Wales' oldest brewery tops up its Scania fleet

Wales' oldest operational brewery, The Felinfoel Brewery Company Limited of Felinfoel, near Llanelli, Carmarthenshire has taken delivery of three new Scania four-wheel rigid distribution trucks. Supplied by Silurian Scania, the Scania dealer for South Wales, West Wales and Herefordshire, the trucks have been acquired through Scania Finance on five year full contract hire agreements.

All three vehicles are low chassis height Scania P 235 DB4x2MLA models with Scania CP16 day-cabs.  Each is powered by a 230 horsepower/1,050 Nm (774 Ibf.ft) torque Scania DC9-16 Euro 5 EGR engine driving through an eight-speed Scania G875 gearbox.  All maintenance for the duration of the contract will be carried out by Silurian Scania's Cross Hands depot.

"These vehicles have been acquired as part of our rolling fleet replacement programme," comments Felinfoel Brewery's Finance Director, Philip Lewis.  "We already operate an entirely Scania fleet and remain convinced that the marque is the best-suited to our operations, especially in terms of reliability, performance over the demanding local terrain and the service support we receive from Silurian Scania."

The vehicles' curtainsider bodies are Felinfoel Brewery’s first by Bevan Group, of Halesowen, West Midlands. These specialised units employ an innovative system which allows the curtains to be fastened using quick release buckles fixed to the side raves and mounted internally, so protecting them from fouling by road dirt.  Not only does this set-up allow quicker access to the load, the absence of conventional external straps and buckles leaves a smooth, clean expanse of curtain for the operator’s livery.

The new vehicles are now delivering to Felinfoel Brewery's 83 owned public houses, which are located throughout South and Central Wales.  In addition, the firm also services a growing free trade business with its range of beers and other licensed trade products.