Supplying dealer Thomas Hardie Commercials fought off two rival manufacturers to win this latest order, with Volvo now the dominant force in the company’s 30-strong fleet. Barrie Ashcroft, fleet maintenance manager at Garic, commented: “We’ve had a great working relationship with Volvo for the past three years and we’re keen to add more of their products to our operation. The competitor marques we considered before committing to Volvo didn’t meet the efficiency levels our business demands, nor the standards of in-cab comfort we like to ensure our drivers can enjoy on the road.”
The new FHs are each mounted with a Fassi 710 crane and flatbed body, supplied and fitted by The Crane Centre in Sandbach. The trucks will be used to transport plant and machinery to customers around the UK, powered by Volvo’s D13K engine, producing 454bhp and 2,300 Nm of torque.
The FMs will each be equipped with bespoke-built Fuller Tankers bodywork and a factory-fitted lower passenger door window for added safety, allowing the driver to have better visibility of other road users. They will be used to support the firm’s on-site welfare cabins, removing wastewater and refilling fresh water and red diesel tanks – with power provided by Volvo’s D13K engine,delivering up to 414bhp and 2,100 Nm of torque.
Garic’s transport manager, Mark Booth said: “These new vehicles are replacing some older competitor models and the feedback we’ve had from our drivers has been great so far. They are particularly happy with the amount of space inside the sleeper cab on the FHs and the lower fuel consumption of the trucks ties in well with our sustainability plans and route to carbon zero – something that’s really important to our business right now.”
The trucks have been supplied on a five-year contract hire agreement with Volvo Financial Services, which incorporates a Volvo Gold Contract repair and maintenance package.