NATIONAL self-drive plant hire firm Fork Rent is to add 1,000 new JCB telescopic handlers and loaders to its fleet - the biggest order for machines of this kind ever received by JCB.

NATIONAL self-drive plant hire firm Fork Rent is to add 1,000 new JCB telescopic handlers and loaders to its fleet - the biggest order for machines of this kind ever received by JCB.

Fork Rent, which is based in Felixstowe Road, Ipswich, supplies a full range of diggers, dumpers, excavators, forklifts tele-handlers and allied equipment, with JCB machines having been a major part of its fleet for more than 20 years.

Trudi Nicholls, chairman of Fork Rent, said: “This huge order reflects the growth of Fork Rent's business and the continuing commitment to its customers as we expand our business nationwide.

“Top class support from dealer Watling JCB, with its dedicated Fork Rent team, and the availability of high-specification models which exceed the quality that customers receive from our competition are the essential parts of our long standing partnership with JCB.

“Through this huge deal, customers are ensured more for their money with a flexible choice of the best equipment and access to JCB's nationwide dealer network for rapid service.

“JCB strives to continually improve its products and we regularly refresh our fleet with models which incorporate the latest innovations which gives Fork Rent customers the benefit of the latest technology available on the market. All our machines are under two years of age with telescopic handlers replaced after just 14 months.”

Françoise Rausch, executive director for JCB sales, added: “This is a tremendous endorsement of JCB's latest products and Fork Rent is a first-class customer which has collaborated with JCB over the last two decades. Its massive user-base and experience provides our engineers with invaluable feedback.”