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.
A Legacy of Growth and Service Excellence
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.
A Leading Force in Fleet Expansion and Rental Commitment
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.
Driving Sustainability Through Hydrogen Innovation
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.”
Poised for the Next 25 Years of Innovation
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.
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.’
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.
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.
We are proud to announce that Nicki Reed, our Project Manager for HPC, has been awarded this month’s Above & Beyond Award in recognition of her exemplary leadership and dedication.
Over the past six months, Nicki took on the additional responsibility of managing the Attachments division while the company worked to source a new division manager. Balancing this significant task alongside her existing role as Project Manager, Nicki demonstrated exceptional organisational skills and a strong commitment to Plantforce’s success.
During this transitional period, Nicki’s leadership was critical to the continued smooth operation of the Attachments division. She managed to keep the division on track, ensuring that key milestones were met and the team maintained high morale. All of this was achieved while she continued to excel in her primary role, delivering on her own projects and responsibilities with the same dedication and professionalism that she has consistently brought to her work at Plantforce.
Claire Trott, Founder and Executive Director at Plantforce, commented on Nicki’s outstanding contribution: “We want to acknowledge Nicki Reed’s hard work and commitment over the past six months. Managing the Attachments division in addition to her duties as Project Manager was a significant responsibility, and she handled it with exceptional dedication. Her leadership ensured that operations ran smoothly during a challenging time, and we are deeply grateful for her support and contributions to the business. Thank you Nicki.”
As a Project Manager, Nicki has been instrumental in driving several critical projects to success, and her additional leadership within the Attachments division further showcases her ability to balance multiple responsibilities while maintaining a high standard of performance. Her efforts truly reflect Plantforce’s core values of teamwork, resilience, and going the extra mile.
Plantforce is honoured to recognise Nicki Reed for her outstanding service and is grateful for her unwavering commitment to the company during this important time.
Teaming up with CEO Sam Mercer, Chris Matthew brings his expertise to support Plantforce’s growth, innovation, and sustainability efforts.
Plantforce, a well-known name in heavy plant hire and equipment solutions, is excited to announce Chris Matthew as the company’s new Commercial Director. Chris joins the team at an exciting time, alongside recently appointed CEO Sam Mercer, as Plantforce continues to expand and build on its reputation for innovation and sustainability within the construction industry.
With a wealth of experience in plant hire and tier-one construction, Chris has been involved in some of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects, including the A14, M4, and M6 road improvement schemes. His background in heavy plant hire and earthworks, along with his focus on strategic procurement, has made him a trusted partner on complex construction projects. Chris’s work with industry groups like the Supply Chain Sustainability School highlights his commitment to pushing forward sustainable practices in construction.
“I’m really looking forward to working with Sam and the entire Plantforce team,” said Chris. “This is an incredible opportunity to be part of a company that’s always moving forward, both in terms of growth and innovation. Plantforce’s focus on digital tools and sustainable technologies is setting new standards in the industry, and I’m excited to help clients work more effectively and achieve even better results.”
Chris’s arrival marks the beginning of a new chapter for Plantforce, which, under Sam’s leadership, is expanding its reach across the UK. Together, Sam and Chris will be focusing on building strong partnerships with clients and suppliers, driving collaboration across the industry, and ensuring Plantforce stays ahead of the curve. By working closely with key stakeholders and embracing innovation, they aim to help clients navigate the challenges of the ever-evolving construction landscape and achieve even greater success on their projects.
Sam Mercer, CEO of Plantforce, added, “We’re delighted to have Chris on board. His experience and passion for innovation are a great fit for what we’re trying to achieve at Plantforce. Together, we’re focused on continuing to grow and providing even more value to our clients.”
In his role as Commercial Director, Chris will be focusing on strengthening client relationships and pushing forward initiatives that drive sustainable growth. His industry insights and enthusiasm for innovation will help ensure Plantforce continues to lead the way in construction solutions.
At Plantforce, we pride ourselves on the commitment and talent of our team members, who drive our success and innovation every day. Among these remarkable individuals, Ellie Talbot stands out as a key figure whose contributions as our Management Accountant go far beyond her job title. Ellie’s impact is deeply felt across our organisation, particularly through her leadership in our Continuous Improvement (CI) program—a crucial initiative that is transforming Plantforce into a safer, faster, and more efficient business.
Ellie’s role as Management Accountant is pivotal, but her influence extends well beyond financial management. She plays an essential part in the planning, execution, and monitoring of our CI projects, ensuring that each initiative not only meets its objectives but also contributes to the overarching goals of the company. Her diligent monitoring of project progress is critical in keeping these initiatives on track, and her ability to identify and address potential issues early on has been a key factor in the program’s success.
What truly sets Ellie apart is the combination of her technical skills with her outstanding interpersonal abilities. She is known throughout the company for her excellent communication, which ensures that all stakeholders are kept informed and engaged throughout the lifecycle of each project. Whether she is working with senior management, collaborating with colleagues from other departments, or guiding her team, Ellie’s professionalism and clarity of communication are invaluable.
Beyond her technical expertise and communication skills, Ellie brings a great sense of humour that makes her an absolute joy to work with. Her positive attitude and approachable nature have helped to foster a collaborative and supportive work environment, where team members feel valued and motivated. This positive atmosphere has been a driving force behind the success of our CI program, as it encourages creativity, problem-solving, and a collective commitment to continuous improvement.
The impact of Ellie’s work is evident in the tangible improvements we’ve seen across the company. Thanks to the CI projects she helps to oversee, Plantforce has become a more streamlined operation, with enhanced safety protocols, faster processes, and greater overall efficiency. These achievements are a testament to Ellie’s hard work, dedication, and the high standards she upholds.
In Ellie, we see the embodiment of the values that Plantforce strives for: excellence, innovation, and a commitment to continuous improvement. We are incredibly fortunate to have her as part of our team and congratulate her on being our August Above & Beyond awardee.
