Building success one step at a time
Success stories in construction often begin with a single opportunity. For ASHBROOK Ltd, that opportunity came in 1998 when Founder and Managing Director James Ashbrook started undertaking farm contracting and groundworks work using a machine borrowed from his father.
Fast forward almost three decades and that modest beginning has grown into one of the UK's leading plant, access and agricultural hire companies, operating a fleet of more than 3,000 machines and employing more than 90 people across bases in Congleton and Warrington.
Today, ASHBROOK supplies equipment to the construction, agricultural and earthmoving sectors nationwide. With customers relying on equipment availability day in, day out, machine reliability, service support and parts availability are critical to the company's success. These are also key reasons why ASHBROOK continues to strengthen its relationship with JCB.
In fact, the Cheshire-based family business recently placed the largest single JCB order in its history, investing £18 million in almost 270 new machines. The order includes JCB X Series tracked excavators, Loadall telescopic handlers, site dumpers and compaction equipment, all supplied by dealer Gunn JCB and financed through JCB Finance.
Investing in the future
The latest order marks another significant milestone in ASHBROOK's ongoing investment in JCB machinery. Having purchased its first JCB machine in 2013, the company has steadily increased the size and scope of its JCB fleet.
This latest investment sees ASHBROOK adding JCB's acclaimed X Series tracked excavators to its hire fleet for the first time, including the 145XR, 220X and flagship 370X models.
“It is important to us to buy quality reliable machines from premium suppliers who stand by their word to make sure our staff have the backup they need to deliver top quality hire services to our customers.
James Ashbrook |Founder and Managing Director
“For the first time, we are investing in JCB X Series models. in particular the 145XR, 220X and 370X tracked excavators. They have built an enviable reputation in the market, giving me real confidence that they will prove a valuable addition to our fleet and further enhance the service we provide to our customers.
"This is also our first JCB compaction equipment order, including soil compactors, strengthening our ability to deliver reliable, high-performance compaction solutions for hire."
For a company whose reputation depends on providing dependable equipment to customers across multiple sectors, investing in machinery with a proven track record is essential. However, ASHBROOK recognises that quality equipment alone is only part of the equation.
Playing their part
With operations nationwide, for ASHBROOK uptime is critical. Delays in parts supply or poor reliability can quickly impact productivity and customer commitments. ASHBROOK uses genuine JCB parts, supported by its local dealer Gunn JCB, to keep machines working and simplify maintenance.
For ASHBROOK, parts availability and cost go hand in hand. Getting the right part, at the right time and at the right price, is crucial. So, the recent price drop from JCB Aftersales – which has seen a significant reduction across 4,000 fast moving parts – has proved highly beneficial.
As James Ashbrook said: "JCB's parts price drop from JCB has been amazing for our business. There's over 4,000 products that have come down in price. It's made a real impact to us and meant that we can buy a lot more product from JCB.
"We're not wasting time ringing round suppliers for parts or waiting for their deliveries. We get everything straight away. It's really simple to order and they turn up on the parts van from the dealer every single day.
"We do feel the new pricing reflects JCB's commitment to the customers. It shows that they do listen to us, they have taken our feedback seriously and they are genuinely doing something about it. It's made a massive difference to our business."
The result is simple. Less time sourcing parts, lower costs and more machines staying where they should be. Working.
A dealer relationship that delivers
While speed and cost matter, so does support which is why the expertise and efficiency delivered by Gunn JCB is vital. It shows the advantage of an all-round machine, parts and service package from a single supplier.
As Tom Farrington, Group Service Manager at ASHBROOK, said: "Our JCB dealer knows our business inside out. Having that trust and support means less downtime and smoother operations. The team is always on hand for advice and quick turnaround. It's a real partnership. When we've got that level of service, it reinforces why we stick with JCB."
That close relationship ensures ASHBROOK has access to parts, advice and support when it matters most, helping reduce downtime and keep operations running smoothly.
A complete package
Across ASHBROOK's operations, this translates into fewer breakdowns, reduced maintenance requirements and greater confidence in the machines heading out on hire. Combined with ongoing investment in the latest JCB equipment and the support of Gunn JCB, it provides the foundation for continued growth.
From a single borrowed machine to a fleet of more than 3,000 assets, ASHBROOK's journey is a remarkable example of sustained growth, family values and customer-focused service. Backed by JCB machinery, genuine parts and dealer support, the company is well positioned to continue building on that success for many years to come.
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