When Nottinghamshire-based, Wade Spring Limited – the UK’s leading manufacturer of furniture springs – investigated the acquisition of a new vehicle for its fleet, it concluded that a 12-tonne Volvo FL 4×2 rigid was exactly the vehicle that it needed.
Having recently purchased the spring business of another furniture supplier, the Long Eaton company soon realised that its existing ten-tonne truck was not going to have the required capacity to move its products around the country. As a result, they invested in the new Volvo rigid, supplied by Hartshorne Motor Services Ltd.
“We knew that Volvo made great trucks and heard about the quality levels that drivers found in the cab,” explains Phil Thacker, Purchasing Logistics Manager at Wade Spring. “We got a few quotes from different truck manufacturers and the Volvo worked out the best overall in terms of performance and reliability. Having already done a lot of research into the market and the vehicles within it, we decided to go with the Volvo.”
Entering service with Wade Spring in late July, the new FL has rear air suspension, heated mirrors and an adjustable roof deflector, plus the benefit of a Dynafleet contract, which was taken out to monitor performance and mileage.
Power comes from Volvo Trucks’ D5K four-cylinder diesel engine, producing 210hp and 800Nm of torque, which is coupled to Volvo’s I-Sync automated six-speed gearbox.
Phil explains that the driver of the truck was completely won over by the Volvo package, having previously driven other marques. “As an added bonus, although the FL has a reliable reputation in service, the seven-year Volvo Gold Service Contract makes a big difference and adds more confidence in the product we are investing in.”
Frisby Wade, grandfather of the current chairman, Charles Wade, established Wade Spring in 1920. Like Volvo Trucks, a desirable fit and finish is essential in the company’s products, which can be found in seats in cars, trains and all types of furniture.
