Always good to get a big name on board, and none are larger in the world of logistics than Wincanton. Volvo has managed to get a competing manufacturer’s vehicles replaces on the Wincanton fleet with two new Volvo FM 8×2 tankers to work within its milk delivery division. The trucks were supplied on a five-year operating lease through Volvo Financial Services.
The Volvo FM Trucks
Both new trucks have been built on a 5,100 mm wheelbase, with a rear-steering tag axle for maximum manoeuvrability when loaded, and reduced tyre wear and improved fuel economy when running empty. Power comes from Volvo’s D11K Euro-6, Step D engine producing up to 430 hp and up to 2,050 Nm of torque.
They are mounted with bodywork by Sayers Road Tankers and will be in operation 24/7, covering up to 180,000 km per annum and collecting up to 89,000 litres of milk every day from farms across South Wales.
Both vehicles benefit from adaptive cruise control with forward collision warning, a lane departure warning system and Driver Alert Support, which tracks driving behaviour and steering wheel inputs, providing an alert if it detects the driver might be tired and needing a break. Wincanton has also specified a four-way recordable camera system linked to a dashboard-mounted monitor, rear-facing cameras down each side, an audible reverse alarm, park brake alarm and Brigade’s Cornerscan ultrasonic obstacle detection system to detect objects in the front nearside blind spot.
The Buyer’s View
Dave Rowlands, Technical Services Director at Wincanton Group, says: “These are very high-spec tankers built for a specific contract, and Volvo could meet the precise configuration we needed. They’ll be serviced and maintained through Volvo and we know from previous experience that we’ll receive fantastic support.”
He adds: “Quality and safety are also key to milk transportation; it’s something that runs deep within our heritage and Volvo shares the same values. We’re confident these new trucks are amongst the safest and most efficient of their type on the road, offering maximum reliability on a contract where they literally never stop working, except for planned maintenance.”
Wincanton is the largest British third-party logistics firm, providing supply chain solutions to some of the world’s most admired brands across a wide range of industries including retail, construction, defence and energy. Wincanton is also at the forefront of development and innovation across the milk supply chain, championing efficiencies and introducing significant health and safety enhancements. The business employs approximately 19,100 people across more than 200 sites and has a 3,600-strong fleet of vehicles.
