Suffolk based, Kersey Freight, goes for growth with TruckEast and proven Scania product.
Now in its 17th year of trading, the privately-run haulier is fully committed to providing a quality, efficient and reliable service to its customer base. A driving force behind their latest purchase for 18 Scania 500 S 6×2’s.
The new additions feature Scania’s largest cab, the S Series Highline, complete with a flat floor. Powered by its six-cylinder, 13-litre SCR engine, it offers excellent driveability and produces 500 hp and 2,550 Nm of torque. Already an impressive specification as standard, Kersey chose to add a variety of premium packages onto the S Cab trucks, citing driver comfort as key in their recruitment and retention of the best drivers.
“Having a comfortable environment we think is a necessity, as drivers spend so much time out on the road. Our vehicles are always packaged to provide the best work and living space possible for the operation,” comments joint owner and Director, David Crawford.
“We want our drivers to enjoy their trucks and they really do with the Scania’s. They are a quality build and the choice of options is endless,” he continues.
Having run the S cab for a couple of years, the specification of the vehicles has evolved with each order, based on the needs of the drivers and operation itself. Following the last few hot summers, Kersey opted to add a cab night cooler this time, as well as the tag axle to increase manoeuvrability for restricted access deliveries.
As with most operators, Kersey Freight monitors their fleets fuel performance and claim the Scania product leads against the other marques. But it is driver appeal and brand image that sees the Swedish manufacturer score highly in the decision making process; that and their relationship with local dealer, TruckEast Limited.
The latest artics mark over 80 units supplied by TruckEast’s Area Sales Manager, James Crouch since 2014 when they first chose to give Scania a try. Fast forward seven years and the Swedish marque now hold the majority in Kersey’s 60-strong fleet.
“James is a big part of our decision to buy Scania. He’s a straight-talking guy, and you know where you stand. He knows what we want from our fleet and makes the whole sales process easy,” states David.
“But really, everyone at TruckEast is great. From the top-down, we have good relationships. When you need something, it’s done and they act fast, which is so important in reducing any impact on our operation” he explains.
As with the other existing Scania fleet, the majority of the new trucks will be serviced and maintained through TruckEast’s Stowmarket branch, with the others supported by Scania North.
All vehicles are subject to a Hire Purchase agreement with Scania Financial Services and will be operating nationally throughout the UK as well as across into Europe. These trucks will clock up anywhere between 120,000 and 145,000 kms a year and are expected to remain in service for five years.
“The package that comes with the Scania 500 S, in terms of product performance, driver appeal and back-up, ticks all the boxes for us. That’s why we’ll continue to invest. In fact, we’ve another five 6×2/2’s due later this month and have already ordered a further five similarly specced vehicles to come later in the year,” summarises David.
