Construction leader invests £1/2m in fleet expansion

Jason Ramsey collects 45 new vans for Bateman Groundworks fleet

January 24, 2018

Growing construction company Bateman Groundworks has invested nearly £1/2 million in new vans to expand its fleet to service its record number of contracts.

The purchase of 45 Renault Kangoo vans from Norwich motor dealer Holden Renault comes just months after the company spent £1.2 million on the new plant with other local firms.

The company is also looking to recruit new staff as it plans to secure contracts further afield and widen its portfolio of services.

Managing Director Jason Ramsey said 2017 had been a “tremendous year” when the company had worked at its best, won record contracts and developed its five-year business plan.

“We have invested in new plant and now are also looking to increase our staff numbers, which currently stand at 181. Eleven new apprentices started in September, taking the number of apprentices shaping careers with us to 32. We are currently looking to take on a new cohort of apprentices in March, targeting young people in the Norwich area this time.”

The company was also looking to recruit skilled groundworkers and plant operators ready for anticipated developments later this year, he said.

Bateman Groundworks took delivery of the vans, worth £470,000, from Holden Renault’s Heigham Street base, where it has been a customer for many years.

The new vehicles replace 30 old Kangoo vans and join the 10 remaining on the road, expanding its fleet to 55 to work between the company’s 12 sites for its premier house-building clients and its head office near Norwich.

Mr Ramsey said buying from local suppliers was a priority for the company, which celebrated its 20th-anniversary last year.

“We have worked with Holden Renault for a number of years. We’ve always been happy with the service and choose Kangoo vans for their versatility, comfort, safety and competitive price.”

The Little Plumstead-based company, which provides groundworks, civil engineering and site management for blue-chip home building companies, had grown its fleet to meet demands for the future, he said.

“Our five-year business plan will lead us to further growth. The success we had last year was driven by our consistent delivery of the services and programmes that our clients require, and by working at the highest standards of health and safety practices.”

Terry Smith, Business Manager at Holden Renault, said: “This delivery of 45 vans to Bateman Groundworks is a testament to the long-standing relationship we have and goes a long way to prove the value that the award-winning Renault brand has to offer a commercial fleet.

“Maintaining local business relationships has a positive impact on the local economy, and we’re hugely proud to play a part in that and to know that Bateman Groundworks trust our dedicated commercial service centre for the ongoing maintenance of a fleet of this size.”