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Jacaranda Plant and Machinery Hire Company Ltd was started by Charles Coxe in 1967. He was offered the chance to acquire some used plant at a discounted price when a Japanese contractor was packing up in Zambia. Charles and Kaufmann Agricultural Consultants spent a considerable amount of time projecting what work was available and at what rates JP&MHC could charge to secure contracts and still be able to pay off the equipment.

Operating budgets were drawn up for JP&MHC and once Charles was satisfied that he could make things work he secured the equipment and started the business which has been successful and has grown.

Below is an edited email from Charles.

Mike,
Re the favour, No problem...............If you really think it will help!!

I'm still running the same machines really, I have expanded as fast as the economy would allow. I started as you know with a D7G and a D6D,Remember that old D7g from Shimizu that? I bought that back from him when he left Ceres and so now I have 2 D7G's.I still firmly believe that they are the best dozers for our environment for the following reasons: They all really revolve around adaptability or "Maak 'n Plan".

(1) Easy to get spares whether genuine or generic. eg I bought that old D7F from you and used the tracks, also there are people here who can work on them and have special equipment and don't charge like *****when pulling Hubs etc.

(2) Easy to work on ,the larger machines need big lifting equipment etc to remove transmissions etc and to carry them around, eg cranes for D8 transmissions, engines etc. I use my Fel if I can.

(3) Nice size to work with. They are very efficient if you have good operators and the work that we find ourselves doing here suits them well. Also easy to move around by Lowbed.

I then realised that it was a bad idea to have all our eggs in one basket and I started looking for other work. I managed to find Landprep work in Mkushi for a year which although far away was good work.

I have also got rid of all the old Fuso trucks I had and have made trailers out of some old 15T Magirus trucks I bought from CFE a contractor doing the Monze/Maz road. I prefer this method because in my experience you don't get good drivers here and they will be more likely to b-up trucks on our roads. The Tractor Trailer option is a good one and can be economical if you can move large quantities at any one go.

The next step I feel is to buy more tractors even if 2nd hand from UK. They must also be simple as complicated tractors come short here .E.g no computerised gearboxes etc.

Anyway must go speak to U soon.
Charles.