LondonEnergy commissions Mercedes-Benz Arocs

Waste management service, LondonEnergy have commissioned some of the first Mercedes-Benz Arocs tractor units in the UK, to be equipped with MirrorCam technology.

The five trucks and their bespoke Legras (France) bulk trailers – four ejectors and a single walking floor – represent a total investment by the North London-based company of some £1.5 million.

The Arocs will spend most of their time working between the waste-to-energy plant on LondonEnergy’s 40-acre EcoPark head office site in Edmonton, and a household reuse and recycling centre in Islington.

The trucks will also service the company’s five other recycling centres, and transport wood and green waste to be recycled by third parties located nationwide.

The Arocs will be equipped with MirrorCam technology, to provide improved visibility to the rear.

Katie Blowes, transport and logistics manager at LondonEnergy, said: “We’ve been running Mercedes-Benz vehicles since 2015, and they’ve always been reliable and cost-effective to operate.

“Our number one priority is safety, so the introduction of MirrorCam was also key to our decision to acquire the new Arocs.”

Hermes takes delivery of seven Iveco Stralis NP trucks

Hermes will be taking delivery of a further seven 400-horsepower Natural Power Iveco Stralis NP 400 4x2s into its 400 strong fleet of tractor units.

The courier now runs the largest compressed natural gas (CNG) powered fleet in the UK of 90 vehicles, all of which are Iveco.

Its solus Iveco Stralis Natural Power truck fleet all run on CNG and were chosen based on their green credentials, low fuel costs and driver acceptability. The company has also reported fuel cost savings per truck.

Hermes statistics show that the Iveco Stralis NP reduces CO2 emissions by over 80% when running on biomethane compared with a diesel Euro 6 vehicle, resulting in a reduction in excess of 13,500 tonnes of CO2 across its 90-strong CNG fleet annually. Particulates are also reduced by 99% and NOx by 60%.

Peter Eaton, general manager at CNG Fuels, said: “Our latest evaluation shows that typically a single CNG truck can achieve a fuel cost saving of between £20,000-£25,000 per annum when compared to a comparable diesel unit and has an average greenhouse gas emission reduction of around 85% when running on our 100% biomethane fuel.”

FreightForce takes delivery of five DAF CF tractor units

FreightForce has taken delivery of five new CF 450 ‘FTG' 6x2 tractor units as fleet replacements, describing the vehicles as the ‘ideal workhorse solution’ for its pallet operation.

The fleet-spec trucks, supplied by DAF Dealer Ford & Slater in Norwich, are already in service on 24-hour operations five-days-a-week.

FreightForce says it was keen to reintroduce a higher level of reliability to its fleet.

The ‘FTG’ centre-steer axle configuration provides the nimble handling characteristics prerequisite to inter-urban operations.

Nick Jolley, managing director of FreightForce, said: “The DAF CF really is the ideal workhorse solution for us.

“A proper fleet motor for local multi-drop work, with a well-equipped, durable cab for our drivers, and, above all, a chassis and driveline that’s up to the task of gruelling 24/7 operations.”

Synetiq secures contract with Stocalfe Reponse

Salvage and vehicle recycling company, Synetiq has announced a new partnership with Stocalfe Response, a provider of accident and fleet management services.

As part of the relationship, Synetiq will handle salvage vehicles involved in motor claims on behalf of Stocalfe Response.

Steve Dodson, client relationship and business development director, said: “I’m pleased to welcome Stocalfe Response as our newest client. We’ve worked closely with their team to make sure the transition was a smooth one and I’m delighted to report that everything’s working really well.”

Shears Bros partners with Ryder

Shears Bros (Transport), owned by and previously a founder member of Pall-Ex (UK), has partnered with Ryder for the supply of a mixture of DAF rigids and tractor units on contract hire.

Shears recently took delivery of eight XF480 Space cabs, four LF230 18-tonners and two CF230 18-tonners.

The company has also ordered some XF480 Super Space cabs for delivery later in the year. By the end of 2020, the Shears fleet will be almost entirely Ryder-supplied.

As well as being responsible for the BH, DT, SP and some SO postcodes for Pall-Ex, Shears also runs a general haulage operation, which is split 60/40 between tramping and day work.

Colin Hawkins, Pall-Ex director of UK owned operations, said: “Shears operates throughout the UK and needs a partner that can support us with national breakdown coverage so we’re secure in the knowledge that we’ve got 24/7 support across the country.

"Ryder takes the pressure off us and gives us peace of mind."