The Bedfordshire-based third party logistics company – traditionally a three-marque fleet – was looking for options to replace an unnamed marque that had fallen out of favour.
HE Payne managing director Richard Payne says the team considered tractor units from four manufacturers before placing the order with Guest Truck & Van after the Stralis returned a highly competitive fuel economy.
"We ran the Stralis demonstrator night and day... We needed a truck that would hold its own against the Volvos and Scanias in our fleet, and the Stralis didn't disappoint," states Payne.
The pair of Stralis tractor joins a fleet of 65 trucks making deliveries of potatoes to supermarket distribution centres at night while carrying out general haulage during the day.
Both Stralis 6x2s are twin-steer tractors, powered by Euro 6 Cursor 11 460bhp HiSCR-based (high efficiency selective catalytic reduction) engines delivering up to 2,150Nm of torque between 925 and 1,500 rpm.
"Iveco took me to the factory in Madrid to see the Stralis coming down the production line and I was thoroughly impressed," continues Payne.
"Knowing our two new trucks have been manufactured in such a world-class facility gives me huge confidence these vehicles will provide excellent all-round performance over a long life."
The business expects to run its new Iveco Stralis trucks for five years, with each vehicle covering up to 180,000 km a year.