News

Flannery invests in Kubota mini excavators

Flannery Plant Hire has added 97 Kubota excavators to its UK hire fleet, including 62 KX016-4 mini excavators configured specifically for a utilities customer.

Each of the KX016-4 machines is supplied with an Ifor Williams Digadoc trailer, Whites quick hitch, Epiroc SB102 hydraulic breaker and a selection of buckets. The package allows the excavators to be transported behind a light commercial vehicle and deployed directly to site.

The order also includes 20 Kubota U50-5 midi excavators and 15 U27-4 mini excavators, supplied by local Kubota dealer Boss Plant Sales.

Flannery, which operates a fleet of more than 7,000 assets from 23 depots and Skills Hubs across the UK and Ireland, says the latest purchases combine fleet replacement with measured expansion.

“We operate a substantial Kubota fleet across a range of models,” said Operations Director Paul Hester. “In addition to the KX016-4, U50-5 and U27-4, our fleet includes other Kubota excavators, selected to meet varying customer and project requirements.

“We continually invest in modern, efficient equipment to support customer demand, while maintaining a young fleet profile. The purchases this year represent a combination of fleet replacement and measured fleet growth.”

Focus on fleet age

Flannery works closely with Boss Plant Sales for technical support, parts and specialist servicing. Hester said the company’s purchasing decisions are based on factors including machine utilisation, condition, reliability, customer demand and whole-life costs.

“We don’t operate a rigid replacement cycle. However, our average age fleet profile is currently 24 months. Fleet replacement decisions are based on utilisation, condition, reliability, customer demand and whole-life cost considerations. Residual values are an important factor within our purchasing decisions.”

Nick Anwyl, Key Account Manager at Boss Plant Sales, said: “Seeing Flannery invest in a further 97 Kubota machines is a fantastic endorsement of both the Kubota product and the partnership we’ve developed together.

“Having worked with Flannery for more than 40 years, it’s incredibly rewarding to see that relationship continue to grow. We look forward to supporting the team with their fleet requirements for many years to come.”

Hester added: “Both Kubota and Boss Plant Sales have been valued partners. The quality of the machines, combined with the support provided by the dealer network, has contributed positively to the performance and reliability of our fleet.”