Katie Clarke Director Rockthorn Asset Finance
For many plant operators across the UK the idea of becoming their own boss is never far away. After years of working on sites for other companies, the thought of seeing your own name on the boom and taking control of your future carries a strong appeal. It’s not just about pride, it’s about profit too. An employed operator earns a steady rate, but an owner-operator with their own kit and the right technology can easily double or even triple that income. With demand for skilled operators rising, the opportunity is there for those willing to step up.
Of course, the obvious challenge is how to get started. Buying a machine outright isn’t realistic for most people and saving up to buy a second-hand model comes with serious risks. Used machines might appear cheaper on the surface but they rarely come with a warranty and resale values can be unpredictable. If something goes wrong you are on your own, and without the latest technology you risk falling behind. Modern sites increasingly demand that machines are fitted with GPS control as standard, and the industry is quickly moving into a digital-first era where tiltrotators, automated systems and advanced survey tools are no longer luxuries but expectations. Trying to break into that world with outdated equipment can be an uphill battle.
That is where Rockthorn Asset Finance has positioned itself. Set up in April 2025 and headed by director Katie Clarke, the company offers operators a risk-free route into ownership by providing tailored finance for new machines that come fully covered by manufacturer warranties and maintenance packages. The advantage is clear: from the first day you start working you know you are protected and your machine is equipped with the technology you need to compete. As Katie explains, “Asset finance doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating. What we’re really doing is giving operators a way to own the machine they need without the stress of massive upfront costs. You’re paying it off as you earn, and at the end of the term it’s yours.”
Rockthorn Asset Finance isn't starting from scratch. It's the sister company of Rockthorn Plant Hire, which was incorporated in May 2021 by Managing Director Stuart Curtis. As Stuart explains, “We have identified a significant and growing trend within the plant industry: owner-operators who have historically relied on long-term equipment hires are now actively seeking solutions to transition to plant ownership. This shift is primarily driven by the desire to mitigate the high costs associated with extended rental periods and to build long-term equity.
Rockthorn which has already built a strong reputation as a national provider of modern, reliable machines at competitive rates. That background gives Rockthorn a credibility and supplier network that many finance firms simply don’t have. The values carry through: industry specialists who understand construction, flexible agreements that work for both hard and soft assets, personal service with direct points of contact rather than faceless forms, fast turnaround to match the pace of the industry, and a straight-talking approach that avoids jargon or hidden catches. “We’re not just financing machines, we’re financing futures,” Clarke adds.
One of the strengths of Rockthorn's model is that it goes beyond just plant machinery. The company also sources aggregates, provides waste management, and supplies fuel, just to name a few of its services.
Our finance model allows us to offer multiple options to suit your needs. We can finance any asset with a serial number, whether it's scaffolding, trailers, or even agricultural equipment.
For operators looking to start their own business, this opens up the possibility of outfitting an entire company with everything they need under one manageable monthly payment. Instead of juggling multiple agreements, everything is streamlined and transparent.
The Technical Partnership
But ownership today is about more than the iron alone, and that’s why Rockthorn has formed a partnership with Machinetech Ltd. Founded in 2025 by managing director Ash Mills, director Matt Lacey and technical director Kris West, the company was created to bring innovation into a sector that has historically lagged behind in productivity. With technology such as AI, advanced GPS and machine automation now readily available, Machinetech set out to ensure UK construction could benefit from the same leaps forward that have transformed other industries.
Their range is comprehensive: GPS machine control from all leading manufacturers, base stations, rovers, drones, scanners and even full 3D modelling services. They are also the exclusive UK distributor of Rod Radar, the world’s first ground-penetrating radar integrated directly into an excavator bucket, an innovation that has the potential to change the way utilities and groundwork are carried out. By linking finance with technology, Rockthorn and Machinetech together are able to offer packages that give an operator everything they need to succeed from day one.
To demonstrate the possibilities they’ve put together a few example set-ups. A compact excavator with 2D machine control, ideal for landscaping and finishing work, gives operators the ability to work independently without relying on extra labour on the ground. A 13-tonne excavator fitted with full 3D control puts the operator in charge of their own designs, opening the door to more complex contracts. At the top end, a 14-tonne machine complete with a tiltrotator and 3D control becomes a truly versatile tool, cutting job times dramatically while reducing wear and ensuring precision on every task. These are only examples, and in practice each finance package is built around the needs and ambitions of the individual, but they highlight how technology can multiply the earning power of a single operator.
The wider point is that construction is entering a digital revolution. Increasingly, contractors expect GPS-equipped machines on their sites, and those without the capability risk being left behind. For operators looking to go independent, that makes the combination of new equipment, full warranty cover and cutting-edge technology less of an option and more of a necessity. Rockthorn’s packages, underpinned by Machinetech’s technology, align perfectly with this shift.
There are of course challenges. Becoming an owner-operator is not just about running a machine but running a business. It means handling clients, accounts, insurance and marketing, areas that many operators have never had to think about. But with the right machine, the right technology and the security of finance that covers you from day one, the barriers to entry have never been lower. Many of the UK’s most successful plant hire companies started with one man and one machine. The demand is there, the tools are there, and now the finance is there too.
Katie Clarke sums it up best: “We see ourselves as a partner, not just a finance provider. When our clients succeed, we succeed. That’s why we work closely with operators to make sure the package is right for them. This isn’t just about putting someone in a cab, it’s about giving them the foundation to build a business.”
The pull towards independence is stronger than ever, and with companies like Rockthorn Asset Finance and Machinetech behind them, today’s operators have a clear pathway to turn ambition into ownership. For those who have ever pictured their name on the side of a machine in the pages of this magazine, now might just be the time to make that picture real.
“WE SEE OURSELVES AS A PARTNER, NOT JUST A FINANCE PROVIDER. WHEN OUR
CLIENTS SUCCEED
,
WE SUCCEED
”