Ashleigh Linton, Author at Plantforce

Plantforce, a leading provider of plant hire, is excited to announce its partnership with Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) as its official charity partner for 2025. This collaboration aims to raise awareness and support for the vital services that CHSW provides to children with life-limiting conditions and their families across the South West.

CHSW has been a vital source of care and support for families since its inception over 30 years ago. The charity offers expert medical care in a home from home environment at its three hospices. Everyday its team strives to make the most of the short and precious lives of the babies, children and young people it supports. Through this partnership, Plantforce is committed to contributing to the ongoing fundraising efforts that enable CHSW to continue delivering its essential services to more than 500 families across the region.

“We are thrilled to partner with Children’s Hospice South West for 2025,” said Jade Jackson, Accounts Payable / Charity Team Lead at Plantforce. “The support they provide to families during some of the most challenging times in their lives is incredibly important. Together with the Community Team at Plantforce, I am really looking forward to engaging our employees, customers, and the wider community in a variety of fundraising initiatives throughout the year.”

The partnership will kick off with a series of events and activities aimed at raising funds for and awareness of CHSW. The Plantforce team members will participate in community events, sponsor challenges, and organise fundraising activities to support the charity’s mission.

“We are really excited to have Plantforce join us as a regional partner in 2025. Their support this year will bring fantastic opportunities for us both,” said Hayley Wallbank, Regional Partnerships Fundraiser at CHSW. “Their support will help us continue to provide our vital services to families when they need us most. We are grateful for Plantforce’s commitment and are excited to work together to make a meaningful impact in our community.”

For more information about the Plantforce partnership with Children’s Hospice South West and upcoming events, please visit plantforce.com or chsw.org.uk

Plantforce Commits to The 5% Club

Plantforce is proud to announce our commitment to The 5% Club, reflecting our dedication to fostering skills development and career opportunities. This initiative signifies our pledge to build a future where at least 5% of our workforce will be engaged in ‘earn and learn’ positions such as apprenticeships and graduate programs.

Joining The 5% Club is not just about numbers; it aligns with our core vision of empowering individuals to grow while contributing to our business and the wider industry. Over the coming years, we will be expanding our training initiatives and apprenticeship programs to equip our workforce with the skills they need to excel. By doing so, we’re not only supporting our own growth but also contributing to closing the UK’s skills gap.

HR Manager Fay Hill stated: “Despite the fact that we are already exceeding this target with 7.1% of our workforce meeting the criteria, this is an exciting step for us. It’s about continuing to create meaningful opportunities, build confidence, and shape the workforce of tomorrow. We’re looking forward to continuing to make a difference and inspiring others along the way.”

To drive this culture throughout our business, we are implementing several key initiatives:

These steps are designed to ensure that our commitment to The 5% Club is reflected in every aspect of our operations, building a culture of learning and development that benefits everyone.

The 5% Club is a movement with purpose, uniting over 1,100 organisations to build a more skilled and socially mobile workforce while addressing the UK’s skills gap. Together, members are already supporting over 108,000 individuals through meaningful training programs. We are thrilled to join this initiative and add our contribution to this growing community.

HR Manager Fay Hill added, “For us, this isn’t just about meeting our goals. It’s about making a real difference in our industry and beyond, inspiring others to follow suit, and supporting a nationwide push for growth, opportunity, and innovation. We’re delighted to be part of The 5% Club and can’t wait to see what this journey brings. Watch this space as there will be lots more to come as we grow our ‘earn and learn’ opportunities and help shape the workforce of the future.”

Stay tuned for updates on our progress as we continue this exciting journey. If you’re ready to grow with us, check out our careers page and explore opportunities to join our team.

Recognising Our Outstanding Team Members

At Plantforce, our success hinges on the dedication, passion, and teamwork of the people behind the scenes. This week, we’re spotlighting three individuals who truly embody the values of our company: Sam Banks, Kevin “Jimmy” Smith, and Scott Warman. Their efforts, commitment, and can-do spirit continue to set new standards across the business.

