by Harry Hunter | Thu 03 Sep 2026
HRP Contracting sings praises of JCB Pothole Pro
A year after setting up HRP Contracting with a JCB Pothole Pro, James Harper is winning new work thanks in part to the speed and versatility of the machine.
The Staffordshire-based company was established by Harper, who has considerable experience with the Pothole Pro having previously operated the first production model while working for Stoke-on-Trent City Council. After securing a contract with Leeds City Council in January, HRP Contracting has gone on to carry out pothole and patching works for the local authority. The versatility of the Pothole Pro has also enabled the company to take on additional work in groundworks, agriculture and forestry.
“I am a very proud advocate of the JCB Pothole Pro and what it is capable of. The speed of repairs is a huge advantage for winning tenders. With one machine carrying out multiple repair tasks, I can work more safely, in smaller spaces and with less disruption on roads. It’s quicker than traditional repairs as I can fix a pothole in under a minute,” said James Harper, Owner of HRP Contracting. “I believe the JCB Pothole Pro also presents a significant opportunity for contractors to win work from local authorities by offering a faster and more efficient approach.” James added.
HRP Contracting also offers local authorities trials of the Pothole Pro alongside Harper’s operating expertise, allowing them to assess the machine within their day-to-day road repair operations. Paid evaluations are available for periods of up to six months, giving councils the opportunity to use the machine in their own working environment and build operational data before making a purchasing decision. The JCB Pothole Pro is a specialist 3-in-1 machine designed to cut, crop and clean potholes using dedicated attachments before the defect is reinstated. According to JCB, it can prepare a pothole for reinstatement in as little as eight minutes and prepare up to 250m² of roadway per shift. The manufacturer says permanent repairs can be delivered at an average cost of £29.28 per m².
Harper says the machine’s versatility has been just as important to establishing the new business. “I don’t just fix potholes and undertake patching with the Pothole Pro. I also do tree work, digging work and flail work. I like to maximise the machine’s ability to the full as it’s such a multi-skilled tool. I can go from fixing potholes in the morning to digging in the afternoon. No other machine can do that so it allows me to offer a much wider range of services to customers.”
When setting up the business, Harper was also supported by JCB Finance, which provided the finance for his first piece of JCB equipment and the machine that has formed the foundation of HRP Contracting. “You would never be able to get a new company to the market without that level of support so I’m very grateful,” he said.
Established in 2025, HRP Contracting brings 16 years of experience across highways, maintenance and construction. The company offers self-hire and operated machine hire nationwide, covering applications including resurfacing, drainage, excavation and utilities.
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