SHANNON VALLEY INVESTS IN HITACHI FOR THRIVING LOCAL MARKET

Shannon Valley has expanded its fleet of Hitachi machinery to keep pace with the growth of the construction market in the Republic of Ireland.  Based at Donabate, County Dublin, the contractor has bought a wide range of Zaxis-5 and -6 excavators, and ZW-6 wheel loaders, as the number and size of its projects have increased.

The company was founded by sole trader Michael English in 1991.  Having celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2016, the current team of employees is headed by Michael’s three sons, Mick, David and Dermot.

Versatile fleet

To have the flexibility to manage large-scale projects, Shannon Valley has a large fleet of construction machinery at its disposal.  It currently operates a wide range of around 100 excavators (from one to 80 tonnes), as well as wheel loaders, various trucks, bulldozers, and crushing and screening equipment (among others).

Michael purchased his first Hitachi excavator (a UH063) in 1989 and now there are approximately 50 Zaxis excavators and ZW wheel loaders in the fleet.  “We have bought more than a dozen machines this year, including the ZX48U-5 and ZX33U-5 mini, ZX225USLC-6 and ZX250LC-6 medium, and ZX690LCH-6 large excavators,” says David.

“Dublin is buoyant and we have other site development work being carried out in the south of the country.  This is a highly competitive market, in which every penny counts and the deadlines are always tight.  We have continued to buy Hitachi machines, because the whole range is strong, particularly the large excavators for their durability and reliability.”

“Some of our operators prefer Hitachi excavators, because they are smoother to operate and more precise than other brands.  We have also found that Hitachi wheel loaders are trouble-free and have developed well over the years.  Hitachi equipment is easy to maintain and we have an excellent working relationship with our dealer TBF Thompson (sub-dealer of HCMUK).”

Industry solutions

Shannon Valley provides an array of solutions, ranging from demolition and road construction to bulk excavation and drainage.  As well as construction-related activities, there are also plant hire, haulage and quarrying services available within the Shannon Valley Group.

Among the 40 job sites currently in operation around Dublin are: the development of 148 new houses at Rush, where Glenveagh Properties has engaged Shannon Valley for site development; the construction of up to 800 new apartments at Clongriffin for Twinlite, which has contracted the company for the excavation, foundation and drainage work; and the demolition and recycling of a partially built structure in Whitehall for the Corner Group.

In addition, Shannon Valley is responsible for the blasting, excavating, crushing and screening of L Behan Aggregates & Recycling Ltd’s quarry at Rathcoole.  Windmill Hill Quarry is an invaluable source of high-quality, low sulphur limestone that is used as aggregates for foundations and drainage work.