Go Plant Fleet Services is taking delivery of 37 brand new Johnston VT802 and VM652 machines in a deal worth more than £5.5 million.

The specialist vehicles will help the company to service a significant number of new, large-scale contracts around the UK as well as create extra capacity for new business.

Phased delivery of the 18-tonne machines is due to begin next month.

Ben Gilmore, national operations manager said: “These machines will provide a significant boost to our fleet of heavy-duty vehicles.

“It’s a major investment for the company that ensures we’re fully geared up both for today and for the future.

“We’re involved in quite a number of high-profile road construction operations at the moment, including several on the M6. We’ve secured a number of major new contracts and have several other large-scale projects in the pipeline.

“So this is a move that will ensure we have the strength in depth we need and that will give us the additional capacity to expand our service in future.”

Gilmore said the decision to choose the high-performance Johnston sweepers was straightforward. He explained: “Having identified the requirement to boost our heavy-duty fleet, we naturally wanted to bring in the best vehicles and these VT802 and VM652 machines are the very latest and best on the market.

“They’re built specifically for work on large infrastructure projects so they’re ideal for the kind of operated hire contracts that we specialise in – particularly those in the construction or maintenance of motorways and arterial routes.

“They’ll be spread around our nationwide depot network to help us expand our contracting service nationwide.”

The hi-tech vehicles feature Euro 6 engines on both the Volvo Globetrotter and DAF LF chassis, an 8m3 capacity stainless steel hopper and trailing sweepgear. They are designed to optimise performance and reliability and minimise risk.

They are the first EU-manufactured machines to achieve full PM10 test compliance on whole vehicle emissions.

Each going into the Go Plant Fleet Services fleet will be fitted with innovative Worksafe Laser Lines to help ensure accuracy as well as a 360 degree live recording camera system.

It’s an important aspect of the company’s commitment to the ‘Responsible Employer’ initiative and part of its proactive approach to safety within busy and dangerous environments.

Gilmore explained: “Installing live camera feeds on the vehicles is a specific enhancement that helps us to improve both safety and efficiency.

“It also provides an extra support mechanism for our drivers on site. Regional managers can log into them remotely at any time and are able to deal with any issues straight away.

“It can also be used to monitor activity, ensure sterile zones are in play and that policies on compliance are being adhered to at all times.”

Go Plant Fleet Services provides access to specialist commercial vehicles including refuse collection trucks, gritters, cage tippers and road sweepers on both short and long-term hire, as well as offering a suite of fleet management services, including repair and maintenance.

The company, which remains based at its original headquarters in Leicestershire, merged with Essential Fleet Services in July, 2017 – a move backed by private equity house Endless LLP.