GEDDES MEETS THE GRADE


As one of the first businesses in the UK to purchase the new Cat 320E excavator, with factory fitted Grade Control, specialist Scottish contractor, Geddes Group has been testing the waters with the new system, using it to tackle a range of jobs, including irrigation works.


Here Frank Geddes, Managing Director of the Geddes Group talks about the business, its decision to purchase the machine and how it has been utilising the Grade Control system:


“The recession hit the plant sector hard in Scotland, particularly around the central and eastern regions where we operate. But because of our diverse range of operations and staff, we were able to come out the other side to take advantage of the upturn. “But just


like many of our competitors, we recognise how tough the market has become and how we need to continue to change and challenge the way we do things.


To make the margins we need to be a profitable business, we have to focus on improving efficiency, reducing labour costs and being more product.


Most of our fleet is Caterpillar and we have operated 20 tonne excavators for a long time. So when it came to looking at our fleet renewal, the 320E was a natural choice.


In the past we have looked at GPS control systems for other plant, like dozers, but never really been able to justify the extra investment for retrofitted systems on our excavator fleet.


"What appealed to us about the 2D factory fitted option was that it came integrated into the machine, so we had no retrofitting or expensive equipment to remove. We also have the choice of using it or simply leaving it off."


FINNING CAT


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