Sam and Jimmy are the definition of teamwork in action. Whether it’s Sam leading the charge on cleaning, prepping, and spray-painting machines, or Jimmy juggling plant deliveries while lending a hand in the Bury yard, their combined efforts go far beyond the ordinary. Their recent work on a Kobelco SK210 excavator showcased not only their expertise but also their ability to deliver under pressure, ensuring equipment is always in prime condition.

But what truly sets this duo apart is their can-do attitude. Even with limited resources, Sam and Jimmy ensure standards never slip, taking immense pride in their work. Their dedication extends beyond Plantforce, during extreme weather, they cleared roads to ensure safe access for colleagues, a nearby school, and even local drivers. It’s this spirit of going above and beyond that makes them indispensable.

Their “One Team” ethic shines through in every task they undertake. From prepping stock for other depots to stepping in to help their teammates with a smile, Sam and Jimmy represent what it means to be part of the Plantforce family.

“Sam and Jimmy, your hard work and positivity do not go unnoticed—you are true credits to the business. Let’s all take a moment to appreciate their efforts in making the Bury depot shine, no matter the challenges.” states Claire Trott.

Scott is the ultimate professional when it comes to delivering exceptional service. His work at HPC has been nothing short of outstanding, ensuring customers receive the support they need with minimal downtime. Through top-tier servicing and maintenance, Scott consistently meets and exceeds expectations.

Scott’s ability to balance multiple sites without compromising on quality is what makes him stand out. When the call came to cover operations at Devonport Docks, he stepped up without hesitation, bringing the same level of precision and reliability that customers and colleagues have come to count on.

His customer-first approach ensures every piece of equipment is maintained to the highest standard, and every issue is handled swiftly and expertly.

“Scott, your dedication and ability to handle multiple sites while maintaining Plantforce’s high standards do not go unnoticed. Thank you for being a shining example of the one team ethic and for always going above and beyond!” says Nicki Reed.

Let’s take a moment to celebrate their achievements and thank them for their remarkable contributions. Sam, Jimmy, and Scott, you’re the force that keeps us moving forward and we couldn’t be prouder. Well done team!

Plantforce Celebrates 25 Years of Growth, Innovation, and a Sustainable Future

This November marks 25 years since Plantforce first opened its doors, transforming from a small regional operation into a national powerhouse in the plant hire industry. With over 2,000 units and a growing network of seven locations across the UK, Plantforce has demonstrated a commitment to fleet growth, innovation, and sustainable practices that are setting new standards in the industry.

Founded by Claire Trott in 1999, Plantforce began with just a handful of machines and a small, dedicated team. Today, the company is recognised as a premier provider of plant hire solutions, supporting projects across England, Scotland, and Wales. Guided by a relentless focus on customer service and forward-thinking growth, Plantforce has expanded its fleet and diversified its offerings through five specialist divisions. The team has scaled up to meet the demands of major UK projects, maintaining close partnerships with clients to deliver reliable, high-quality equipment on a national scale.

With a rapidly expanding fleet, Plantforce has established itself as a go-to provider for Tier 1 projects, offering a wide range of machinery for both self-drive and operated plant hire. Driven by a commitment to consistent renewal, Plantforce continually adds to and updates its fleet, ensuring clients receive dependable, cutting-edge equipment. By aligning fleet management practices with rigorous environmental goals, Plantforce not only supports efficient operations for its clients but also upholds industry-leading standards for equipment readiness and quality.

Plantforce’s commitment to reducing the industry’s environmental impact is exemplified by its active involvement in the Element 1 hydrogen project. In collaboration with government and industry partners, Plantforce is pioneering the use of hydrogen technology as a cleaner, viable alternative to diesel. This landmark initiative is central to Plantforce’s vision of reducing the construction sector’s carbon footprint by offering clients sustainable options that align with evolving energy standards.

“Hydrogen presents an incredible opportunity for our industry to reduce its dependence on diesel,” says Claire Trott, founder of Plantforce. “By leading this charge, Plantforce is excited to provide our clients with forward-thinking solutions that help future-proof their operations.”

As Plantforce embarks on its next chapter, continued investment in fleet expansion, infrastructure upgrades, and renewable energy solutions remains at the forefront of its strategy. The company’s focus on fleet growth, client support, and sustainable practices positions it as a leader in the plant hire sector, committed to elevating standards and driving the industry forward. Through partnerships with leading technology providers and ongoing sustainability projects, Plantforce is setting the stage for a future where plant hire supports both construction efficiency and environmental responsibility.

