Ridgway celebrates 50 years of history as a JCB customer with huge order
A family-owned plant hirer has cemented more than half a century of links with JCB with a massive investment in a fleet of excavators.
Oswestry-based Ridgway Rentals – originally trading as RAJ Mechanisations Ltd – was founded by the late Bob Jones in 1961 as a dealer for JCB machines. Bob forged a strong relationship with JCB founder Joseph Cyril Bamford CBE, who personally delivered the first JCB 7 crawler excavator the company ordered in 1964.
Led by Bob’s son, Tim Jones, the Shropshire company changed course in 1977 to become a plant hirer and today remains one of JCB’s longest standing customers, evolving into a successful nationwide rental company, which remains family-owned and run with a 3rd generation at the helm. Tim’s sons Stuart and Rob Jones are both on the board serving as Managing Director and Director respectively.
The company’s latest investment is in 26 high specification excavators in a deal worth over £2.5 million. The models bought include a JCB Hydradig, JS131 and JS220 tracked excavators, JS145W, JS160W and JS200W wheeled excavators and eight tonne, zero tailswing 85Z-1 midi excavators. They have been supplied by dealer Gunn JCB.
Ridgway Rentals Managing Director, Stuart Jones said, “We have a long and proud history with JCB and Ridgway Rentals has a strong commitment to supporting British business. The service and support we receive from Gunn JCB is also a key factor in our decision to choose JCB. This latest investment sees us strengthen our excavator fleet with high spec JCB models which are always well built and provide good value. Many of the new excavators do not require ad blue and the JCB LiveLink system is extremely useful – enabling us to accurately monitor our fleet’s performance and schedule servicing efficiently.”
“The new JCB models look great and are fitted with a range of options including LED lights, durable paint work and sun visors and come with a series of attachments including hammers, shears and tilt rotators – meaning these machines are well-equipped for the full range of industries we serve.”
Ridgway Rentals provides plant hire and sales throughout the UK from its headquarters in Shropshire. Its extensive range of excavators spans from 1.5-50-tonnes including high reach, long reach, wheeled and zero tail swing variants. The company also offers dozers, rollers, dump trucks, telehandlers, wheeled loading shovels and skid steer loaders all available with a vast selection of attachments. All machinery is available on short term hire or long term contract rental and Ridgway Rentals has experience supplying the highways, engineering, rail, forestry, quarrying, demolition, waste management, agricultural and horticultural industries.
