Travis Perkins executives visited JCB headquarters to see their new equipment.

One of the UK's largest builder's merchants has invested in 500 new JCB machines worth more than GBP7 million (USD8.92 million) for its Tool Hire division.

Travis Perkins has bought a fleet of JCB mini-excavators and One Tonne High Tip site dumpers to further strengthen its UK-wide tool hire business. This brings the company's investment to more than 2,700 JCB machines in the past decade.

Supplied by JCB dealer Watling JCB, the new machines have been delivered to Travis Perkins' network of 660 branches, ready for use across the country.

Watling JCB managing director Richard Telfer says: "This significant investment in JCB equipment continues a long-standing relationship with Travis Perkins. Over recent years, we have continued to strengthen our aftermarket business to ensure we provide a market-leading service for Travis Perkins. This order supports our continued investment in enhancing the customer experience when dealing with Watling JCB."

Travis Perkins tool hire managing director Catherine Gibson said: "As we continue to invest in our Tool Hire business, it is important we work with suppliers who offer value for money and market-leading innovation for our customers. JCB clearly demonstrates its ongoing commitment to us and to our customers by delivering on both counts."

Northampton-based Travis Perkins is one of the largest suppliers to the UK's construction industry, supplying the building trade for more than 200 years. It offers plant and equipment hire through all of its 660 branches, and stocks more than 100,000 product lines for trade professionals and self-builders.