Pole Position
A unique variation of the JCB Platinum edition anniversary backhoe loader has been adapted for pole planting applications.
EJ Fry Transport & Plant Hire, based near Launceston in Cornwall has undergone tremendous growth since its humble beginnings in 1999 when it was founded by John Fry with just one lorry. Fast forward 25 years and it now boasts a large fleet of plant and transport vehicles and an impressive selection of tier one customers across the UK.
While previously best known for its transport expertise, the company is increasingly focused on supplying specialist equipment to the utilities sector including specialist pole erection 4x4 trucks and backhoes as well as tracked access platforms and general plant hire.
The company is experiencing a boom in business of late and so it was decided that John’s son Josh would join the business, and he has set the ground running with heavy investment in new machinery – around 80 machines last year alone. The latest addition being the JCB limited edition Platinum anniversary backhoe loader which is already proving a popular choice with operators.
FLOURISHING FLEET
Like all successful plant hire companies, EJ Fry Transport & Plant Hire, understand the need to invest in the latest machinery in order to meet the demands of their customers and Josh Fry has certainly not been afraid to do so since he took over the helm from his father, becoming E J Fry Transport & Plant Hire’s Operations Manager.
Josh said: “There is a lot of work out there in this sector at the moment so it’s a good opportunity to take advantage of it. In the last four years the business has expanded rapidly. Last year alone we took delivery of 80 new vehicles and machines to meet demand. We expect the same number, if not more this coming year, which brings us up to around 200 items on the fleet.
“We are very lucky with our customer base, being mainly tier one contractors and distribution network operators (DNOs) like National Grid and Scottish & Southern. We are having to turn down work at the moment, but we want to remain in control and be able to give the best service we can, including back-up, which we have always prided ourselves on.
“If the utility firms require a particular piece of equipment, we will have a go at it, cherry pickers, tracked gators, anything. We are very busy, with a lot of plans for the next two to three years.”
PLATINUM PERFECTION
JCB backhoe loaders have been at the heart of EJ Fry Transport & Plant Hire’s business for many years. They currently run a couple of models with the standard front bucket for general hire, while the rest are fitted with rotary pole grabs especially for utilities work.
The latest addition of the Platinum edition anniversary 4CX Pro is one of a production run of just 70 machines JCB released to celebrate 70 years of manufacturing its iconic backhoe loader and offers something a bit different for EJ Fry and its customers.
We had a request from one of our customers who needed a 4CX. We ordered two. When the opportunity for the anniversary model arose, we thought ‘well why not’ as it kind of sat nicely with us celebrating 20 years of buying JCBs and our 25th anniversary of being in business. It all tied in very well an important milestone year for us.
Josh Fry | E J Fry Transport & Plant Hire’s Operations Manager
“The majority of this batch of 70 machines will be out there with a bucket on the front so we’re confident ours is going to be unique. In layman’s terms the grab enables you to pick up a pole from the ground and rotate it 180 degrees to stand upright and to transport the pole safely across the site using the support frame at the rear.”
The Platinum edition models have servo excavator controls, Powerslide, air conditioning and bi-directional auxiliary flow hydraulics. The machines bear limited edition platinum decals and grille badge and platinum-coloured wheels. Within the cab there is an embroidered graphic in the carpet and upgraded seat material with 70th anniversary branding, along with a steering wheel centre cap featuring the 70th logo. Each machine comes with a special plaque and customers received a special platinum gift pack on delivery of the backhoe loader.
A LONGSTANDING PARTNERSHIP
Much like its trusted partner JCB, EJ Fry Transport & Plant Hire is a family-owned company and both businesses are similarly dedicated to providing the highest possible levels of products and services to their customers.
And it is these shared priorities of family and customer satisfaction that have led to the ongoing relationship that was forged between the two businesses over two decades ago and is still flourishing to this day.
As Josh explains: “Dad’s been dealing with Holt JCB now for the past 20 years, and it’s been really good. They are very helpful and know the products inside and out. We know we can ask them for something, and they’ll come back to us with a solution so we are very happy with the relationship.”
RACING AHEAD
With full order books, a wealth of tier one customers and a growing fleet it is clear that EJ Fry Transport & Plant Hire are racing ahead with their development plans. The new, specially adapted JCB Platinum backhoe has them in pole position to capitalise.
