Supplied by Truck and Bus Wales & West, the Bristol-based operator’s new additions are all FH-500 6x2s, with Globetrotter XL cabs featuring leather upholstery, fridges and double bunks.
The trucks are double-shifted and work around the clock, and the need for reliability is what drove Sureway back to Volvo, as managing director Rob Lloyd explains: “We had a break in 2011 and tried alternative trucks for a while, but nothing compared...
“In retrospect, I wish we’d never changed away from Volvo. It’s not a mistake we’ll be rushing into again.”
In addition to reliability, Lloyd also says that the driver training and support provided by the dealer were key to the decision.
The higher internal spec, he says, should help to boost residual values, as will his decision to wrap the trucks in the corporate livery, rather than have them painted.
Peace of mind comes from the three-year contract hire deal, says Lloyd, with no “nasty surprises”, and he is looking forward to reaping the fuel benefits of the driver training. “Our drivers have just had the Volvo driver training and they were unanimous in their verdict.
“They couldn’t speak highly enough of the trainer and what they learned in terms of getting the most from the new trucks. From my perspective, I think this training is invaluable and I genuinely look forward to seeing how it impacts on our fuel returns. I’m confident I’ll be pleasantly surprised.”