More than a third of hauliers (35%) have felt an effect from the UK’s decision to leave the EU, according to the latest Close Brothers Business Barometer. 

The latest quarterly report surveyed more than 900 small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). 

In comparison, when all the UK’s SMEs in the survey were asked if they had experienced an effect from the UK’s vote, just 24% said they had.

The report also found that 56% of SMEs had experienced no effect (compared with half of haulage firms), while 20% said it was too early to tell (compared with 15% of hauliers). 

Where an effect had been felt, the barometer found a split in responses regarding whether it had been a negative or positive one for the affected businesses.

“It’s clear that the majority of UK SMEs are yet to feel any tangible effects from Brexit,” said Neil Davies, CEO of Close Brothers Asset Finance. 

“It’s pretty much split down the middle in terms of those who have been positively and detrimentally affected. There is also a regional difference, with businesses in London feeling the most exposed,” he said.

Of the firms surveyed, Greater London was the region most likely to delay spending, with nearly half (48%) of all-industry respondents suggesting that the Leave vote had prevented them from investing.

Regions most likely to answer no to the question: have you delayed any spending or investment decisions because of the EU referendum? were East Anglia (87%), Wales (90%) and Northern Ireland (90%).

• If you would like to learn more about the implications of the UK’s vote to leave the EU, CM is holding a Road Transport Brexit Debate at the Scarman Conference Centre in Warwick on 12 October. For more details and to register for this free event, go to rtbrexitdebate.com.

Edbro has launched a compact inclinometer designed to bring improved levels of safety to tippers.

The device monitors the tipping angle of the rear end of the trailer and stops it if a dangerous angle is being approached. An in-cab control unit sounds an alarm when the truck may be on an uneven or inclined surface and allows the driver to monitor it.

The unit provides a clear, high-visibility LED display and fits unobtrusively into most cabs. It is dust- and splash-proof and protected against bad weather and high-pressure washdowns.

Peter Smith, sales director for Jost UK, parent company of Edbro, said it is cost-effective and more compact than previous designs.

“Images of trucks that have rolled over because they have become unstable due to an excessive tipping angle are haunting,” he said.

“By providing accurate information and pre-emptive warnings our new inclinometer eliminates the need for the driver or operator to rely on guesswork.”

This article was published in the 8 September issue of Commercial Motor. Why not subscribe to get 12 issues for just £12?

CRJ Services, a mobile recycling equipment hire firm based near Knutsford, Cheshire, has bought its first new vehicle, a flagship in its all-Volvo fleet.

The FH 16-650, supplied by Thomas Hardie Commercials in Middlewich, is covered by a gold repair and maintenance contract which, using telematics, will allow the dealer to remotely diagnose faults with the vehicle’s key components.

This service caught the attention of CRJ Services director Rob Symons when buying the addition to the company’s seven-strong fleet. He said: “We are used to using this technology to help deliver the best customer service.

"The mobile waste recycling machinery hire business is intensive and customers need to know that they are not going to be let down because of an easily fixable problem.”

• This article first appeared in Commercial Motor 8 September edition. Subscribe today and get 12 issues for £12.

Lenham Storage is celebrating its 70th birthday by commissioning a Mercedes-Benz Actros featuring nine classic Mercedes trucks from the 1960s on the back of the cab.

The Sittingbourne, Kent-based haulier specified the tractor with a GigaSpace cab, 510hp straight-6 engine, chrome highlights, a painted chassis and alloy wheels.

The truck was supplied by dealer Sparshatts of Kent, which has been supplying trucks and vans to Lenham for 42 years.

Lenham’s fleet includes a fully-restored 1976 bullnose Mercedes-Benz 1418 tractor in green, red and cream (pictured), which makes regular appearances at truck shows.

Operations director Andrew Fulcher said: “It is only fitting that our 70th anniversary Actros should highlight the important roles that Mercedes-Benz and Sparshatts of Kent have played in the success of Lenham Storage.”

• This article first appeared in Commercial Motor 8 September. Subscribe today and get 12 issues for £12.

Krone has appointed Steadplan aftersales director Graham Macmillan (pictured) as area sales manager as it looks to win new business in the UK.

Macmillan began his career as a mechanic and was Steadplan’s first UK agent for Stas trailers.

At Krone, he will concentrate on the North West, South West, North and South Wales, parts of Scotland and greater Birmingham for the German trailer manufacturer.

Macmillan said Krone has one of the widest trailer ranges in Europe, considerable manufacturing strength and an extensive European service network. “I’m delighted to join Krone at this exciting time, as new trailer products are introduced to the market,” he said.

