Isuzu provides the right formula for chemicals distribution company

Specifying a brand new Isuzu 7.5 tonne Euro VI ‘Urban’ N75.150 rigid to replace an ageing truck of another manufacturer, East Anglia-based chemicals distribution company Suffolk & Essex Supplies Ltd has been able to make significant improvements in its distribution programme. Not just because the new Isuzu is more modern, it also has a more impressive payload, it’s reliable and has a vastly improved ‘on-the-road’ driving performance.

According to Andrew Castledine, Director at Suffolk & Essex Supplies Ltd; “By recommending a purpose-designed truck specification for our distribution operation, Isuzu Truck has given us a hugely productive delivery vehicle. To date, we have been really impressed by the volume of products that we can carry on this new 7.5 tonner, as well as the improved overall fuel economy that we’re achieving.”

This is the first Isuzu truck to enter the fleet at Suffolk & Essex Supplies Ltd, and the short wheelbase Isuzu Euro VI ‘Urban’ N75.150 rigid features Isuzu’s popular ‘Easyshift’ semi-automated transmission. The body was specified as a curtainsider with a rear tuckaway tail-lift.

“As a specialist chemicals distribution business, we deliver quite a range of heavy and bulky goods. For example we supply pallets of products for the leisure industries and small containers for industrial use. But in addition we have to pump liquid chemicals into our customer’s own tanks. We do this by using an on-board compressor that pressurises our 1000 litre vessels which then enables us to make the deliveries. Whatever the load, the Isuzu takes it easily in its stride. What’s more, the compact footprint of the truck is ideally suited for some of the more rural road conditions of East Anglia, Essex and Suffolk. Our regular driver has been extremely impressed by the overall performance of the Isuzu, including the quality of the spacious cab environment,” added Andrew Castledine.

Based in Hadleigh, near Ipswich, Suffolk & Essex Supplies Ltd is one of the largest independent chemical companies in East Anglia. The business has been going for over 35 years, predominantly supplying a comprehensive range of chemicals and salts to its extensive customer base. Alongside its sister organisation Hexeal Chemicals in Norwich, the company services all of East Anglia, Essex, Suffolk and beyond. It looks after customers involved in agriculture, poultry, swimming pools, brewing, equine, commercial industrial operations, as well as water and effluent treatment for leading public venues in the region.

“At our main distribution centre in Hadleigh, we have substantial bulk-tank storage facilities. The role of the new Isuzu is to work alongside our other distribution vehicles, handling deliveries on a five-days-a-week working schedule. The vehicle will probably cover around 30,000 kms per year and, whilst we have bought the truck on a four-year finance agreement, we will be looking to run it for considerably more years than that. We have great confidence in the longevity and reliability of the Isuzu marque,” commented Andrew.

Keith Child, marketing director at Isuzu Truck, says; “Initially launched 12 months ago, the Isuzu 7.5 tonne ‘Urban’ is proving popular with payload-critical, local distribution operations. As expected the new Euro VI, 3.0 litre, 150 PS engine has proved to be just as reliable as the 5.2 litre, 190 PS, version found in its bigger brother the ‘Forward’. The ‘Urban’ is an ideal truck for a company such as Suffolk and Essex Supplies that needs a hard-working, durable vehicle that can easily handle a variety of loads on a regular basis. This is just one of an increasing number of first-time customers that has switched to Isuzu as a result of the productivity and reliability of the new 7.5t ‘Urban’. Suffolk and Essex Supplies should certainly enjoy many years of reliable performance from their first ever Isuzu.”