Speedy Hire orders 300 Ford Transits

Ford is supplying 300 Transit extended-frame dropside vans to Speedy Hire plc.

Merseyside-based Speedy Hire, the UK's biggest tool and equipment hire company, took over the Hewden Tools division of Hewden Stuart in August.

Speedy Hire fleet director Ian Leonard said: “We acquired 800 mainly Ford vehicles including 540 Transit 350 MWB dropsides, 60 Transit vans, Connects and Rangers and 200 cars. The Transits were smaller than those we specify normally and the age of the fleet made it appropriate to change them all.”

“We’re replacing 300 Transits now and are likely to take on around 130 more during the next 12 months,” said Ian. The company is also looking to replace the other Hewden Tools vans and cars with new Ford vehicles.

Speedy Hire Transits are typically 350 EF dropsides, powered by 2.4-litre Ford Dagenham-built diesel engines. Gordons Ford of Bolton, which has worked with Speedy Hire for 17 years, is supplying the vehicles and carrying out 20 special adaptations to meet the company’s demanding specifications. These include a unique bulkhead restraint system, a bespoke tail-lift that incorporates two safety gates, tow bars, parking sensors and Bluetooth connectivity.