Under the blockbuster deal, the national hirer is buying more than 1,550 JCB machines, a year after it placed a £35m order for more than 1,000 machines.

The deal also marks a major milestone for A-Plant as it now means the company has bought 10,000 machines from JCB since the first one was purchased more than 25 years ago.

The latest products are now rolling off production lines and delivery will continue throughout 2015.

JCB CEO Graeme Macdonald said: “This is order is very significant as it is one of the largest JCB has ever won.”

The deal is good news for JCB’s Staffordshire factories in Rocester, Uttoxeter and Cheadle which will manufacture the micro, mini and midi excavators, Loadall telescopic handlers and tracked excavators which have been ordered.

A-Plant is also buying a fleet of JCB site dumpers which were launched earlier this year. All the machines are being supplied by JCB dealer Greenshields JCB.

Asif Latief, A-Plant Marketing Director said: “This is the biggest order A-Plant has ever placed for JCB equipment and this substantial investment in new JCB machines signals our intent to offer our customers one of the youngest fleets in the industry.”