The four new Euro 6 compliant vehicles comprise two rigid 18 tonne and two articulated 6 x 2 tractor units. All vehicles have been purchased from Iveco, with trailers being produced by SDC.
One of the new tractor units is of the low-ride design, similar to those already operated by the company. This will operate in conjunction with a double-decker Kelburg trailer from SDC. The floating decks on this trailer enable them to be off-loaded through the rear doors at dock level at customer premises. This will allow Benson Group to deliver 46 pallets on any one route – which can include multiple customer drops or one single site delivery.
The second Iveco Stralis tractor unit will be of the standard 6 x 2 format, allowing Benson Group the pull a single deck 26 pallet trailer or a step-frame 46 pallet trailer.
The new 18 tonne rigid lorries provide an upgrade from the traditional 7.5 tonne eight pallet vehicles. The new lorries allow for transportation of 16 pallets per time providing the company with an increased capacity.
Commenting on the choice of vehicles, Ian Widdowson, group warehouse and distribution manager for Benson Group, said: "The Iveco vehicles have been our preferred solution since 2010 following a thorough testing of all suitable suppliers. Our focus for those tests was on fuel efficiency, and our latest purchases – which are all automatic vehicles – have vindicated our selection as they have even improved their efficiency since our initial examination."
From an environmental perspective, Benson Group says the new vehicles are operating a 12% cleaner engine, along with further gains in overall miles per gallon.
The delivery fleet is spread across Benson Group's three operational centres, with twelve vehicles based in Bardon, Leicestershire, eight at the company's two North East plants, and seven at Medica, Crewe.
