Rene Wetzels (JCB), Guy Cremer (Boels Rental), Yvette Henshall-Bell (JCB), John Smeets (Boels Rental), Claudio Fiorentini (JCB), Jim Field and Volker Blome (Boels Rental).

Leading European plant and tool hire company Boels Rental has placed its biggest ever order with JCB as it invests in a new machine fleet, all fitted with the latest telematics technology.

Netherlands-based Boels Rental has placed an order worth GBP26 million (USD33.4 million) for 445 machines, including JCB Loadalls featuring the LiveLink telematics monitoring system.

The order further strengthens JCB's long-term relationship with Boels Rental and brings the total of JCB machines bought in recent years to more than 2,000.

The new fleet features Loadalls ranging from 525-60 to 540V180, which will join Boels Rental fleets at depots across Europe, including Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Austria and Italy.

The JCB LiveLink telematics system will enable Boels Rental and its customers to monitor all aspects of machine activity, safety and maintenance checks via an online portal, with instant notifications on scheduled services and critical alerts to ensure machine downtime is kept to a minimum.

JCB Group managing director - global major accounts Yvette Henshall-Bell says: "We are delighted to secure this major order from one of Europe's leading plant hire companies. We place great value on building strong long-term relationships and understanding our customers' needs. Boels Rental is a great example of how this works - they trust the quality of our machines and are keen to move with the times by investing in our world-class LiveLink telematics system.

"We are proud to have delivered more than 2,000 machines to Boels Rental's European fleet in recent years."

Boels Rental director of fleet operations Guy Cremer notes that his company has grown to become one of Europe's largest equipment rental companies. "Over the years, JCB has shown great understanding of our sector and developed a market-leading range of products tailored to the rental industry.

"Our customers like JCB machines for their reliability and innovation and I am sure the addition of LiveLink telematics will add even greater value."

Established in 1977, Boels Rental is active in 17 European countries and has more than 400 branches.