The Stralis AS440S46TXP tractors – all powered by Cursor 11 460bhp engines delivering 2,150 Nm of torque – are the first new vehicles for the Bradford-based haulier, which has always purchased second-hand trucks.
Delivered by dealer Northern Commercials, the new HI-SCR (highefficiency selective catalytic reduction) vehicles replace older Renault and Iveco tractor units.
"We were keen to see what a new Iveco could offer us and we encouraged our drivers to give us detailed feedback on the demonstration vehicle," recalls transport manager John Patefield.
"They were incredibly enthusiastic about the Stralis Hi-Way: it delivered across the board," he says, explaining that comfort and space were particularly impressive.
That said, Patefield sayhs the decision to purchase came down to the Stralis' ability to reduce total cost of ownership compared with the older vehicles and the best of the rest alternative trucks.
"Northern Commercials offered us an excellent package inclusive of servicing, which was far more competitive than what was offered by other dealers," he explains.
"It was enough to convince us to purchase new, instead of used, trucks – and to replace a third of our fleet with Ivecos in one swoop."
The Stralis tractors will form part of the Brian R Patefield's general fleet, undertaking distribution work throughout Yorkshire and the rest of the UK. They are expected to be in service for five years and will travel up to 129,000 kilometres a year.