Collins Earthworks Ltd of Kirby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, has taken delivery of a Volvo EWR170E reduced-swing wheeled excavator for one of its top machine operators – Liam Schofield.
“Good machine operators and in particular, excavator operators are hard to find in this day and age and once you’ve found them, keeping them loyal to one’s business can be a challenge,” says Managing Director, Dave Collins. “That’s partly why we specify Volvo equipment for our plant fleet. Keeping our operators happy and contented is made easy thanks to the comfortable operating environments, first class performance and the overall quality we find with Volvo Construction Equipment products,” he continues.
And an example of how Dave Collins keeps his employees happy can be found in the order for a new rubber duck for one of his star excavator operator’s – Liam Schofield. The new EWR170E has been specified akin to the proverbial Christmas Tree with a whole host of optional extras.
Launched in Great Britain at this year’s Hillhead exhibition, the 19.2 tonne reduced swing EWR170E lends itself to specialised digging and rehandling operations thanks to the two-piece boom arrangement that comes as standard. For Collins Earthworks, this has been enhanced further with the addition of an Engcon EC219 tilt rotator making the machine a highly flexible tool on sites.
Powered by a Volvo four-litre Stage-IV engine developing 152 net hp, providing high torque at low engine speeds, the EWR170E demonstrates ultra-low fuel consumption characteristics thanks to the machine’s ECO-mode, which turns on automatically, optimizing fuel efficiency whilst maintaining productivity. With the two-piece boom and shorter 2m dipper arm installed (to facilitate the Engcon tiltrotator), the machine provides generous dimensions within its digging envelope. For instance, the maximum dig depth is 5.2 metres, practical load over height is 6.69 metres and forward reach is 8.7 metres.
On recommendation from Liam Schofield, Collins Earthworks has added a whole host of options to their new EWR170E. These include X3 rotation circuit, boom float, CDC steering control incorporated in the joystick, cruise control with creep speed, Volvo 360° smart view, luxury air suspended seat, trailer hitches on both the front blade and rear outrigger beam, trailer electrics and single acting trailer tipping hydraulics fore and aft, the maximum amount of additional LED working lights providing high illumination around the machine and a camera system mounted on the underside of the dipper arm besides the standard arrangements.
Liam (aged 27) has been with Collins Earthworks for the past couple of years and previously operated an EW160E until his new charge arrived, and is a self-confessed machine nut. “When I left school I worked as a greenkeeper at the local golf course operating the machinery, tractors and lawn mowers,” he explains. “It wasn’t long before I wanted to get to grips with larger pieces of kit and so I got my CPCS card for operating excavators back in 2014 and progressed from there. Dave (Collins) asked me what I wanted on the new machine and basically got everything I asked for, so now I have a highly sophisticated machine and I treat it as if it was my own!” He continues to remove his boots when entering the cab, saying “I would definitely say it’s a marked improvement over the conventional EW160 in terms of responsiveness and general performance. It’s very stable too.”
Collins Earthworks recently revealed it has been quoted as “Nottinghamshire’s fastest growing business for the second consecutive year and has come in at sixth place overall in terms of employment growth”, according to The East Midlands Top 200 list and report this year (published by the regional office of business, Grant Thornton UK with the CBI, 9 May 2018). The list is compiled using the most recent publicly available accounts of companies that are run and managed from the area, highlighting the region’s 200 fastest growing companies by profit growth.
Furthermore, Collins Earthworks Ltd has been identified as one of The London Stock Exchange’s 1,000 Companies to Inspire Britain. The report recognises the UK’s fastest-growing and most dynamic small and medium-sized businesses across the UK. To be included in the list, companies need to show consistent revenue growth over a minimum of three years, significantly outperforming their industry peers. More detail on the methodology can be found in the report online at www.1000companies.com.
The company has also picked up a prestigious RoSPA Gold Awardlast year in recognition of its practices and achievements in helping its staff get home safely at the end of the working day.
SMT GB markets Volvo Construction Equipment products which include wheeled loaders, articulated haulers, hydraulic excavators, Volvo utility equipment and Volvo road equipment products in Great Britain. There are eight strategically placed customer support centres, a dedicated National Used Equipment Centre and a network of utility equipment dealerstoensure high quality customer support is maintained throughout the country.
