Castell Howell Foods beefs up fleet with more Mercedes trucks

[kscarbel2]

Transport Engineer / August 19, 2015

Castell Howell Foods is now running the first two of its order for 23 new Mercedes-Benz and Fuso trucks – a pair of flagship 510bhp Actros 2551 tractor units pulling temperature-controlled Chereau semi-trailers.

The Cross Hands, Pembrokeshire-based independent wholesaler, famous for its Celtic Pride Premium Beef brand, has also just commissioned 10 fridge-bodied Atego rigids.

They comprise four 15-tonne 1524s and six low-frame 12-tonne 1224 LnRs, all of which arrived via the Swansea branch of Euro Commercials.

The dealer is currently processing orders for a further six 15-tonners and four more 12-tonners, as well as a 7.5-tonne Fuso Canter 7C18.

Some of the new vehicles are replacements for ageing assets on its 108-strong fleet, but others are fleet additions acquired to meet growing customer demand, according to Castell Howell director of transport operations Martin Jones.

"The tractor order came down to a straight fight between Mercedes-Benz and one other manufacturer," states Jones.

"In the end it was decided by driver choice… We tried demonstrators and they preferred the Actros for its spacious and comfortable cab, with the driving position winning particular praise."

And Jones says the responsiveness and low noise of the Mercedes Actros 510bhp engine also won plaudits."

Castell Howell Foods runs mostly -sized rigids, roughly half of which are Mercedes-Benz vehicles supplied by Euro Commercials.

The operator also runs 12 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans, which make special and emergency deliveries, each covering upwards of 100,000 miles a year.

Jones says the new Actros are typically working at 37—38 tonnes gcw, and says the firm is "very pleased" with their fuel efficiency.

"Even on a challenging route out of West Wales we're getting close to 10 mpg, while on motorway routes they'll often top 11," he says.

"We picked the GigaSpace over a day cab because, although the drivers don't spend nights away in their trucks, they do travel reasonable distances during which our new fleet flagships double as great mobile advertisements for the business."

Castell Howell Foods has been operating Mercedes-Benz Atego rigids for more than a decade. Its latest examples are powered by Mercedes 238bhp six-cylinder engines, designed to combine high-torque at low revs with good fuel economy.

Says Jones: "The Euro 6 [Atego] represents a big step forward compared to the previous version. The turning circle is better, as is the engine performance, while the intelligence and anticipation of the PowerShift 3 automated gearbox is also very good."

The 15-tonners have been allocated to urban routes and deliver to larger, contract customers, where their load volume and payload capacities shine.

The 12-tonners have been assigned to rural duties, where their reduced height is a important.

"We get a lot of overhanging trees in the lanes of West Wales, and like to keep the trucks as low as possible to minimise body damage," explains Jones.

And he adds: "We maintain our rigid vehicles and vans locally, with the help of regular parts deliveries from Euro Commercials, but the dealer is inspecting and servicing our new Actros under R&M contract."

.