Keon Homes

When regional housebuilder Keon Homes needed telehandlers for a larger than normal project being built on a tighter than normal site, there was only one provider in the equation – UK Forks.

The developer’s extra care facility of 70 affordable apartments on Station Road, Newport, Shropshire, for the Wrekin Housing Trust, is currently almost three quarters of the way through a 18-month build … and is proving a moving feast!

Keon Homes were quick to sign UK Forks up to a group agreement for both themselves and fellow Tara Group subsidiary Cameron Homes, with UK Forks supplying telehandlers for 90% of their schemes.

At Station Road, Newport, the scheme on 1.4 acres aims to foster a sense of community and belonging with the addition of inviting communal spaces. These areas include a restaurant, lounges and staff rooms, all designed with the well-being of the residents in mind.

UK Forks has been supplying the site with telehandlers since November, and most recently, its four storeys required a 20m telehandler which the company supplied, brand new, with just two days’ notice.

Keon Homes senior buyer Emma Priest said: “UK Forks were chosen to provide the telehandlers for this scheme to assist with the complexity of the build and its evolving requirements and to keep the site tidy and a safe place to work. We always consider safety a priority and need high-quality machines for what are sometimes demanding time schedules.

“Telehandlers are an integral part of any build and for this scheme in particular, with the care home being somewhat larger than our usual builds and being situated on a small parcel of land. The telehandlers provided by UK Forks always perform exactly as we require them to and due to the regular site visits from the company it is rare that we have any issues or down time.”

She added: “We’ve had a couple of circumstances where we’ve had a machine from another supplier on order and at the last minute they have been unavailable, hence the move to UK Forks.

“With Health and Safety being top priority for Tara Group, partnering with someone like UK Forks is wise as the machines we receive are always in line with H&S specifications and in excellent condition. The service provided is impeccable, with fortnightly and monthly visits from staff to ensure everything is running smoothly.

“I’d just also like to mention that the UK Forks staff are always extremely helpful and friendly and we at the Tara Group really enjoy working with them.”