which were EC140s, into the fleet in 2014,” says Steve Courts. “Since then we’ve probably purchased in excess of 36 Volvo machines – predominantly the fourteen and twenty-one tonne machines as well as their articulated hauler models. In general, we’ve been really pleased with the performance and quality of the machines and their strong residual values when the time comes to move them on. The majority of work they do is on groundworking projects and we offer them for hire with or without operators, but one thing is for sure, whether it’s our own guys or the customers’ operators in the cab, they really appreciate the comfort, smooth control and responsiveness of the machines.” “We’ve also developed a good working relationship with the team at Volvo – in particular Richard Shelbourne, our local Volvo sales rep, and the home-based mobile engineers,” Steve says. Chipping in to the conversation, Volvo’s Area Business
Manager, Richard Shelbourne adds, “Having this excellent working relationship with WH Bond & Sons Ltd helps me in my efforts to showcase Volvo down here in the West Country. It’s almost like having my own local demonstration fleet here on the doorstep and many a time we’ve hired a machine in from Steve to demonstrate to potential new customers. It’s great that we get the third party endorsements from this well-respected family business as well,” he says. Marketing co-ordinator, Jessica Oatey, highlights an interesting fact when it comes to mentioning Volvo on the company’s social media channels. “It’s remarkable that when we Tweet or make reference to what any of our Volvos are up to on hire with our customers, it generates an immediate high level of social media activity and hits coming to our website,” she says. Both she and Steve concur that this is something to
do with operating a quality brand of equipment. “It’s certainly
Plant manager, Steve Courts, with one of WH Bond’s Volvo EC140Es
Headquarters at St Ive near Liskeard
the kind of top-end brand that we want in our fleet,” says Steve. “The machines are competitively priced and as I’ve mentioned, they hold their price well when we look to move them on – which is normally between two to three years. This, coupled with the support we get from Volvo, is a powerful reason to keep buying them.” Today the extensive plant fleet of WH Bond & Sons Ltd which numbers over 400 units includes excavators ranging from 0.75 to 40 tonnes in operating weight, and includes telehandlers, articulated haulers, dozers, site dumpers, rollers and associated mobile plant. The company currently employs over 100 staff and has a strong geographical presence in Devon and Cornwall. This year, the company celebrates their sixtieth anniversary and besides its extensive expansion into plant, civils and timber still keeps the now 2,000 acre family farm at the heart of everything it does. ■
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