King of the hill
Truck & Driver|August 2021
Moving heavy equipment off road calls for a truck with plenty of power and traction, which is why M&J Plant chose a mighty 6x4 FH16 750
Dougie Rankine
King of the hill

This big Volvo is the result of the continual evolution of M&J Plant’s business. The South Wales-based operator moves both its own equipment and that of a wide range of customers. Established in 1990 M&J’s truck fleet includes eight-wheeler tippers, road sweepers, rigid plant haulers and artic low-loaders.

Boss Kevan set the company up in 1990, initially concentrating purely on plant equipment, and he had a number of JCB 3CXs. His first truck was purchased in 1996 to help move the plant around, a Volvo FL6 which Kevan drove himself. Bigger trucks were acquired in due course, with a pair of FL10s bought in and then a FH midlift, then a tag. “I’ve always liked Volvos, they’re good to drive and reliable too” says Kevan. The company bought new premises in New Tredegar in 2000, then an additional site in Merthyr Tydfil in February 2021.

Today, the firm employs almost 60 people, with a number who have been there for over 25 years. “We have a fantastic group of loyal employees” he tells us, “and we’re really grateful to them, we’ve got to where we are today thanks to good people.”

Working alongside Kevin is his wife Diane plus a team of loyal and committed office staff. M&J’s customers includes house builders, civil engineering contractors and other plant hire companies. They’ve attained the FORS Bronze accreditation too.

This story is from the August 2021 edition of Truck & Driver.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the August 2021 edition of Truck & Driver.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM TRUCK & DRIVERView All
Well forked Daf
Truck & Driver

Well forked Daf

Remember, we like to cover all sorts of different trucks here at T&D – like this impressive new CF rigid complete with Moffett Mounty forklift

time-read
9 mins  |
August 2021
King of the hill
Truck & Driver

King of the hill

Moving heavy equipment off road calls for a truck with plenty of power and traction, which is why M&J Plant chose a mighty 6x4 FH16 750

time-read
9 mins  |
August 2021
Time Machine 2015-2019
Truck & Driver

Time Machine 2015-2019

It’s the final part of our series on the history of UK haulage. Let’s look back at those innocent times before that pesky virus turned up

time-read
10+ mins  |
August 2021
Original and best
Truck & Driver

Original and best

There are few trucks which have been customised to the level of the Scania 143, but let’s not forget that the standard product was pretty awesome just as it left the factory, like this rare 420

time-read
7 mins  |
August 2021
GOING ALL THE WAY
Truck & Driver

GOING ALL THE WAY

Simon Rogers got behind the wheel as soon as he was able to, and nearly 30 years later, his company is going from strength to strength, with a striking all-black, top-spec Iveco S-Way 570 the latest addition to the fleet

time-read
7 mins  |
August 2021
Abnormal loads
Truck & Driver

Abnormal loads

In the distant past, when dinosaurs roamed the planet, truck drivers were a very different breed, made from sterner stuff than us mere mortals

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2021
Range change
Truck & Driver

Range change

After a gap of 13 years, Renault trucks have reappeared in the unique colours of MacRitchie Highland Distribution. T&D takes the high road to Inverness to meet owners, Donald and Catriona MacRitchie

time-read
9 mins  |
August 2021
Cutting a dash
Truck & Driver

Cutting a dash

Freshly showered and munching a healthy egg and cress sarnie in Gloucester North services, Chris has a Foden update

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2021
Air we go!
Truck & Driver

Air we go!

On Saturday 29 May at 6pm, 240 drivers gathered with their trucks at South Mimms Services for a parade to raise vital money for Essex & Hertfordshire Air Ambulance

time-read
1 min  |
August 2021
A Cutt Above
Truck & Driver

A Cutt Above

From coal to turf to fencing and loads more, there’s not much the Calcutt fleet hasn’t transported over the years

time-read
7 mins  |
August 2021