Iveco caters for Fairfax Meadow with flagship Stralis

Iveco has won a landmark order from Fairfax Meadow Europe Ltd with the delivery of two new Stralis Active Space Super³ tractor units to the Derby-based catering butcher.

The deal marks the first Iveco heavy trucks ever supplied to the company, which has been a long-term Daily 3.5 tonne fleet customer for over ten years. Both Stralis AS440S45TX/P 6x2 mid-lift tractors have been provided on a five year full service contract hire deal with Fraikin and supplied through Iveco dealer Guest Trucks.

Mike Reid, Group National Transport Manager at Fairfax Meadow, explains: “Taking delivery of our first Stralis tractor units is a clear sign of the confidence we have in the Iveco brand after more than ten years operating Dailys. My initial impression of the Stralis is that it is a real workhorse which promotes exactly the right image for our business.”

Both new Stralis tractors benefit from Iveco’s top-of-the-range AS Super³ cab, which is particularly suited to long-distance haulage. Amongst the most notable features inside the cab are large bunks offering five-star rest for a crew of up to two drivers, with the lower bunk incorporating a large folding table and a passenger ‘comfort’ seat. Internal storage space has been increased by a further 15 per cent compared with the previous Stralis AS model, whilst external storage compartments have also been made larger, with an electronically operated, interior lit, upper and lower locker on each side of the cab – ideal for stowage of wet gear and outdoor jackets.

Fairfax Meadow’s drivers will also enjoy the added comfort of the Stralis’ high-spec standard equipment, which includes an air-suspended driver’s seat with four separate comfort level settings, air-conditioning, slide-out fridge, Eberspacher night heater, electrically operated roof-vent and windscreen blind, door roller blinds and smart black curtains to enclose the entire cab area.

“Before ordering the new vehicles we trialed a Stralis demonstrator and the feedback from our drivers was very positive, with much praise for the new AS Super³ cab. Our own experience has shown that operating one of the most desired vehicles on the market ensures you attract the best drivers to your company, and I am confident the Stralis will be an excellent ambassador for our fleet,” he adds

Joining a 73-strong fleet of vans and trucks, the two Stralis’ will be in operation five and half days a week and are expected to clock-up approximately 125,000 miles per year. They will be used for a selection of different work, ranging from inter-depot trunking between Fairfax Meadow’s six distribution sites through to delivering meat products to a selection of third party logistics companies supplying a varied national customer base.

Both vehicles are powered by Iveco’s 10.3 litre Cursor 10 engine (Euro 5), which is capable of producing up to 450 hp between 1,550 and 2,100 rev/min and up to 2,100 Nm of torque between 1,050 and 1,550 rev/min, driven through a twelve speed EuroTronic gearbox which offers either fully or semi-automated shifts. The gear change controls are incorporated into the dashboard and right-hand steering column stalk, offering good cab ergonomics and making gear changes easier for the driver.