8th may 25
Sandwell Council Invests in Multihog to Supercharge Pothole Repairs
Sandwell Council has become the latest local authority to enhance their highway maintenance capabilities with the introduction of a Multihog machine, gaining praise from Lilian Greenwood MP, Minister for the Future of Roads at the Department for Transport.
Following a successful six-month trial period, the council chose to invest in their own multi-purpose machine to accelerate pothole repairs and improve operational efficiency across the borough, while improving operator safety and reducing disruption for residents.
The Council have purchased the equipment from Multevo – the sole UK distributor of the equipment since 2010 – who provide an all-encompassing in-house service for hire, purchase, maintenance, and operator training.
The machine has already made a powerful impression. During a recent roadworks scheme on Deville Road in Wednesbury, the Multihog helped transform what would typically be a time-intensive process into a streamlined operation. The team completed a 120-foot stretch of pothole repairs in a fraction of the time it would take using manual methods. An operation that could usually stretch up to several days.
Lilian Greenwood MP, Minister for the Future of Roads at the Department for Transport, recently visited the Council to see their machine in action, commenting:
“It is probably one of the reasons why Sandwell is doing so well and rated so highly as an highways authority for going and spotting the potholes and getting the repairs done quickly.”
Lee Preece, Highways Site Supervisor at Sandwell Council, praised the equipment’s efficiency:
“The problem with manual digging is that our site workers can only dig for around 18 minutes before being required to have a break or switch out. This allows us to dig the road consistently without stopping, saving what is around a day of work – and our workers’ hands. It turns what would be a two-day job into only one.”
At the heart of this transformation is the Multihog MH, a versatile and robust machine, renowned for tackling the toughest road maintenance challenges. Fitted with a front-mounted planer attachment, the machine can remove defective road surfaces with precision, preparing them quickly for reinstatement by the crew.
The MH is known for its all-year-round adaptability. Councillor Keith Allcock, Cabinet Member for Environment and Highways at Sandwell Council, highlighted the machine’s multi-functionality:
“It’s a bit like the Thunderbirds of machines. It can have hedge cutters, scrape and brush the roads, and be used as a gritter in colder weather. It’s a true multi-purpose machine.”
That flexibility is a cornerstone of the Multihog design. Thanks to a quick-change attachment system, the same machine can be used for road planing, sweeping, weed control, gritting, and vegetation management, making it an ideal investment for councils looking to get more from a single piece of equipment.
Councillor Keith Allcock adds:
“This machine will mean that disruptions to traffic will be lower, and it’s better for the operators and site workers. It’s genuinely a win-win machine that lessens the strain on workers and does the job faster, which means less disruption to residents and ultimately, fewer costs.”
The compact footprint and articulated steering of the Multihog make it particularly well suited to urban environments like Sandwell, allowing operators to manoeuvre with ease—even on narrow or restricted roads.
With a £55 million investment pledged by the council into highways over the coming financial year, the Multihog is set to play a key role in delivering faster, safer and more cost-effective road repairs across the region.
Ben Hughes, Growth & Collaboration Coordinator at Multevo added:
“Sandwell Council have been a joy to work with. It’s great to see the trial period route proving the concept of the machine, allowing the Council to understand the benefits the kit will have on their network.”
“The Multihog is a multi-purpose piece of kit. Which makes it really encouraging to see Sandwell aiming to take advantage of its year-round capabilities. Whether that be gritting or one of its many other uses.”
Multevo are proud to partner with forward-thinking authorities like Sandwell Council, supplying innovative solutions that make a tangible difference to everyday operations and community outcomes.
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