31.10.2013

450 CAT telehandlers for Hewden

UK rental company Hewden has ordered 450 CAT telehandlers as part of a £61 million fleet renewal programme.

The first 10 units of the order - placed with UK distributor Finning for machines ranging from seven to 17 metres - have already been delivered with the balance due over the next few months. As part of the renewal Hewden sold off a large number of machines at its auction this week in Dartford - see: High prices at Hewden auction.

The deal, worth £25 million, is the largest order that Finning has ever received for telescopic handlers. Hewden is also spending £9 million on new cranes and £7 million on new aerial work platforms.
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Hewden has ordered 450 new CAT telehandlers from Finning

The company, which has had a significantly better year in 2013, is also investing in a fleet of 20 new Scania tractor units and 13 new trailers in order to improve efficiency and logistics to support its network of 31 depots and the Core Fleet Guarantee for next day delivery.

The Telehandler deal, worth £25 million, is the largest order that Finning has every received for telescopic handlers. Hewden is also spending £9 million on new cranes and £7 million on new aerial work platforms.

Hewden was owned by Finning up until May 2010, when it sold the business to private Equity firm Sun European Partners for £110 million. There was talk at the time of a ‘strategic alliance’ but it was made clear that there was no commitment to source equipment from the CAT dealer - see: Finning sells Hewden.

As can be seen from the recent auction, Hewden has a large volume of Caterpillar equipment in its fleet from its days as a CAT Rental centre – in all but name. It is more than likely that the latest purchase is based more on past fleet experience and familiarity than any unofficial supply agreement. Hewden purchased a small number of JCB telehandlers at the end of last year and says that it plans to add more units going forward.

As to cranes – the fleet is largely Terex/Demag orientated – but the company is also looking at Tadano units as it considers machines in the 130 to 250 tonne range.