The Good Pub Guide’s Brewery of the Year for 2018 has turned once again to the tried and trusted FUSO Canter to deliver its champion beers for thirsty customers.
Purity Brewing Company, which operates from an idyllic, working farm in rural Great Alne, Warwickshire, is now running its third 7.5-tonner supplied by Mercedes-Benz Dealer Midlands Truck & Van – the German manufacturer’s franchised network is also responsible for sales and support of the popular FUSO light truck range in Great Britain.
Smartly finished in eye-catching silver, Purity’s Canters are fitted with curtainside bodies by Fred Smith & Sons, of West Bromwich. Like its two predecessors, the latest arrival is a 7C15 model and powered by an economical 3.0-litre common-rail turbo-diesel which offers high-torque characteristics – 370 Nm is available over a broad engine speed range. The truck’s 110 kW (150 hp) output is transmitted to the road via an efficient, smooth-shifting DUONIC® dual clutch automated gearbox, while an engine brake is included as standard.
In line with its commitment to producing high-quality beers in a natural and sustainable way, Purity specifies its Canters’ Comfort day cabs with roof-mounted wind deflectors and collars. These air management kits help to maximise mpg returns and thereby reduce emissions, particularly on longer runs, while also further enhancing the trucks’ appearance.
Exceptional reliability and a market-leading payload are key to the vehicle’s appeal. Purity’s Canters offer a carrying capacity of around 4,000 kg, at least 1,000 kg more than a conventional 7.5-tonner. Not only does this enhanced productivity translate into highly competitive running costs, but it also complements the operator’s environmental profile by restricting the number of road miles its vehicles travel.
Purity was established in 2005 by Managing Director Paul Halsey and Commercial Director Jim Minkin, who set out to “brew great beer with a conscience, consistency and attention to detail which is second to none”. It is now one of the UK’s fastest-growing craft breweries. Cask beers such as Pure UBU, Mad Goose, Pure Gold and Bunny Hop, and keg beers Longhorn IPA and Lawless Lager, have won a string of awards, while Purity has also been recognised for its eco-friendly production processes – its unique wetland system, for example, cleans waste water from the brewery before sending it back into the River Avon.
Announcing its Brewery of the Year, Fiona Stapley, Editor of the influential Good Pub Guide, said Purity’s ales had been getting “rave reviews” from readers, and praised the company’s “eco-friendly and energy efficient brewing process”. This latest accolade follows the success of Director of Brewing Flo Vialan in being named Brewer of the Year at last summer’s All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group Beer Awards.
Purity operates five trucks – the Canters are gradually replacing vehicles by its previous supplier – and a couple of vans. The company uses them primarily to deliver its own products, as well as best-in-class beers from around the world, to pubs, restaurants and other customers within a 70-mile radius of the brewery. They also run regularly to central London and Bristol, where Purity has a well-established freehouse clientele. A third-party transport provider handles distribution to the major supermarkets and major pub chains.
Logistics Manager Ian Back confirmed: “The Canter’s great strengths are its body and payload allowance, which we make full use of, and its outstanding reliability. We bought our first a couple of years ago and it hasn’t missed a beat. This robust engineering and build quality have proved invaluable in enabling us to meet our delivery commitments to customers.
“The Canters are returning at least three or four miles to the gallon more than the trucks we were using previously, while the fact that we seem to be getting through fewer tyres these days would suggest that they’re also lighter on their feet.”
Purity’s first two FUSO trucks are fitted with 18 ft bodies but the latest has a 14 ft curtainsider. “The Canter’s cab-over-engine design contributes to its impressive turning circle but given some of the tight spots we’re increasingly having to access in city centres we’ve gone for maximum manoeuvrability this time,” explained Mr Back.
Although its vehicles are maintained by a local garage, the company relies on Midlands Truck & Van for warranty and parts support. “It’s reassuring to know that should the worst ever happen, the Canter is backed by the Mercedes-Benz Dealer Network,” he continued.
Purity’s first Canter was also the first vehicle sold by Midlands Truck & Van’s James Smith, a graduate of the manufacturer’s award-winning Truck Sales Trainee Programme. “James provides a first-rate service,” observed Mr Back. “He’s extremely helpful, as well as being patient and tolerant.”
He added: “The trucks are washed every night and double as highly effective mobile advertisements for our brand, attracting many positive comments from customers and others who see them on the road.”
