Knights of Old has added 10 DAF XF 530 FTG tractor units to its fleet - the first DAF models it has operated.

They join the company's fleet of 250 trucks and 400 trailers.

Scott Mason, group fleet manager at Knights of Old, said: “Alongside this investment, we have been looking at managing operating costs, and the arrival of the new XF 6x2s is an example of that.

"Prices have been increasing steadily on everything from tyres to fuel, and truck prices have been no exception.

"There has been a lot of talk around the industry about enhanced fuel consumption from the latest DAF models and we are already seeing fuel economies.

"We are getting well over 9mpg, and close to 11mpg, across the DAFs over a tough operating week. These are brand-new trucks, so the likelihood is that this will improve further as they settle-in.”

The company has a continuous renewal policy, replacing trucks every two to three years, though the XFs will be with Knights of Old for five years.

Mason added: “We have a very positive outlook for the future. The investment into the DAFs is mirrored in many ways across the company.

"We have our own telematics package that we run alongside a proprietary brand, and get the best of both worlds.

"We use it not only to monitor vehicle position and performance, but also driver behaviour. The data we collect is turned into weekly league tables across our operating branches around the country, so that all drivers can see how they are performing as individuals and as operating centres.

"Merlin Academy, our training academy, is then able to step in, and help anybody who might be experiencing ongoing performance issues.”

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