Founded in 1983 by Roger Chamberlain, Penrith-based GPHL – formerly known as Grant Plant Hire – is a true family-run company, with Roger’s brothers George and Charles, and now the next generation joining the business.  It is therefore not a surprise that since they began they have been dealing with Lloyd Ltd, likewise a local family-run company now into its third generation, and with an ideal product range to support their growing business.

“We’ve always had a great working relationship with Lloyd Ltd.” said Roger.  “We stick with them which is why we’ve changed our digger brand to Kobelco to match their franchises.  They offer national service from a local brand and it’s that back-up that makes the difference.”

In recent years GPHL have bought five Kobelco excavators from Lloyd Ltd.  The most recent one – the 5-tonne SK55 pictured – was bought specifically for the company’s own building development of eight houses on Pitcairn Close in Cockermouth where it will be working in tandem with the 14-tonne SK140 models.  The foundations are just being laid and they will be ready to market in spring 2021.  The Manitou MT1335 telehandler is also being used on the site.

“This is the first Manitou telehandler we’ve bought,” commented Roger.  “We chose it for its versatility and its long-reach arm so it can put up the roof trusses.  The Kobelcos are working well and seem to be very good too.”  The two 30-tonne SK300 excavators have been put to good use in the north of Scotland on two 2MW run-of-river hydroelectric schemes.  One of these is the Loch a’ Bhraoin hydroelectric scheme in Ross-shire while the other on the Balmoral Estate in Aberdeenshire will provide power to the national grid for consumption in the Cairngorms National Park. The 5-tonne digger will also be used at the company’s own Lyon Leisure site, putting in the infrastructure for 25 new holiday lodges at their holiday park near their Flusco head office where the six Kubota tractors and lawnmowers they have also purchased from Lloyd Ltd are busy working.

Given the scope of GPHL’s operations and Lloyd Ltd’s extensive machinery range the companies make ideal partners, each supporting the other’s business.  Roger commented: “I dealt with Ralph Lloyd when we started the business, then Barry and now George too.  Here at GPHL our kids are looking to take on the construction business so it’s great to have the next generations working together.  In a bizarre coincidence, Ralph’s grandson George is now an integral part of Lloyd Ltd and my brother George’s son Ralph is likewise for ours.  It’s good to build these long-term relationships and to look to the next generations to continue them and to grow the businesses together.”

 

For more about GPHL, click here.