by Richard Cosgrove | Thu 14 Aug 2025
X marks the spot as major British firm expands with JCB investment
Collins Earthworks is celebrating 25 years in business with a major investment in its first ever fleet of JCB X Series excavators.
Supplied by dealer TC Harrison JCB, the deal includes 8 JCB 220X and 5 JCB 370X models, strengthening the bulk earthworks specialist’s fleet in a landmark year for the business.
Each new machine is decked out in Collins Earthworks’ standout white and blue livery and will be deployed on major earthmoving and infrastructure projects across the UK. They join existing JCB Loadall telescopic handlers, Telemasters, backhoe loaders and compaction models in the Collins Earthworks equipment fleet.
Collins Earthworks Director, Dave Collins said: “Our heritage is in bulk earthworks, and these new JCB machines will further strengthen our capability in that sector. We’ve chosen to invest in JCB as the X Series range is durable, productive and well supported.
“Based just a few miles down the road from our headquarters we have a fantastic relationship with the JCB factory and working with a UK manufacturer helps support our demands for quality and sustainability. The new 370X is a great match for our high-volume excavation work and keeps us aligned with the latest emissions and efficiency standards.”
JCB Global Excavator Sales Director, Nick Grills said: “We are delighted that Collins Earthworks has chosen JCB for this latest excavator order. More and more major contractors are recognising the quality of the JCB X Series range. Superb structural reliability, operator experience, serviceability and parts availability are all contributing to increased sales as the reputation of the X Series range continues to grow.”
Based in Ripley, Derbyshire, Collins Earthworks is a family business and has been delivering large-scale earthmoving, civil engineering and infrastructure projects for a quarter of a century, during which time it has expanded into demolition, stabilisation, transport, plant sales, training and vertical builds, as well as quarrying and concrete.
The business was started by David Collins as a sole trader then first registered as Collins Contractors Plant Hire in 2000. Now it operates a fleet of thousands of machines and vehicles across the UK, supporting some of the country’s most complex and prestigious infrastructure schemes. Collins Earthworks employs more than 700 across its divisions and multiple family members work in the company. It has been carbon-neutral since 2023 and continues to invest in low-emission equipment across all divisions.