Allied Bakeries trialling electric DAF truck as part of fleet renewal deal

Allied Bakeries are trialling a new electric LF electric DAF truck as part of a major 68 vehicle diesel truck fleet renewal deal.

The new vehicles will help deliver over eight million bakery goods across the week from its seven bakeries and four depots nationwide.

The new fleet comprises 36 DAF XB 230 18-tonne rigids and 32 maximum weight DAF XD 450 6x2 tractors.

Allied, which is best known for its Kingsmill and Allinson brands, is trialling the new 19-tonne LF electric truck at its London bakery.

Complementing the new vehicles, Allied Bakeries is currently developing a new fleet management IT system which will be implemented in the New Year, while drivers are also being provided with upgraded handheld personal digital assistants (PDA).

Allied is expecting these technological enhancements to “optimise delivery processes and improve overall operational efficiency”.

Allied has also expanded its third-party goods delivery services, with the new DAF fleet supporting this growth and enabling the company to assist retail partners in broadening their bakery ranges.

Richard Hodgson, director of logistics and planning at Allied, says: “It's been a few years since we've purchased a new fleet and it's fair to say that the feedback that we've had already from drivers is fantastic.

“We're particularly excited about some of the new features that the new kit will bring into our business and specifically around driver performance monitoring, pedestrian safety, additional features for driver safety, and also fuel efficiency.”

Allied has worked with DAF for “decades” and Hodgson says the partnership has been formed off some “fantastic relationships”, not just with the manufacturer, but also through the dealer network and parts supplier.

He adds: “We garage all our own vehicles, servicing them and more, so all aspects that DAF offer is essential to us in terms of our appreciation for them as a supplier.”