Ukforks, a materials handling equipment hirer, has expanded its fleet with a GBP1.2 million (USD1.9 million) purchase of JCB telehandlers.

The company, a subsidiary of plant hire group Vp, bought a fleet of 10, 12 and 17-metre telehandlers. The deal follows a GBP2.5 million (USD3.9 million) deal struck in January for Italian-built Dieci Runner and Icarus telehandlers.

Ukforks divisional director David Williams said ukforks regularly replenished its fleet.

"This latest investment fits precisely with this philosophy. These are excellent, robust machines which are already in use on house-building and construction sites from where we are getting very positive feedback," Mr Williams told The Northern Echo.

Vp, formerly known as Vibroplant, was established in 2000 and has a fleet of more than 1000 vehicles and more than 100 staff. It is currently the largest UK provider of telehandlers and forklifts to the construction industry.