by Richard Cosgrove | Mon 17 Nov 2025
Finning delivers centennial Cat machine to Ashbrook Plant Hire
Finning UK & Ireland has proudly presented a limited edition Centennial Grey Cat 308 excavator to Ashbrook Plant Hire, making it one of the first customers to take delivery of this rare commemorative machine.
This year Caterpillar has been celebrating its centenary year, marking 100 years of industry-shaping innovations across industries including construction, marine, mining, industrial, quarry and aggregates, and electric power.
To celebrate this commemorative year, Caterpillar has commissioned a limited series of machines to be painted in ‘Centennial Grey’. This is a nod back to the original Cat machines, introduced in 1925 in ‘battleship grey’, with the recognisable ‘Hi-Way’ yellow with black trim not coming into use until 1931.
Ashbrook Plant Hire, based in Cheshire are one of the first customers in the UK to secure one of these rare commemorative machines. The handover of the Cat 308 excavator took place at Finning UK & Ireland headquarters in Cannock, Staffordshire and marked a landmark in the centennial celebrations for Finning, the world’s largest dealer of Cat machines, parts and aftermarket services.
James Ashbrook, Managing Director of Ashbrook Plant Hire, said: “It's a tremendous honour to be the first company to take delivery of a limited edition Cat 308. Having worked with Finning for almost 20 years, we are thrilled to be part of their history during this milestone year by purchasing our new limited edition Cat 308 excavator from them.
“As the landscape of the construction industry continues to evolve, Finning has been a big part of our company's journey in connecting machinery to customers throughout the UK, and when looking to add to our fleet we were excited to have the opportunity to purchase a rare machine to commemorate Caterpillars landmark year.
“Our aim is to have a versatile fleet that can provide reliable power and performance regardless of the application. The Cat 308 is small and powerful, and its compact size makes it an asset to our customers looking to navigate complex job sites such as in agriculture or plant operations. When you’re running a busy hire fleet like ours, efficiency and reliability are everything, and our customers really value machines that offer both.”
Neil Baxter, Key Account Manager at Finning UK & Ireland, said: “The machine that we have delivered to Ashbrook Plant Hire, a Cat 308, comes with a suite of ease of use features including indicate which boosts productivity and cuts costs by enabling faster and more precise grade achievement. This will reduce the need for manual checks, saving time, labour, and fuel while also improving job site safety by requiring fewer personnel on the ground.
“The machine also comes with E-Fence for setting operator pre-set boundaries for ceiling, floor, wall and swing. This improves job site efficiency and safety as it prevents equipment from hitting structures and reduces the need for ground personnel, ensuring both safety and productivity for customers.”
Lee Andrews, General Manager – Equipment Sales, Construction Equipment at Finning UK & Ireland, commented: “Presenting Ashbrook with this Centennial grey machine is a proud moment for us. They’ve been a valued customer for almost two decades, and it’s fitting that such a forward-thinking company should receive a machine that symbolises Caterpillar’s 100-year heritage and its commitment to further shape the future of construction.”
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