U.K. Caterpillar dealer and rental company Hewden Plant Hire will close or merge 22 branches and eliminate 213 jobs as a result of the economic downturn, the company said last week. Hewden, owned by Canadian Caterpillar dealer Finning, currently has 102 branches. It expects to complete the cuts by March 2009.
“Everyone is aware of the rapid and unprecedented decline in the construction market, which is hurting every plant hire company,” said Hewden executive director Doug Sprout.