Fraikin has secured more than a 50 per cent share of long-standing customer T. Quality’s commercial fleet of more than 100 vehicles, after delivering five new DAF refrigerated trucks on a seven-year, full-service contract hire agreement.
Building on a 20-year working relationship, the two 15-tonne and three 7.5-tonne DAF LF rigids replace older models previously on contract hire from a competitor. The latest additions follow a similar deal for 11 identical vehicles – eight 15-tonne and three 7.5-tonne – which Fraikin delivered into T. Quality’s fleet in 2018.
The driving factor behind T. Quality’s decision to make Fraikin its preferred commercial vehicle supplier centres around its ability to expertly handle all maintenance and servicing requirements across the UK.
Graham Kay, National Logistics and Safety Manager at T. Quality, says: “We deliver to more than 5,500 customers across the UK every week, so having access to national maintenance support is vital – and that’s something Fraikin’s service network provides.
“Operating a reliable fleet is critical to meeting customer expectations. Being able to call on Fraikin’s technicians across the country means any potential issues can be quickly resolved, ensuring that we continue to deliver top quality results as a business.”
As part of the latest deal, T. Quality will continue to benefit from Fraikin’s powerful maintenance portal FraikinView, which helps to maximise fleet uptime. The system’s easy-to-use online dashboard allows the company’s transport managers to view all scheduled maintenance and track any unplanned work in real time, as well as providing access to all vehicle documentation to aid compliance.
Kay adds: “FraikinView gives us access to vital information about our fleet when we need it. We know exactly when a vehicle is going into the workshop, meaning we can plan our deliveries in advance to ensure minimum disruption to the business.”
The five new trucks have been mounted with insulated curtainside bodies by Solomon and are specified with Carrier Transicold Supra refrigeration units. As well as delivering to fish and chip shops across the UK, the rigids will also transport chilled and frozen food products to fast food outlets and wholesale fish markets.
Clocking up around 40,000 miles a year, the new vehicles will be distributed across T. Quality’s facilities in Birmingham, Darlington, Peterborough and Swindon.
A wholesaler of fish and chips, fast food and catering supplies since the 1920s, T. Quality also has national depots in Avonmouth, Bridlington, Leeds, Peterborough, Staplehurst, Swansea and Swindon.