Platts Transport take three more Volvos
Platts Transport has taken on three more Volvo tractor units and leads our fleet news roundup of the brand in October. Platts Transport has taken delivery of three new Volvo FH 500 with I-Save Globetrotter XL 6×2 tractor units – citing driver comfort, fuel efficiency and superb aftersales support as key reasons behind the order. The Wrexham-based business will use the trucks to distribute raw materials for sister company Platts Agriculture, as well as other general haulage loads across the UK and Ireland.
Replacing three older Volvo FHs in the fleet, the tractor units were supplied by David Hill, customer solutions manager at Thomas Hardie Commercials and are wrapped in Platts Transport’s newly designed red and cream livery. “We’ve run Volvos for a number of years now and the drivers all love the trucks,” said Chris Whittaker, managing director at Platts Transport. “The Globetrotter XL cabs give them a superb working environment, and we have specified these latest additions to a very high standard to ensure we’re giving our staff the best tools for the job. The three trucks are powered by Euro-6 compliant D13TC Step E engines, producing 500hp and a peak torque of 2,800Nm.
Benefitting from Volvo Trucks’ I-Save technology, these powertrains also feature turbo-compounding to reduce fuel consumption without compromising driveability, making full use of the available energy at every stage to deliver increased efficiency across the whole rpm range.
Special truck marks 50th anniversary of Bowker working with Volvo
Bowker Transport has taken delivery of a special liveried Volvo FH 460 with I-Save 6×2 tractor unit, to mark its 50-year working relationship with Volvo Trucks. Over its 103-year history the Preston-based company has only ever acquired its trucks from three manufacturers, and for the past five decades it has worked with Volvo. Bill Bowker, director at Bowker Group, says: “This relationship was originally forged 50 years ago, and it is a partnership where customer input plays a vital part in the development of a transport solution.
We are very grateful for the help, support and assistance we have received from several key people in Gothenburg and Warwick over the years, together with staff from our local dealer Thomas Hardie Commercials. “The decision to go with Volvo originally was based upon our opinion that they have the safest and best products, supported by the most effective back-up service in the UK and Europe. As far as we are concerned, we made the right decision, and the relationship has grown and developed over the years.
It is a true partnership and collectively we both have the track record to prove it.” During its long history, the Bowker Transport fleet has had four different liveries but the core colours of red, white and blue have always featured. In 2019, Volvo worked closely with the business to come up with a special livery for its centenary celebrations, when two FH tractor units were painted in an updated version of a blue cab with a wide white band around the middle section and a narrow gold band.
That design has been adapted further on the new FH with I-Save, with the gold colouring wrapped around the top half of the cab and ‘1972 – 2022’ written just above the door to mark the 50-year partnership between the business and the Swedish manufacturer.
Boylan turns to Volvo
Owner operator David Boylan has taken delivery of a flagship Volvo FH 540 Globetrotter 6×4 tractor unit, specified to combine the highest levels of driver safety and comfort while improving operational efficiency. Supplied by Jim Bergin, new truck sales executive at Irish Commercials, the new FH boasts a striking silver and blue livery and will operate with a Schmitz Cargobull tri-axle tipping trailer delivering sand, pebbles and crushed stone while also offering site clearance services. “Getting the best bang for your buck is vital in today’s climate, so when it came to ordering a new truck, Volvo was the number one choice,” said Boylan. “The FH is already putting in strong performances day-to-day and the fuel economy gains we’ve seen versus the older truck it replaced have certainly helped our bottom line; I couldn’t be happier.”
The Globetrotter cab includes Volvo’s top-tier Drive++ package, which includes extras such as an electrically operated interior sun visor, extended leather upholstery and fully electronic air-conditioning with an air quality sensor and carbon filter. The addition of twin armrests on the driver and passenger seats, together with the Media package with navigation, ensures a premium onboard experience. Power is provided by Volvo’s D13K 540 hp Euro-6 Step E engine, capable of producing 2,600Nm of torque, which is driven through an intelligent 12-speed automated I-Shift gearbox.
Other features include the Volvo Engine Brake, which boosts safety and reduces brake wear, together with reverse and passenger side cameras.
Volvo’s Visibility+ pack completes the build, adding distinctive V-shaped LED headlights, which automatically adapt to ambient light conditions, rain sensing windscreen wipers and electrically heated rear view mirrors.