“Scanias and Volvos are the best tipper chassis out there” says company director Darren Doherty, “and Thompsons’ Loadmaster bodies complement them perfectly. For trucks, I’m a big fan of all things Swedish and it’s good to see that our bodies are once again built with Swedish SSAB Hardox steel. We’ve run this spec of body for years because there’s really nothing to touch them for strength, durability and an all-round ability to handle every type of job that comes along.”

Based in Luton, Doherty Grab Hire is one part of B&R Doherty (Haulage) Ltd which has been active in the Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and North London areas for over 60 years. Specialising in tipper grab work, Doherty’s trucks typically transport items such as concrete, rubble and waste ready for crushing as well as fully processed materials such as Type 1 aggregates and screened topsoil.

“Keeping the trucks loaded both ways helps maximise our efficiency” adds Darren “in this business there’s no time for downtime. With tippers, it’s the bodies that do the really hard work, typically being loaded and tipping out many times a day. After many years of proven performance, we still choose the double skinned Loadmaster for the extra margin of protection the inner panels give to the outer ones.  This way, the trucks remain damage – free and in top condition, giving us a first class image for years to come.

Equally important, with their latest shotblasting and paint facilities  Thompsons bodies now have an unbeatable finished quality which is another key factor in their long term performance.”

Constructed at Thompsons’ factory in Croydon, Doherty’s new Loadmasters have been built in Hardox 450 steel with 5mm floors which as well as providing outright strength also deliver exceptional resistance to wear and abrasion. Completing the trucks are Edbro underfloor tipping gears and Epsilon grab loaders fitted with slew restrictors to provide maximum operating safety when working in highway applications.

Thompsons Joint Managing Director Scott Burton says “We fully appreciate all the effort that Darren puts into specifying the best possible tipper for his needs, and are delighted to be able to deliver such vehicles to him. From the base SSAB steel sheet through to the superb finish provided by PPG paint, you can see that our partnerships with our suppliers are no less important than those with our customers.

Our commitment to total product quality ultimately ensures that our tippers will command the highest possible residual value for their owners. In turn, the buyer of a three or five year old Thompsons tipper can be assured that there are always many more years of working life still to come from their truck.”

Darren reflects that his company bought its first new Thompsons tipper body on a Volvo FL10 chassis way back in1988, and its been 100% Thompsons ever since. Doherty’s generally run their trucks for five years before moving them on. “Aside from everyday reliability, re-sale value is the big thing” he says, “and there is always a good market for a Thompsons tipper.”

Scotch whisky producer, Chivas Brothers, makers of Chivas Regal and The Glenlivet, has announced the delivery of Scotland’s first all-electric tractor unit, a Volvo FM Electric 6×2 pulling a tri-axle box van trailer and operating at up to 44 tonnes gross vehicle weight.

Specified for the purposes of transporting Scotland’s biggest export, Scotch whisky, the truck is capable of hauling approximately 24 tonnes of whisky per journey and will cover between 250-300 miles per day, clocking up at least 62,000 miles per annum.

It forms the basis of a first-of-its-kind pilot programme, to be managed by McPherson’s, Chivas Brothers’ long-term haulage partner, designed to push the truck to its full capabilities and help the industry understand how electrification can benefit heavy trucks in the future. This truck alone will cut Chivas Brothers’ carbon emissions by 155 tonnes per annum, part of the business’ commitment to reducing its overall carbon footprint by 50% by 2030.

The pilot is expected to run for an initial two-year period, from which the truck’s range, uptime, safety and operational ease of use will be assessed to determine the viability for a wider rollout across Chivas Brothers’ transport fleet in the future.

“We are a proudly Scottish business and feel a deep responsibility to further the sustainability agenda, not only in whisky but for Scotland at large. While it is a true first for both, enabling us to progress towards a sustainable future for Scotch, innovating in electrification stands to benefit industries well beyond our own,” says Jean-Etienne Gourgues, Chairman and CEO of Chivas Brothers.

“We passionately believe that creating the highest-quality whisky should not mean compromising on sustainable and responsible business practice,” adds Jean-Etienne. “This pilot will show us what is possible through long-term collaboration with partners who recognise the importance of our sustainability vision and remain steadfast in innovating to realise our shared success.”

“Chivas Brothers and McPherson’s are setting a fantastic example by becoming early-adopters of a new generation of heavy truck which meets the demands from society for dramatic cuts in CO2 emissions,” says Neil Park, Managing Director of Volvo Truck and Bus Centre North & Scotland. “It’s our mission to support customers in making the switch to electrification, and we are looking forward to growing this collaboration together.”

“Scotland’s whisky industry is hugely important to our economy, especially in rural and island communities. It is also innovative and creative, and this ambitious project is a prime example of the continued progress that our beloved whisky sector is making to achieve net zero emissions in their operations by 2040,” explains Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands Secretary Mairi Gougeon.

“Whisky is enjoyed by millions across the globe, but it is crucial that we work toward ensuring that the future of our most popular export is both carbon neutral and sustainable. I hope that companies across all sectors will be inspired by the bold approach shown by Chivas Brothers and Volvo Trucks. Similar bold and urgent action will be needed across all sectors in order to secure a net zero future for Scotland,” Gougeon adds.

