Transport firm agrees £11m deal for new trucks with Cheshire supplier
A Cheshire logistics firm has signed a deal worth £11m for new vehicles.
Boughey Distribution, based in Wardle, has completed a five-year deal with Thomas Hardie Commercials, of Middlewich, for the supply of Volvo’s new generation FH model which will be in production from next month.
The new contract will be for the supply of 127 vehicles on a two-year roll-out programme, with the first 25 being delivered to Boughey by the end of May.
A further 48 vehicles will be supplied by the end of the year.
Boughey will be one of the first companies in the UK to take delivery of the new model of the Volvo FH 13-litre 460bhp Euro 6 model.
Driver comfort and safety were high on the agenda for the design of the upgraded model.
On-the-road driver benefits include a 33-litre under-bunk fridge, a microwave fitted in overhead locker space and a flat-screen TV, to be located above the driver door which can be viewed from a swivel passenger seat.
As part of its programme to evaluate current trucks on the market, Boughey’s group fleet engineer, Paul Brimelow, led year-long fuel trials, running the current Volvo FH model alongside two other manufactures’ vehicles.
He said: “We conducted extensive trials with the three vehicles over a 12-month period to scrutinise fuel economy and the Volvo vehicle performed the best. Using telematics data and ensuring the trucks were consistently driven by nominated drivers, we were able to build-up a comprehensive performance record.
“Fuel usage for all three vehicles was collected and analysed over the 12-month period to enable us to compare actual fuel usage from the tank to the figure provided by the telemetry. We also compiled feedback from the drivers on the general performance of the vehicles.”
Steve Wilson, Thomas Hardie’s new vehicle sales & marketing director, said: “Securing the order for 127 units is a fantastic achievement for the team and I’d like to extend sincere thanks to Boughey Distribution for this significant opportunity and for the confidence they’ve placed in our total offer.
“Our business partnership goes back many years and we look forward to further strengthening this relationship over the next five years and beyond.”
Boughey last ran Volvo vehicles in 2010 and its current fleet is with Mercedes.
