The new Volvo trucks - the first to be operated by Hi Way Express for many years - are all on Volvo Contract Hire and were sourced via local Dealer Crossroads Truck and Bus. The contract term is five years and maintenance is being carried out at Crossroads' depot at nearby Normanton.
"We deliver to every postcode in the UK every week," says HI Group Managing Director Andrew Trotter. Hi Way Express distributes electrical goods, including those it sources under the brand names of Frigidaire, Fridgemaster, Crown and Philco to retailers throughout the UK.
"All the trucks are serviced overnight at Crossroads at Normanton," says Andrew. "As far as the product goes, we also felt that the Volvo FE is an unobtrusive vehicle in the context of the High Street environment. It is a friendlier vehicle for our brand to be associated with when working in pedestrianised shopping areas."
The reasons for choosing Volvo were the competitive Contract Hire price submitted by Crossroads, their focus on after sales service and the driver-friendly working environment of the FE.
The sleeper-cabbed FE's deliveries consist of both loose loaded and palletised goods and the drivers usually spend two or three nights a week away from their base at Wakefield's Europort.
Hi Way Express used to contract hire through a third party specialist and this is the first time that a manufacturer's own programme has won their business. Andrew reports that there are 22 more trucks for renewal next year.
According to Andrew, Hi Way's business is currently bucking the recession with growth in most areas including home deliveries and the supply of equipment to local authorities.