The pride of the fourteen-strong fleet will, amongst other duties, haul one of the company’s four air-suspended refrigerated trailers. These feature internal air bags, which are inflated along one side of the trailer to secure trolleys carrying eggs from farms around the UK to Liverpool.
“We have three vehicles on this run, seven days per week,” explains Partner James Richardson. “Each 15-tonne load consists of over 240,000 eggs, which are used in the production of the influenza vaccine. When not moving eggs we also operate in general haulage as well as turf transportation – all disciplines in which I’m sure the FH16 will excel in.”
Such is the quality of the finish on the new Volvo FH16; on its first outing to Truckfest Northwest in September this year, James managed to swell the contents of his trophy cupboard with 3rd place in the ‘Best Kept Custom & Paintwork’ category as well as 2nd place in the ‘Best Kept Overall New Truck’ competition.
The truck was also presented with the Martin Rigby Memorial Award, which was especially poignant as it was while attending Martin’s funeral with his friend Andy Scott of Custom Painthouse that the notion of a new truck really came into being. Martin Rigby was the owner of Elworth, Cheshire-based Martin Rigby Haulage, who died following a motorcycle crash during the Isle of Man TT festival in 2015.
“After Martin’s funeral, Andy said to me that life’s too short and wouldn’t it be a good idea to get another truck done up? I’d had a show truck back in 2003, so while driving home my wife Lisa and I discussed the idea and by the time we arrived back in Newton-upon-Derwent we’d decided that we’d go for it – and it would be a big Volvo.”
Coles & Sons of Banbury were the first to ‘breathe’ on the custom project. They created a full, smooth chassis infill from 6mm aluminium alloy. They also supplied and fitted the front Trux bull bar and fitted the side skirts and rear ‘Dutch-style’ lights, as well as the top, cab infill panel – which were supplied by Tor Trucks of Somerset.
In June the truck was moved to Barnsley and the LA Spray Shop, where Lee carried out all the preparation and then painted the chassis and all plastics in black. At this stage he also did the lacquer work.
While in Barnsley, Andy and Tom Scott of Custom Painthouse in Rotherham added their creative flair – the highlight being the image of a tiger appearing to rip its way out of the rear of the cab. “Andy wanted this to be the best truck they have ever done and I think he’s achieved that aim.” says James.
Darren at Kelsa supplied the top bar, complete with six new LED spotlights and four air horns as well as the Lo-bar, side bars and rear bumper bar. Additionally, the truck boasts Alcoa polished alloys supplied by Tyretracks and black mats and curtains with blue piping by Trucking Smart of Newcastle, which also produced the cover for the Jost Air Slider fifth wheel that was supplied by Janean at Jost UK. “There are also 48 blue LEDs shining down underneath the truck and a pair of marine reversing lights mounted at 45 degrees on the rear of the chassis to illuminate the artwork on the rear of the cab,” says James, adding: “Jason Wayne of Beverley has been a star when it comes to the electrics. “It’s taken 9-months to get to this point, but I have to confess I’ve really enjoyed it,” he concludes. “And it’s given me a new lease of life.”
