great Yorkshire Show in the July.

Talking further about his “special relationship” with TC Harrisons John said, “I’ve had the pleasure of dealing with my local TCH Sales Manager Oli Brown for the past 5/6 years now since Jim Melia left the team.

"I always remember the first time he called in to introduce himself, and thinking at the time, how come I’ve ended up with this very shy young man, he just doesn’t seem ready for this role! Well, more fool me, he for me is what TC Harrison HH and JCB are all about, caring, committed and with family values pouring out of him!

"He’s a very respectful young man that always does his upmost to please his customers, hell I’ve nearly got him the sack a couple of times for supplying too many JCB coats, jumpers, boots and models, but that’s just the way he is, he has become a great friend, and almost part of the family.

"In the same vein is Amy Lee, our territory manager for JCB Finance, she is doing a fantastic job for us and has really bought into HH our needs and our vision for the future. They are both extremely talented people for TCH and JCB to be proud of,” concluded John.

I think this is a fantastic story of how from such extreme adversity one man with strong family support can regroup and rebuild a business with the support of good people to become even better and growing in strength year on year to now become one of the most well-known and respected groundworks contractors in Yorkshire, a real credit to John and his team.