Long-established transport operators, B J Waters (Transport) Ltd of South Darley, Matlock has been running a mixed fleet since it started life as B.E. Waters in 1927 and now, with the fourth generation at the helm of this family-run firm, it has put its first-ever Volvo trucks into its European bulk tipping operations.
“We were looking to replace a small batch of trucks from another manufacturer,” notes Director, James Waters. “We had a look around, but eventually it came down to a choice between ourpreferred marque and Volvo.”
“Hartshorne Motor Services Ltd needed to do something attractive in order to get a foot in the doorbecause we know and like what we’ve got,” James continues. “We knew Volvo had a good product through speaking to other operators, but Hartshorne came back with an offer we couldn’t ignore.”
The resulting order for three Volvo FH 6×2 tractor units, were specified with Volvo’s D13K engine producing 500hp and celebrated I-Shift automated transmission systems and supplied by David Eyres, Area Sales Manager at Hartshorne Motor Services Ltd.
The vehicles went into service last November and have already impressed their new owners.
“Across our fleet of 60 tractor units they are consistently in the ‘top six’ on fuel, week in week out,”James reports. “We also specified the vehicles on 295/80 tyres, which we’ve found can gain usanywhere up to 90,000km of extra wear compared to those we’ve run on the current industrystandard of 315/70s for the last three years.”
Of the three new Volvo drivers, all appear to have been converted. “They’re very happy with thevehicles. It took a little time to get used to the change, but they’ve all fully embraced the Volvos now,” confirms James.
All the repairs and maintenance on Waters’ new vehicles will be done by Hartshorne Motor Services Ltd under a three-year Volvo Gold Service Contract,
“We’re very impressed with the performance we’re getting from the new Volvos and that’s certainlygiven us food for thought when it comes to ordering again,” James declares.
He concludes, “Volvo put their money where their mouth is, their product is doing what they said it would do and that’s saving a lot of money in fuel!”.
View this post on Instagram