Last month, Lancashire-based operator GBA Services bought 22 new Krone trailers, including 10 dry-liner box trailers, 10 curtainsiders with sliding roofs and two twin-evaporator fridge trailers, in a deal worth £500,000.

This article was published in the 8 September issue of Commercial Motor. Why not subscribe to get 12 issues for just £12?

SAL Commercials has taken delivery of 10 Daf XFs with Super Space cabs as part of a fleet renewal programme.

The Grimsby-based operator runs a fleet of 30 vehicles and has begun updating them following the opening of a new cold store in Redditch at sister company HSH Coldstores.

Gary Walmsley, the fleet manager at SAL, said: “We had invested significantly in the new storage facility and it was felt that the fleet now needed to be brought up to a similar standard.”

“Key to the decision-making process was our driver team. We got them to trial each vehicle [the company tested trucks from five other manufacturers in addition to Daf] on offer and feed back to us,” said Walmsley.

Drivers at SAL Commercials typically set out with a full load and can be away from base for three nights at a stretch, collecting as well as delivering.

“The Daf Super Space cabs and the 510hp engines hit the right notes for the drivers, and certainly give us the performance we need. 

“This is heavy, multi-drop work across a real mix of roads and environments. One manufacturer hedged its bets and put in both 440hp and 480hp units, in an effort to get the fuel performance right, but the Daf seems to be able to flex its muscle yet still deliver economy,” Walmsley said.

The new arrivals are fitted with Daf telematics and are on R&M packages. 

Ten more Dafs will join the SAL Commercials fleet later this year.

Scania’s R- and S-series have been named International Truck of the Year 2017 at the IAA CV Show in Hannover.

The newly introduced Scanias are the result of a 10-year development programme costing £1.8bn.

The new cabs, which were developed from scratch in association with sister firm Porsche Engineering, have a host of drag-reducing features.

These include driver-operated adjustable air deflectors and redesigned mirrors. Scania has said the cabs, which it claims are the most aerodynamic on the market, provide a 2% fuel saving.

Will Shiers, UK jury member, said: “Although the old R-series was a great truck, it wasn’t perfect, and I never fully understood why drivers loved them so much. Well that’s changed. Now I get it.”

The runner-up in the category was the Iveco Stralis NP and XP, and the Mercedes-Benz Actros came in third. 
 

Volkswagen Group has triumphed in the International Van of the Year 2017 competition, with its Crafter impressing the jury made up of 24 journalists from commercial vehicle magazines across Europe.

The Crafter scored a total of 101 points, just 12 points ahead of the PSA Group’s joint engineered van which is sold as the Peugeot Expert, Citroën Dispatch and Toyota Proace. Third place was awarded to the latest Euro-6 version of the Iveco Daily (Euro-6). The Ford Transit Custom Euro-6 and the all-new Hyundai H350 were the two other shortlisted vans which were whittled down from a field of more than 10 new vehicles that have been launched in the past 12 months.

The stand-out van in a strong field, the judges were impressed by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle’s commitment in developing the Crafter themselves, having ended their previous agreement to share the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter platform. 

The all-new Crafter is being manufactured in a purpose-built facility near Poznan, Poland, and incorporates several technologies not previously seen in the commercial vehicle segment, including lane-keeping assist.

Volvo Trucks has introduced a new lightweight 4x2 tractor version of the FM that weighs in at under six tonnes at the IAA CV Show in Hannover.

Part of the reduction comes from the latest Euro-6 ODB2 (Step C) evolution of the D11 450 engine - the new regulation doesn't change the emission levels, but it does ensure that they are fully maintained throughout the first seven of the trucks's working life - which is lighter.

There is also a lighter chassis and rear axle contributing to the reduction of around 500kg from  the previous equivalent.

The tractive-unit is available to order now.

The Daf stand at the IAA CV Show in Hannover featured one of its fleet of advanced energy recovery technology prototype trucks.

The XF shown is a test bed for a diesel/electric hybrid system, centred on a motor-generator mounted between the regular MX11 engine and the ZF Traxon gearbox.

The primary call on the resultant regenerative energy stored is to power the engine and cab ancillary equipment, but it can also be used to drive the truck for 3 to 5km at normal speed for the final urban part of its delivery cycle, producing zero local emissions and noise.

Daf's director of product development, Ron Boorsboom, also explained that keeping the storage batteries topped up during cruising is wasteful, so the stored current can be used to assist open road driving.

Other prototypes on Daf's fleet are trialling methods of waste heat recovery systems, reclaiming energy from lubricant, coolant and exhaust heat.

