The Year We Turned 40

Built on Trust, Investment and People

2025 marked a defining milestone for Fairfax Plant Hire. As we celebrated 40 years in business, we continued to do what has always driven us forward. Listening to our customers, investing with purpose, and building a plant hire business that people can rely on. Last year was not about standing still or simply looking back. It was about strengthening our foundations, modernising our fleet, expanding our footprint, and making plant hire simpler, smarter and more accessible for our customers.

Built on 40 Years of Family Values

Founded 40 years ago as a family-run business, Fairfax Plant Hire has grown through long-term relationships, consistent investment and a hands-on approach to service. While the industry has evolved, our values have remained the same. Honesty, Reliability, Impact and Excellence. Reaching our 40th year was a proud moment, but it also reinforced our responsibility to keep moving forward, investing wisely and supporting the people and communities that have helped shape our journey.

Major Investment Driven by Customer Demand

In 2025, we invested close to £20 million across the business. Every investment decision was guided by one simple principle, listening to our customers. Half of this investment focused on growing our fleet and strengthening the business, ensuring availability, reliability and choice across all sectors. The remaining 50% was directed towards innovation, improving systems, compliance, digital access and future-focused solutions. As a result, the business grew by £10 million, reinforcing the value of investing with purpose rather than standing still.

Rolling Fleet Renewal & Trusted Partners

Our ongoing rolling fleet renewal continued throughout 2025, helping to position Fairfax as one of the most modern plant hire fleets in the industry. Significant orders were placed with trusted partners including JCB, Thwaites, Cat, Manitou, Hydrema Hitachi, Komatsu, Volvo trucks, Altrad Belle, Kubota, Kobelco. As part of our commitment to future-focused investment, 2025 saw the purchase of our first tractor and continued investment into electric machinery. These steps support a more sustainable approach to plant hire, offering customers lower-emission options while maintaining the performance and reliability they expect from Fairfax. This investment ensures our customers benefit from reliable, compliant and well-maintained machinery, reducing downtime and keeping projects moving.

Opening of Our Larger Hull Depot

To support growing demand and improve regional coverage, 2025 also saw the opening of our larger Hull depot. This expansion allows us to increase fleet availability, improve logistics and better serve customers across Hull, Yorkshire and beyond. Strategically located, the new depot strengthens our ability to deliver responsive service while maintaining the personal approach Fairfax is known for.

Digital Improvements – Making Plant Hire Simpler

At the start of 2025, we launched our new Fairfax Plant Hire website. Designed with customers in mind, the site ensures essential information is available 24/7. From machine details and specifications to support and compliance information all just one click away. Alongside the website launch, we introduced a fully updated and printed pdf product guide. Providing a clear overview of our fleet and services.

Smarter Site Compliance

We saw the roll out of new QR stickers inside machine cabs, along with QR cards for the latest pre-hire inspections and LOLER reports. These simple but effective improvements help reduce paperwork, save time on site and make compliance checks quicker and easier for everyone.

Community Involvement

Being part of the communities we serve has always mattered to Fairfax. In 2025, we continued to give back by visiting local schools and showcasing the wide range of career paths available within plant hire and construction. By sharing real-world insight into the industry, we aim to inspire the next generation and highlight opportunities beyond traditional routes.

BBC DIY SOS – A Project That Meant Everything

One of the most meaningful moments of 2025 was supporting BBC DIY SOS Gladiators Special. Supporting an incredible cause on our doorstep in East Yorkshire. We were honored to supply several machines, including Telehandlers, Excavators, Rollers, Dumpers to help Nick and the team deliver a brand-new, purpose-built youth center for the Cherry Tree Community Centre in Beverley.

Leeds St Patrick’s Day

This marked our fifth consecutive year supporting the celebrations. Once again, we donated one of our lorries as a float, helping bring the event to life for the children and wider community.

Selby Town Football Club

After over 10 years we have continued to be the ground sponsor for Selby town. This long relationship with the local community means the club is able to evolve and develop, also it’s a great place for the people of Selby to come together.

Business Sustainability

Sustainability remained a key focus for Fairfax Plant Hire throughout 2025. As part of our commitment to reducing environmental impact, all company cars were replaced with electric vehicles with hybrid alternatives introduced where fully electric was not suitable. This move supports lower emissions while maintaining the dependable service our customers rely on. Alongside this, we continued to invest in electric and low-emission machinery. Expanding our fleet to offer customers more sustainable plant hire options. By introducing electric machines across suitable applications, we are helping to create cleaner, quieter, and greener working environments on site.

Creating Greener Spaces for Our People

Sustainability at Fairfax goes beyond machinery. In 2025, we created a staff garden. Giving our team the opportunity to grow their own vegetables while creating a greener space within the depot. The garden has quickly become a valued social area, enjoyed during lunch breaks and encouraging wellbeing, teamwork, and a stronger connection to sustainable living. Together, these initiatives reflect our long-term approach to sustainability investing in greener equipment, greener spaces, and a greener future, while continuing to support our people and customers.