Our history

There he first learnt the ropes operating a Volvo 861 ADT hauling clay on a Cell excavation project for Biffa Waste Services, although Craig had been drafted in previously for the odd weekend shift operating various other small items of plant.

After working for Barry for a number of years working his way from ADT’s to Excavators then Dozers and finally as Earthworks Foreman, Craig decided that in late 1999 he would like to move away from the family business and set up as a sole trader with a Caterpillar D6H XL acquired for a more than reasonable sum from the Barry Pope Earthmoving fleet. This decision was made at the time of the high speed rail link project about to start through Kent.

Craig managed to get his Caterpillar Dozer on hire to John Jones Excavations on the 420 section of the rail link running through the outskirts of Maidstone. After a year or so of permanent hire on the rail link, Craig purchased a second item of plant, a Komatsu PC210Lc-6. This machine went straight to work for Hochtief on the same section of rail link, where both items of plant continued for a further 18 months work.

The next few years continued with various hire work for some of the major earthwork contractors. During which time Craig worked on a McAlpine pipeline project where the Site Manager happened to be staying in a caravan on a fish farm nearby. Craig was introduced to the owner of Riverfield Fish Farm who was looking for someone he could trust and rely upon to construct various lakes and landscaping to high

standard of workmanship. This escalated into a continuous project over a three year period where the construction of one of the largest fish farms and fisheries in the UK, Riverfield/Monk Lakes Fishing Complex was built.

In 2004 Craig decided to go as a limited company and move into the contracting side of work on a larger scale. As Barry had now almost completely retired Craig decided to approach Biffa Waste Services to try and gain access to their preferred tendering list.

The first project tendered for was a successful one and Pope Plant Ltd has enjoyed continuous growth through difficult times and now carries out work on a regular basis for the likes of Biffa Waste, Cory Environmental and Hanson Aggregates as well as various others.

Craig married in 2006, Claire is now a 50% shareholder in the company and heavily involved in the day to day running of the business.