AV Dawson Transport adds 16 Volvo FH Aero tractor units
AV Dawson Transport has invested heavily in its commercial vehicle fleet. The company has taken delivery of 16 new Volvo FH Aero 6×2 tractor units, and they will work mainly on its growing bulk haulage operations.
These are the first Volvos the Middlesbrough-based business has put on the road for several years. Ten of the new tractor units replace trucks from a rival manufacturer, while the other six add to the fleet. The company placed the order after two demonstrator vehicles performed strongly.
Charlie Nettle, Group Managing Director at AV Dawson Group, says: “This multimillion-pound investment reflects our commitment to strengthening the fleet and ensuring we have the infrastructure, equipment and people in place to support our customers’ evolving needs. Our transport business has continued to perform strongly, creating new opportunities across a range of sectors and driving increased demand for our services. This investment ensures we can deliver for our customers with the reliability and responsiveness they have come to expect. The bulk sector remains a key strategic focus for us and these new vehicles will support the continued expansion of our tipper operations.”
Aerodynamic design and fuel-saving technology
Richard Cope, Transport Solutions Executive at Volvo Truck and Bus North & Scotland, supplied all 16 FH Aeros. Each truck pairs an aerodynamic design with a Euro VI compliant D13K Step E engine. The engine produces 500 hp and a peak torque of 2,500 Nm, and it delivers impressive fuel efficiency.
The engines use turbo compound technology. This adds an extra turbine after the turbocharger, which captures excess energy from the exhaust and converts it into torque directly on the crankshaft.
The engine works with Volvo’s popular automated 12-speed I-Shift transmission. The system constantly monitors speed, weight, road grade and torque demand, so it can time every gearshift precisely. That helps improve efficiency even further.
Comfort for drivers
Drivers also benefit from the Globetrotter cabs. Each cab includes leather seats, a fridge/freezer, a microwave oven and integrated infotainment. A secondary side display brings truck-specific navigation, media and fleet management together on a single touchscreen. Full air suspension improves ride comfort on long shifts.
Demonstrators left a lasting impression
Nettle explains why the company chose Volvo again. “We haven’t had Volvos on the fleet for a long time, and we wanted to be sure about the decision,” adds Nettle. “We took demonstrator vehicles on for two separate periods, both of which left a positive impression and returned excellent fuel results. The drivers commented on the smooth drive and great comfort in the cab.”
Maximum uptime on a busy schedule
A Volvo Gold contract covers the new units. It guarantees maximum uptime and gives AV Dawson peace of mind. Volvo Truck and Bus North & Scotland will carry out all servicing and maintenance at its Teesside depot.
The trucks will have a demanding workload. They will run double shifts, seven days a week, and Volvo expects each one to cover around 130,000 km a year. HARSH UK supplied the hydraulics. Each tractor unit will pull one of the new tipper trailers that AV Dawson Transport recently acquired. The fleet will also move other loads, including steel, coil and containers.
About AV Dawson
AV Dawson is a family-owned, multimodal freight logistics and port operator on the River Tees in Middlesbrough. The company has more than 88 years’ experience in the port and logistics sector. The AV Dawson Group includes several subsidiary businesses: the Port of Middlesbrough, AV Dawson Transport, AVD Industrial and Port Services, and ships agency Cockfield Knight.
