1000 machines and counting
For family-run businesses, legacy matters. Shared values, long-standing relationships and a commitment to quality are often what sets them apart - and that is certainly true of Bell Plant Ltd and JCB. With a relationship spanning more than 40 years and more than 1,000 JCB machines purchased over that time, the partnership between the two companies has been built on trust, reliability and a shared belief in British manufacturing.
Part of the wider KW Bell Group, Bell Plant supplies machinery across Bell Contracting and Bell Homes housebuilding operations, supporting everything from earthmoving and infrastructure through to roads, drainage and foundations. Today, the company operates a substantial fleet of JCB machinery, including excavators from 6-tonne through to 20-tonne models, cabbed dumpers, rollers and loading shovels, all working across major civil engineering and groundworks projects.
For Managing Director Peter Bell, the decision to continue investing in JCB goes far beyond the machines themselves. “It’s pretty simple - loyalty and trust. The dealership relationship is one of the main reasons, the support they give us is very important.” he explains.
A delight to deal with
Indeed, the relationship with Holt JCB has become a key pillar of Bell Plant’s continued investment in the JCB brand.
“Our history with JCB is 40 years long. A big, big part of repeat business is the dealership relationship. But it can only be a good relationship if the product itself is good in the first place. What I like about it is the manufacturer can come and support the seller – other brands don’t have such a close alignment with the dealership. When you have a manufacturer aligned they both have buy in to each other. As a customer you get the benefits of that relationship and synergy. It makes the relationship better and much easier to sleep at night.
“We’ve got over 100 pieces of JCB equipment, we replace our machines every 3 to 3 ¼ years, dumpers every 4 years. So, you change at least 25 a year, so that’s 1000 machines over 40 years. We’ve bought over 1000 machines in one way, shape or form which is incredible when you think about it!”
X marks the spot
The JCB X Series tracked excavators have been popular since their launch in 2018 and Bell Plant Ltd has been running them since day one. The latest investment in 19 140X and two 220X models strengthens their already 100-strong JCB fleet.
“Basically, it’s simple, it comes down to the engine, the efficiency and reliability of the model. Since the investment in the X Series range a few years ago by JCB, they’re very reliable machines. It’s all about that track record, the proof is in the eating and they’re a very efficient machine.”
Peter Bell | Managing Director
And it seems the operators like them too: “As a business owner we take into consideration what the operator says - anything negative we’d soon know about it. Everyone is excited and happy with what JCB provides.”
A family affair
While Bell Plant Ltd boasts an impressive fleet of machinery, family is at the heart of everything they do. Founded by Peter’s father Keith in 1965, KW Bell Group now has three generations of the Bell family working together side by side, with Peter’s daughters Nicola and Natalie and granddaughter Millie all involved in the business.
And it is this family ethos of which Managing Director; Peter Bell is most proud.
As he said: “It’s incredible – I’ve now got my granddaughter who’s 20 and is the 4th generation working in the business. When you have children and grandchildren you just want them to have a good work ethic so it means everything. We eat, sleep and drink together, the business is a big part of our conversations at the dinner table and at the local pub. We live it and breathe it every day.”
A very special relationship
These family values have certainly caught the eye of Lord Bamford, as they have been central to the progress of JCB since Lord Bamford took over the business from his father in 1975 and are something the two companies share.
So much so that Bell Plant’s latest fleet of X Series tracked excavators were handed over at JCB HQ along with a commemorative signed picture from Lord Bamford - which was a surprise from JCB and Holt JCB to Peter to celebrate all his years of loyal business.
Peter describes what this meant to him: “It meant everything. I was really, really taken aback, it brought a few tears to the eyes. It’s the fact that he took that personal time to handwrite the note. It’s simple: it means everything and goes to show Lord Bamford and JCB values the other family businesses and we all support each other. It meant so, so much. An amazing honour. Fantastic.”
Built for life
For Peter Bell, the latest order of 21 machines isn’t just about adding to Bell Plant’s already impressive JCB fleet, it highlights the ongoing loyalty and trust that has been nurtured between the two companies for 40 years.
In the fast-paced construction industry true brand loyalty is hard to come by and is a testament to the respect and faith that has been garnered by decades of ongoing support and exemplary customer service.
With 1000 machines bought over the years across 4 generations of the Bell family it’s clear that the relationship between JCB and KW Bell Group is one that has been built for life.
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