The Morris Leslie Group recently upgraded its fleet to become one of the youngest and most modern in the UK. Owner Morris Leslie is also a keen collector of old plant equipment. Bob Weir went to the company HQ at Errol to see his latest acquisition, a rare JCB Mk1 Major loader
With a fleet boasting 700 tele handlers, 500 excavators and 450 dumpers, the Morris Leslie Group is certainly not letting the grass grow under its feet. It continues to invest heavily in new equipment, retaining its position as one of the top plant hire companies in the UK.
The group was established in 1974, and is still in private ownership. It was originally set up as a plant sales company, but over the past four decades has diversified into other areas. The firm currently employs over 200 staff spread across 12 locations throughout the UK.
Headquarters is at Errol airfield between Perth and Dundee on the north bank of the Firth of Tay. The airfield opened in January 1943 and was used as a special conversion unit by the RAF for Soviet aircrew taking delivery of British aircraft. The base included three runways as well as several buildings, which are still visible from the air.
The military role of the airfield ended in 1948 when the RAF moved out. Some of the buildings became derelict and lay disused for many years. After Morris Leslie bought part of the site, the firm began using it to auction off plant equipment. The group then opened a retail market in 1992, which has grown in size and popularity.
Staying on the airfield theme, the group also acquired Perth airport in 1997. Since then the 30 acres of buildings have undergone extensive refurbishment to create a business park. The properties include warehousing, retail and workshops and are now home to over 50 different companies.
The group has also expanded into hiring equipment for events, TV and film production. Part of this department is also based at Errol and they can offer a large selection of utility vehicles. These include golf buggies, cherry pickers, scissor lifts, telehandlers and forklifts.
The group has already been involved in some prestigious projects, including the Diamond Jubilee Concert and the film Pirates of the Caribbean.
This story is from the March 2017 edition of Classic Plant & Machinery.
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This story is from the March 2017 edition of Classic Plant & Machinery.
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