Wickes builds efficiency with Bevan-bodied Fuso Canters 08 May 2012

Wickes customers are now receiving home deliveries from six new 7.5-tonne trucks that combine what the firm believes are market-leading payloads with minimal footprints – making them ideal for residential areas operations.

These are Wickes' first Fuso Canter rigids, and have been fitted with lightweight, fast-access curtainslide bodies by West Midlands dry freight specialist Bevan Group.

Constructed around aluminium frames at Bevan's factory in Halesowen, the 20ft bodies were designed for multi-drop applications, with curtains tensioned from front to back by sliding door panels and locks at both ends.

The result: drivers have no time-consuming straps and buckles to contend with. To gain access, they simply slide back the curtains, concertina-fashion.

Bevan also fitted each vehicle with a 1,000kg Anteo tuckaway tail-lift, yet each truck still achieves a 3,300kg payload.

"We introduced our delivery service direct from stores to customers' homes a couple of years ago and it's gone from strength-to-strength," explains Wickes Group fleet manager Sean Cooper.

"Much of this work is assigned to 3.5-tonne Mercedes-Benz Sprinters but the 7.5-tonne Canter allows us to increase efficiency and save fuel by making more drops per run," he continues.

"It's also more compact than a traditional 7.5-tonner, with a narrower cab and a reduced visual impact, which makes it more appropriate for home deliveries."

As for the choice of Bevan bodies, he says: "Bevan was recommended to me by a colleague from our Benchmarx and City Plumbing operations. "Its bodies are clearly built to a high standard and look well able to stand up to the eight-year working lives we anticipate for these vehicles."

Wickes operates a total fleet of more than 300 commercial vehicles, including some 60 tractor units used primarily for delivering from its warehouses to stores, and a number of 15—18 tonne rigids, many of which are equipped with cranes.

The range-topping Canter 7C18 chassis were supplied by Wellingborough-based Mercedes-Benz dealer Intercounty Truck & Van.

Based at stores nationwide, the trucks are nowdelivering the full range of Wickes products, including standard and big, bulky items, such as sand, cement, timber and sheet materials.

Author
John Challen

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