They are part of the EU's COnVENienT programme, which stands for Complete Vehicle Energy-saving Technologies, a consortium comprising numerous truck manufacturers and component suppliers.

The XF's extended nose panels are predictors of the anticipated 500mm extended length proposals which are expected to become law once various parts of the European legislature agree on the specification.

It wouldn't be Hannover if Iveco didn't reveal a new concept version of the Stralis, probably never to be seen again.

The "zero-impact" Z Truck, presented in association with Petronas and Michelin, showcases no less than 29 patents.

Many of these patents are aimed at turning the driver into an "on-board logistics operator".

Feel some some sympathy for the young lady pictured who had to sit inside the truck for a considerable time before the cover sheet was lifted off.

The board of Swedish brake and suspension manufacturer Haldex has recommended that shareholders accept an improved bid from ZF Friedrichshafen.

The board had previously recommended that Haldex shareholders accept the offer by the German suitor, first at a level of SEK100 (£9) per Haldex share, and then for SEK110 per share.

This comes despite a higher bid from Knorr-Bremse of SEK125 per Haldex share.

In a statement (19 September) the company said Knorr-Bremse was a riskier option.

• This story was published in the 22 September issue of Commercial Motor. Why not subscribe to get 12 issues for £12?

Mixing a recipe of reliability and driver comfort has helped Scania dealership TruckEast win a new order from expanding family-owned flour millers Whitworth Brothers.

The company previously ran Scania P Series vehicles, but following a unanimous driver vote Whitworth ordered seven 6x2 G-Series rigids with sleeper cabs from the Wellingborough based dealership. The G Series offers a much larger cab space, with high standing room and extra storage lockers.

The 26-tonne rigids will operate out of Whitworth’s Wellingborough site, transporting palletised finished flour product to customers nationwide.

Colin Spurrier, regional distribution manager at Whitworth Brothers, said: “Driver comfort is important to us, and the drivers love the Scania fleet. When it came to renewing the existing models, we had a driver forum and they wanted to keep the Scanias.

"Not only are they comfortable but their reliability is second to none, and are simply the right vehicle for the job.”

The new trucks are powered by a 5-cylinder, 9-litre SCR engine delivering 320hp and partnered with Scania’s two-pedal opticruise transmission.

Whitworth has also ordered a quartet of 6x2 Highlines, following a business acquisition in Worksop increased demand for tractor units. These units will come equipped with Gardner Denver hydraulic powder blowers and tipping equipment fitted by TruckEast’s Specialist Services division.

By David Craik

Hire and leasing company Axis Fleet Management has struck a deal with rail freight group Freightliner to supply 50 new MAN tractor units.

The TGX units, which will be liveried with Freightliner’s logo, will be delivered later this month on a seven-year repair and maintenance contract.

Axis said the units are fully ADR specified, with full catwalk infill and a full hatcher air management kit.

To improve vehicle safety, they are also fitted with electronic brake assist and lane guard system which notifies drivers when their vehicle inadvertently crosses lane markings.

The deal is the latest in the now nine-year partnership between Axis Fleet and Freightliner.

Neil Kinnear, sales director at Axis Fleet Management, said: “We are committed to providing our customers with cost effective and industry leading fleet solutions. The latest deal agreed with Freightliner is testament to our outlook to be the best in the industry when it comes to looking at innovative ways to support our customers.”

Richard Branston, general manager, Freightliner Road Services added: “We have been thoroughly impressed with the innovation, reliability and safety aspects of our MAN fleet. Our latest Euro-6 MAN trucks incorporate state of the art safety technology and environmental features, ensuring our continued commitment to the safety of our employees and road users whilst further reducing our impact on the environment.”

By David Craik

Dorset-based lighting manufacturer Dextra Group has bought four new Mercedes-Benz Actros tractor units.

Because of the light nature of Dextra’s products, the 26-tonne vehicles have a low height chassis to boost the volumes they can carry.

Provided via Rygor, the trucks are also fitted with rear steer axles and Mercedes’ PowerShift 3 automated transmissions.

The company has run an exclusively Mercedes fleet for 14 years, and operations director Tim Pickford praised the vehicles’ fuel efficiency and reliability.

He said driver comfort was also a key priority.

“Our guys spend a lot of time on the road so we think it only right that they should have nice vehicles. They like the comfort and all-round driveability of their Mercedes trucks,” he said.

• This article originally appeared in the 29 September issue. Why not subscribe and get 12 issues for just £12?

PD Huggins Potatoes has added a new Volvo FM-330 rear-steer rigid to its fleet.

The Cambridgeshire operator will use the FM to deliver potatoes to London chip shops.

