Castell Howell Foods of Cross Hands, Llanelli in South Wales has taken delivery of a new Volvo FH13 6×2 from the Mansel Davies and Son dealership in Llanfyrnach, Pembrokeshire.
The unit is coupled to a Chereau bi-rail meat trailer featuring a Thermal King SLX400 front mounted fridge unit and is operating as the flagship vehicle for the company’s high profile ‘Celtic Pride Premium Welsh Beef’ brand.
The new FH tractor unit is powered by the D13K500 engine producing 500 hp and equipped with the intelligent Volvo I-Shift automated transmission. The 4.1m wheelbase unit also features a Globetrotter cab and is equipped with the Drive Plus, Visibility and Personal Protection packages.
Transport Director at Castell Howell Foods, Martin Jones says: “We have just completed a £5 million investment in a new cutting plant in Cross Hands for Celtic Pride Premium Welsh Beef and the striking new Volvo FH is an excellent ambassador for a product of which we are extremely proud.”
Mr. Jones adds: “For a company that was started in 1988 by my parents Brian and Elizabeth, we have grown to become a leading supplier of gourmet ingredients and catering products to the restaurant and pub trade, as well as the largest supplier of Welsh products to the public sector.”
“We anticipate turnover in 2015 will be in the region of £95 million and this is predominantly down to us delivering on our promises to our customers each time and every time. In this respect the new Volvo FH13 is an important investment that underpins our customer-centric approach,” he continues.
Throughout Castell Howell’s growth as a company it has sought to provide the best conditions for its drivers. “They certainly have an influence in our purchasing decisions when it comes to the trucks,” says Mr. Jones. “Based on experience we simply don’t get any trouble with Volvo trucks and our drivers chose them and like them. Our drivers and vehicles are the face of the company and the reliability that we find with Volvo is key to us delivering on our promises. Furthermore, driver acceptance of the new FH is second-to-none.”
The new Celtic Pride Premium Welsh Beef dedicated Volvo FH joins an existing fleet comprising some 100 rigid trucks, 15 vans and 5 tractor units, three of which are Volvo FH models.
Martin Jones anticipates the new unit will cover some 150,000 km/year and over mixed terrain it has already recorded a fuel consumption average of over 9mpg.
“Our drivers and vehicles are the single biggest advertisement for our company and the Volvo FH with its striking paintwork is the ideal way to show off the Celtic Pride Premium Welsh Beef brand,” concludes Martin Jones.
