Fleet deals: New vehicles join Cotteswold Dairy, AD Fuels, Container Team, Robinsons Brewery, A Cut Above and Longcliffe Quarries

Cotteswold Dairy welcomes latest delivery from Asset Alliance Group 

Cotteswold Dairy has returned to Asset Alliance Group to refresh its DAF-powered delivery fleet.

The family-run business has added 13 new generation rigid trucks ranging from 7.5-tonne to 18-tonne DAF XBs, with a variety of power outputs. The order also includes two 26-tonne DAF 340 XDs.

Ruairi Spencer, fleet logistics manager at Cotteswold Dairy, said: “We first used Asset Alliance Group in 2020 to secure new trucks at a point when it was difficult to do so due to the pandemic. 

“We’ve returned to them since thanks largely to their excellent customer service and the simplicity of the process. They know their subject, and when I put the phone down to them, I can return my full concentration to my day job, safe in the knowledge that they will do exactly what they have promised, efficiently and without fuss.”

The new trucks all feature Solomon Commercials temperature-controlled bodies and Carrier Transicold refrigeration units. 

The 18-tonne and 26-tonne units are also fitted with Dhollandia tail lifts. Day-to-day, the new arrivals will service the dairy’s customers in semi-retail and those in the foodservice sector.    

The new DAF XBs have been supplied on five-year contract hire agreements, while the larger XDs are on seven-year agreements. The vehicles’ liveries have been produced by Smaldon Signs & Vehicle Graphics in Clitheroe, Lancashire.

The deal was facilitated by Simon Bird, national accounts manager at Asset Alliance Group, and includes repair and maintenance.

AD Fuels takes delivery of Iveco S-Way 490 tractor units 

Biogas road haulage company, AD Fuels, has added a pair of Iveco S-Way 490 trucks to its fleet.

The new Iveco S-Way 490s are powered by Cursor 13 engines producing 490hp and 2,400Nm of torque. 

These 6x2 trucks supply strong mission capability when running at up to 44 tonnes while delivering excellent fuel economy, says AD Fuels. 

The new vehicles join an existing Iveco S-Way 530 vehicle and two other older Iveco trucks. Future fleet plans include the introduction of CNG vehicles to create a circular economy and take advantage of a special tanker that can also fuel its tractor unit on longer routes. 

The new 500hp Iveco S-Way Natural Gas is also under consideration, a truck capable of reducing CO2 emissions by up to 95% versus an equivalent diesel model. 

Jon Mayes, AD Fuels managing director, said “Reliability is critical in the fuel supply business and that’s one of the big reasons we have added more Ivecos to our fleet.”

Vanaways supports growth at container firm

Three new vehicles and a near £500k site investment herald continued growth at a rapidly-expanding self-storage and mobile refrigeration business headquartered near Bristol.

First established in 2002, Container Team today employs over 25 staff under the management of new managing director Ricky Williams, who took over running the business last year, from its base in Weston-super-Mare.

The investment in new vehicles aims to enable increased sales and operations capacity for the Team Refrigeration side of the business.

Vehicles have been supplied by Bristol-based Vanaways, including a new VW Transporter Sportline and two new Ford Ranger Tremor pick-ups to help deliver mobile refrigeration units.

The new acquisitions bring total vehicle purchases to five over the past 12 months.

“It’s great to be part of Ricky’s journey as his business continues to grow,” said Gabby Bath, sales executive at Bristol-based Vanaways. 

Williams added: “The new Ranger will support our growth and allow us to deliver more of our trailers more efficiently and quickly around the country.

“We want to make sure that there’s minimal chance of customers having to wait for delivery, so reliable vehicles are vital in that respect.”

Robinsons rolls out the barrel with new DAF XB dray fleet

Robinsons Brewery, one of the largest independent, family-run breweries in the UK, has taken delivery of three new DAF XB 260 ‘FT’ urban artics to supplement its existing DAF LF vehicles, and signalling an exclusive DAF presence to the company’s fleet.

The new XB units replace outgoing competitor trucks to take the dray fleet to 13 DAF vehicles. 

The fleet distributes to 250 pubs, inns and hotels across the northwest of England and into north Wales.

Logistics manager, Mathew Heath, said: “The DAF XB urban artic appears to be purpose built for us. They are brilliant around town. Nimble, super-easy to manoeuvre and the drivers are really, really impressed with the game-changing PowerLine transmission. 

“Coupled with the 260bhp engine, it’s just so sprightly and responsive. We don’t carry a huge amount of weight, but the XB makes for effortless driving in an urban environment – our drivers are very happy indeed.”

Also key to the DAF XB acquisition is the ongoing support received by supplying DAF Dealer, MOTUS Commercials in Trafford Park, Manchester. 

The new XB trucks are serviced and maintained on a seven-year DAF MultiSupport repair and maintenance contract.

A Cut Above orders new Isuzu Grafters

A Cut Above, have taken delivery of three new 3.5-tonne Isuzu N35.125T LWB Grafters to support the continued growth of its business.

The three long wheelbase chassis cabs represent new additions to A Cut Above’s 15-strong mixed commercial vehicle fleet. 

Mounted with custom arboriculture tipper bodies from Southern Vehicle Bodies, they include features such as split rear barn doors, which aid in the collection of green waste from a chipper towed behind the vehicle, and collapsable sides that convert the body into a flatbed for transporting larger equipment and loads.

Andrew Phipps, managing director of A Cut Above, said: “We’ve been specifying Isuzu vehicles for six years now, in fact we’re still using the first 3.5-tonner we purchased back in 2018. 

“The Grafter is a favourite of our drivers thanks to its exceptional manoeuvrability, with a small turning circle that’s ideally suited to the tight spaces we work in every day.

“We chose the long wheelbase option to maximise loadspace, while the chassis lends itself perfectly to the tipper bodies we use. This combination consistently delivers outstanding performance across the fleet.”

The new Grafters will average 20,000 miles annually and are expected to stay in service for at least 10 years. 

Longcliffe Quarries boost fleet with new Volvo trucks

Longcliffe Quarries has invested in 15 ’24 plate Volvo trucks for the delivery of its range of more than 100 industrial minerals products to customers around the UK.

The 500bhp Volvo FH Globetrotter cab 6x2 with lite weight axle and ‘I-Save’ engine will help the logistics team achieve up to 10mpg.

Longcliffe Group managing director, Paul Boustead, said: “We are continually investing in all aspects of our business and our fleet is a key focus for our drive for improved efficiency.  

“Based on the track record of new Volvos we have previously bought, plus the I-Save engine advantages, we are pleased to bolster our fleet with these new vehicles.  

“Not only are they helping us with our sustainability goals, they also offer safety improvements for drivers and vulnerable road users.”

The new vehicles’ Full General Safety Regulation (GSR) package includes forward collision warning with Advanced Emergency Brake System (AEBS); side collision avoidance support on driver and nearside; driver alert support warning and tyre pressure monitoring.