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14 Winter 2022 INDUSTRY NEWS Construction equipment distributor, Shellplant, has surpassed the 5,000 sales mark for its Kubota mini-excavator range and has celebrated by making an equivalent donation to charity. Based in Northamptonshire, the company has been partnered with Kubota for around 25 years. It celebrated its 1,000th sale in 2011 and has since seen the demand for Kubota mini-excavators rise rapidly. Shellplant Partner Julian Payne said: “We are delighted to reach this considerable Kubota milestone. We thought it fitting to mark our achievement in a positive way, and that is why we will be donating £5,000 to charity.” The nominated charity is the local Riding for Disabled Group based in Mears Ashby. Its vision is to enrich the lives of disabled people through horses and it aims to support an extra 10,000 people by 2025, so the money is much needed. Reflecting on a partnership with Kubota spanning 25 years, Julian said: “I remember the initial meeting where we agreed to sell 30 units a year. Now we surpass 500 annually, which is fantastic. I do think the rise in popularity around mini-excavators at the turn of the Millennium has played a major role in these numbers, alongside the reliability and popularity of Kubota’s machines.” The momentous 5,000th sale saw a Kubota U56-5 purchased by regular customer Charlie Morson of CM Services Agricultural and Groundwork Ltd, also based in Northamptonshire. However, Julian remembers the very first Kubota sold, way back in 1997, which was a model K008 micro excavator purchased by Stable Hire of Rushden Northamptonshire. They liked it so much that one month later they took delivery of another identical machine. “I remember back then we were considering our options on how to grow the business and were talking to Kubota and one of its competitors,” explains Julian. “Ultimately, we made the decision to go with Kubota and have never looked back. Our customers return for the brand specifically, and that is down to great value for money, product reliability and residual value. They also trust us to provide a very helpful and attentive service.” Since becoming a dealer for Kubota machines in 1997, Shellplant has won many orders for its excavators, from single buys up to 110 excavators purchased at one time. Customers broadly range from local groundworkers, to national hirers and blue-chip companies. 5,000TH MILESTONE FOR DISTRIBUTOR