STEVENS Equipment Rental (SER) has marked its 50th anniversary with the addition of 38 high-spec Volvo machines.
The new models will be delivered to the family business by the end of 2025. The haul include the latest generation excavators, articulated dump trucks (ADTs), and loading shovels.
Some of the new arrivals will replace older models, while others will increase the overall fleet by approximately 20% to around 220 units – the highest in the company’s 50-year history.
Andrew Stevens, MD of SER, said, “Adding these new Volvos demonstrates our belief in the market and our drive to deliver the very best to our customers. We’re not just focused on growth, but on quality. Our clients expect premium machines with the right spec, reliability, and support – and that’s exactly what we provide.”
Among the additions is the new Volvo EC500 crawler excavator, replacing the outgoing EC480E. It’s a new excavator class for the SER fleet – and one that’s already impressing.
Mark Need, SER sales manager for the north, added, “It’s faster, more powerful, and more economical than the EC480E – which was no slouch. The all-new electro-hydraulic system is a game-changer, delivering improved control, better fuel efficiency, and a smoother operator experience. It’s a nimble but powerful 53-tonner that absolutely digs for fun.”
SER’s delivery also includes 21 new articulated haulers – mostly A45 models, which it said offers an ‘ideal balance’ between capacity and cycle times, as well as several A30 and A40 units.
New Volvo wheel loaders are arriving too, including the L90, L120, L150, and L180 models, with the majority being L180 units. SER reports a trend toward larger mid-sized loading shovels, driven in part by fuel considerations and recent contract wins in portside handling.
“The Volvo L180 hits the sweet spot for some of the port work we’re doing,” Mark Need explained. “And with the rising cost of fuel – especially after the switch from red to white diesel – we’re seeing more customers favour machines that can get the job done in fewer passes.”
As with all SER machines, the new arrivals are said to be supplied with a high specification to suit the diverse needs of customers working across earthworks, quarrying, portside operations, and infrastructure.
Standard fit includes high-visibility tape, reverse fans, L5 tyres, and quick hitch and third-line hydraulics for running a variety of buckets. Machines also feature 360° cameras with human detection and reverse radar for added safety, as well as onboard weighing systems.
“We don’t just buy machines off the shelf,” added Ben Beard, SER’s sales manager for the south. “We ask for more. Because our machines are used on different jobsites, we make sure they’re versatile and capable of handling whatever our customers need them to. We’ll even go further and fit specialist adaptations if the hire justifies it – things like cab air filtration units or fire suppression.”
Now in its 50th year, SER is continuing to expand – both in fleet size and national coverage. With depots in Cumbria and Northamptonshire, and a new Scottish site opening soon, the family-run firm is looking to the future with confidence.
“We’ve built this business on strong family values, hard work and trust – and that’s not changing,” said Andrew Stevens. “Investing in top-tier equipment from suppliers like Volvo helps us uphold those values and offer our customers the very best. We’ve got more exciting announcements to come this year, including new additions from Caterpillar and Liebherr. The future looks bright.”
