Trucks
The Newport-based business has added nine Volvos to its 20-strong fleet over the past two years, having been hugely impressed with the local dealer service, fuel efficiency and driver performance from the Swedish manufacturer.
Supplied by Darren Padfield, Area Sales Manager at Truck and Bus Wales and West, the new FH is built on a 3,900mm wheelbase and powered by Volvo’s proven D13K Euro-6, Step D, diesel engine producing up to 500 hp and 2,600 Nm of torque.
Jon Sutton, Transport Manager Wales, at Simec Transport, says: “We’ve gone from no Volvos to nine in two years. Since I first got in touch with Darren, the customer service we have received has been outstanding. If I ask him for a truck, I can give him the date I need it on the road, and it will be there. The trucks have all performed really well, and they’ve gone down great with the drivers.
“The fuel figures we’re getting from the Volvos are also fantastic. We are a steel haulier, so the trucks are always transporting very heavy loads, close to our maximum running weight, and we are getting between 9-10mpg which is very, very good.”
The new Volvo FH sports the blue and white livery of Liberty Steel Group, Simec Transport’s sister company. Both businesses are part of the global corporation – the GFG Alliance.
“We needed more trucks due to the growing demand from the steelworks,” explains Sutton. “Despite the issues with COVID-19, business has been booming and as their haulier we needed to grow the fleet to keep up. We’ve increasingly moved towards Volvo as we’re very happy with the full package they provide.”
This latest FH will be in operation five days a week and is expected to clock up between 110,000 - 120,000km per year. It’s been supplied on a contract hire deal with Volvo Financial Services and is protected with a Volvo Gold Contract repair & maintenance agreement.
The truck benefits from Volvo’s 12-speed I-Shift automated gearbox, which evaluates information about speed, weight, road grade and torque demand to perform every shift with precision – communicating with the engine to allow it to adjust the revs and brake-effect for maximum performance. This is combined with its impressive fuel saving potential, with every gear change timed precisely, ensuring the engine works at its most efficient rpm.
The FH’s Globetrotter XL Cab offers huge amounts of storage space and comes with a two-bed resting package and a Drive Plus package, enhancing comfort and making the working environment for Simec’s drivers both safer and more practical.
“The drivers all love them,” adds Sutton. “We really can’t fault any of the Volvo trucks we have, so that’s why we’ve just kept on going back to them again and again.”
Martin Tomlinson
Head of Media, Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland
Tel: +44 7775 938063
Email: martin.tomlinson@volvo.com
Volvo Trucks supplies complete transport solutions for discerning professional customers with its full range of medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Customer support is provided via a global network of dealers with 2,200 service points in about 130 countries. Volvo trucks are assembled in 12 countries across the globe. In 2023 approximately 145,000 Volvo trucks were delivered worldwide. Volvo Trucks is part of the Volvo Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial engines. The group also provides complete solutions for financing and service. Volvo Trucks’ work is based on the core values of quality, safety and environmental care.