South Wales company Tom Prichard Contracting is one of a growing number of Scania construction truck customers. In fact, Scania’s share of the UK 8×4 construction truck market is now approximately 30 percent.
Tom Prichard Contracting recently took delivery of an additional two Scania G 410 8×4 construction vehicles complete with tipper bodies. Another two tippers will be delivered this month and a further six tippers are on order for 2016. “I’m very pleased with the fuel economy on the new Scania tippers,” says Tom Prichard.
For added safety, these vehicles have been fitted with a passenger side ‘vision door’ to give the driver a valuable line of sight to potential cyclists or hazards on the nearside of the vehicle. The vehicles are also equipped with the latest side cameras, side sensors and an audible alarm for cyclists and pedestrians when the vehicle turns left. Drivers are enthusiastic about these improvements of vision and awareness in city centres.
Tom Prichard Contracting, based in Llantrisant, South Wales, is a leading provider of construction and support services to both private and public sectors. The firm was started by Tom on his family farm back in 1995 when he acquired his first excavator. “We’ve greatly expanded over the past six years with growing construction investment following the economic recession.”
Established in 1995 as a plant hire company, it now offers a full range of services including demolition, site clearance, bulk earthworks, drainage, ground remediation, infrastructure services, recycling and waste management and, most recently, civil engineering services. The firm recently assumed management of a new community recycling centre in Llantrisant, the first of its kind in the UK, and is the process of constructing another recycling depot in Wales. “We cater to a wide group of customers, from large-scale construction companies to the single-van tradesman and the general public.”
The firm employs 110 people from the local community. There are more than 400 machinery items supported by the 31-strong exclusively Scania truck fleet including 25 tippers, rigid and articulated trucks as well as a skiploader and a beavertail. Since acquiring his first Scania some 15 years ago, Tom Prichard has been loyal to the brand. “I’m 100 percent dedicated to Scania because of their reliability,” he says.
Equipment also includes four Terex Finlay stone crushers, which are also conveniently powered by a Scania engine. “We’re seeing improved fuel economy in the stone crusher as well,” says Tom Prichard.
Tom Prichard receives service, support and backup from the local Scania Cardiff dealer, Keltruck, for both trucks and stone crushers. “To see the vehicles and plant equipment all in action makes you all the more aware of the critical uptime required for all the vehicles and equipment,” says Andrew Bentley, General Manager for Marketing & Business Development at Keltruck. “In some cases if one item should stop working it can have a knock on effect and slow the whole process down.”
