SUNWARD Europe’s piling and foundation equipment business unit has appointed Watson & Hillhouse as exclusive dealer for its kit in the UK and Ireland.
Watson & Hillhouse have specialised in the sale and hire of piling and foundation equipment since 1972, and have supplied major projects including the Thames Barrier, Orwell Bridge, Heathrow Terminal 5, and the Channel Tunnel.
The partnership marks a milestone for both Sunward Europe and Watson & Hillhouse, who have built of fleet of piling and foundation equipment worth more than £12 million, and operate the UK’s first ‘absolute refusal’ piling equipment test bed. This is used to determine the suitability of any piece of piling plant for a particular application, and for testing every item of equipment before it is supplied to customers.
Sunward’s foundation equipment business unit, revealed early last year, is said to have seen ‘remarkable growth’. The range now includes nine models tailored specifically for the European market.
Bauma saw the launch of three new advanced rotary drilling rigs – the SWDM 85SW, SWDM 135S, and SWDM 165S. The SWDM 165S CFA rig joins the Watson & Hillhouse rental fleet at the end of this year and will be fully available to hire from early in 2026 from the company’s main depot in Ipswich or northern depot in Warrington.
Watson & Hillhouse MD Phil Bell said, “This partnership with Sunward substantially adds to our comprehensive product offering. It enables us to further support our customers with their foundation equipment requirements through a high-quality, innovative range of machinery.
“Simultaneously, this collaboration will be instrumental in strengthening Sunward’s presence and market share across the UK and Ireland. We are proud to be representing a globally respected brand that is committed to delivering excellence in construction equipment.”
Sunward is gearing up to showcase its latest foundation innovations at upcoming exhibitions, including Geofluid 2026, and Conexpo 2026.
Foundation equipment business development manager Piero Zavagli said, “We are delighted to welcome a dealer of Watson & Hillhouse’s status to our global network of foundation equipment dealers.”
