Quality trucks, quality service bring Volvo FM-440’s to NFT

Major chilled food distribution specialist NFT has taken delivery of 15 new Volvo FM-440’s. The 14 4x2 and 1 6x2 I-Shift equipped tractor units were chosen on the basis of Volvo’s reputation for equally high standards of quality and local service.

“We chose Volvo because of their reputation for quality, reliability and good local service,” says Fleet Engineer David Seaton. All the trucks are equipped with the Globetrotter cab in air-conditioned Comfort trim. According to David, NFT the FM represented “a better all-round package for our operation, mainly in terms of the unit’s whole-life costs.” Working from the company’s Head Office depot at Alfreton, they will cover upwards of 150,000 miles per year on both primary distribution and trunking work and are on contract hire from the local Dealer, Hartshorne (East Midlands) Ltd.

The new Volvo’s have been well received at all levels in the fleet, says David. “The drivers are very complimentary of the trucks. I-Shift has been in with this fleet since 2004 without any problems, and the trucks’ performance is good, with fuel savings using the I-Shift box of up to 5% over the manual gearbox version.”

High quality maintenance was an equally important consideration and supplying Dealer Hartshorne have not disappointed. “They carry out all our maintenance,” says David. “Our operation runs 24/7 and Hartshorne service on days, nights and weekends to fit with our requirements.”