KN Drinks Logistics places largest Stralis order

KN Drinks Logistics Ltd has taken delivery of 149 Iveco Stralis Active Time tractor units, representing the UK’s single largest Stralis order from a retail customer.

KN Drinks Logistics, part of the Kuehne + Nagel global logistics network commenced operations in July 2006, and with 22 sites is the largest national drinks distribution company in the country.

Supplied by Blackwell-based Iveco distributor Sherwood Commercial

Vehicles, the Stralis’ join a fleet of 550 medium and heavy trucks and will be dedicated to the bulk movement of beverages from production sites to the company’s ten regional distribution centres, as well as to large multiple retail customers.

"We placed the order with Sherwood Commercial Vehicles following an extensive evaluation of vehicles from a number of different manufacturers," explains Ewan McGregor, Regional Operations Director for KN Drinks Logistics.

"The process saw each vehicle assessed in a number of key areas including whole life costs, economy and driver comfort, with the Stralis AT chosen as the vehicle best suited to our requirements. Iveco was set a kerbweight target of 7,900 kg per tractor unit which they beat by 100kg, providing a healthy payload advantage," he adds.

The Stralis tractor units will operate primarily with 13.6m tri-axle curtainside trailers, together with a small fleet of 12m tri-axle tankers. Each vehicle is expected to cover up to 120,000 miles a year and will be on the road between six and seven days a week.

Each vehicle is powered by Iveco’s 10.3 litre Cursor 10 engine, which is capable of producing up to 430 hp between 1,590 and 2,100 rev/min and up to 1,900 Nm of torque between 1,050 and 1,590 rev/min, driven through an automated EuroTronic 12 speed gearbox.

The Stralis AT440S43TX/P is the most popular model in the Active Time range, which is purpose-built for distribution and fleet operations as well as medium to long-haul domestic missions. It joins over 2,000 other Stralis models to complete an extensive line-up of heavy trucks which includes the Active Day, aimed at short-haul distribution markets for rigid, tractor and drawbar applications and the Active Space models for long-haul UK and international haulage.