Thomas Hardie Commercials has secured a 60-strong fleet deal with Llanelli-based Owens Group for new Volvo FH 460 Globetrotter tractor units.
They will be delivered in three tranches over the next nine months, to the haulier’s Carrington site in Greater Manchester – its first Volvo order since 2005.
The dealer had supplied a seed truck which was compared against equivalent models from two rival marques – achieving an 11.4 mpg average with the firm’s drivers.
The new trucks include full electronic air conditioning, cab parking heater, dimmable interior lighting, and a 33-litre under-bunk fridge-freezer.
There are also twin armrests, additional dashboard storage, 245 litres of rear cab upper storage, bottle holders in the driving and living space, a fixed lower bunk with a wide middle section, 40mm thick mattress topper and a luxury sleeper control panel.
Volvo’s I-See predictive cruise control enables the truck to use map-based topographical information to manage speed and gear changes in the most fuel-efficient way, helping to drive down fuel consumption.
Each truck comes with a Volvo Gold Contract, including all preventative maintenance and repairs through the Thomas Hardie Commercials Trafford Park facility.
Andy Williams, Head of Fleet & Compliance at Owens Group, said: “We never buy a truck until the product has proven itself within our operation and with our drivers.
“Thomas Hardie Commercials had full faith in the FH to deliver, and it didn’t disappoint – coming out top on fuel and getting a great reception from our drivers in the process.
