Unique body for Matt Purdie’s new DAF

Almost half a century of experience in the removals industry has been brought to bear in the design of a bespoke body on a new DAF that has just entered service with Central Scotland’s leading removals firm.

Matt Purdie & Sons of Blackburn, West Lothian worked with Warrington based Unique Van Bodies – formerly Vanplan – in developing the 2,400 cubic feet, 12 metre body, which can take up to five standard removals containers.

It features six entry doors on each side, fully-opening rear doors and a removable internal upper deck onto which light or bulky items, such as large potted plants from homes or offices, can be placed. The vehicle is equipped with an aluminium multi-stage ramp system by Ra’alloy of Telford, with the ramp able to be placed on either side or at the rear, facing forward or rearward parallel to the body, or at 90º.

The basic structure is a framework of galvanised steel to which grp panels are bonded to result in a completely smooth exterior and to provide a long life of up to 20 years. As the panels are produced in-house by Unique, each can made to the exact dimensions required, which results in a perfect fit. Side skirts and large lockers on both sides for the storage of packing materials and load securing straps, along with chrome wheel trims, complete the sleek styling of the vehicle.

Owner Matt Purdie, whose father started the business in 1960, chose DAF’s CF65 chassis as the basis of the new removals van. He specified air suspension on the drive axle and a second passenger seat, which was a factory fitted option, for when a three-man crew is carried. A wood effect dashboard brings an added touch of luxury to the cab interior and the sleeping pod over the cab roof provides comfortable accommodation for two, with climate control, a washbasin with hot and cold water, a clothes locker, a safe for valuables, and a fridge.

The CF65 brings the number of DAFs in his 19-vehicle fleet to 11 and he finds that they suit the removal role well. “They’re particularly good in terms of their turning circle,” he says. “Often we have to get into places with restricted access, such as driveways or cul-de-sacs, and here the exceptional manoeuvrability of the DAFs really comes into its own.

“Our workshop staff like them too, finding them easy to work on. And we get excellent support from the local dealer, Lothian DAF, on any warranty work and parts supply from them is good both in respect of availability and affordability.”

The company has gone straight to the Euro 5 emissions standard with the 6.7 litre GR165 engine in the CF65. “We’ve already got the LEZ to deal with,” says Matt Purdie, “and we can expect other cities to follow suit before too long. This way we’re future-proofed until 2020, by which time this vehicle is likely to be only on local work.”

The engine has an output of 250 bhp (184 kW) to give an ample 13.88 bhp per tonne of power to weight, resulting in good journey times without compromising on fuel consumption. The engine is matched to a six-speed synchromesh gearbox.

The DAF is currently based at Matt Purdie & Sons headquarters in West Lothian where the company has a 700 container repository and a 15,000 square feet self-storage facility. This storage capacity will more than double with the opening later this year of a new £2m purpose built storage centre in East Lothian, where the new DAF will be the flagship of the fleet.

Matt Purdie is a leading figure in the removals industry both in Scotland and nationally. In May he was elected President of the British Association of Removers, which he regards as a great honour personally and for the company. In doing so he become only the second Scot to hold the position in BAR’s 108 year history and the first to do so under a two-year tenure.