UK’s largest papermaker chooses Volvo

AAG Distribution, a wholly-owned subsidiary of St Regis Paper Co. Ltd. of Maidenhead, Berks has purchased 12 new Volvo FH-480 6x2 tractor units, fitted with Volvo’s Dynafleet telematic system to complement their existing fleet of 150 vehicles and 575 trailers.

With four paper mills and nine sites throughout the UK, St Regis is the UK’s largest manufacturer and recycler of paper with an annual output of recycled paper in the region of 1.2 million tonnes.

Commenting on the purchase Mark Abbey, St Regis’ Fleet manager said, “We purchased the Volvos because they performed very well under pre-purchase road trials, particularly with regard to fuel efficiency and power weight ratios. They replaced a fleet of FM12 Volvos which had provided good service on this high payload, high mileage, 2,800 miles per week hub operation.”

Mark continued, “We returned to the Volvo brand as we found the close proximity of Thomas Hardie Commercials to our hub and their ‘24 hour, 7 day a week’ operation supports not only our tractor units, but also our trailer maintenance demands. We are also impressed by the service provided by the franchised dealer and the Volvo product matched the move away from the lease hire market and re-addresses the current product range within the 150 vehicle fleet”.

The new trucks will operate from AAG’s Middlewich depot, delivering baled recycled waste paper and cardboard from the north of England to St Regis’s Mills in Kent and the South-west, returning to the North with rolls of 100% recycled packaging paper.