The JCB 8080 midi excavator model on hire from Inverness-based DuBye Ltd is working on the construction of a new jetty on Loch Ness.

A Scottish plant hirer is bucking the trends of the economic recession by expanding its fleet with JCB equipment to accommodate business growth.

Dealer Scot JCB has delivered 24 JCB machines that include 14 JCB telehandlers and the first 8085 midi excavator sold in the UK to DuBye Ltd.

DuBye, headquartered in Inverness, has expanded rapidly since it was established 12 months ago. In addition to the GBP3 million worth of investment pumped into its existing sites in Elgin, Tomintoul and Turiff, about GBP4 million has been spent on its 45,000 sqft (4,181 sqm) Inverness premises.

Managing director Nick Mellor says DuBye has its roots in the marine and oil sectors where "service is everything".

"Customers demand immediate response and they expect the best equipment ... Our service is genuinely seven-days-a-week and with the massive investment in JCB equipment, we ensure that every customer gets the latest and highest quality products available in the rental sector."

Mellor adds that DuBye recently secured a contract to supply all plant equipment to Tulloch Homes in Scotland. "We already operated a large proportion of JCB equipment, so when Tulloch requested exclusively JCB telehandlers to its sites, we were happy to continue our investment in the brand."

Besides the telehandlers and the 8085 midi excavator, the delivery includes four 3CX backhoe loaders, one 2CX Airmaster, one 8080 midi excavator, one 8055 midi excavator and two JCB JS220 excavators.