JCB UK and Ireland sales director Dan Thompstone; A-Plant marketing director Asif Latief and Greenshields JCB national accounts director Tom Greenshields.

JCB has clinched one of its biggest deals of the year with an order for 1,200 machines worth GBP35 million (USD43 million) from the UK's largest plant hire firm.

The contract with A-Plant - which follows its purchase last year of 1,500 JCB machines worth GBP50 million (USD62 million) - includes Loadall telescopic handlers and rough-terrain forklifts as well as tracked excavators and dumpers.

All the machines are being supplied by JCB dealer Greenshields JCB.

For the first time, A-Plant is also investing in a range of UK-produced generators for the rental market from JCB Power Products.

The latest order marks a major milestone for A-Plant as it now means the company has bought more than 11,000 machines from JCB since the first one was purchased more than 25 years ago.

JCB UK & Ireland sales director Dan Thompstone says: "Winning business like this is testament to JCB's continued introduction of innovative products supported by unrivalled parts and service back-up from the JCB UK dealer network."

A-Plant marketing director Asif Latief says the order is part of an investment program to ensure customers continue to get the most advanced, reliable, safe and environmentally friendly equipment.

"Our investment program is unrivalled in the industry and, coupled with the high levels of customer support we provide, ensures we are firmly positioned to be the obvious choice for rental equipment, whether our customers are local builders, events suppliers or national contractors."

A-Plant, which is part of FTSE-100 company Ashtead Group plc, is the UK's largest equipment rental company with over 150 service centres in Britain, more than 3,000 employees nationwide and over 30,000 customers in the construction, industrial, commercial, utility, public sector, homeowner and events markets.