FLEET: Black Sheep were thirsty for efficiency
Black Sheep Brewery are restructuring their fleet with two Classic Volvo FH-500 6×2, 44tonne GCW tractor units and a Volvo FL-240 18tonne 4×2 GVW rigid dray vehicle.
Following an intensive evaluation programme involving several truck manufacturers, the award-winning Yorkshire brewery are looking to reduce operating costs and improve vehicle uptime.
The purchases were sourced from Crossroads Truck and Bus, Boroughbridge, with the two ‘Classic’ FHs the first Volvo tractor units to join Black Sheep’s eight-strong fleet.
Black Sheep Brewery said they were attracted to Volvo by the reputation for good fuel economy and overall operating costs.
Alan Dunn, Production Director of Black Sheep Brewery, said: “As part of the evaluation process, Crossroads and Volvo Financial Services provided the most competitive purchase cost and source of lease purchase funding.”
The Globetrotter XL-cabbed ‘Classic’ FHs handle primary distribution duties to wholesalers and retailers’ distribution centres nationwide.
Expected to cover 160,000km per annum, they achieve 10.9mpg overall, a 3mpg fuel improvement on their predecessors.
Meanwhile, the FL – which is double manned – is engaged on deliveries to free trade pubs, other breweries and pub multiples direct.
The vehicle achieves 12mpg, with around 6,000kms on the odometer, and was specified for distribution on the narrow roads of rural areas and country towns.
It is equipped with a 7.3metre, low height Micra body, low profile 295/60 R22.5 tyres on the drive axle, a D’Hollandia taillift and Volvo’s I-Sync auto transmission.
The result is a competitively low chassis height for side unloading and a kerb weight of 7,900kgs, thus achieving a 10,100kgs payload.
Andy Wallace, Transport & Distribution Supervisor of Black Sheep Brewery, said: “Many of our deliveries are timed.
“Therefore, reliability and vehicle uptime are of paramount importance to Black Sheep Brewery.
“We are always developing new markets and extending our range of products so we need a modern, reliable fleet to ensure delivery schedules are adhered to.”
