Supplied by Truck and Bus Wales & West, Swindon, these are the first new Volvos to join the fleet for almost eight years.
Whites Transport Services Ltd was founded 23 years ago by ex-Owner Driver Ray White, who is now the company’s Managing Director. The firm now operate 23 trucks and 30 high spec fridge trailers.
“Our focus is 100% on delivering the highest level of customer service,” says Director and Transport Manager Pete White. Other family members running the company include Pete’s brothers Dan and Matt. Ray’s wife Paula is Company Secretary.
“We provide a top level service to customers who entrust their fresh meat and palletised produce to us for express delivery across the continent as well as the UK. That therefore requires the highest level of reliability from our trucks,” explains Pete White.
“Our drivers and efficient communication are key to the success of delivering such high levels of customer service. We value and look after our drivers, some of whom can be away from home for several weeks. That’s why we provide them with top quality trucks,” says Pete White, adding: “Our drivers are very independent, self-reliant and used to using their initiative to make sure the deliveries get there on time. They have a high level of technical knowledge as well as tremendous continental driving experience.”
The new Volvos, which are expected to cover in the region of 150,000 kms a year each, are engaged on deliveries of fresh lamb and other hanging meat, as well as palletised goods, especially fresh local produce from growers and food manufacturers from the UK, Scandinavia and across Europe. Goods carried include fresh fish, cheese, wine, pasta, fruit and vegetables. The company’s fleet of Chereau refrigerated trailers, fitted with Carrier fridges, can handle goods at temperatures between +30 and -30 Celsius.
All of Whites Transport Services new Volvos are equipped with the Active Safety Package. This includes Autonomous Emergency Braking Systems (AEBS) and Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Collision Warning. In addition, the following safety systems are also included to support the driver: Volvo’s Driver Alert Support System, Lane Support System, Lane Departure Warning System and Lane Change Support System. Other specification details include I-Shift automated transmissions, 700 litre fuel tanks, Bluetooth for cab phones and a factory-fitted fridge freezer.
According to Pete White, fuel economy performance of the new Volvos is very good. “We monitor the economy via Volvo’s Dynafleet app, which we also use for tracking. We’re consistently seeing nines from the two FHs we have had for a year and which are now run in. We’ve also had one truck record 10.1 mpg over a four week period in which it covered 12,000kms. The FH16-750 is also returning very good fuel figures.”
Maintenance is being carried out on a Volvo R&M contract at Truck and Bus Wales & West, Swindon, during the first two years. The company expect to keep the trucks for five years, confirms Pete White.
