Press Information VOLVO AND CROSSROADS FIRST TO THE BAA WITH BLACK SHEEP BREWERY As part of a general restructuring of the way the company handles its transport and logistics, two Classic Volvo FH-500 6x2, 44-tonne GCW tractor units and a Volvo FL- 240 18-tonne 4x2 GVW rigid dray vehicle have joined the fleet of Black Sheep Brewery. The Classic FHs are the first Volvo tractor units to join the Black Sheep Brewery fleet of eight vehicles. Following an intensive evaluation programme involving several truck manufacturers, the award-winning Yorkshire brewery - which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2012 - has restructured its transport fleet to reduce operating costs and improve vehicle uptime. The trucks were sourced from Crossroads Truck and Bus at Boroughbridge. All are on Volvo Repair and Maintenance contracts with the trucks being dropped off at the dealership for scheduled O -Licence inspections at 6pm, ready for collection by 6am the following morning. Black Sheep Brewery s Production Director Alan Dunn and Andy Wallace, who is Transport & Distribution Supervisor, report that the company was attracted to Volvo by the reputation for good fuel economy and overall operating costs.
As part of the evaluation process, says Alan Dunn, Crossroads and Volvo Financial Services provided the most competitive purchase cost and source of lease purchase funding. Crossroads are also carrying out trailer maintenance for Black Sheep Brewery. In addition to ambient trailers, the trailer fleet includes a Lawrence David chilled curtainsider which doubles up as a mobile bar for use at outdoor shows, such as The Great Yorkshire Show at Harrogate. While the Globetrotter XL-cabbed Classic FHs handle primary distribution duties to wholesalers and retailers distribution centres nationwide, the FL - which is double manned - is engaged on deliveries to free trade pubs, other breweries and pub multiples direct. These local deliveries are typically made within a 50 mile radius of Masham, the picturesque town in the Yorkshire Dales where the Black Sheep Brewery is based. Part of the restructuring included the introduction of four Transit vans which have recently replaced non-volvo rigid trucks on local deliveries to the licenced trade and retail multiples. Andy Wallace reports that the FHs, which have dedicated drivers and are expected to cover in the region of 160,000kms per annum, are achieving 10.9mpg overall. This represents an improvement of 3mpg in fuel economy compared to the older non-volvo
trucks they replaced. Chris Bright, an experienced Black Sheep Brewery driver, took part in the finals of the Volvo Trucks UK Driver Challenge 2012. The event was held in Co Galway and Chris was one of the top ten competitors. According to Alan, the FL is achieving 12mpg and, with only around 6,000kms on the odometer, that is expected to improve, he says. The FL was specified for distribution on the narrow roads of rural areas and country towns. It is equipped with a 7.3 metre, low height Micra body, low profile 295/60 R22.5 tyres on the drive axle, a D Hollandia taillift and Volvo s I-Sync auto transmission. The result is a competitively low chassis height for side unloading and a kerb weight of 7,900kgs, thus achieving a 10,100kgs payload. The vehicle was spec d around what Black Sheep Brewery drivers wanted, says Andy. Many of our deliveries are timed, says Alan, before adding: Therefore, reliability and vehicle uptime are of paramount importance to Black Sheep Brewery. We are always developing new markets and extending our range of products so we need a modern, reliable fleet to ensure delivery schedules are adhered to.
- ENDS - Caption for images : Two Classic Volvo FH-500 6x2, 44 tonne GCW tractor units and a Volvo FL-240 18 tonne 4x2 GVW rigid dray vehicle have joined the fleet of the award winning Black Sheep Brewery in Masham, in the Yorkshire Dales. Notes for Editors : 1.Paul Theakston, whose family has brewed in Masham for six generations, established the Black Sheep Brewery in 1991. 2.The brewery quickly became successful and now produces over 75,000 barrels a year. 3.Following a successful launch as a Business Expansion Scheme, it became a public limited company (plc) in 1992. For more information, please contact : Nigel Hanwell, Press Officer, Volvo Truck Limited Tel: +44 (0) 1926 414210 Mobile: +44 (0) 7831 817083 Fax: +44 (0) 1926 414386
E-mail : nigel.hanwell@volvo.com Visit http://www.thenewsmarket.com/volvogroup to access broadcast-standard video about the Volvo Group s various production plants and products. You can download graphic images in the form of MPEG2 files or order them on Beta SP tape. Registration and video are free to the media. Images are available in the Volvo Trucks image bank http://images.volvotrucks.com. Volvo Trucks provides complete transport solutions for professional and demanding customers, offering a full range of medium to heavy duty trucks. Customer support is secured via a global network of 2,300 dealers and workshops in more than 140 countries. Volvo trucks are assembled in 16 countries across the globe. In 2012 more than 105,000 Volvo trucks were delivered worldwide. Volvo Trucks is part of the Volvo Group, one of the world s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses and construction equipment, and drive systems for marine and industrial applications. The Group also provides solutions for financing and service. Volvo s work is based on the core values quality, safety and environmental care.