Fraikin has beaten rivals to win a competitive tender for the supply of 15 new 3.5-tonne electric vans, as part of a five-year contract hire deal with premium food distributor Classic Fine Foods
The Mercedes-Benz eSprinters, which are equipped with multi-temperature refrigeration units, directly replace older diesel models in the company’s 50-strong commercial fleet.
Fraikin said the tender process saw it beat several suppliers to the prize, adding that Classic Fine Foods was impressed by Fraikin’s consultancy expertise, EV knowledge and proactive approach to refrigerated vehicle specification.
The company’s fleet audit service also proved instrumental in nailing the agreement, with the team thoroughly reviewing Classic Fine Foods’ operational requirements to identify opportunities to refine its new vehicle specification.
Fraikin found that the incumbent solution used a foam mattress bulkhead and fan kit arrangement, which caused issues with cold air distribution into the vehicle’s second compartment, damaging products in the process. As a result, Fraikin recommended installing a fixed rear evaporator, enabling independent zonal temperature control.
Similar attention was paid to the customer’s charging requirements, with Fraikin advising Classic Fine Foods to upgrade ten of its new vans to support 22kW charging capability, rather than 11kW, reducing charging times and improving operational flexibility.
Fraikin’s support has encouraged Classic Fine Foods to also acquire two additional 12-tonne DAF XB diesel rigids on a similar contract hire package, also equipped with multi-temperature refrigeration units.
These vehicles’ temperature-controlled systems leverage the vehicle’s powertrain rather than an additional diesel engine, further reducing Classic Fine Foods’ fuel usage while increasing payload.
The vans have been supplied with all servicing, repairs, road fund licencing, regular safety inspections, annual MOT testing, tyre management, roadside assistance and 24/7, 365 customer support – creating a comprehensive offering from Fraikin that guarantees total peace of mind.
The agreement also includes Fraikin’s full suite of MYSMARTFLEET connected technologies, which provides real-time data and analysis on metrics such as distance travelled, fuel or charge efficiency, and driver behaviour. AI-powered driver and forward-facing cameras along with AI fault code analysis functionality are another addition.
Bt using the company’s maintenance portal, FRAIKinVIEW, Classic Fine Foods can also access accurate predictive maintenance scheduling, with the ability to monitor and track all work as it’s carried out.
The vehicles will be supported by Fraikin’s nationwide maintenance network, backed by IMI Level 3 EV-trained Mobile Technicians operating from fully equipped service vans.
The team, which has additional expertise in temperature-controlled systems, can deliver rapid on-site and roadside support for both the vehicles and the refrigeration units, minimising disruption while enhancing fleet reliability and compliance.
Richard White, Classic Fine Foods transport manager, said: “Sustainability is an increasingly important consideration across our business, and these new electric vehicles represent a significant step forward in our fleet decarbonisation journey.
“From the outset, we quickly saw that Fraikin would take the time to fully understand the challenge associated with transitioning away from the diesel vans in our operation. That collaborative approach made them the standout choice for this contract.”
Steve Williams, Fraikin business development manager, commented: “This contract demonstrates the strength of our consultative approach and our ability to tailor solutions around each customer’s unique requirements.
“We are proud to support Classic Fine Foods as it continues to invest in a more sustainable fleet and look forward to helping the business achieve its growth ambitions in the years ahead.”
