Stevens Equipment Rental adds 38 new Volvos in major fleet investment
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Stevens Equipment Rental (SER) is strengthening its fleet with 38 new machines from Volvo Construction Equipment to be delivered by the end of 2025. These new units - including the latest-generation excavators, articulated dump trucks (ADTs), and loading shovels - reaffirm the company’s commitment to offering premium equipment across the UK.
Some of the new arrivals will replace older models, while others will increase the overall fleet by approximately 20% to around 220 units - the highest in the company’s 50-year history.
"Adding these new Volvos demonstrates our belief in the market and our drive to deliver the very best to our customers," said Andrew Stevens, managing director of SER. "We’re not just focused on growth, but on quality. Our clients expect premium machines with the right spec, reliability, and support - and that’s exactly what we provide."
Impressive new Volvo EC500 excavator
Among the standout additions is the new Volvo EC500 crawler excavator, replacing the outgoing EC480E. It’s a new excavator class for the SER fleet - and one that’s already impressing.
"It’s faster, more powerful, and more economical than the EC480E - which was no slouch," said Mark Need, SER’s sales manager for the North. "The all-new electro-hydraulic system is a game-changer, delivering improved control, better fuel efficiency, and a smoother operator experience. It’s a nimble but powerful 53-tonner that absolutely digs for fun."
ADTs and loading shovels reflect fleet trends
SER’s delivery also includes 21 new Volvo articulated haulers - mostly A45 models, which offer an ideal balance between capacity and cycle times, as well as several A30 and A40 units.
New Volvo wheel loaders are arriving too, including the L90, L120, L150, and L180 models, with the majority being L180 units. SER reports a trend toward larger mid-sized loading shovels, driven in part by fuel considerations and recent contract wins in portside handling.
"The Volvo L180 hits the sweet spot for some of the port work we’re doing," Need explained. "And with the rising cost of fuel - especially after the switch from red to white diesel - we’re seeing more customers favour machines that can get the job done in fewer passes."
Kitted out for versatility
As with all SER machines, the new arrivals are supplied with a high specification to suit the diverse needs of customers working across earthworks, quarrying, portside operations, and infrastructure.
Standard fit includes high-visibility tape, reverse fans, L5 tyres, and quick hitch and third-line hydraulics for running a wide variety of buckets, which SER keeps in stock. Machines also feature 360° cameras with human detection and reverse radar for added safety, as well as onboard weighing systems.
"We don’t just buy machines off the shelf," explained Ben Beard, SER’s sales manager for the South. "We ask for more. Because our machines are used on different jobsites, we make sure they’re versatile and capable of handling whatever our customers need them to. We’ll even go further and fit specialist adaptations if the hire justifies it - things like cab air filtration units or fire suppression."
Built on experience, ready for the future
Now in its 50th year, SER is continuing to expand - both in fleet size and national coverage. With depots in Cumbria and Northamptonshire, and a new Scottish site opening soon, the family-run firm is looking to the future with confidence.
"We’ve built this business on strong family values, hard work and trust - and that’s not changing," said Andrew Stevens. "Investing in top-tier equipment from suppliers like Volvo helps us uphold those values and offer our customers the very best. We’ve got more exciting announcements to come this year, including new additions from Caterpillar and Liebherr. The future looks bright."
