Black Sheep Brewery restructures on Volvo trucks 03 July 2013

Black Sheep Brewery has bought two Volvo FH-500 6x2, 44-tonne gcw tractor units, and a Volvo FL-240 18-tonne 4x2 gvw rigid dray vehicle as part of a restructuring project around how it handles transport and logistics.

The FH tractors – which were specified with Globetrotter XL-cab and the Volvo D13C, 13-litre Euro 5 engine rated at 500bhp, mated to the I-Shift automated transmission – are the first Volvo units to join Black Sheep's fleet of eight vehicles.

The FL was built for distribution on narrow roads in rural areas and country towns. It was specified with the Volvo D7F 7-litre Euro 5 engine rated at 240bhp and matched to Volvo's I-Sync auto transmission.

Its body is a 7.3m, low height Micra unit, fitted with low profile 295/60 R22.5 tyres on the drive axle and equipped with a Dhollandia tail-lift. The result is a low chassis height for side unloading, and a kerb weight of 7,900kg – meaning a 10,100kgs payload.

Andy Wallace, transport and distribution supervisor at Black Sheep Brewery, says the choice follows evaluation of vehicles from several truck manufacturers, with the goal of reducing operating costs and improving vehicle uptime.

Part of the restructuring also included the introduction of four Ford Transit vans, which have recently replaced rigid trucks on local deliveries.

Wallace explains that, while the Classic FH tractors are double-manned, handling distribution to wholesalers and retailers' distribution centres nationwide, the FL looks after deliveries to free trade pubs, other breweries and pub multiples direct.

Wallace reports that the FHs, which have dedicated drivers and are expected to cover 160,000km a year, are achieving 10.9mpg overall – an improvement of 3mpg compared to its earlier trucks.

He also says that the FL is achieving 12mpg and, with just 6,000km on the clock, he expects that figure to improve.

Wallace also says that reliable uptime is critical. "Many of our deliveries are timed, so reliability and vehicle uptime are of paramount importance to Black Sheep Brewery."

Author
Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Volvo Group UK Ltd

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