60 years of building the future

For six decades, P H Hardwill has built its reputation on hard work, trusted relationships and a practical approach to getting the job done. At the heart of that story is a long-standing relationship with JCB and Holt JCB, stretching back to the early 1970s.

To mark P H Hardwill's 60th anniversary, Holt JCB visited the business and spoke with Peter, Phillip and Michael Hardwill to look back at six decades of the family business, its evolution within the Construction industry and the long-standing partnership that has seen JCB machines play a central role in its success.

From a simple shed to a bespoke build 

Looking back over 60 years, P H Hardwill has seen enormous changes in both Construction and Agriculture.

"Delivery of projects has certainly got more complex," Phillip explains. "from gaining planning consent, to undertaking a build everything is more complex."

Planning, technology, compliance and machinery have all evolved considerably. Jobs that could once be discussed informally and started within weeks can now involve considerably longer timescales to allow for planning consent, consultation and various approvals.

The changing nature of the industry has also created opportunities for a business with the practical, problem-solving approach that P H Hardwill Ltd displays.

The company has moved well beyond simply constructing sheds. Today, its work includes structural design, planning applications and groundworks, making them the perfect partner for a wide range of bespoke commercial and agricultural projects.

That ability to understand the customer's requirements, design a practical solution and then deliver it is central to the company's approach, and it is an approach that has also shaped the way it uses its machinery. 

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A Holt JCB partnership built over generations

The relationship with JCB dates back to the beginnings of the company. In the early 1970s P H Hardwill began dealing with Holt JCB for parts and service, following the purchase of their first used JCB.

The company's first new JCB arrived in 1976, a JCB 3C Backhoe Loader, followed by another in 1977 and another in 1979.

Those early machines quickly established the standard against which other manufacturers would be judged.

When the company wished to replace their 812 slew Phillip and Michael recall that "We had a few on trial and every time our Operators would come back and go, yeah, well, it's all right, but it's not a JCB!"

Cab comfort and Hydraulic performance became particularly important.

The team remembers how the smoothness of JCB machines made a noticeable difference when carrying out precise work such as levelling stone.

"When you were leveling the stone, everything was smooth. There were no jerks in it."

That precision mattered. Being able to accurately level material could make a significant difference to how efficiently a job was completed.

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More than just a machine 

Over the years, JCB machines have become an integral part of P H Hardwill's operation.

P H Hardwill uses JCB equipment not simply for digging, but for lifting, handling and a variety of specialist applications. In fact, the team estimates that around 90% of its steel frames have been erected using a JCB machine.

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A relationship that has evolved 

While the machines have changed dramatically since that first JCB 3C Backhoe Loader, so too has the relationship between P H Hardwill and Holt JCB.

The company describes the relationship today as stronger than it has ever been, particularly when it comes to communication and support.

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"They do listen to you and take on board your opinions and comments" Phillip says

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That willingness to listen is particularly important to a business that understands its machinery inside and out and often carries out its own maintenance and repairs.

P H Hardwill undertakes around 90% of its repairs in-house, while Holt JCB and JCB provide support when required, including warranty work and technical assistance.

The relationship extends beyond simply buying machinery.

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The team highlights the support of Holt JCB's Engineers, who can be contacted when the business encounters an issue and is willing to talk through problems over the phone.

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For P H Hardwill, that accessibility is an important part of what makes a good dealer relationship.

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Looking to the future

After 60 years in business, P H Hardwill is also looking ahead to the next chapter of Construction and machinery.

The industry is changing again, with increasing focus on alternative power sources and lower-emission equipment.

The company is particularly interested in the potential of Hydrogen technology, describing JCB's development in the area as "incredibly brave" and potentially “the future of Construction”.

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Six decades, and counting

Perhaps the strongest reflection of P H Hardwill's relationship with JCB is the loyalty of its people and customers.

Just as the company has maintained relationships with employees who have been with the business for decades, it has built long-term relationships with customers who repeatedly return for their next project.

The same philosophy applies to its relationship with Holt JCB.

From the first machines of the 1970s to today's increasingly sophisticated equipment, JCB has remained a constant presence as P H Hardwill has evolved.

The company has seen planning become more complex, machines become more technologically advanced and its own work develop from traditional Agricultural Construction into increasingly bespoke projects.

Yet the fundamentals remain the same: good people, hard work, practical solutions and trusted relationships.

As P H Hardwill celebrates 60 years in business, its story is not simply one of looking back.

It is a story of adapting, developing and continuing to invest in the people, machinery and partnerships that have helped build the business.

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