Benson makes investment in delivery fleet

All vehicles have been purchased from Iveco, with trailers being produced by SDC. One of the new tractor units is of the low-ride design, similar to those already operated by the company. This will operate in conjunction with a double-decker Kelburg trailer from SDC. The floating decks on this trailer enable them to be off-loaded through the rear doors at dock level at customer premises. This will allow Benson Group to deliver 46 pallets on any one route – which can include multiple customer drops or one single site delivery.

The second Iveco Stralis tractor unit will be of the standard 6 x 2 format, allowing Benson Group to pull a single deck 26 pallet trailer or a step-frame 46 pallet trailer.

The new 18-tonne rigid lorries provide an upgrade from the traditional 7.5 tonne eight pallet vehicles. The new lorries allow for transportation of 16 pallets per time providing the company with an increased capacity.

Euro 6 is the latest diesel engine emission legislation being driven by the European Commission. Since 1993, when the very first Euro 1 legislation was introduced for trucks and buses, the European Commission has regulated the amount of pollutants coming out of the tailpipe of a diesel engine.

Benson Group itself has implemented an Eco Scheme to commit to the reduction of empty mileage, evaluating its carbon footprint, and educating drivers with regard to both fuel conservation and environmental awareness. Benson’s delivery fleet is spread across the company’s three operational centres, with 12 vehicles based in Bardon, Leicestershire, eight at the company’s two North East plants and seven at Medica Packaging in Crewe.

Ian Widdowson, Benson Group warehouse and distribution manager, said: ‘The Iveco vehicles have been our preferred solution since 2010 following a thorough testing of all suitable suppliers. Our focus for those tests was on fuel efficiency, and our latest purchases – which are all automatic vehicles – have vindicated our selection as they have even improved their efficiency since our initial examination.” From an environmental perspective the new vehicles are operating a 12 percent cleaner engine, along with further gains in overall miles per gallon.’

In addition, Benson Group is to add further vehicles to its fleet and has ordered for delivery later in June four more SDC step frame trailers. These are each capable of delivering 46 pallets, and will take the Benson Group double-deck trailer fleet up to 21 along with six single deck trailers.

With these additions, the Benson Group distribution fleet is capable of taking out 1,276 pallets each time.