by Richard Cosgrove | Tue 18 Feb 2025
Thwaites distributor BTE Plant Sales secures £11m fleet deal with MV Kelly
National civil engineering firm MV Kelly has announced a landmark £11 million, two-year fleet deal with Thwaites distributor BTE Plant Sales.
This agreement marks the return of Thwaites dumpers to its fleet, supporting the company’s continued expansion in the residential housebuilding groundworks sector.
The deal includes a range of Thwaites dumpers, from the 3-tonne forward tip models to the 6-tonne and 9-tonne cabbed machines.
Expanding the Fleet for Growth, MV Kelly Asset & Fleet Director, Doug Curran, commented: “This two-year deal will expand our fleet of site dumpers by around 15% each year, ensuring we continue to meet the needs of our clients and our growing business. It also helps us maintain a modern, efficient fleet in keeping with our industry leading replacement cycle.”
He added: “We are delighted to welcome Thwaites dumpers back into the MV Kelly fleet. We chose Thwaites for their quality, reliability, durability and residual value all backed up by the fantastic team at BTE Plant Sales.
A key highlight of the deal is the inclusion of Thwaites dumpers fitted with the innovative ROPS+ system, making MV Kelly one of the first in the industry to adopt this next-generation safety solution.
ROPS+ is designed to meet the updated EN474 2022: Part 6 manufacturing standard, effective from February 1st. This system surrounds the operator with a ‘Halo’ when the ROPS bar is engaged and features a Triple Lock mechanism: 1) Operator seated 2) Seatbelt fastened 3) ROPS bar engaged. Without this Triple Lock, the dumper will not operate, ensuring no workarounds, improving site safety, giving enhanced protection for operators.
Doug Curran praised the ROPS+ system, “The moment we saw ROPS+, we knew it was a game-changer. It’s well thought out and provides the market with both certainty and compliance with the new manufacturing standard. Safety continues to be our top priority at M V Kelly and now alongside fully cabbed dumpers, we offer a 6-tonne open-cab solution fitted with ROPS+, ensuring operators are safeguarded by its Triple Lock feature and outstanding design.”
Rebecca Bryson, Managing Director of BTE Plant Sales, highlighted the strong relationship between the companies: “We have a long-standing partnership with MV Kelly, supplying construction equipment from Kubota and Bomag through our dealership network.We’re thrilled to have secured this major deal, providing MV Kelly with premium Thwaites equipment while continuing to deliver best-in-class after sales and service.”
Thwaites General Sales Manager, Andy Sabin, added:“This is a fantastic way to start 2025. The first dumpers from the deal have already been dispatched, and with monthly shipments scheduled throughout the year, we look forward to manufacturing and delivering each batch on time and in full.”
This milestone agreement reinforces MV Kelly’s commitment to investing in high-quality, safe, and efficient machinery as it continues to expand across the UK.
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