Wales and West Truck and Bus wins over Briarwood with Volvo FH-540

Carol Millett
July 24, 2018

Volvo Truck and Bus Wales and West has wooed Somerset-based Briarwood Products back to Volvo after 25 years.

The dealership is supplying Briarwood Products with its first Volvo trucks in a quarter of a century after providing the firm with a demonstrator FH model for two weeks.

Briarwood Products director Oly Janes said: “We waited around a month to receive the FH demonstrator, but once in service it delivered impressive fuel savings over two separate drivers.

"After just two days with the demonstrator, Wales and West ' transport solutions executive, Wayne Bryant, phoned to update us on fuel usage via the Dynafleet system.

“Prior to that trial, Wayne also arranged for two different FH models, a flat roof cab and a Globetrotter cab, to be viewed at our premises. We were able to carry out detailed technical inspections of both trucks and these factors helped us return to Volvo,” Janes added.

The two new Volvo FH-540 Globetrotter tractor units will be used on own account operation for the company, which supplies fibre cement sheets and accessories.

The two 3,000mm wheelbase tag axle chassis on the Volvo FH-540 Globetrotter tractor units are fitted with D13K engines producing 540hp. The firm also chose Volvo’s I-Shift dual clutch gearbox for both trucks.

The medium height, all-air suspended chassis also feature higher fixing heights for the Jost JSK37 fifth wheels, as both trucks will operate on rough ground conditions.

Both trucks sport white, red and blue livery which was produced by Complete Wrap UK whilst the FH's additional light bars and associated wiring were fitted by AD Auto Electrical.

Briarwood Products has also signed up to Volvo's gold service contract for 36 months, which guarantees 100% uptime for the operator. The R&M contract will be carried out at Wales and West Truck and Bus' new dealerpoint in Bridgwater.

"Our drivers are usually away for four nights every week, so we opted for the roomier Globetrotter cabs with Drive Plus and Single Bed Living packages. The drivers love the cab comfort and trim levels, whilst the I-Shift Dual Clutch gearbox is also proving popular with them,” added Janes.

About the Author

img

Carol Millett

Carol Millett is an award-winning freelance journalist with over 30 years’ of experience writing across a broad range of sectors, including road transport, construction and civil engineering, project management, private finance, technology, HR, and travel and tourism. She is currently a regular contributor to a variety of DVV Media titles including Motor Transport Magazine, Commercial Motor and Transport News.

Share this article

Vehicle Type
make
model
bodytype
axle
cabtype
Emissions
;