DAF has won an £11.7 million order from Carlsberg UK for 98 new trucks following a competitive open tender.
The new vehicles will be the first DAF trucks on Carlsberg UK’s distribution fleet for 10 years. They will be based across eight of the company’s regional distribution centres to carry out multi-drop deliveries.
Representing one of DAF’s biggest orders, the 98 vehicles include 15-tonne and 18-tonne LF rigid models, plus 26-tonne CF and 6×2 tractors. All sport Carlsberg UK’s new hop leaf livery.
With an expected annual mileage of more than four million kilometres between them, Carlsberg cited durability and a strong aftersales support as key reasons for choosing DAF.
Carlsberg UK is one of the only major beer and beverage businesses to retain its own drivers and in-house national distribution service, and their feedback was used to deliver a number of bespoke specifications to the vehicles.
In addition, three-seat cabs were specified for 30 of the vehicles, so Carlsberg’s UK driver training programme can teach two drivers at a time.
Andrew Davis, National Fleet Engineer, Carlsberg UK said, “The new DAF trucks will help our delivery fleet to be greener and more efficient by delivering more with some of the cleanest, safest and best trucks on the road.
“Driver feedback about the ride quality, cab and drivability has been really positive. There’s even some competitiveness to get the most efficient driving scores from the Driver Performance Assist system, but the key reason for choosing DAF was because it had the best aftercare package from its dealers,” he continued.
Ian Grant, DAF Trucks Sales Director, added, “It is important to us, and satisfying, to meet and hopefully exceed Carlsberg UK’s requirements for its vehicles and aftersales service levels. The procurement process involved a big commitment for DAF, so we are delighted the DAF range offered the right choice of vehicles that could be perfectly tailored to Carlsberg UK’s needs.”
