Operating independently since 1997, the Jayflex Aggregates team are always looking for ways to improve their quarry’s profitability. Excavating London Blue Clay and ballast from the site, they work to strike the balance between product quality, operational efficiency and environmental impact. This includes choosing the right machinery, with the latest addition of a Kobelco SK350LC-11E crawler excavator from Molson Equipment.
Three Decades of Efficient, Sustainable Quarrying
Founded by Brendan O’Reilly and now run day-to-day by his son Aiden, Jayflex Aggregates has been operating out of the Horton Brook Quarry in Slough, Berkshire for nearly 30 years. A small, local business, they’re mindful of their impact on the surrounding community and the environment, as well as trying to make the 140-acre site as productive as possible.
With 30 acres dedicated to aggregate production, the other 110 are being domed to improve the site’s water filtration and environmental sustainability. Excavation sites have also been sealed to avoid water contamination. “We’re always conscious that one day the land will need to be restored,” says Aiden. “By thinking about ways to protect the environment while we’re still operational, we can minimise impact and still meet the demand for our product.”
On Target for 3 million Tonnes
The site is highly productive. The team has excavated 2.8 million tonnes of ballast to date and is projected to reach the three million tonne milestone within the next year.
As well as producing London Blue Clay and ballast, an on-site plant also produces 20mm and 10mm aggregate, and sharp sand, enabling Jayflex to meet a range of needs for their commercial construction customers.
To boost production, the team needed to upgrade their 24-tonne excavator. After asking around for equipment dealer recommendations, they came across Molson Equipment. As Aiden explains, “Engineering Contractors, McGee, work with us on a number of projects. A number of their people said how helpful Molson had been in identifying the machinery they needed, and that Molson always gave them reliable backup. These recommendations from such a well-respected business gave us confidence that Molson could meet our equipment needs.”
Reducing Costs and Environmental Impact
When Stuart Butler, Sales Director for Molson Equipment, visited the Jayflex team, their priorities quickly became clear. As he explains, “They needed a crawler excavator that could give them more power and improve the efficiency of their processes. Fuel efficiency wasn’t just important to make their operations profitable, but to keep their environmental impact low too.”
The Kobelco SK350LC-11E crawler excavator fit the bill. Its EU Stage V compliant engine has a 210kW/1,900min-1 output combined with a lift capacity of 18,060kg and a maximum bucket digging force of 222kN (in normal mode). This means the machine can cope with the quarry’s rugged conditions while producing fewer emissions. The model’s body rigidity, which includes thicker side panels and an increased diameter bucket cylinder rod pin, also gives the team stable performance in this challenging environment.
Kobelco SK350LC Halves the Cycle Time
The increase in size to a 35-tonne crawler excavator has already had a huge impact on the team’s efficiency. As Aiden explains, “We’ve halved the cycle time for filling ADTs. We’re currently using the excavator for standard digger tasks and it’s helped us finish projects two weeks ahead of schedule. This higher machine capacity has also come with improved fuel and AdBlue efficiency for the level of output delivered. It’s achieving 19.7 litres per hour, which helps us keep costs low and meet our sustainability targets.”
With plans to retrofit a long reach arm onto the machine, the crawler excavator’s capabilities will only be extended further. This, combined with the in-cab comforts, has made the Kobelco SK350LC-11E a hit with Aiden’s operators too. These features include an air suspension seat, multi vent air con, ergonomic lever angles and upgraded hydraulic controls, which means team members can perform tasks efficiently, and comfortably, for hours at a time.
Exceptional Service and Support from Molson
Beyond finding a machine that could upgrade the Jayflex team’s output, Molson’s aftersales support means they can operate with complete confidence. As Aiden says, “It’s good to know that the Molson team is on hand ready to help if there’s a breakdown or a drop in the machine’s efficiency. When you’re in this business, it’s essential to have that level of support from your equipment supplier.”
Stuart adds, “We’re proud to support local, independent businesses like Jayflex. We know that top-notch customer service isn’t just a ‘nice-to-have’, it’s essential for them to meet demand and continue to grow. That’s why we have a £16 million stock of parts and plenty of service engineers ready to attend call outs as quickly as possible.”
