Investing for the future, delivering value to customers
2020 not only marks the start of this new decade, but 90 years of industry experience for the Bott Group. Despite today’s challenges due to the impact of COVID-19, bott continue to plan ahead, invest for the future and deliver for our customers.
A recent investment for our UK delivery fleet, is a Scania G 280 4x2 Highline Rigid truck. Purchased to replace a EURO 5 equivalent, the new EURO 6 vehicle backs up our commitment to reduce emissions, whilst fulfilling the criteria for deliveries to ULEZ (Ultra-Low Emission Zones) and the new CAZ (Clean Air Zones).
Having this workable vehicle within our fleet, allows us to offer further reliability for customer deliveries. For UK distribution only, the 18-tonne rigid plays an important role in delivering workplace storage equipment to our inner-city customers and for drop-offs to premises with challenging access. With lower emissions and reduced fuel consumption (due to its aerodynamic design), the new vehicle is significantly more cost effective.
Chris Sweeney, Logistics Manager at bott said:
Due to increasing running and maintenance costs, we’d already made the decision to replace the existing Mercedes before the Coronavirus pandemic. The order for the new truck was in place with Scania, but the first National lockdown brought about a three-month delay. During this time, the excellent and reliable level of service we received from SCANIA SOUTH WEST, endorses our long-term partnership with them.
As well as the overall running costs, driver welfare is key in our decision-making when choosing a new truck. The older vehicle was smaller, but this cab has increased the driver’s comfort. Phil can stand up in the cab and there’s much more space for him to move around, stretch and exercise. Our drivers spend hours at a time in their vehicles, so achieving the right driving position and posture is essential in helping to avoid any future health issues. Phil loves his new vehicle, his initial feedback is very positive and we’re already seeing big savings in fuel costs.
The design of the Scania G Highline also conforms to the new Direct Vision Standard (DVS), a recently introduced safety legislation from Transport for London. The new permit is based on a ‘Direct Vision star rating’ indicating how much of the area directly next to the vehicle a driver can see from the cab. With a 2* rating, the vehicle is fully compliant for deliveries in and around Greater London.
Supplied with the new Scania chassis cab, TWR COMMERCIAL BODYBUILDERS built the EN XL rated curtain sider body - fitted out with a removable load retaining side rail system, 1500kg tail-lift and ink jet liveried curtains. Utilising our own in-house design expertise, the livery proudly showcases the very best in bott workplace storage solutions and vehicle conversions.
Chris added:
This is the first time we’ve worked with TWR. The job was done efficiently and quickly with minimal downtime. They are excellent to deal with and their customer service is first-class, something we also take pride in as a business. We operate an intensive transport service and now with all of our vehicles using the Scania telematics system, we have a more accurate overview of the whole fleet. Many elements have come together with this investment - providing benefits to both us and our customers.
Learn more about our delivery fleet and UK Manufacturing capabilities and our long-term partnership with Scania.
