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B & W Plant Hire Invest in New Takeuchi Excavators

B&W Plant Hire is investing in 54 new Takeuchi excavators over an 18-month period as it continues to renew its hire fleet. The order includes the 9-tonne TB290-2, alongside a mix of 5-tonne and 3-tonne models.

With depots across the UK and its headquarters in Blackburn, B&W operates more than 410 excavators ranging from 1 to 95 tonnes, as part of a wider general plant hire fleet of more than 2,000 machines.

Andrew Partington, Director at B&W Plant Hire, said: “At B&W our motto is Keep Digging. We have always opted for Takeuchi excavators; the brand is a key part of the fleet – our customers ask for a Takeuchi. They meet the toughest demands of a busy hire fleet. Machines can be operated to the max and Takeuchi machines have always stood up to the plant hire test.”

B&W says reliable equipment, machine condition and service support are central to maintaining its reputation in a competitive hire market. The company provides 24/7 technical support and also offers operated plant hire, matching machines with experienced operators where customers cannot source their own.

Partington added: “In a very competitive market, good customer relations are vital to repeat business and B&W’s large fleet of Takeuchi excavators, well maintained plant and technical 24-7 support all make the difference.”

He said: “It is reputable brands like Takeuchi that have shaped B&W’s plant hire fleet. Equipment designed and built for hire with good residual values has allowed B&W to maintain a relatively new hire fleet. The company has made a commitment to invest every year to maintain the fleet.”

Founded in 1994 by Bill Whitwell, B&W Plant Hire & Sales grew into a large independent hire business under the Whitwell family. Following a period of collaboration with private equity investors between 2023 and 2025, the company has returned to full ownership and management under Will Whitwell, with Partington leading a team of around 50 staff.

“We are happy to be an independent plant hirer once again, it’s what we know and are good at. We are whole-heartedly getting back to the B&W tradition. 24/7 service, investing in our fleet and supporting our customers across the UK / working closely with our customers.”

Jason Periam, Head of Sales at Takeuchi UK, said: “Takeuchi and B&W Plant Hire have shared a long and successful partnership, with B&W investing in the Takeuchi range from 1 to 15 tonnes since the brand first arrived in the UK. It's fantastic to see B&W once again operating independently, building on its strong reputation and reinforcing its position as one of the UK's leading plant hirers with one of the largest Takeuchi fleets in the country”