by Harry Hunter | Mon 28 Sep 2026
BDS Plant Hire moves to Cat equipment with Finning
Orkney-based surfacing and contracting company BDS Plant Hire (Orkney) Ltd has moved to the latest generation of Cat pavers, with support from Finning UK & Ireland.
The company has traditionally operated Bitelli paving equipment and had remained loyal to the brand following Caterpillar’s acquisition of Bitelli in 2000. However, BDS was looking for the same operational standards, combined with newer technology and improved efficiency, as it began to update its fleet.
Charlie Sinclair, Director at BDS Plant Hire (Orkney) Ltd, said: “Bitelli products have always served our business well and it has been a big step to move away from what we know works; however, we have been really impressed with the latest generation of Cat pavers and the efficiency’s and technology they deliver.
“Our move to Cat machines not only reflects our commitment to innovation and to delivering the most efficient and reliable service on site but also reinforces the role Finning play as a trusted partner as they have continued to support our business at every stage of our growth and evolution.”
Finning worked with BDS throughout the transition, providing product advice and support as the company moved to the latest Cat paving technology.
The first machine supplied is a Cat AP500 wheel asphalt paver. The machine combines compact dimensions with permit-free transport and Stage V compliance, while its wide range of screed configurations is intended to provide flexibility across different paving applications.
Paul Walton, Sales Manager, Paving and Compaction, at Finning UK & Ireland, said: “A long-standing customer of Finning, BDS Plant Hire was looking to transition its fleet, and in doing so increase operational versatility, efficiency and productivity to meet industry demand.
“We were pleased to work with BDS Plant Hire to offer industry insight and guidance, supporting the customer’s needs to deliver the latest Cat AP500 wheel asphalt paver. This machine is well-matched to meet the specific realities of Scottish infrastructure work, thanks to the combination of compact dimensions, permit-free transport, Stage V compliance, durability and wide-screed range and will help BDS deliver efficiency and reliability across a range of projects.”
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