Impressive Growth
Like many successful construction businesses, Smiths (Gloucester) Ltd’s story starts with a single JCB machine. Add in a hardworking family ethos and an unwavering commitment to its customers and the firm has grown into one of the largest businesses of its kind in the South-West.
Employing more than 550 people across the South-West and South Wales and operating a fleet of more than 450 lorries and plant, the company offers a range of services including: plant hire, groundworks, demolition, skip hire, commercial waste collections, waste management and tipper transport.
More than 40 years since its inception, Smiths (Gloucester) Ltd’s links with JCB continue to be strong – much like the latest machine to be added to its impressive JCB line-up, the powerful JCB 370X.
Super series
Smiths has been buying JCB equipment since 1982 and has purchased over 360 machines since 1997, including backhoe loaders, Loadall telescopic handlers, site dumpers, Teletruks, wheeled loading shovels, mini and midi excavators, a Hydradig, a Fastrac and nearly 90 tracked excavators.
When launched back in 2019, the X Series range was designed to be more productive, durable, quieter, comfortable and easier. Those same qualities are the hallmarks of each model added since.
“We currently operate a number of JCB X Series machines which we use on our own civils projects and the new 370X will be put to use on our most heavy-duty tasks. Our operators like the X Series for the power, comfort and durability.”
Paul Smith|Smiths Director
A powerful addition
While Smiths tend to use their JCB backhoe loaders and Loadall telescopic handlers within their successful hire fleet, the excavators, while available for hire, are often used on their own internal civils and groundworks projects – the most hardgoing of which require some serious muscle.
This is where the JCB 370X comes in. The biggest and most powerful model in the JCB X Series range it has the ability to move 4.5 tonnes more material per litre of fuel than competitive models and boasts a Stage V 240kW (322hp) diesel engine delivering 14% more power.
The 370X is designed to work in the harshest environment and has been rigorously tested to perform at its best no matter the climate. Designed for the ultimate robustness, it features an all-new dig end with reinforced structures for maximum durability, bucket pin diameters are maximised to 100mm to add extra strength and the slew ring has been updated.
As Paul Smith said: “We had a demo 370X last year and it was the perfect fit for our fleet – the new machine is proving really strong and durable which is ideal for our needs, as well as being affordable.”
A name you can rely on
Successful businesses are usually comprised of two simple things: top-quality products and unrivalled service levels. The JCB and Smiths (Gloucester) Ltd relationship has flourished over four decades based on those exact qualities.
As Paul Smith attests: “We choose JCB equipment because of the excellent support and service we receive. Having a good relationship with our dealer Holt JCB is invaluable. We have been buying JCB machines from them for over 40 years. The speed and consistency of the service is something that really makes the difference for us when ordering the machines.”
Strong and stable
For over forty years, Smiths (Gloucester) Ltd has built its business on the most solid of foundations. Its latest investment, the JCB 370X, is proving to be just as strong and stable.