Miner Banks Group taps into new seam as plant division secures Engcon UK deal

A family operator born in County Durham mining heartland has tapped into another business seam after a new division secured a major contract.

The Banks Group’s Plant Solutions arm is working with excavation equipment maker Engcon UK.

Bosses say the venture – which was founded earlier this year and has created an initial two jobs – is responsible for installing, repairing and carrying out warranty servicing on Engcon products sold across the North East, Yorkshire and North Midlands.

It has just completed its first system installation project at the Thornaby dealership of heavy construction equipment supplier Doosan.

Stephen Banks, business development manager at Banks Plant Solutions, said: “Engcon and Banks share the same core values, commitment to professional standards and the same customer service-focused approach, all of which makes for a very strong partnership.

“The Banks Group’s practical experience of both operating and maintaining equipment of all sizes gives us a clear insight into the needs of both sides of the business, and the practical knowledge that our expert Plant Solutions team offers is second-to-none.

“The preventative maintenance programmes (and solutions) we offer and implement minimise equipment ‘down time’ for our clients and are being very well received by businesses right across the North of England.

“Banks Plant Solutions has delivered a strong performance over its first six months and we’re confident that it will continue to grow and generate increasing revenues through the rest of the year and beyond.”

Engcon UK is known for making tiltrotators, which connect the arms and buckets of excavators allowing them to rotate, as well as buckets and further excavator accessories.

Managing director Robert Hunt said its partnership with Banks, which was originally founded in 1976 as a surface mine operator before moving into property, waste management and renewable energy, will only help maintain its success.

“Our sales have roughly doubled every year for the last four years and we have established a network of high-quality service partners to allow us to sustain this growth,” he added.

“We are keen to work with companies who share the same service values as us and have the ability to grow with the growing demand for our products.

“It was clear to us that Banks Plant Solutions was a progressive business that could help us continue our rate of expansion that we have achieved so far, and we’re delighted to be working together.”

Banks still retains links to its mining roots, with coal operations in Shotton and Brenkley Lane, both Northumberland, complemented by a site in Bradley, County Durham.