Renault Trucks supplies new fleet for Flanagan Flooring

Flanagan Flooring has purchased its first Renault Trucks vehicles as part of a fleet renewal and expansion exercise.

The independent wholesale flooring distributor has added eight Renault Trucks D18 High 4X2 R250s and two Range T380 26T 6X2 rigids to its 30-strong fleet.

A dramatic upturn in Flanagan Flooring’s business volumes and the reduced capacity and condition of its existing fleet was the driving force behind the purchase.

Gareth McCollum, head of operations at Flanagan Flooring, said: “The new Renault trucks were purchased as a combination of both replacements and additions to the existing fleet to provide a suitable footprint for increased capacity and to allow future business growth.

“We conducted a comparison with several of the other main manufacturers and, together with some industry recommendations, Renault Trucks came out on top.”

The 11-litre T380 rigids come with Optidriver AT 2412F gearboxes, providing a maximum torque of 2400Nm and 12 forward and three reverse gears, with a gearshifting strategy optimised for fuel economy. The vehicles have also been specified with optional extras including hydraulic power steering, four-point cab air suspension with ridge height control system, ECO cruise control with Optiroll and FMS Gateway fleet management interface 3.0.

The D18 Highs are fitted with the Global cab and Optitronic 6AS 1000 automated gearbox with automated clutch and six forward and one reverse gear. Like the Range Ts, the new Range Ds are specified with optional extras including the Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS), FMS Gateway fleet management interface, Optifleet Check, Optifleet Map, rear air suspension, adjustable roof deflector, external sun visor, four-spoke leather steering wheel and cruise control.

The vehicles were supplied by Diamond Trucks.

Drumack Coachwork constructed the bespoke 8.5-meter GRP vehicle bodies, which are tailored to Flanagan Flooring’s requirements. The bodies include a 2.0-tonne rated winch complete with pulley system and snatch block, a Palfinger F1500 tuckaway tail lift and a bespoke track and rail system that assists in segregating the flooring and facilitates efficient load and unloading.

McCollum added: “Both the D and T ranges have the exterior appearance, cab capacity and finish we were looking for. The box work was completed to our own specification and the company colours and branding and we are extremely pleased with the results. The drivers are suitably impressed with the greatly improved cab space, comfort and finish, good driving performance, smooth gears, reactive braking system and excellent visibility.”