Somerset haulier RT Keedwell Group has taken on two new MAN tractor units to build up comparative data against its existing fleet in advance of a major fleet order next year.
The Highbridge-based firm has traditionally run Scania and DAF units, with Renault making inroads into the business more recently. However, until now there have been just two 55-plate MAN TGA tractors on the fleet.
The two new 60-plate units, supplied by Avonmouth dealer SA Trucks, will be used to benchmark against the rest of the operation.
Jon White, group commercial director, adds: "We know the other marques inside out and the support their dealers give, perhaps we've not been convinced of that [from MAN] before and this is a bit of a step into the unknown, but we have to try every angle.
"We will monitor them closely and we will have to be confident over their reliability and the dealer support."
White says 25 Renault Premium tractors are due at the company in March, but the firm will return to market later next year with a bigger order; last time the firm made a large-scale purchase it bought 75 new Scania tractors.
RT Keedwell has expanded since that last deal. It recently acquired the business of Inta-Site in the North-East and vehicles and drivers from Entwisles in the North-West to service its £20m contract with block maker H&H UK.
The two businesses are integrating well, says White, and he thinks the firm is still on track to achieve turnover growth of between 10% and 20% in the current year.
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