Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Trusted Construction & Civil Engineering Services in Birtley
Colton Group is a family-run business with over 45 years of expertise in earthmoving and civil engineering. Established in the early 1970s by Fintan Colton, our company has grown into a trusted provider of plant hire, haulage, excavations, and multi-disciplinary construction solutions. Our depot in Birtley, County Durham, serves as the operational hub for our extensive fleet of modern equipment from industry leaders like Caterpillar and JCB. We pride ourselves on hands-on management, in-house expertise, and a commitment to delivering projects safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively. With three generations of the Colton family actively involved, we combine traditional values with cutting-edge technology to meet diverse client needs.Our services span drainage infrastructure, land remediation, marine protection, and bulk excavation projects across the North East. We maintain rigorous operator training standards (CPCS/CITB-certified) and invest in specialist haulage solutions to ensure equipment mobility nationwide. Our reputation for reliability and repeat business from national construction groups underscores our dedication to quality. We offer turnkey solutions for complex civil engineering challenges, supported by GPS modelling and advanced planning software. This legacy of excellence positions us as a preferred partner for both small-scale contractors and large infrastructure projects.
Services
Plant Hire
Heavy Haulage
Bulk Excavations
Civil Engineering
Material Processing
Details
- Year established: 1970
Highlights and features
- We offer 45+ years of family-led expertise in earthmoving and civil engineering
- Our in-house plant hire division provides operated and non-operated equipment from industry leaders
- We maintain a specialist haulage fleet with 150-tonne capacity for nationwide equipment transport
- Our multi-discipline approach delivers turnkey solutions for complex construction challenges
- We combine GPS technology with hands-on management for precise project execution
Services
Plant Hire
We provide operated and non-operated construction equipment from leading manufacturers like Caterpillar, Komatsu, and JCB. Our modern fleet includes excavators (8-80 tonnes), dozers, articulated dumpers, and compaction equipment with attachments. All operators hold CPCS/CITB certifications, ensuring safe and efficient operation for construction, quarrying, and marine projects.
Heavy Haulage
Our specialist haulage division moves construction equipment nationwide using a fleet capable of 150-tonne loads. Drivers participate in route planning and vehicle procurement, ensuring optimal solutions for transporting excavators, oversized machinery, and components. We serve plant hire companies, quarries, and MOD contracts with reliable logistics expertise.
Bulk Excavations
We handle large-scale excavations in any material or environment, from contaminated land remediation to marine defence projects. Our experienced team uses GPS modelling for accurate tendering and employs dedicated estimators to develop efficient cut-to-fill strategies that minimize off-site waste removal requirements.
Civil Engineering
As multi-discipline contractors, we deliver turnkey solutions for drainage systems, land remediation, concrete works, and marine protection projects. Our 50-year industry experience enables us to provide comprehensive solutions from tender stage planning through to project completion for both public and private sector clients.
Material Processing
We offer crushing and screening services using Extec and Findlay equipment to produce MOT Type 1, capping materials, and recycled aggregates. Our WRAP protocol-compliant processes ensure quality recycled products for construction projects, with delivery options across the North East region.
People
Fintan Colton
Founder
Arrived in England in 1954, Fintan established the business in the 1970s after 15 years as contracts director at Merrimans. He remains actively involved, providing strategic guidance and industry expertise.
Paul Colton
Operations Director
Son of Fintan, Paul has worked in the business since the 1970s, progressing from fitter/driver to operational leadership. He oversees day-to-day running of the plant hire and excavation divisions.
Marian Colton
Finance Director
Fintan's daughter Marian manages the company's financial operations, bringing decades of experience in construction industry accounting and business management to ensure financial stability.
Questions
What construction services does The Colton Group offer?
We provide plant hire, heavy haulage, bulk excavations, civil engineering, and material processing solutions for infrastructure projects across the North East.
How long has The Colton Group been in business?
Our family-run business has delivered construction solutions since the early 1970s, with over 45 years of industry expertise.
What areas do you serve?
While based in Birtley, County Durham, we operate across the North East region for all our construction and plant hire services.
What equipment is available for hire?
Our fleet includes tracked dozers, excavators (8-80 tonnes), articulated dumpers, compaction equipment, and attachments from Caterpillar, JCB, and Volvo.
