New year bonus for Kubota as GAP Group signs four-year deal

The GAP Group, the UK’s largest independent tool and plant hirer, has re-appointed Kubota dealer, Young Plant & Equipment Sales Ltd, as sole supplier of mini excavators for a further four years.

The agreement covers the delivery of a minimum of 2,000 Kubota machines from across the size range during the period, starting January 2006.

The deal was concluded a few days before Christmas, shortly after GAP had placed an order for a record-breaking 500th Kubota mini excavator in 2005.  It was the first time that GAP orders had topped the 500 machine mark in a single year.

Stirlingshire-based Young Plant, Kubota’s longest-serving UK dealer, has supplied GAP Group for many years and has been their sole provider of mini excavators since 2002.

Ken Stewart, GAP Group’s Procurement Manager, said: "The four-year agreement reinforces our single sourcing and partnership policy.  We want our suppliers to share with us our success, continuing growth and market penetration as there are mutual benefits to be obtained.  There are exciting times ahead for both GAP and its valued suppliers.

"We’ve had an on-going relationship with Kubota for many years and consider their equipment to be of the highest standard in terms of quality, robustness and efficiency, offering excellent residual values. The new 'ANTI-THEFT' system now being fitted to all new machines is great ‘value added’ and an effective security device and theft deterrent which is proving extremely popular with customers.

"Our long-standing association with supplier, Young Plant, has been cemented by their superior after-sales service and total commitment. This includes an ever-developing business in the provision of genuine spare parts to ensure our machines are maintained to the highest possible standards."

With its national presence growing year on year GAP now has 55 depots nationwide. In February it will open a depot near Tower Bridge in London, with expansion into Swansea planned for later in the year.

Said Young Plant’s Managing Director, Brian Young: "Having worked closely together with GAP for many years we are delighted to have been appointed Kubota suppliers for a further four years.

"GAP is extremely professional in all its procedures. Its commitment to supplying the latest equipment from world leading brands such as Kubota has helped them become the fastest growing independently owned plant hire company in the UK.  We are excited about maintaining our on-going involvement with them as a key supplier."

The 500th machine ordered by GAP in 2005 was one of a batch of ten 1.5 tonne KX-36 canopied models which will go into service at its Watford depot early in the New Year.

GAP closed the year with a further order for 16 KX36-3 cabbed units and a 1.6 tonne KX41-3VGl.

These latest orders bring to around 1,650 the total number of Kubota machines supplied to GAP by Young Plant since 2000.  

Said Richard Harrison, Sales and Marketing Manager, Kubota (UK) Ltd: "We are obviously delighted with the renewal of the GAP Group’s sole supplier agreement with Young Plant for an additional four years and look forward to continuing and further developing our excellent working partnership."
                                      
"The legendary reputation for quality, performance, reliability, versatility and unbeatable resale values of the world-leading Kubota brand makes them the ideal tool for many different applications and end-users, from civil engineering to landscaping and plant hire companies to owner operators."

"As well as being the only mini excavators with a unique 'ANTI-THEFT' key system fitted as standard."

As the UK, European and world market leader Kubota offers the widest range of minis available, with 17 base models spanning the weight range from 0.85 – 7.5 tonnes, including the increasingly popular zero tail swing machines.

Further details about the market-leading Kubota mini excavators range can be obtained from Kubota (UK) Ltd – Construction Equipment, Dormer Road, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 3UN.  Tel: 01844 214500  Fax: 01844 216685.  Email: enquiry@kubota.co.uk  Web: www.kubota.co.uk
                                                                                      -ENDS-

A high resolution photo image to accompany this release is available here.

Photo Caption:
(Left to Right) Iain Anderson, Joint Managing Director, GAP Group; Richard Harrison, Sales & Marketing Manager, Kubota (UK) Ltd; Ken Stewart, Procurement Manager, GAP Group and Brian Young, Managing Director, Young Plant & Equipment Sales.

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