Purity Brewing Company, which operates from a working farm in rural Great Alne, Warwickshire, is now running its third 7.5-tonner supplied by Mercedes-Benz Dealer Midlands Truck & Van – the German manufacturer’s franchised network is also responsible for sales and support of the popular FUSO light truck range in Great Britain.
Purity’s Canters are fitted with curtainside bodies by Fred Smith & Sons, of West Bromwich. Like its two predecessors, the latest arrival is a 7C15 model and powered by a 3.0-litre common-rail turbo-diesel that offers high-torque characteristics – 370 Nm is available over a broad engine speed range. The truck’s 110 kW (150 hp) output is transmitted to the road via a Duonic dual-clutch automated gearbox, while an engine brake is included as standard.
Purity specifies its Canters’ Comfort day cabs with roof-mounted wind deflectors and collars. These air management kits help to maximise mpg returns and thereby reduce emissions, particularly on longer runs, while also further enhancing the trucks’ appearance.
Purity’s Canters offer a carrying capacity of around 4,000 kg.
The operation, established in 2005, operates five trucks – the Canters are gradually replacing vehicles by its previous supplier – and a couple of vans. The company uses them primarily to deliver its own products, as well as other beers to pubs, restaurants and other customers within a 70-mile radius of the brewery. They also run regularly to central London and Bristol, where Purity has a well-established freehouse clientele. A third-party transport provider handles distribution to the major supermarkets and pub chains.
Logistics manager Ian Back observed: “The Canters are returning at least three or four miles to the gallon more than the trucks we were using previously, while the fact that we seem to be getting through fewer tyres these days would suggest that they’re also lighter on their feet.”
Purity’s first two FUSO trucks are fitted with 18 ft bodies but the latest has a 14 ft curtainsider, chosen for maximum manoeuvrability in city centres.