Bywaters has purchased nine skip loaders, five box vans and 14 hook loaders of various sizes, organised by Enfield’s Volvo Truck and Bus Centre.

The new Volvo FL 4x2 rigid 18-tonne skip loaders have been specified with a lane departure warning system, a rear gearbox mounted PTO, ESP and EBS.

Meanwhile, the five 4x2 Volvo FE 18-tonne box vans, equipped with lane departure warning technology, forward collision warning system and front air suspension were added, alongside HIAB hook loaders.

Bywaters’ senior transport manager Luke Taylor said:  “Even though the company runs a mixed fleet, Volvo has always been our preferred manufacturer because, in our experience, it produces great products that the drivers love.

"For this deal it was merely a case of making sure the numbers were right and then we could agree on a delivery time.”

Special attention has been given the safety features on the new vehicles – something that Taylor explains was essential for the company’s operations.

“Because we are FORS Gold compliant, we had to ensure we had the correct safety equipment on board. This meant components such as four-way cameras, but also the under-run protection, which was also included on the vehicles," he said.

"With the forthcoming ULEV standards, we wanted to make sure the whole fleet was fully compliant and we also have to think about the Direct Vision Standard and its associated requirements.”

“We are comfortable with the fleet at the moment, but we are forecasting expansion within the business and so are exploring new waste management options, which could lead to more vehicle acquisitions. It’s a fast-paced sector, so we don’t know when that might be, but we will be prepared when the time is right.”