TV and film support company expands Daf fleet

Specialists support-vehicle provider to the TV and film industry, Facilities by ADF, is expanding its Daf fleet with an additional 25 trucks.

The Daf vehicles will provide on-location support for shows including Peaky Blinders, The Crown, War of the Worlds, and the Marvel film franchise.

The company confirmed Daf Trucks as its preferred vehicle supplier after committing to the additional vehicles in the first quarter of 2021. The trucks are being fitted with a range of body types and equipment to provide a full logistics support package for major production companies such as Sky and Netflix.

The order follows 78 previous acquisitions representing a wide Daf range – from lightweight LF box-vans to maximum weight XF Low-Deck tractors – have entered service with the Bridgend- and Bordon-based operator over the last three years.

Central to its decision to pursue a one-marque acquisition policy with the Daf brand, has been ‘absolutely impeccable’ service support from local Daf Dealer, Watts Truck & Van; also the Daf Driver Training programme which delivers on-site driving instruction to the customer’s two lead-drivers to maximise vehicle efficiency and performance. The lead-drivers then pass on their knowledge to the rest of the driver pool, said the company.

James McDonald, transport manager at Facilities by ADF, said: “We’ve moved towards a single truck supplier, simply because Daf delivers the best all-round package.

“We use a single supplier for our trailers, a single supplier for our caravan equipment, so we’re delighted now to have a single source for our trucks. Moreover, the level of service and support from Watts Truck & Van has been impeccable. It’s not simply about supplying trucks.

“Watts gives us a bespoke aftersales package – driver and workshop training, vehicle lead-time coordination and attention to detail. We’re really very impressed.”

Facilities by ADF said it undertook a ‘thorough’ evaluation of all major manufacturers for its latest intake of trucks before drawing up a shortlist of three suppliers. Daf Trucks was selected on its ability and willingness to provide exacting chassis specifications and to hit stringent lead-times.

Vehicles have been funded on Hire Purchase agreements through PACCAR Financial, Daf Trucks’ own in-house finance company, which Facilities by ADF described as offering significant value for money.

Models include XF 450 FT Low-Deck tractor units and 16-tonne box-bodied LFs with 210, 230 and 260hp engine ratings, all spec’d with a huge array of body-types and equipment to provide a complete mobile filming set for TV production companies. Bodywork includes tankers, luxury artiste trailers, production offices, ‘honeywagons' (WCs), generator carriers, costume and make-up caravans.

Watts Truck & Van have also provided workshop training to enable its customer to carry-out repair and maintenance at its HQ and workshops in Bridgend and its operating centre in Bordon, Hampshire.

Watts has also been praised for its proactive management of bodybuilders and other third-party suppliers, as well as guidance on, and fitment of, Safe System equipment requirements for Direct Vision Standard (DVS) compliance.