Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland: Henderson Foodservice has spent £1.9m as part of its 2022 fleet replacement scheme on 18 new Renault Trucks.
Diamond Trucks supplied the four 26-tonne Renault Trucks D Wide 6x2s and fourteen 18-tonne D 4x2s, all with dual chilled and frozen refrigerated bodies by Lifford Coachworks. Tail lifts are fitted to all the trucks.
Henderson Foodservice’s fleet completes an average 7,500 drops per week to customers in the hospitality sector covering some 90,000km.
“The first two Renault trucks have already gone on the road, and they look great, both wrapped in the bright blue livery of Northern Ireland’s biggest coffee brand, Barista Bar,” Gavin Hamill, Logistics Manager, Henderson Foodservice, says.
The rest of the vehicles, which are rolling out over the next few months, are Henderson Foodservice branded.
The D’s tight turning circle and compact cab suit Henderson Foodservice’s operation, delivering into tight spots, including convenience stores and forecourts. Vehicle selection was influenced by driver feedback and the reliability, drivability and comfort of the Renault Trucks D, Renault says. “Drivers also comment on the ergonomics, they like that all the controls are easy to find and easy to access,” Hamill says.
The D26 Wide 280s are powered by Renault’s eight litre DTi engine, with maximum power of 206kW at 2100rpm, and maximum torque torque of 1050Nm from 950 rpm to 1600rpm with Optidriver twelve speed gearbox and with automatic clutch.
Inside the cabs are spec’d for comfort, with air-suspended Comfort driver’s seat, lumbar support, and heated seat base and seatback.
“Fuel economy is something we always keep a close eye on, especially in the current climate with rising oil costs, and there’s a lot of urban driving around the city as well as rural, so it’s mix and match, but they’re performing well,” Hamill says.
For the first time Henderson Foodservice opted for a full repair and maintenance contract over seven years with Renault Trucks dealer, Diamond Trucks. “This is a brand new model for the company, so it’s early days, but we know what is covered in the contract and it helps with budgeting, keeping a lid on costs. It also helps that we have such a good local dealer on our doorstep, the team at Diamond Trucks always look after us, a great bunch, as we say in Belfast, everyone is sound. By year end, 70% of our fleet will be Renault Trucks,” Hamill says.
