AJ Dean Transport adds ‘very special’ DAF XFs
- Two DAF XF 510 FTP Super Space Cabs join Southampton-based mixed fleet
- Operator’s first venture into buying new vehicles
- New business gains driver new acquisitions
- Fuel and reliability already showing up
With a flourishing business built mainly on container work out of nearby Southampton docks, but with some general haulage and regular tanker work running pig feed into big farms, AJ Dean Transport had been keeping owner Andy Dean’s fleet of used trucks busy for some nine years. More recently, however, with the company’s reputation growing and more and more work coming through, Andy decided to buy new trucks for the first time in his business life - a pair of DAF FTP XF 510 tractors with Super Space cabs.
Andy Dean explains, “It’s all to do with reliability and image. I have bought used over the years, though always low mileage, good quality trucks, and these have more than paid for themselves. I still have one DAF XF 95 on a 53 plate that runs every day, as well as an XF 105 that’s done well over a million kilometres with just a partial engine re-build. I have other makes in the fleet as well, but the DAF Super Space Cab caught my eye, and to be honest I don’t think there’s a better cab on the market, and by the time we add the livery, lights, catwalks and the other ‘bling’ we have put on by Tranztech at Wisbech, the image was just what I wanted.
“Perhaps more important though, with the business growing, I wanted to be able to relax a little and enjoy the reliability and performance that new trucks are supposed to bring with them. So far I have not been disappointed for one second - we are already getting great fuel figures back from the DAFs and they are running like a dream. It’s still early days, but first impressions are very encouraging. Used trucks have been fine, and we will continue with them, but you have to keep a close eye on them – run them too long and you can cost yourself a lot of money.”
Part of the issue for AJ Dean Transport has been the change of container work, as larger boats replace the smaller vessels of a few years back, meaning that when a boat arrives there is far more work at one time than in the past. So for now, both the new DAFs are fleet additions, while Andy Dean watches developments dock-side. Both new trucks come with DAF telematics and have been acquired through Paccar Finance on two and three year R&M plans respectively, which will be implemented through local supplying dealer, Adams Morey, just a few miles from AJ Dean Transport’s Eastleigh base. Andy Dean says, “I have always had good support from Adams Morey, the salesman there is spot-on in understanding what we need, and that is more than half the battle. He introduced me to the Paccar Finance team and I got on well with them from the start, so it was all made very easy for me.
Asked how his drivers were getting on with the new DAFs, Dean was happy to report, “They love them. We have dedicated drivers for each of our vehicles, so that they get the benefits of looking after their trucks and keeping them on the road where they can pay all our salaries. The two DAFs have been very well received and the drivers tell me they ‘love them’. It’s important to the business. We don’t use agency drivers, and try very hard to keep the drivers who have developed with us, as they are what make the business tick.”
ENDS
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For further details please contact:
Paul O’Malley, Torque Agency Group
020 7952 1070
pomalley@torqueagencygroup.com
