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Scottish transport firm Northwards is spending £1.5m on new vehicles this year, as well as undertaking a major rebranding exercise to reflect its growth strategy.

The company, which has depots in Shetland, Orkney, Aberdeen, Inverness and Scrabster, invested in its fleet earlier this year to allow it to fulfil a new contract with Orkney Island Council and it has now taken delivery of another six tractor units.

Supplied by MAN Truck and Bus, Northwards said the TGX 26.470 6x2s are equipped with the latest safety and environmental features.

Michael Porter, Northwards MD, said: “This is a significant and strategic expansion for Northwards.

“The latest batch of trucks will be, predominantly, operating out of Aberdeen connecting the Northern Isles ferry terminal with delivery points in Central Scotland.

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“They will replace trucks, which will be redeployed to Lerwick and Cumbernauld to service an increasing volume of daily freight handled through our pallet network into Scotland and also to support our clients in the renewable energy and aquaculture sector.”

He said: “Investment planned for later in 2021 will be directed towards our services from Central Scotland to Inverness and onwards to Caithness and Orkney.”

The firm said its rebranding exercise had already begun to appear across its depots, vehicles, signage and workwear: “As our growth plans are realised, so our branding had to reflect our position as a leader in the freight sector in the North of Scotland,” Porter added.

“Success brings with it a need to evolve, so this brand development programme has been initiated to highlight to our customers and to our own people the status and the principles of the company as it now stands.”

The company was formed in 2002 following a management buyout from P&O Scottish Ferries of its freight, haulage and maintenance operations.