Award-winning Palletways contractor Hastings Freight has gone even 'greener' with the latest additions to its fleet - a pair of 7.5-tonne Fuso Canters.
The Derbyshire-based operator's new Canter 7C15s are powered by 3.0-litre, 150hp engines which not only meet Euro 5 emissions restrictions, but also the more stringent and voluntary EEV (Enhanced Environmentally-friendly Vehicle) standard.
They arrived via Sheffield Mercedes-Benz dealer Northside Truck & Van - the German manufacturer's UK network is also responsible for sales and support of the popular Fuso light truck range - and have replaced two Canters supplied by the same agent four years ago.
Both are now working from Hastings Freight's purpose-built and recently opened depot at Barlborough, just off the M1. To minimise their fuel consumption and exhaust emissions, Hastings Freight commissioned Micra Truck Bodies, of Wakefield, to fit the new trucks with roof-mounted air deflectors and aerodynamic curtainside bodies with curved roof profiles.
"We're a responsible operator and strive constantly to minimise the impact of our vehicle movements on the environment," said Managing Director Alan Hastings. "These Canters are powered by fuel-efficient and clean-burning engines, but with these wind-cheating bodies we have reduced their diesel consumption and exhaust emissions still further."
Hastings Freight works exclusively for palletised freight distribution network Palletways. The company runs its two Canters, as well as some larger rigid trucks, on local collection and delivery runs around Derbyshire and South Yorkshire.
Meanwhile, five Mercedes-Benz Axor tractor units are on overnight trunking duties, hauling consignments to and from the Palletways hub in Lichfield - Northside will deliver another pair of Axor 2543 tractors shortly.
"The Canters are ideal for our collection and delivery work," continued Mr Hastings. "They are relatively compact, which makes them easy to pilot in and out of some of the tight and difficult-to-access locations we have to visit, while also offering an impressively high payload capability - ours can carry close to four tonnes.
"We've been running Canters for more than four years now and have found them to be sturdily built and superbly reliable. They're real workhorses, almost never running empty, and stand up very well to a tough operating life."
He added: "The service we receive from Northside is first class too. Like our previous Canters, the new vehicles will be looked after by the dealer's workshop team under a five-year repair & maintenance contract."
Hastings Freight has been in business for more than a quarter of a century and last year was voted 'Best International Depot' at the Palletways 2011 European Congress. Receiving the coveted award at a prestigious ceremony held in Switzerland, Alan Hastings said: "This is a key achievement, and testimony to the hard work and commitment of our staff. It emphasises our vision to be the best member of any pallet network, not just in the UK but in Europe as well."