Reliability that proves itself every day

Since founding his company in 2001, Giant wheel loaders have been a constant part of his fleet. “Without Giant, we’d have to pack up,” says Peter Smits emphatically. The machines have now clocked up more than 30,000 operating hours. For this Brabant-based company, they are much more than just a tool. They are the backbone of its day-to-day operations.

Quality workmanship starts with a solid foundation

Based in Haaren, Peter Smits Grond- en Groenprojecten specialises in high-quality landscaping and garden construction projects. From groundworks and site preparation to complete outdoor spaces for private and commercial clients, laying a solid foundation is always at the heart of its work. “Groundworks that add value,” is how Peter describes it.

He believes the skill involved in groundworks is sometimes underestimated. After all, the quality of the finished project depends on the accuracy of the groundwork beneath it.

Peter has clocked up more than 11,000 operating hours with his Giant G2500 X-TRA HD¹, including over 10,000 hours spent on precision levelling to achieve the correct ground levels and drainage. This specialist work requires considerable experience, concentration and skill. Peter explains: “It’s demanding work. I don’t think any other wheel loader brand could do it better.”

¹ Formerly the V451T X-TRA.

Indispensable on every job site

The company uses three Giant wheel loaders every day: a G2700 X-TRA HD+², a G2500 X-TRA HD and a G1500³. Depending on the job, Peter always takes the wheel loader best suited to the task.

“If we don’t have a wheel loader with us, we can hardly do anything.”

According to Peter, the larger models are particularly indispensable for garden construction, groundworks and landscaping projects. Moving materials, unloading pallets, handling soil and positioning heavy elements are all tasks that once required a great deal of manual labour. Today, the wheel loaders enable these jobs to be carried out efficiently and safely.

The compact G1500 is ideal for working in confined spaces, while the larger wheel loaders take care of the heavier work.

² Formerly the V452T X-TRA.
³ Formerly the D332SWT.

Easy to transport on a trailer

Many landscaping businesses find it difficult to transport several wheel loaders to a job site at the same time. Peter Smits appreciates the flexibility offered by Giant.

“Giant is very flexible. I can always get a mini excavator and a wheel loader to the job site."

This allows him to work at several locations in a single day. Transporting the wheel loader on a trailer is straightforward, too: “I can easily transport the wheel loader on the trailer.”

The real strength lies in the attachments

According to Peter, a wheel loader only reaches its full potential when combined with the right attachments. His company has an extensive range, including a high-volume bucket, high-tip bucket, pallet forks, manure grab and a jib with a tow hitch.

It is this versatility that makes the wheel loaders so important to his business. With a quick attachment change, the same machine can switch effortlessly from earthmoving to lifting or material handling. This allows the team to respond efficiently to the task at hand without having to bring additional machines to the site.

Peter says attaching implements is quick and straightforward: “You connect it and it locks straight into place. Quick, versatile and easy.”

His personal favourite is the high-tip bucket, particularly because of the benefits it offers both the wheel loader and the people operating it.

“The high-tip bucket is ideal for protecting both people and the wheel loader,” says Peter Smits.

Investing in healthier working conditions

Productivity is not Peter’s only priority. The health and safety of his employees are equally important. With five permanent employees, he is constantly looking for ways to reduce the physical demands of their work. Manually moving heavy materials when a wheel loader can do the job is not in line with his approach.

“You have to do everything you can to reduce the physical strain on your staff. I’d say we do that, as far as possible,” Peter explains.

He often discovers new solutions together with his team. Whenever they identify opportunities to make a task safer or less physically demanding, these are taken seriously and explored straight away.

“If it makes the work less physically demanding, we need to have it,” Peter says with conviction.

That is precisely why Giant wheel loaders and attachments play such an important role in the business. They not only increase productivity but also help improve working conditions and support the long-term health and wellbeing of employees.

Direct communication and reliable service

As well as valuing the wheel loaders themselves, Peter appreciates the proximity of the Giant factory. Direct communication and short lines of contact mean that any issues can be resolved quickly.

“Yesterday, a hose broke. I took it off at half past eleven, and an hour later my operator was already back on the road with the original replacement part.”

Even so, Peter says downtime is a rare occurrence.

“They’re strong wheel loaders that don’t break down easily. When something is good, it’s good.”

The same choice for more than 25 years

For more than 25 years, this Brabant-based company has relied on Giant wheel loaders, and Peter remains convinced that he made the right choice. The reliability of the machines, their versatility thanks to the wide range of attachments, and their contribution to safer, healthier working conditions are what set them apart for him.

“Why would I buy another brand? Giant is just around the corner, and the wheel loaders do exactly what we need them to do.”

His advice to other business owners is equally clear:

“If someone calls me for advice, I’d say: give Giant a try.”