IRTE Northern Centre members were given exclusive access to Fox Group’s Hurt Plant Hire facility in Leyland, complete with a behind-the-scenes tour, fleet insights, and a Q&A with CEO Paul Fox.
More than 50 members and guests attended the IRTE Northern Centre CPD event in May 2025, hosted at the impressive Hurt Plant Hire site in Leyland, part of the expanding Fox Group. The event offered attendees a valuable opportunity to explore cutting-edge facilities, gain insights into business growth strategies, and see first-hand how large-scale transport and construction operations are managed.
A Legacy of Innovation in Transport and Construction
Guests were welcomed to the Lancashire Enterprise Business Park with blue skies and warm hospitality, setting the tone for an engaging evening. Paul Fox, CEO of the Fox Group, began the session with a presentation on the company’s 80-year history. Founded in the Blackpool area by his family, the Fox Group has grown from its early beginnings into a multi-disciplinary business with operations in construction, haulage, civil engineering, crane hire, recycling, and aggregate supplies.
In the last two decades, the group has rapidly expanded through strategic acquisitions across the North West and beyond, aiming for self-sufficiency and sustainable growth.
Major Investment in Modern Fleet and Facilities
Paul Fox also shared an exciting update on the company’s latest developments. A brand-new £4 million tarmac plant is due to open on-site in the coming weeks, reflecting Fox Group’s commitment to modernisation and in-house capability.
He also announced a significant fleet investment, with more than 250 new Scania vehicles ordered, 43 of which are already entering service. This forms part of a wider fleet replacement strategy designed to increase efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
Behind the Scenes at Hurt Plant Hire
Attendees enjoyed a guided tour of the site, including the soon-to-launch tarmac plant, in-house workshops, recycling facility, commercial vehicle parking area, and the rail head, which allows aggregates to be delivered directly to site by rail—highlighting the group’s sustainability efforts.
The event also included an informal networking session over freshly prepared food and refreshments.
IRTE Northern Centre Members Visit Fox Group’s Hurt Plant Hire Facility
Andrew Marshall Paul Fox
Caroline Hurt and Chris Grime
Q&A With Paul Fox
Interactive Q&A and Industry Insights
The evening concluded with an in-depth Q&A session in the office suite. Paul Fox fielded questions on key industry topics such as fleet electrification with Volvo electric trucks, vehicle buy-back schemes, in-house maintenance, rail logistics, equipment disposal, and recruitment and training challenges.
To mark the occasion, IRTE Northern Centre committee member Andrew Marshall presented Paul Fox with a certificate of appreciation for his hospitality and contribution to members’ professional development. Fellow committee member Chris Grime also presented Caroline Hurt, Company Director and Transport Manager, with an IRTE commemorative plaque to display in the company’s reception, recognising the continued support of Hurt Plant Hire and Fox Group for the IRTE Northern Centre.