Crossroads and Volvo Service Wins Another Order From SRCL

WARWICK, UNITED KINGDOM - August 23, 2010: Leading healthcare waste services company SRCL have cited outstanding service from Volvo’s UK truck dealer network as a prime reason for their latest order for Volvo FE distribution trucks. SRCL have also chosen to include Volvo’s Dynafleet telematics system in their latest order together with innovative aerodynamics from bodybuilders Bevan.

SRCL specialise in clinical waste collection and disposal. With a UK network of transport and disposal facilities, they provide a range of services to NHS trusts, GPs, dentists, pharmaceutical manufacturers, private sector businesses and research companies.

Operating a mixed fleet of 294 vehicles, SRCL use Volvo’s for their heavy truck requirements with a mix of FL, FE and a couple of FMs operating as 44 tonne drawbars. The Volvos were all supplied via Crossroads Truck and Bus in Birstall, Leeds.

Their 93 Volvo’s are all on full contract hire from Volvo Financial Services. SRCL’s Fleet Engineer, Laurence Mullikin, declared, “Vehicle acquisition by contract hire is our long term policy, but we do not just hand out repeat orders. Not only do we look at all brands every year, but we also shop around for our contract hire provider and include people like Ryder and Fraikin. Volvo’s contract hire product has remained competitive”.

SRCL have 13 UK sites and with their fleet operating in environmentally sensitive areas, downtime must be avoided at all costs. “A good truck is only as good as the service that backs it up”, said Laurence Mullikin. He added “In our business, service support levels are vital, and not just from the local dealer. We need to be confident that it’s as good when our trucks are up the road as it is when they are at home”.

The most recent 20 Volvo FE chassis also have Volvo’s Dynafleet telematics specified and while Laurence Mullikin is impressed he’d like to extend it. He said, “The new FE’s have been specified with Volvo’s Dynafleet which is a very good tool, and we are talking to Volvo about having it retro-fitted to one of our older trucks to get a broader picture.”

Care for the environment is a central focus for SRCL’s business, so being able to monitor fuel performance in such detail is a plus. “The Dynafleet system is like having a driver trainer in the cab and I am particularly pleased that our drivers have taken to it so well”, said Laurence. Their latest Volvo FE rigids have Bevan 21 bodies fitted and their bespoke aerodynamic body kits are helping to cut fuel costs further.