Hitachi Rental Support Keeps UK Contractor On Schedule in Kent Project

UK-based contractor Davey Civils turned to Synergy Hire for a short-term excavator rental to support final works on a wastewater treatment upgrade in Hawkhurst, Kent. The company, which delivers civil engineering solutions across the highways, water, and commercial sectors, relied on a Hitachi ZX135US-7 medium excavator to manage site demobilisation for the Southern Water project.

The 13-tonne short-tail swing model was used to sort and load approximately 15,000 cubic metres of crushed ragstone, feeding eight trucks per day over an expected six-week period. The job followed an upgrade project led by CMDP with Davey Civils as a subcontractor. Strict deadlines, set in agreement with the UK Environment Agency and Southern Water, made equipment reliability essential.

“We work to tight schedules. If I call and say I need two machines tomorrow, they’ll deliver,”

said Keith Sturmer, Site Manager at Davey Civils. He’s worked with Synergy Hire for over six years and credits National Sales Manager Ben Seaman for consistently responsive support. “You need reliability, and they care, especially when you’re up against it.”

Beyond machine delivery, Synergy Hire also handles logistics—assisting with documentation, advising on attachments, and managing equipment transport, including road closures and movement orders when necessary. “It’s always a professional service from start to finish,” Sturmer added.

Davey Civils frequently rents both the ZX130-7 and ZX135US-7, along with the larger ZX210-7, depending on job needs and operator preference.

“The ZX130 has more counterweight, so it’s more stable when lifting, but I always ask operators which one they prefer,” said Sturmer. “Skilled operators perform better when they’re comfortable.”

For Karl Koppen, a veteran excavator operator who’s been in the cab since age 15, Hitachi machines are a clear favorite.

“I’ve used many brands, and Hitachi stands out for reliability and comfort,” he said. “The ZX225US is my pick—if I could buy one myself, I would. It does everything you need it to.”

Reliability is a recurring theme. Synergy Hire, a Hitachi Construction Machinery company, maintains a policy of rotating machines every two years, ensuring up-to-date models with low hours on site. “I don’t think we’ve ever had a breakdown,” said Sturmer. “And having clean, well-maintained equipment on site matters—it leaves a good impression and gets noticed.”

Hitachi Rental Support Keeps UK Contractor On Schedule in Kent Project published on The HeavyQuip Magazine.