This is a milestone in Chivas Brothers’ net-zero journey, which implements innovative technologies to drive sustainable change. The producer has already rolled out other sustainable transport solutions across its operations, including a fleet of six circular bio-gas trucks and 19 site-based shunt vehicles, approximately half of which are currently trialling hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel.

The all-electric tractor unit will operate from McPherson’s local depot, where a 43kW charger has been installed. This site is situated adjacent to Chivas Brothers’ world-class Kilmalid facility, from where it will embark on its inaugural journey this coming week.

The Volvo FM Electric features three electrical motors, generating an output of 666 hp and 2,400 Nm of continuous torque, paired with Volvo’s renowned I-Shift gearbox to deliver a smooth and ultra-quiet in-cab driving experience.

The truck has been specified to meet the needs of a specific application, being equipped with five batteries, which allows for a range of up to 250km dependent on operational, driving and environmental conditions. When specified with the maximum six batteries, an FM Electric is typically capable of travelling up to 300km on a full charge.

DHL has announced the introduction of the UK’s first fully electric Volvo heavy duty tractor units. The four Volvo FM electric trucks are designed for high-capacity deliveries operating at 40 tonnes and will directly replace diesel vehicles on a range of routes.

Featuring Volvo’s largest 540kWh battery and a motor which provides 666hp, the trucks have a range of up to 300km (180 miles), allowing them to complete full round-trips on some routes servicing DHL’s customers across the UK.

The new trucks share the same controls and safety features seen on the conventional diesel Volvo FM vehicles, making the transition for drivers as easy as possible.

Saul Resnick, CEO DHL Supply Chain UK & Ireland, DHL Supply Chain said: “Today marks an important milestone in our journey towards alternative fuel vehicles. The size and capability of these trucks make them a truly viable alternative to diesel as they fully meet our needs and those of our customers. Following our introduction of the UK’s first 16-tonne rigid electric truck in late 2020, we’re proud to continue to lead the way in electric commercial transport.”

Schmitz Cargobull has become a minority shareholder (26%) in the Australian Trailer Solutions Group (ATSG), in a partnership that aims for long term success in the Australian market for MaxiTRANS.

Australian Trailer Solutions Group (ATSG) purchased the MaxiTRANS trailer business in September 2021.

“We are extremely thrilled to have Schmitz Cargobull onboard with MaxiTRANS as a partner,” said Greg L’Estrange, MaxiTRANS Executive Chairman.

“Schmitz Cargobull has a great reputation for high quality, innovative design and durability across its expansive product offering. To have a Company with such an international reputation see value in our plans for the MaxiTRANS business is testament to our people and the on-going support of our customers who have helped continue to build the business since ATSG came onboard.”

“The partnership with Schmitz Cargobull will allow our businesses to partner on technology, scalability and processes that can then be implemented in the MaxiTRANS operation.”

“The backing of Schmitz Cargobull, coupled with our own investment into the business, will allow us to streamline our processes, deliver global supply chain benefits and allow MaxiTRANS to continue to focus on delivering outstanding quality and support for our customers,” said Greg. “In addition, it provides access to worldwide trends and technology that we can utilise and leverage in the Australian market.”

“Our investment in MaxiTRANS offers great potential to unlock manufacturing synergies and introduce advanced technologies to support and contribute to the Australian Trailer Industry,” adds Andreas Schmitz, CEO of Schmitz Cargobull.

“We look forward with great excitement at the future of the MaxiTRANS business as we work together with our investment partners and continue to support our customers for the life of our product,” said Greg.

JLM Transport has refreshed its fleet with six more New Generation DAF XF 480 6×2 tractor units from Asset Alliance Group to help meet the growing needs of its biggest client, Smyths Toys, in the UK and France.

The new trucks join a mix of 12 New Generation DAF XF 480 and XG 530 tractor units that the Stoke haulier sourced from the commercial vehicle specialist last summer. All 18 vehicles – nearly half of the company’s total fleet – are supplied on three-year contract hire deals.

They will mainly be used to transport products from Smyths Toys suppliers to the toy retailer’s warehouses in Stoke and Corby, and for outbound deliveries to its 100-plus stores in the UK and Ireland, as well as carrying out general haulage work.

A number of the XF 480 trucks do overseas trips to Smyths Toys’ warehouse in Lille, following the Irish company’s acquisition of French retailer, PicWic Toys, last year.

Chris Blake, Transport Manager at JLM Transport, says: “We are continually investing in our fleet of modern, fuel-efficient vehicles to maintain and expand our service levels for Smyths Toys and a wide range of other clients.

“The New Generation DAF 480 trucks fit the bill perfectly – helping us to unlock fuel savings and improved driver satisfaction. Our drivers have commented on how well the trucks drive and their excellent pulling power, and they like the space and comfort of the cabs. We are working the trucks hard in the UK and they can be out for three-day trips when they go to Lille.”