James T Blakeman & Co Replaces 3 More Trucks From Another Marque With Volvo FH Tractor Units—Only One More To Go

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Three new Volvo FH 6x2 tractor units recently joined the three existing Volvos in the seven-truck Blakemans fleet, and firm says that by the end of the year, the last non-Volvo truck will be replaced with—you guessed it—a seventh Volvo. (Photo courtesy of Volvo.)

By the end of 2022, all of James T Blakeman & Co’s distribution fleet will be Volvo trucks. The switchover to Volvo began in 2020 when the sausage manufacturer ordered three FH tractor units, which were a hit with the drivers and led the company to put driver comfort at the forefront when ordering its next round of Volvo FH trucks. The newly arrived triplet of Volvo FH tractors came equipped with Volvo’s Globetrotter XL cab and I-Park Cool, an intelligent overnight air conditioning system.

“Our drivers can be out on the road for several days at a time—we go all the way up to Aberdeen and down as far as Plymouth—so it’s important they are happy in their vehicles,” says Blakemans Transport Manager Nathan Hodgkiss.

Designed For Life On The Road

In addition to the Globetrotter XL cabs, Blakeman’s new trucks feature Volvo’s Drive ++, Living Plus, and Visibility Plus packages. Visibility Plus includes electrically heated, wide-angle mirrors, rain sensing windscreen wipers, and LED headlamps. Inside the cab, drivers benefit from Plus package amenities like leather upholstery, a 33-litre under-bunk fridge, and an electronically operated tinted glass roof hatch. The newly designed Volvo FH interior also boasts a 12-inch digital instrument display.

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“They really are lovely trucks, combining all the creature comforts you could want for the driver, with good reliability as well—which is so important in our line of work,” says Blakemans Transport Manager Nathan Hodgkiss. (Photo courtesy of Volvo.)

“All the drivers really like the Volvos and these new model FHs with the Globetrotter XL cabs just take things up a step further,” says Hodgkiss. “It’s a great truck and a really nice working environment.”

Power For The Long Haul

Working five days a week and driving around 120,700 kilometres (75,000 miles) per year, Blakeman’s distribution fleet also needs reliable power for long days on the road. The company’s three new FH 6x2 tractor units each feature a 500-horsepower (368-kilowatt) Volvo D13K engine that produces 2,500 newton-metres (1,844 pounds-foot) of torque.

“We have one more truck to replace, but by the end of the year, all seven vehicles in the fleet will be Volvo,” Hodgkiss says.

Find The Right Volvo Truck

If you’re in the market for a new or used Volvo truck, you’ll find a large selection for sale on Truck Locator, including FH tractors and rigids.

Source: Volvo