The largest privately owned logistics company in the UK is thought to also be the biggest operator of the lightweight mid-lift DAF FTP Models of tractor units worldwide
Cambridgeshire-based haulage firm Turners (Soham) has just taken delivery of its 600th specialised DAF FTP truck to meet the requirements of the highly flexible, fast growing East of England-based business. The FTP XF tractor unit from the Cambridgeshire and Suffolk based DAF family-owned dealership Chassis Cab has been added to the 1750-strong fleet which makes Turners the largest privately owned logistics company in the UK and the largest operator of this model worldwide.
The DAF FTP - sporting its own personal plate T600 FTP - was purchased outright from Chassis Cab. It features a PACCAR MX-11 Euro 6 emissions-compliant engine, luxury SpaceCab, AS-tronic automated gear box and Drivers Performance Assist to help the driver to operate the truck to the best fuel economy. The truck – voted MotorTransport Fleet Truck of the Year 2016 - will cover over 100,000km per year and during its three-year warranty supporting dealer Chassis Cab will be responsible for the service and maintenance. A variety of other DAF models have also been purchased by Turners ranging from FTG XFs for use up to 44 tonnes gross combination weight; down to FA LF Models for up to 18 tonnes gross weight and fitted with fuel tanker bodies.
Tim King, Group Fleet Engineer of Turners (Soham), said: ‘Our nationwide operations cover the movement of containers, chilled and refrigerated product distribution and tankers carrying liquids and bulk materials. We cover all product sectors including food, building materials and fuels and currently business is extremely buoyant.’
‘Our continuous investment in DAF trucks shows our allegiance to the brand and our commitment to keep our fleet in premium condition. The FTP 440 tractor unit is a top-performer; probably the best lightweight truck ever. They are so flexible that they are the optimum truck in weight sensitive work. And that’s why we are proud to be one of the top buyers worldwide.’
‘We are all looking at the future with interest particularly with regards to how Brexit will affect our daily operations but we are confident that as a business we are in the strongest position possible to make the most of any additional trading opportunities or challenges that may present themselves. Business is what you make it – and we are always optimistic.’
Founded in 1930, Turners (Soham) Limited is today one of the largest independently-owned transport and distribution businesses in the UK. It specialises in bulk tanker and temperature-controlled work and runs trucks from 36 locations in the UK. With over 3200 full time employees, it also has six subsidiary companies: PPL, Pro-Fresh Solutions, Browns, Lewis Tankers, Macintyre Transport and Goldstar. The company’s turnover in 2014 was £238m with a projected turnover for 2017 of £400m.
Eddie Hennessy, Regional Manager of DAF Trucks, delivered the latest truck to Tuners. He is about to retire after nearly 40 years of service with DAF Trucks. He said: ‘Turners is such a successful family haulage business – its growth has been unprecedented and we are delighted that DAF Trucks has played such a key role in the company’s development. It has been a pleasure to work with clients like Turners and to support the work of dealerships such as Chassis Cab. It’s good to know that collectively we are keeping products rolling - around the UK and beyond - in the greenest and most efficient way.’
Robert Baxter, Dealer Principal, at Chassis Cab, said: ‘We are extremely proud of this long association with Turners. We know that the business is benefiting from optimum operating costs and many efficiencies that are preparing the way for a steep increase in business in the months and years ahead. This is a family business gearing up for future development on a grand scale.
Chassis Cab has bases at Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds and Cambridge. The Cambridge base is located on Newmarket Road.
Chassis Cab is a family owned business that has been the main DAF dealer for Suffolk since the early 1990s; and for Cambridgeshire since 2014 maintaining the dealership’s status as the only HGV commercial franchise located within Cambridge. Starting out as a commercial vehicle accident repair centre, Chassis Cab has grown to become one of the premier dealers for DAF and a leading supplier of trucks in the region.
Based at Addison Way in Great Blakenham, Ipswich, Northern Way in Bury St Edmunds, Newmarket Road in Cambridge and Isleham in Cambridgeshire, Chassis Cab now employs over 110 members of staff.
