In 1990, BTE Plant Sales was formed out of an enthusiasm for quality equipment and exceptional service. Founded by Ben Elliott, the company initially focused on selling Benford Equipment, renowned for its dumpers, compaction equipment, and mixers. However, it wasn’t long before Ben noticed something special about Kubota.
Amidst selling both new and used equipment, Kubota stood out with its unmatched quality, surpassing that of its competitors. Recognising the value of aligning with the best, Ben made the pivotal decision to exclusively represent Kubota, turning down other excavator franchises in favour of superior quality.
In 1994, Ben successfully convinced Kubota to entrust BTE Plant Sales with their dealership for the East Midlands. At that time, the market primarily favoured machines ranging from 1.5 tonnes to 3.5 tonnes. Making the most of the opportunity to showcase Kubota’s superior performance and build quality through customer trials, BTE Plant Sales experienced exponential growth.
With Kubota’s proven reliability and an expanded product range spanning from micro machines to 8 tonne machines, coupled with a larger sales territory, BTE Plant Sales has flourished. Today, boasting sales exceeding 1000 units annually, BTE Plant Sales proudly stands as one of Kubota’s most successful partners.
Kubota’s market leadership for over 25 years is a testament to several factors: reliability, usability, serviceability, and unparalleled quality across its entire range. This commitment to excellence ensures that every Kubota machine offers exceptional value for money.
Ben’s favourite machine to date was the KX161 it was a 5-tonne machine, but he felt it outperformed the 6 tonnes and far exceeded the competitor machines capabilities. The weight category made it a great addition to the hire market.
Over the years, Ben has encountered a diverse array of customers with varying needs for machinery to tackle a wide range of jobs. However, one sale stands out as particularly intriguing: a KX61-2 sold to Joinpoint. This machine played a pivotal role in excavating the burial site of King Richard III, who had been buried beneath what had long been a car park in Leicester for over five centuries.
Photos of the excavation process and the very bucket used in this historic endeavour are now showcased at the Leicester visitor centre. Interestingly enough, King Richard III happens to be Ben’s 17th great uncle!
One other unconventional usage Ben witnessed was a 1999 U20 canopy machine, which was purchased for the demolition of two tower blocks in Leicester. The unique challenge required it to be hoisted up through the lift shaft to the top floor, where it carried out all demolition work down to the third floor.
Ben looks back on memorable moments from the partnership, among which are celebrations held at venues like the London Guildhall, Hampton Court, and Edinburgh Castle. Additionally, a memorable journey to Venice stands out, where they witnessed the unveiling of new machines.
Another memory was the 2015 trip to Japan, marking 25 years of BTE trading. Accompanying them were loyal customers who had been with them since the dealership’s inception, having purchased Kubota machines during its early years.
Rob White, Construction Division Manager at Kubota UK comments on BTE’s achievement. “On behalf of the entire construction division team, I extend our warmest congratulations to BTE Plant Sales on reaching the milestone of 30 years in partnership with Kubota. We are proud to have been partners with you on this journey, witnessing your dealership evolve and thrive over the years. Here’s to continued success for the next 30 years and beyond.”
Rebecca Bryson, Managing Director of BTE Plant Sales commented “We are exceptionally proud of our partnership with Kubota. As we look forward to the future with all our current & future growth plans, we are excited at what we will be able to achieve & look forward to smashing new milestones!”
With 12,728 machines sold since the start of the partnership, BTE Plant Sales and Kubota continue to write a success story built on quality, reliability, and unwavering dedication. As Ben reflects on the journey, there’s immense pride in calling “Kubota our partners”. He emphasises the importance of servicing the machines at the correct times and ensuring regular greasing to make sure that your Kubota machines keep on going for many, many years.
