Simpson Bros. has broken with tradition and purchased its first Iveco Stralis AS440S43TX/P tractor units, supplied by North East Truck & Van (NETV), the largest independent Iveco distributor in the UK.
A total of five new Stralis’ have been delivered on the new ’56 registration plates, marking the first Iveco’s to join the company’s 80-strong fleet, which is comprised predominantly of Scania and Volvo models.
Each of the new vehicles have been supplied by NETV on a five year fixed price maintenance contract which will see all servicing and inspections carried out at its dealership in Blaydon, replacing Simpson Bros.’ existing policy of maintaining all vehicles in-house.
Peter Simpson, Managing Director, explains: “The projected whole life costs for the Stralis were very competitive and we were impressed with how the demonstrator performed when we put it through its paces.
“We also spoke to a number of Stralis operators and heard very positive reports, particularly with regards to fuel economy,” he adds. ”NETV’s reputation for providing excellent back-up helped to seal the deal, and we look forward to monitoring the performance of the vehicles closely over the next six months.”
The new Stralis fleet will operate six days a week on long distance trunking operations across the UK, each finished in the traditional Simpson Bros. red and white livery. Plated at 44 tonnes, they are expected to operate fully laden 40 per cent of the time, being used primarily to deliver packaging goods.
Routine servicing will be carried out in Blaydon overnight, at one of three NETV dealerships (along with Billingham and Immingham) to offer 24-hour servicing. These sites are supported by dealerships in Carlisle, Hull, Lincoln, Scunthorpe and York – giving NETV extensive coverage across the North and North East of England – and each offering late night opening and Sunday servicing by appointment.
As some of the first dealerships in the UK to feature both analogue and digital tachograph calibration equipment, NETV’s dealer network can service any make and model of van, truck, bus, coach or specialist trailer.
Simpson Bros. was established in 1919 by George Brumwell Simpson, the grandfather of Peter Simpson. It originally operated just two trucks transporting goods from the local railway station in Stocksfield around the region. For further information please visit www.simpson-bros.co.uk