Trucks
Several factors were key in the Manchester-based company’s decision to stick with the Swedish manufacturer, including the proven reliability of the product, strong safety features and excellent after-sales support.
Tim Griffiths, Managing Director, Tennants Distribution, says: “We routinely benchmark our fleet options when ordering annual replacements, Volvo again scored the highest on all criteria. Being the UK’s leading independent distributor of chemicals, safety is our highest priority and factors strongly in all the decisions we make. We know Volvo excel in this area and provide trucks that we can always rely on.
“The strong local after-sales support that we receive helps us to maximise the utilisation and minimise any downtime, which links directly to our sustainability goals. The initial feedback from the drivers has been very positive. They’ve noted improved comfort, better visibility, and easier handling, which is particularly valuable given the nature of our work.”
Supplied by Paul McNicholas, Customer Solutions Manager, Thomas Hardie Commercials, all five trucks are ADR specified for the transportation of hazardous loads.
The three rear-steer FM rigids, featuring Fred Smith curtainsider bodies, are powered by Volvo’s fuel-efficient Euro-6 engine producing up to 430 hp and 2,050 Nm of torque. While the more powerful tractor units have been specified with Volvo’s D13K engine, providing up to 500 hp and up to 2,500 Nm of torque.
All five are driven via the popular automated 12-speed I-Shift gearbox, which is now faster than ever helping to improve drivability and performance.
These new additions join a 40-plus strong commercial vehicle fleet – of which more than 80 per cent are now supplied by Volvo – operating five days a week on a regional and national basis. The rigids are transporting a variety of packaged chemical products while the tractor units, which are three-star Direct Vision Standard-rated, will be predominantly used to pull Tennants Distribution’s chemical bulk tanker trailers.
“The work requires careful handling and adherence to strict safety regulations,” adds Griffiths. “All our trucks are built to our bespoke specification with features tailored for chemical distribution. This includes increased safety features, ADR specification and the ability to perform semi-bulk chemical transfer, which is a key method for us to help our customers reduce their carbon footprint. We also opt for GPS route tracking, all round CCTV coverage for pedestrian and reversing safety, and full air-suspension.”
The driver’s working environment is another important factor in the build. All five trucks feature spacious Globetrotter cabs, with leather trim interior and creature comforts including adjustable steering wheel with neck tilt, full electric air conditioning with sun, mist and air quality sensor and an underbunk fridge / freezer.
All the new arrivals feature the company’s sapphire blue livery and alloy wheels. The trucks are expected to be in service for seven to eight years and clock-up in the region of 50,000 miles per year.
Tennants Distribution is the UK’s leading independent distributor of chemicals, with a strategically located network of depots across the country. The business is a subsidiary company of Tennants Consolidated Ltd which is a privately owned conglomerate group, headquartered in London and with an annual turnover of £550 million.
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 2024 approximately 134,000 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.