Iveco fleet pulls pints for Carlsberg

Following a comprehensive review of its transport requirements, major brewer Carlsberg UK is taking delivery of 30 new Iveco's which have been carefully specified to ensure maximum productivity and safety in operation.

This latest delivery comprises a mixture of 15 and 18 tonne Eurocargo rigids, 23 tonne Eurocargo urban artics and 26 tonne Stralis Active Time rigids, supplied with Don-Bur bodywork through Mansfield based Iveco distributor Sherwood Commercials.

To ensure best fleet procurement practice, Carlsberg formed a specialist 'Drayliner team', consisting of eight individuals from across its distribution operation led by Andrew Davis, National Fleet Engineer. The Drayliner team comprised transport managers, a health and safety co- ordinator and drivers, and was responsible for deciding which make and model of vehicle to purchase, together with devising a standard body specification.

"To decide which cab offered the most suitable working environment for our drivers, we assembled demonstration chassis from six manufacturers and our team ranked each one in terms of access, comfort, visibility, storage layout, ergonomics and standing height," explains Mr Davis. "The Eurocargo scored the most points, with its medium height roof offering plenty of room for drivers to stand up and remove wet gear.

The team also spent many hours consulting with Don-Bur over the bodywork, with the new vehicles benefiting from the latest safety features including internal load nets and coloured floor markings to indicate safe locations to step on and off the body. There is also a fully enclosed storage area for the sack barrow, meaning it is no longer carried on the rear of the vehicle where it is open to the elements.

Representing a first for commercial vehicles in Carlsberg's 350-strong fleet, the new Iveco models are each fitted with sleeper cabs, and the bunks have been removed to allow maximum space for changing and storing belongings.

"Our drivers are never required to sleep overnight in the vehicles, so opting for the sleeper cab was purely a result of the Drayliner team consulting our drivers and listening to their suggestions. We also specified air conditioning and night heaters, to enable the crews to dry their wet gear easily, even when parked. No detail was left to chance, even the light intensity of the body interior lights was specified to ensure crews could read keg labels when it was pitch black outside," he adds.

The new fleet will be split between Carlsberg's 15 depots in the UK and is expected to remain in operation for at least five years, with the option of a further three year extension.