Nagel Langdons orders 139 new vehicle assets for 2014 27 November 2013

Frozen food distribution specialist Nagel Langdons has ordered 139 new vehicles for 2014, with half of those representing business growth requirements.

Tyrone Lanaway, Nagel Langdons engineering manager, points to the demise of one of its competitors, which had an "instant impact on our operation", leading the company to "call in our derogated Euro 5 Renault vehicles early".

Nagel Langdons has ordered 76 tractor units shared in fairly equal measure between Mercedes-Benz (Actros 2535 L 6x2), Volvo (FM460 globe trotter 6x2), Renault (T 460.26 6x2), DAF (CF 460 Sleeper 6x2) and Scania (G450 LA Sleeper 6x2). 80% of these are for distribution and inter-depot night trunking, while the rest are for tramping operations, says Lanaway.

As for rigids, Langdons has gone for 17 dual-temperature units from Scania (R450 Highline LA 6x2 and P280 DB 6x2 Sleeper) and DAF (FA LF 180 4x2 12t Day and FA LF 220 4x2 18t Day), all with Solomon bodies, and its "tried, tested and now proven" Slipstream aerodynamic shape on the 26-tonners, as well as level-ride Anteo slide-away tail lifts.

Then on trailers, Lanaway says the firm has ordered 46 standard 13.6m dual-temperature Gray & Adams units, with mix of Daimler Chrysler and Knorr Bremse running gear, and Thermo King refrigeration units.

Commenting on the choice of Slipstream bodies for its new rigids, Lanaway says that Langdons's Seven Telematics data shows the Slipstream body has been "consistently using 4% less fuel" with vehicles monitored running at average gross weights of 18-tonnes, 38mph and 4,700 miles per month.

And turning to Euro 6, he adds: "The hike in Euro 6 vehicle prices has had an unusual effect on our fleet replacement strategy for 2014. The business has decided to run on seven vehicles as a test for year-four running costs."

Nagel Langdons is unlikely to be the first or last operator to make that decision.

Author
Brian Tinham

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