Daf scheme to address truck shortage in construction sector

Daf is addressing the issue of lengthening lead times by making a limited supply of bodied trucks available for immediate delivery under its new Tip, Skip and Grab programme.

In a scheme aimed mainly at the booming construction and utilities sectors, the manufacturer is working with its body-building partners to provide completed eight-wheel tippers, tipper-grabs, skip-loaders and hook loaders to customers within days, through its dealer network, subject to finance, rental arrangements or any local specification amendments.

The move follows the forecast made by Daf MD, Ray Ashworth, at Tip-Ex earlier this year, that delivery lead times for such vehicles would become longer.

Announcing the new programme Ashworth said: “The construction and waste industries are buoyant at present although we’re seeing long lead times at body-builders for associated models, therefore, we’re looking to provide a speedy turn around for customers that need trucks quickly.

“With the help of our industry-leading body-builder partners, we can sensibly make available a small stock of bodied, ready-for-the road trucks to help customers with their short-term availability requirements.

“Of course, customers will continue to prefer to spec their vehicles from the ground up, but, equally, we understand that immediate availability might be required where contracts suddenly crop-up or where a specific tipper, skip-loader or grab is needed to fill a gap in existing work.”

Ashworth believes Daf’s Tip, Skip and Grab programme will allow the manufacturer to be geared-up to meet any spike in demand and ease the pressure for customers.

He said: “This is a pre-emptive measure and nothing more, a little foresight on the part of chassis manufacturers and bodybuilders helps operators cater for the inevitable short term needs of a buoyant construction industry.”