From One Machine to a National Fleet: 50 Years of Stevens Equipment Rental
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Celebrating 50 years of innovation, reliability, and growth
Early Beginnings: Forestry Roots
The Stevens Equipment Rental story starts in the forests of Cumbria, where founder Peter Stevens first honed his skills. Cutting trees with an axe and using horses to extract timber, Peter quickly saw the value of machinery. His first major purchase - a Caterpillar D2 bulldozer - transformed his work. Soon after, a modified Chevrolet gun tractor with trailer allowed him to transport timber to local sawmills more efficiently.
This hands-on experience with heavy equipment set the stage for a bold move into the construction industry.
From Forestry to Construction
By the late 1960s, major projects like the M6 motorway and the Gretna bypass were creating new opportunities. Peter purchased his first dump truck, a Scammell Himalayan, renowned for its rugged build and simple maintenance.
Although forestry was still close to his heart, family responsibilities inspired a new direction. In 1975, with the support of his wife Christina, he founded Peter Stevens Dumptruck Hire. The company’s very first job was with Tarmac Construction in Cockermouth, where hire rates looked very different to today: £4.50 per working hour, £1.95 standing, and £0.70 overtime.
As demand grew, so did the fleet. New models included Aveling Barford SN35s, Terex R-17s, Volvo 860/861s, Moxy D16Bs, and DJB D22s. By the mid-1980s, the company was running one of the largest fleets of Moxy dump trucks in the UK.
Evolution and Diversification
With time, the fleet profile evolved again. Volvo became the dominant manufacturer in articulated dump trucks - a position it still holds in the SER fleet today.
Expansion didn’t stop there. The business also invested in wheeled loaders and even operated its own sand and gravel quarry at Rockcliffe near Carlisle, while continuing to supply machines to major contractors nationwide.
A New Era: The Next Generation
The early 2000s marked a new chapter. The next generation of the Stevens family took the reins, broadening the company’s scope and modernising its fleet. In 2013, the business rebranded as Stevens Equipment Rental Ltd to reflect its wider offering.
Today, the fleet has grown to more than 220 machines, including:
- Articulated dump trucks
- Excavators, dozers, and rollers
- Wheeled loaders and material handlers
- Crushers and screeners
With equipment from industry-leading manufacturers such as Volvo, Caterpillar, Liebherr, JCB, and Metso, Stevens Equipment Rental has become a trusted nationwide partner for projects of every size.
Looking Ahead: The Next 50 Years
While machinery has advanced dramatically over five decades, customer priorities remain the same: reliable equipment, dependable service, and honest relationships. Stevens Equipment Rental continues to deliver all three, while also investing in modern, low-emission, high-performance machines.
To mark its 50th anniversary, the company is preparing for even more growth, with a new depot in Scotland to complement its recently opened southern base, plus continued investment in expanding its national fleet.
From one man and a single dump truck in Cumbria to a fleet of over 220 machines nationwide, the journey has been extraordinary. And the next 50 years look just as ambitious.
