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28 November 2008
Winstones Freightliner Trucks
Winstone Aggregates Freightliner Trucks
As the end of 2008 draws closer so then does the last unit to complete the order of 16 Freightliner Century CST120 8x4 tip trucks supplied to Winstone Aggregates, a division of Fletcher Building Ltd.
Winstone’s have operated tip trucks for many years with different brands until Trucks & Trailers were successful in supplying five Freightliner Columbia C112 6x4 trucks via a TR Group leasing agreement back in 2005. These Columbias quickly found favor in the company as drivers appreciated the room and comfort of the cab and the new MBE4000 Mercedes Engine with SmartShift Automated transmissions making driving more pleasurable than most had previously experienced. Winstones Management and in particular National Transport Manager Brett Horrobin were also very pleased with their purchasing decision as the fuel figures being returned by the Columbias became the best in the fleet and with extremely light tare weights, they also carried the best payloads.
During 2007 plans were afoot for Winstone Aggregates to increase the fleet size and to also replace some of the older trucks. Winstone’s Management set out to find the most suitable truck to cover their future plans. This included the possibility of New Zealand moving to 50 tonne gross weight for truck trailer rigs, and as part of the large Fletcher Corporate they also wanted to be as green as possible so were looking at trucks to meet the new emission standards coming into effect in January 2009 (Euro 4 or ADR 80-02). Brett Horrobin and his team looked at many truck brand proposals and after some time Trucks & Trailers with our Freightliner CST120 was shortlisted. Trucks and Trailers Managing Director, Don Wright & Trucks Sales Consultant, Ron Price did various ongoing proposals to Winstones, not only on the truck but also what engine should be used and the driveline to make up the final specifications. Winstone’s also worked closely with leasing company Fleetpartners in narrowing down the options. In September 2007 Trucks & Trailers received the order from Fleetpartners for the first eleven of the Century Class 8x4 trucks powered by the new Detroit EGR 14 litre engine. This was followed up with an order for another five confirmed in January 2008.
The first of the trucks were delivered to Winstone’s in July 2007 and once all parties were in the groove, there has been one completed unit delivered approximated each week since then. Reaction to these trucks by Winstone drivers has been fantastic. They have really taken to the comfort of the truck with the Generation 3 Autoshift behind the Detroit engine giving them an easy day in their office. Brett Horrobin and his Management team are also pleased with the overall result as they know, happy drivers are efficient drivers. Tare weights came out where they were expected for 8x4 trucks and fuel figures are continuing to improve as the trucks get some kilometers on them.
The truck bodies and trailers were manufactured by Transport & General Engineering Ltd (T&G). Eight units were the typical alloy tip body and eight were heavy duty rock bodies for the Portland lime rock work out of Whangarei.
Overall, the successful supply of these sixteen truck and trailer units into the Winstone’s fleet has been a great example of co-operation and communication between Winstone Aggregates, Fleetpartners, Transport & General and Trucks & Trailers
and their suppliers and staff. |
