Travis Perkins takes delivery of Fuso Canter light trucks

Travis Perkins operates a fleet of 1,850 commercial vehicles across its eight businesses, which include the Wickes DIY chain. Travis Perkins plc has become one of the first customers in Britain for the new, low-emission Euro 5 Fuso Canter light truck.

It has already taken delivery of seven 3.5-tonne Canter 3C13s and has a further seven on order from Wellingborough-based Mercedes-Benz dealer Intercounty Truck & Van – the German manufacturer’s dealer network is also responsible for sales and support of the popular Canter light truck range in the UK. All have alloy dropside bodies by Newland Coachworks, of Northampton, and 500kg DEL Slimjim column tail-lifts.

The Travis Perkins Group made its first investments in Canters after running a demonstration unit supplied by Intercounty. “We’ve been using that vehicle in Scotland for the last two years and it hasn’t missed a beat,” said Group Transport Operations Manager Liam Holland.

“The Canter has a strong, robust chassis and we know from our experience with Intercounty’s demonstrator that it’s very reliable. With the body and tail-lift fitted the truck still has a very competitive payload of just under a tonne. Importantly, it also offers an exceptionally high, 3.5-tonne towing capability, which makes it particularly attractive for operation within our tool hire business.”

Travis Perkins supplies in excess of 120,000 product lines from its network of more than 1,200 branches nationwide. Its first seven Euro 5 Canters, one of which works in the colours of the group’s heavy building and construction materials division Keyline, are being used primarily to deliver tools and plant such as mini diggers to customers’ work sites.

Power for the Canters comes from a state-of-the-art 130hp 3.0-litre diesel offering 300Nm of torque, which not only meets Euro 5 emissions limits but also the even more stringent – and voluntary – Enhanced Environmentally-friendly Vehicle (EEV) standard.

The light weight of this European-built engine and the new, six-speed manual gearbox through which it transmits its power contributes to the Euro 5 Canter’s increased payload and improved fuel efficiency.

“The Canter’s three-year, unlimited mileage warranty is also very reassuring,” said Mr Holland, “while the feedback from the staff who drive these vehicles has been entirely positive.”

In addition to its new Canters, Travis Perkins has bought 32 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 313CDI vans from Intercounty this year. These are now in service with its City Plumbing Supplies and Benchmarx Kitchens & Joinery divisions.

“The Sprinter is a great all-round package,” added Mr Holland. “It’s reliable, economical on fuel, popular with our drivers and, like the Canter, backed by a very good warranty.”