Menzies Distribution adds 115 MAN TGX trucks to fleet

Menzies Distribution has taken delivery of the first of 115 New Generation MAN TGX trucks and 65 new Don Bur and SDC trailers as part of a major fleet renewal programme.

The 115 new MAN TGX trucks, which carry the company's new blue and yellow branding, are all powered by MAN’s latest’s Euro6D D26, 470hp six-cylinder, 12.4 litre engines, which are lighter and more fuel efficient than their predecessors.

Safety systems on the vehicles include the Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), and Lane Guard System (LGS), as well as the Electronic Parking Brake, which applies automatically when the vehicle is parked.

The 115 additions, which will all be operational by August this year, have also been specified with MAN’s new driver attention guard, red seat belts and to ensure third party safety, acoustic reverse alarms.

Adam Purshall, Menzies Distribution Group's fleet and procurement director, said: “As a business, it’s essential that we continually look forward and ensure we offer our customers, many of which are blue-chip organisations, an industry-leading level of service. These new vehicles will enable us to focus on the future and further enhance the sustainability and flexibility of our supply chain offering.

“It’s vitally important that we invest in the latest technologies available in terms of trucks and the advanced safety and assistance systems they offer. Through both our robust business growth strategy and our fleet replacement programme, we strive to operate an environmentally clean, safe, and driver friendly fleet.”

He added: "To ensure all our drivers are comfortable and fully in-tune with the new vehicles and the new levels of technology found onboard, in terms of driver assistance systems and the advanced drivetrains, we ensured all our in-house driver trainers were fully briefed and trained by MAN’s ProfiDriver operation before the first vehicle arrived.

"This thorough product training is invaluable and will form the backbone of further training for our wider driver community as more of the new vehicles join the fleet.”

Safety systems on the vehicles include the Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), and Lane Guard System (LGS), as well as the Electronic Parking Brake, which applies automatically when the vehicle is parked.

All 115 vehicles have also been specified with MAN’s new driver attention guard, red seat belts and to ensure third party safety, acoustic reverse alarms.

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Purshall said: "To ensure we maximize the fleet’s productivity and at the same time provide a safe working environment, we’ve fitted the latest technology in terms of camera systems and telematics solutions, across the entire fleet, both into the new additions and retrofitting on to all existing vehicles, in partnership MAN Telematics and Microlise Fleet Management.

“Our drivers now benefit from the latest driver aid technologies on the market, such as nearside enhanced-vision cameras, nearside sensor systems, forward-facing camera and the Microlise DriveTab system – which links all the cameras onto a single easy view screen.”

The new vehicles are also specified with MAN’s latest Efficiency Package (EL3) which includes MAN Efficient Cruise 3, MAN Efficient Roll, MAN Idle speed driving and Engine idle shutdown.

“During our comprehensive driver training sessions we coach all our drivers, across the entire workforce, to drive efficiently and take advantage of the cutting-edge technology found on-board the vehicles. Designed to help maximise vehicle productivity and improve overall TCO, MAN’s efficiency package also helps us reduce our carbon footprint," Purshall said.

Menzies has also had the GM-cabbed vehicles equipped with under bunk fridges, satellite navigation and MAN’s revolutionary SmartSelect, which provides a touch-free infotainment system. Further features include automatic windscreen wiper activation with built-in rain sensors, and, automatic high-beam low-beam driving-light control.

"MAN TGX tractors have played a major part in our vehicle fleet, they have proven robust, reliable, and extremely efficient and we’re looking forward to more of the new vehicles arriving," Purshall said.

All of the 115 new vehicles have been prepared and pre-delivery inspected through MAN Truck & Bus Felixstowe.