How your challenges shaped our 2025 rental fleet expansion
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By Ben Beard, Sales Manager - South
My most important job isn’t selling; it’s listening. I spend my weeks out on sites across the south of the country, talking with project managers, operators, and business owners, and my number one priority is to understand the challenges you’re facing on the ground.
This year, that listening led directly to the biggest fleet investment in our 50-year history. It wasn’t about guessing what you might need; it was us acting on what you told us.
You said: "We’re under pressure to move more, faster, and for less."
The feedback I constantly hear is pressure. You’re up against tight deadlines and you need to shift huge amounts of material without your fuel bill going through the roof.
That’s why we invested in pure power and productivity. The response to the new Volvo EC500 excavator, for example, has been fantastic because it hits that sweet spot of being faster and more powerful, while still being economical.
We’ve backed this up with a huge fleet of new Volvo A45, A40 and A30 ADTs and big, efficient Caterpillar loading shovels. It all comes down to giving you the ability to move more material, faster, and with less fuel, which helps protect your schedule and bottom line.
You said: "Mistakes cost us a fortune. We have to get it right first time."
Another thing I hear all the time is about the cost of rework. Getting it right first time can be the difference between profit and loss on a job.
That’s why the investment in smart technology was non-negotiable for us. When you see our new Caterpillar D5 and D6 dozers, factory-fitted with Cat® Grade with 3D and running the advanced Trimble® Earthworks Grade Control Platform, you’re seeing a direct solution to that problem.
This tech practically eliminates guesswork, helping operators hit the target grade first time. It can save a fortune in machine time, fuel, and materials, and that’s a real, tangible benefit we knew we had to provide.
You said: "Our specialist jobs need specialist kit."
The equipment rental market has changed. I’m spending more time than ever with customers in specialist sectors, such as waste recycling, timber, and biomass - and it’s clear they can’t make do with general-purpose kit. They need machines built for the job.
This feedback led us straight to the Liebherr material handlers. They are, without a doubt, the best-in-class for these applications. Investing in them was a direct response to our customers in these growing sectors who needed a truly specialised tool to keep their operations running at peak efficiency.
So, this year’s new fleet additions aren’t just a line-up of new units. They’re a direct reflection of the conversations we’ve had with you on sites up and down the country. Our commitment is to keep listening.
If you have a challenge on your next project, my line is always open. Let’s find the right machine for the job, together. Call me on 07836 623266 or email me at ben@serental.co.uk.
Ben Beard, Sales Manager - South
Ben Beard is the sales manager for the South at Stevens Equipment Rental. With extensive experience in the heavy equipment industry, including time spent with major brands like Caterpillar and JCB, Ben has a deep understanding of what makes a machine great. He is passionate about using his front-line knowledge to help contractors find the perfect, high-spec rental solutions to make their projects a success.
