Woolies adds another eight Euro 5 vehicles to fleet, placing the Scania rigid trucks into South Australia runs
Woolworths has added another eight Euro 5 vehicles to its fleet, placing the Scania rigid trucks into its South Australian operations.
Woolworths awarded the supply contract to Scania South Australia, part of its strategy to cut emissions across its operations and also take greater control of the transport task.
The new Scania vehicles all meet Euro 5 emissions compliance using selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and are rated at 380hp.
The contract includes four P380 LB6x2MNB rigs, powered by a 380hp Euro 5 SCR engine, with Opticruise transmission, full air suspension, driver’s airbag, CP16 Day Cab, 12 pallet fridge pan, Dhollandia slider tail lift, and side under-run protection. The other four vehicles are in twin-steer 8×2 configuration, with a larger 14-pallet fridge pan.
They will be used in South Australia for all types of distribution, from produce to refrigerated and frozen food to meat and even alcohol for Dan Murphy’s.
Woolworths says the twin steer units will be used on more complex loadings where weight is an issue. The higher front axle loadings mean even when delivery runs require unloading from the back the trucks will not be over-weight on the front.
All of the trucks come with integrated scales to ensure the driver is aware of the vehicle’s weight.
Scania Australia’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Roger McCarthy, says the contract underlines Scania’s suitability for urban and peri-urban distribution work.
“Scania is perceived as a quality operator at the top of the heavy goods vehicle market, but the Woolworths contract highlights an appreciation of the excellent product we offer for the 380hp rigid market,” he says.
“The Scania SCR offer is highly suitable for a high-profile operator who wants the benefit of power, good fuel economy and of course low emissions.
“The premium quality of Scania trucks will also give the contract drivers Woolworths employs a fine working environment that is quiet, comfortable and safe.
McCarthy says the twin-steer rigid configuration is popular with food industry clients with urban-based, multi-drop schedules.
“Its front axle weight advantage brings compliance peace-of-mind to operators,” he says.
“Scania was able to show Woolworths that it was able to supply the correct solution to its transport needs and within its timeframe and budget.”
The new Woolworths Metropolitan Transport Model (MTM) sees the national supermarket chain purchasing its own trailers and equipment and sub-contracting the haulage to third parties. The rigids will be fully owned and controlled by Woolworths, driven by sub-contractors.
Woolworths National Fleet Development Manager Alan Booth cites price, quality and service for picking Scania.
“For the launch of the MTM we looked for vehicles that we knew would meet our needs at the right price and give the reliability we need for the operation,” he says.
“We have leadership in environmental and safety issues. All our trucks must have Euro 5 compliance, driver airbags, seat belt warning buzzers and side under-run protection where possible. It’s just the right thing to do.
The eight Scania trucks will help Woolworths in its bid to reduce its transport emissions, per carton delivered, 25 percent by 2012.