NEWS SUMMARY:
- Ferguson Transport adds six Volvo FH Aero 6x2 tractor units to its fleet, with three more arriving soon
- The latest order was placed due to the performance, reliability and safety credentials of the company’s existing Volvos
- The new FH Aeros will be used for a wide range of haulage duties, including timber transport, tanker work and waste management
With more than 50 commercial vehicles in its fleet, almost all of which are Volvos, the Highland-based operator says the marque remains its preferred choice thanks to its proven reliability, safety credentials and strong aftersales support.
Speaking about the latest order, Jack Ferguson, Operations Director at Ferguson Transport, says: “Volvo is our number one manufacturer because their vehicles are safe, reliable and well suited to our operations. We also value the strong dealer back-up available when required. These latest units are our first Aeros and we’re very interested to see what the new cab design will provide in terms of improved fuel economy.”
Long-standing working relationship
Volvo Trucks has formed an integral part of Ferguson Transport’s fleet for more than five decades, with the business citing extensive experience with the manufacturer as a key factor in its latest purchasing decision.
The new FH Aeros – supplied by Kevin Fraser, Transport Solutions Executive, Volvo Truck and Bus Centre North & Scotland – will operate on a wide variety of routes, including nationwide trunking and rural operations. One of the fleet’s most specialist applications involves transporting fresh salmon from harvest stations to processing facilities in insulated cylindrical tanks, with vehicles operating around the clock to meet customer requirements.
Depending on their role, the new trucks will operate between five and seven days per week, with some double-shifted and running 24 hours a day. Each is expected to cover around 150,000 km annually and remain in service for five to six years.
Fuel-efficient and a specification focused on the driver
The FH Aeros are powered by Euro 6-compliant D13TC Step E engines, which produce 500 hp and a peak torque of 2,800 Nm. These are paired with Volvo’s popular 12-speed I-Shift automated gearbox technology with I-See predictive cruise control to improve efficiency further. The latter allows the driver to tackle hills and gradients in a higher gear, saving fuel without losing speed.
Inside the Globetrotter cabs, Ferguson Transport has opted for a driver-focused specification with full leather interior, microwave oven, fridge/freezer, plus full media and navigation package.
The exterior of the stunning new additions is equally impressive, with full factory paintwork in the company’s updated red, yellow, white and black livery, factory-fit spotlight bar and beacons, as well as stainless steel mirror guards for added protection on the Highland roads.
“The early feedback from our drivers has been very positive,” adds Ferguson. “They have commented on how comfortable the new FH Aeros are and that they provide a great environment to work in, as well as being enjoyable to drive.”
To support uptime and vehicle performance, the trucks have been supplied with a three-year Volvo Gold contract, with servicing and maintenance to be carried out at Volvo Truck and Bus Centre North & Scotland’s Inverness depot. Ferguson Transport also has its own on-site workshop facilities, allowing the company to carry out a significant amount of work in-house, ensuring the fleet is kept in excellent working condition.
Operating from the customer’s headquarters in Fort William, the trucks will be tasked with everything from general haulage and timber transport to tanker work, waste management, aquaculture and specialist low-loader operations. Ferguson Transport is a family-owned logistics provider founded in 1959 and one of the largest independent transport companies in the Highlands and islands of Scotland. The business delivers integrated road, rail, marine, port and warehousing services across the UK.