Plantforce Focus on Sustainability with Hydrogen Technology

Leading UK plant hire company Plantforce are pleased to announce the delivery of two dual-fuel powered hydrogen excavators as part of their involvement in the government-funded Element 1 project.

Element 1 brings together expertise from construction (BAM & Skanska), plant hire (Flannery & Plantforce), hydrogen sector (ULEMCo, GeoPura, Reynolds Logistics) and Research and Technical Organisation BRE to develop the use of hydrogen as a supplement to lower diesel usage on construction sites.

The conversion of two Kobelco SK210HLC-10E Hybrid excavators into their 2000 strong fleet is a significant milestone in their ongoing commitment to delivering sustainability and innovation to the industry. These machines have the potential to provide an average of 30% reduction in tailpipe emissions from each machine by displacement of diesel (or HVO) with hydrogen, depending on the use case.

‘We are delighted to unveil the first of our two dual fuel excavators created under the Element 1 collaboration.’ Plantforce CEO Sam Mercer commented. ‘It has been an 18-month journey to develop this concept with our partners in the scheme culminating in what we think is the way forward in offering a competitive method of decarbonising construction equipment.’

Choosing to convert a pair of Kobelco SK210 Hybrid excavators already in the fleet allowed the Plantforce and ULEMCo team to not only prove that the conversion is viable as a retrofit to existing machines – not just new units, but also harness the already impressive emissions figures from the excavator to create what will be the cleanest and most user-friendly excavator available in the UK. ‘The SK210 Hybrid is seen as a greener alternative to the traditional fully diesel-powered versions thanks to its electric drive slew motor, powered by an onboard lithium-ion battery pack, which significantly lowers fuel consumption.’ Mercer comments. ‘The work undertaken by the ULEMCo team will allow us to further reduce the emissions thanks to the integration of the hydrogen fuel technology which has been tried and tested in the commercial vehicle sector with great success.’

The conversion by ULEMCo has involved the fitment of four hydrogen tanks situated above the engine on the host excavator. Sitting on a specially designed cradle to allow access to the standard components, the hydrogen is fed into the engine to lower the volumes of diesel being burnt. ‘We have a robust system to monitor and feed the hydrogen into the engine and allow the excavator to perform exactly how it would as a standard machine.’ ULEMCo’s Development Engineer Sean Porter-Lawson commented. ‘Our tanks can be safely and easily refuelled in around 10 minutes allowing the excavator to work for around 10 hours and with safety in mind, the tanks have a thermal cut off device which will vent the tanks in event of a fire eliminating the risk of fire.’

BAM’s Innovation and Technology Lead, Colin Evison commented ‘The delivery of the two excavators to Plantforce is another big step in the Element 1 Project and its drive towards lowering emissions in the construction sector. In total, non-road mobile machinery generates 2.7% of UK greenhouse gasses, and with this successful collaboration, we have taken a small step forward in reducing this total. We are looking forward to getting these excavators out on site in the near future and working with the Plantforce team to monitor their progress.’

Element 1 Project Hydrogen Tanks Installation Complete on Plantforce Excavators

The installation of two Plantforce 20t excavators by hydrogen conversion specialists ULEMCo marks another important step towards the Element 1 project deploying an end-to-end hydrogen fuel solution on construction sites.

This is an important milestone in the project, with installation of the hydrogen tanks and control systems for the two Kobelco SK210HLC-10E excavators. In preparation, one of the Kobelco SK210 excavators has been tested to identify the percentage of diesel replacement and an engine map designed to identify the optimum amount of hydrogen that can be introduced without impacting engine performance by the team at ULEMCo.

The installation includes lifting the tank assembly onto each of the two excavators and attaching it to the body of the machine. The hydrogen fuel management system control unit is then attached and connected to the engine management system The final part of the process is the installation of the Human Machine Interface (HMI) in the cab which display key system information to the operator.

This now brings the number of converted excavators to a full fleet of four ready for deployment in the coming weeks.