Seven new Volvo trucks have entered service with long established, loyal Volvo operator, general haulier Helsby and Longden Limited of Runcorn. The ‘65 plate trucks, which feature a new, updated livery, were supplied by Thomas Hardie Commercials, Middlewich.
According to Helsby and Longden Operations Director Jamie Jardine, the family-owned haulier, which has been a Palletforce network member since June 2007, decided to continue running Volvo trucks following the good experience the firm has enjoyed, in terms of reliability and dealer support, since first operating the marque in the late 1990s.
The seven truck order comprised four 6.8 metre wheelbase FE-280, 4×2 18-tonners, two 5.8 metre wheelbase FE-320, 6×2 26-tonners, all with I-Shift gearboxes and a high-spec Globetrotter-cabbed FH-500 6×2 tractor unit, all equipped with Dynafleet telematics, which Helsby and Longden are trialling.
“We bought our first Volvos in the 1990s and currently operate thirty trucks,” explained Jamie, before adding, “We’ve had a really good experience with Volvo’s reliability and you can’t fault the back-up we get from Thomas Hardie. These new trucks are all on Volvo’s Gold R&M contract with the maintenance being carried out at Middlewich. We decided to replace the rigids with the latest series Volvo FE which now has the I-Shift gearbox. This is ideal for the multi-drop work we do and there should be less wear and tear on the truck too.”
