Biglorryblog says Try before you buy- it worked for Brian R. Patefield and Iveco

Bradford-based haulier Brian R. Patefield Ltd has renewed a third of its fleet after taking delivery of nine Stralis Hi-Way 6×2 tractor units. The Stralis tractors are the first new vehicles taken on by the company, which has traditionally only purchased second-hand trucks. The new vehicles will replace older Renault and Iveco tractor units. The business, which has been established for more than 40 years, maintains a fleet of 24 vehicles. Key to taking delivery of new trucks was a competitive trial which saw a Euro VI Stralis demonstrator impress alongside competitor vehicles in its class, receiving extremely positive feedback from the company’s drivers.

John Patefield, Transport Manager for Brian R. Patefield Ltd, says: “We were keen to see what a new Iveco could offer us; we encouraged our drivers to give us detailed feedback on the demonstration vehicle. They were incredibly enthusiastic about the Stralis Hi-Way; it delivered across the board.” The drivers praised it for the overall comfort and amount of space available inside the long-distance Hi-Way cab. Iveco has ensured that the cab of its flagship vehicle is centred around the driver, with class-leading ergonomics, comfort and safety; providing an environment which maximises productivity on every job. However, as with the majority of businesses, the final decision was taken on the basis of how the Stralis could reduce total cost of ownership compared with the older vehicles the customer was operating, and the best of the rest from the other demonstrator models trialled. It was enough to convince us to purchase new, instead of used, trucks – and to replace a third of our fleet with Ivecos in one swoop.” Patefield concludes: The Stralis tractors will form part of the Brian R. Patefield Ltd general fleet, undertaking distribution work throughout Yorkshire and the rest of the UK.

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