Firow adds 90 DAFs in fleet expansion
Recent deliveries to Firow Limited in support of further fleet expansion brings the number of DAFs supplied to the Cheshire company so far this year to 90.
The trucks are a mix of 32 tonne DAF CF85 four-axle vehicles with hook-loader equipment by Reynolds Boughton and 18 tonne LF55s with Hyva and Multilift Skip Loading Equipment. The new hook-loaders mean that Firow is probably the largest supplier of these types of vehicle in the UK.
Firow is using them in its spot rental and contract hire operations out of its Cheshire headquarters at Sandiway on the A49 and from its Pinxton depot adjacent to the M1 in Nottinghamshire.
The arrival of the new vehicles confirms the company’s position as the leading supplier of spot and contract hire hook and skip-loaders in the UK. All of the UK’s major waste handling companies number amongst its customers along with many municipal concerns. Its fleet also includes drawbar hook-loaders with tri-axle trailers, 6 x 2 tractor units with wet kits, ejector trailers, 6 x 4 low entry trade waste and front end loaders.
Sales Director Gary Unsworth says that many customers find spot rental a convenient and flexible means of reacting quickly to business opportunities that arise suddenly or to plug temporary gaps in their own fleet.
Half of the new vehicles are going to support a recently renewed five year contract with Sims Metal Management and these vehicles will be in their distinctive blue colours. Sims is the world’s largest metal recycling operator and will run the trucks out of its recycling centres across England and Wales.
“Long term contract hire means that customers can keep the cost of vehicles off their balance sheet,” says Unsworth. “It gives a fixed monthly cost which proves helpful in today’s uncertain markets. Another major benefit is that we take over the complete fleet management leaving the customer to focus on their core business activities.
“The overriding advantage of dealing with Firow, is our expertise in the sole provision and maintenance of waste vehicles. We have excellent workshop facilities at both our locations and our technicians are factory trained. We also carry a large stock of Reynolds Boughton, Multilift and Hyva parts.
“The DAF trucks are ideally suited for the waste industry. They are robust enough to cope easily with the demands of frequent off-road work and at the same time they offer good fuel efficiency and high levels of driver comfort.
“The overriding reason for choosing to purchase DAF is the support offered by the DAF after sales team, whether it be service or parts. A comprehensive dealer network ensures that wherever our trucks are operating there is always a DAF dealer close to hand.”
DAF dealers Chatfields of Manchester and Harris DAF of Grays, Essex, supplied the trucks and will provide ongoing warranty and parts support.
