Lafarge-Tarmac in GBP4m JCB deal, UK

Lafarge Tarmac (UK) has bought 60 new JCB 2CX Streetmaster backhoe loaders in a deal worth GBP4m (EUR5.5m). The order marks a 25-year partnership between Lafarge Tarmac and JCB for handling road maintenance projects. The latest machines were supplied by JCB dealer Gunn JCB.

The company, which took delivery of its first 2CX Streetmaster model a quarter of a century ago, instigated the configuration for the latest batch of machines. It was developed in conjunction with the company’s operatives and Safety and Health team and the models purchased have been tailored to its exact requirements, JCB stated.

They feature enhanced lighting for night-time operations and a heavy-duty, rear-mounted JCB HM165 hand held breaker which reduces exposure to hand arm vibration. The backhoe loaders are also fitted with security devices including CESAR registration which comes as standard on JCB machines.

Lafarge Tarmac’s National Plant & Transport Manager, Jonathan Medforth said: “The JCB 2CX Streetmaster in its various guises has been our machine of choice for 25 years now. It truly is the workhorse of our contracting sites on a daily basis. The low vibration rear-mounted breaker, the speed and manoeuvrability of the 2CX and its ability to operate in small working areas combine to make it ideal for our work. The machine caters for all the need of our business, from cutting day joints in asphalt to loading pre-coated chips in hydrostatic chipping machines.”

Applications include long-term maintenance contracts, major new-build highway projects, airfield surfacing, lane rental type motorway and trunk road reconstruction schemes as well as smaller scale surfacing works such as non-trunk roads, residential streets, industrial estates and car parks.