MD Paul Huggins said he had chosen the truck, which has a Globetrotter cab, for its high level of comfort as drivers have to manually unload at each stop.

“I wanted the Volvo and the high specification to make what is a difficult job worth doing,” he said. The vehicle will be used to carry approximately 14 tonnes of potatoes.

“The 330hp engine is more than enough. I am optimistic the fuel economy, for what is essentially multi-drop work, will beat the 9.2mpg returned by my previous Euro-5 version,” he added.

The truck was supplied via Volvo Truck and Bus Centre East Anglia, and the cab was painted by Kurt Hobbs Coachworks, which also built the curtain-sided body.

• This article originally appeared in the 29 September issue. Why not subscribe and get 12 issues for just £12?

A new Volvo FL-250 dray-wagon has boosted brewer Joseph Holt’s fleet in time for the Christmas rush.

The truck joins the family brewer’s nine-strong fleet of Volvo trucks, which delivers to around 120 pubs and off trade customers in the North West of England and the Greater Manchester area.

Supplied by Thomas Hardie Commercials of Trafford Park the truck has a Day cab FL-250. Plated at 18-tonnes GVW, it includes the 6-speed I-Sync automated gearbox and a rear-view camera, for manoeuvring on deliveries with tight access. 

The curtain-side bodywork was built by Don Bur of Stoke-on-Trent. A Dhollandia tuck-away tail lift is also fitted, which is the first to be specified on the fleet. 

The bodywork sports a new design on the curtains, featuring images of pints of Joseph Holt’s Gold Medal award winning beers and lagers.

Joseph Holt fleet manager John Collins said the company, which has been operating Volvo trucks for more than 20 years and brewing beer since 1849, chose the Swedish marque for its reliability and build quality.

A new Volvo FH16-750 at East Yorkshire’s Richardson Transport is helping to keep the flu virus at bay, as well as picking up trophies for its eye-catching finish.

The fully air-suspended truck helps deliver hundreds of thousands of eggs from farms across the UK to Liverpool, which are used in the production of the influenza vaccine.

The Newton-upon-Derwent haulier has also won several awards for the Volvo’s striking tiger-themed livery, after being placed third in the pecking order at last month's Truckfest Northwest’s ‘Best Kept Custom & Paintwork’ category, second in the ‘Best Kept Overall New Truck’ competition and ruled the roost in the ‘Martin Rigby Memorial Award’, named in honour of the owner of Cheshire-based Martin Rigby Haulage, who died following a motorbike crash at the Isle of Man TT festival in 2015.

The FH16 joins Richardson Transport’s 14-strong fleet and will also operate in general haulage and turf transportation.

Mick George has taken delivery of the first of a fleet of Mercedes-Benz Econics fitted with a combination of skip-loader and tipper bodies. 

The trucks are an example of the kind of vehicles that are expected to score highly in the new Direct Vision Standard, which was announced last week by London mayor Sadiq Khan.

The Econics will work in Cambridge which, like London, has a large number of cyclists. 

Three of five 18-tonne Hyva skip-loader bodied Econics have been delivered, with one of five Econic tippers now on fleet, along with two Arocs. The remainder will be in service by the end of this month.

Mick George transport manager Joe Gossage said that safety was a priority for the firm.

“The safety of our staff, communities, clients, contractors and the people we work alongside is of utmost importance to us. The introduction of these Econic chassis further underlines our determination to minimise the risk to vulnerable road users. 

“The enhanced field of vision that this vehicle offers will be an advantage to our drivers when navigating through cities or in complex situations,” he added.

In the wake of the Direct Vision Standard, director for national sales at Mercedes-Benz and Fuso Trucks Vincente Connolly said the manufacturer expected to see more enquiries about the types of vehicles an operator will be running on particular contracts.

TfL has already said it will start specifying low-entry cabs on its tenders.

“It won’t be long until the main questions being asked [by hauliers’ clients] is not just what your carbon footprint looks like and what are your general emissions controls and polices, but they’ll also ask ‘what’s your policy on line of sight and direct vision?’” he said.

Turners (Soham) has added its 600th specialised Daf FTP to its fleet.

The 440hp XF tractor with a lightweight mid-lift axle joins Turners’ 1,750-strong fleet. Turners is believed to be the largest operator of Daf FTP trucks worldwide.

The Daf, purchased via dealership Chassis Cab, will cover more than 100,000km a year. 

Tim King, group fleet engineer, said: “It is probably the best lightweight truck ever.

"They are so flexible that they are the optimum truck in weight-sensitive work – and that’s why we are proud to be one of the top buyers worldwide.”