Pukka Pies has picked two 5.2-tonne New Daily vans for multi-drop work on its town centre delivery routes.

The first Iveco’s to join the fleet, Pukka said it needed vehicles nimble enough to handle urban deliveries, yet with the versatility to operate efficiently on motorway runs.

Supplied by Sherwood Truck & Van, the new vehicles join a 28-strong fleet and will be used to deliver some of the 60 million pies baked by Pukka every year.

From their Leicestershire base, the Iveco vehicles will be making up to 40 drops a day to businesses throughout the Midlands, travelling more than 40,000 miles a year.

Andrew Storer, joint owner of Pukka Pies, said: “The new light commercials will be replacing a pair of larger 7.5-tonne vehicles. Before we acquired the New Daily chassis cabs, we only had these and the 3.5-tonne models available for the multi-drop delivery routes. The 5.2-tonners give us the best of both worlds.”

Pukka Pies has specified the light commercials with rear air suspension, a Solomon refrigerated body, Carrier Transicold Pulsor refrigeration unit and a Unitainer storage and racking system.

Storer added: “The New Dailys will be more economical to operate in the long run. We have invested in the most modern vehicles with fuel efficient drivelines, the latest fleet management software and premium low rolling resistance Michelin tyres to keep our operating costs as low as possible throughout the lifetime of the vehicles.”

The New Daily light commercials are fitted with a 3.0-litre engine that delivers 170hp between 3,000 and 3,500rpm and 400Nm of torque between 1,250 and 2,600rpm.

A Euro-6 18-tonne Eurocargo (ML180E25/P) rigid is also joining the fleet tocarry out deliveries to the company’s regional distributors across the UK.