New XCMG XE135E excavator makes an immediate impact on candidates and trainers
Established in 2009, Forde Training Services Ltd has led the way in providing operator training for heavy construction plant, excavators and a variety of other machinery to businesses and individuals throughout central Scotland.
Based in Dechmont, West Lothian, it has invested substantially in its own staff and facilities and in maintaining a modern and up-to-date fleet of plant and equipment to ensure candidates benefit from the very latest technological advances.
Working to identify courses that are best for each candidate to propel them to the next level in their career in the construction industry, its goal is to reinforce its position as a market leader in specialist training, whether at its own facilities or at the candidates place of work.
As well as helping candidates to achieve NVQ and SVQ qualifications, Forde Training Services Ltd also specialise in Drivers CPC, site management and a wide range of Health and Safety courses, some of which are also available online.
Awesome Earthmovers recently caught up with the driving force behind Forde Training Services Ltd, its founder and Managing Director Stuart Scobie, to find out why he decided to invest in a new Chinese manufactured XCMG XE135E excavator, supplied by the Molson Group, the UK’s largest independent equipment dealer.
Like many in the UK, he had never heard of the brand until a friend recommended that he put it on his ‘to buy’ list. It’s been a decision that he has never regretted, and since putting their excavator to work at the training centre he has received nothing but good feedback from both candidates and operator trainers.
For those still unfamiliar with a brand that will undoubtedly increase in popularity across the UK construction industry, the manufacturers, Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group Co., Ltd. (XCMG) was founded in 1943 and since then, XCMG has stood at the forefront of the Chinese construction machinery industry, developing into one of China’s largest, most influential, and most competitive enterprise groups.
Today, XCMG is the 3rd largest construction machinery company in the world. It is ranked 65th in the list of China’s Top 500 Companies, 44th in the list of China’s Top 100 Manufacturing Enterprises, and 2nd in the list of China’s Top 100 Machinery Manufacturers, so it is certainly a force to be reckoned with.
Molson Group, which operates from 16 locations strategically positioned throughout the UK, was awarded the distribution rights of XCMG excavators and wheeled loaders in Scotland at the beginning of 2024, with sales and aftercare services being fulfilled by their specialist construction equipment division, Molson Scotland.
Strong Global Heritage
The addition of the premium Chinese brand has filled a gap in the Molson excavator portfolio in Scotland. Molson Group Commercial Director Henry Moore, speaking at the time of their appointment in 2024, said, “We have been looking to introduce an alternative excavator option into the Scottish market to complement our offering. We decided that the XCMG excavator range met our requirements for build quality and use of well-respected and well-known components, all with the reassurance of a brand with a strong global heritage.”
Adding the XCMG brand to the Scottish market offering has allowed both Molson divisions that service the region to offer a comprehensive range of material handling and earthmoving solutions to suit customers in a wide range of sectors, including construction, demolition, recycling, and quarrying.
Although a relatively new arrival to the UK market, the XCMG excavators, which come with a comprehensive three-year warranty, are backed up by Molson Group’s national aftersales support that includes over 95 mobile service engineers and a significant investment in XCMG spare parts.
XCMG’s excavators come in a range of sizes and configurations, from mini excavators to large hydraulic excavators, and are designed to perform a variety of tasks, including excavation, demolition, and mining. With their advanced features, including low fuel consumption, and excellent manoeuvrability, XCMG excavators – and wheel loaders – are known for their reliability, durability, and performance.
Excellent Operator Environment
The 14 tonne XCMG XE135E excavator acquired by Forde Training Services Ltd, which is powered by a Cummins F3.8 engine, has plenty to recommend it, not least an excellent operator environment which includes an air suspended cloth seat with adjustable lumbar support, fully adjustable back rest & arm rests, a modern touch screen infotainment display, two cameras and air conditioning.
Other features of the excavator’s full ROPS spec’d cab include AM/FM Radio, USB, Aux In, 12V 120W power outlet, immobiliser, LED interior and exterior work lights, green and amber beacons and a boxing ring safety enclosure.
Forde Training Services Ltd’s Stuart Scobie says the addition of the XCMG XE135E excavator was part of their strategy to always have the very latest machinery available to operators who attend the training courses. “When the candidates we train here leave they are going out into work sites where they need to be acquainted with up-to-date technology, so there’s no point in getting them familiar with older equipment, otherwise they could find themselves at a loss.”
He adds: “Having been invited by Molson’s to look at the XCMG XE135E excavator, I was initially impressed by its build quality. You get a lot for your money. To be honest, I am over the moon. I cannot find fault with the machine. The operator cab is spacious and very comfortable, with all the controls close to hand. The design of the machine also lends itself to putting on wider tracks as an option. Visibility, too, is excellent.
“Feedback from our candidates and our training operatives – and from experienced operators who have attended to update their certification – has been excellent. The team at Molson Young Plant Sales have also been great to deal with, from start to finish.”
