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Bells ring out on the Western Isles

Bell L2106E wheel loader

Remote island location proves no problem as Bell Equipment supply machines to Outer Hebrides

BELL Equipment have supplied a number of machines to Outer Hebrides contractors MacInnes Bros Ltd, highlighting the plant manufacturer’s ability to equip companies and provide dedicated service, no matter how remote the geographical location.

As one of the leading building and civil engineering contractors in the Western Isles, MacInnes Bros are largely responsible for the construction and maintenance of roads, piers, coastal defences and airport buildings and premises.

 

The company also operates a builders’ merchants and is developing a recycling facility to deal with the construction waste generated on the islands.

More recently, MacInnes Bros have been working closely with Stòras Uibhist, the organization that manages 93,000 acres of land across the islands of Benbecula, Eriskay and South Uist, as well as other smaller islands.

The Bell machines have been purchased for use on the company’s latest contract, Stòras Uibhist’s regeneration of Lochboisdale Harbour in South Uist.

Sandy Fairweather, Bell Equipment’s Scottish sales manager said: ‘This is a major project for MacInnes Bros, and equally for South Uist, as it will involve the development of a new harbour comprising two breakwaters and two causeways for access.

‘Add to this a further fishing pier with concrete quay wall, a slipway, pontoons for boats to berth, as well the necessary utilities to service the harbour, and the extent of the project becomes truly apparent.’

To fulfil the far-reaching requirements of the contract, MacInnes Bros turned to Bell Equipment, who initially supplied two used B40D articulated dumptrucks. These proved so popular that MacInnes ordered a third B40D followed by an L2106 wheel loader.

Managing director Ewen MacInnes commented: ‘Following successful negotiations with Sandy Fairweather, we arranged a preview to see a Bell dumptruck in action. We were extremely impressed with the machine’s capabilities and further influenced by Bell Equipment’s keen pricing, together with their ability and readiness to supply and service the equipment – despite our company’s somewhat challenging geographical location.

‘The machines are now up and running and working at full strength. We are delighted with their performance and already consider them imperative to our operations in Uist.’

Mr MacInnes added that the after-sales support from Bell was to second to none, with Bell Equipment’s representatives travelling to the islands, offering support and technical advice, as well as arranging further training over an extended period.

‘On occasion, spare parts have been required on site, and the Bell team has demonstrated unsurpassed efficiency in co-ordinating the logistics, especially as the company’s base and project are so geographically remote,’ he said. ‘Obtaining parts quickly can be a real issue for MacInnes Bros, simply because of our location, but in our experience of Bell, their service has been exceptional.’

Ensuring best use is made of the new machinery, MacInnes Bros have also incorporated use of their Bell dumpers within works for a new road development at Kildonan in South Uist, and as part of the Rueval landfill site project in Benbecula.

Moreover, since the first four machines were put to use, a further order has been placed for an additional Bell B50D – the biggest size class of articulated dumptruck in the world.

 

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