King of the hill

Moving heavy equipment off road calls for a truck with plenty of power and traction, which is why M&J Plant chose a mighty 6x4 FH16 750

- Dougie Rankine

This big Volvo is the result of the continual evolution of M&J Plant’s business. The South Wales-based operator moves both its own equipment and that of a wide range of customers. Established in 1990 M&J’s truck fleet includes eight-wheeler tippers, road sweepers, rigid plant haulers and artic low-loaders.

Boss Kevan set the company up in 1990, initially concentrating purely on plant equipment, and he had a number of JCB 3CXs. His first truck was purchased in 1996 to help move the plant around, a Volvo FL6 which Kevan drove himself. Bigger trucks were acquired in due course, with a pair of FL10s bought in and then a FH midlift, then a tag. “I’ve always liked Volvos, they’re good to drive and reliable too” says Kevan. The company bought new premises in New Tredegar in 2000, then an additional site in Merthyr Tydfil in February 2021.

Today, the firm employs almost 60 people, with a number who have been there for over 25 years. “We have a fantastic group of loyal employees” he tells us, “and we’re really grateful to them, we’ve got to where we are today thanks to good people.”

Working alongside Kevin is his wife Diane plus a team of loyal and committed office staff. M&J’s customers includes house builders, civil engineering contractors and other plant hire companies. They’ve attained the FORS Bronze accreditation too.