National retailer Wren Kitchens has bucked the trend for vehicle downsizing by switching from Renault Master vans to Isuzu Forward 7.5-tonne rigids.
The Humberside manufacturer has changed its distribution programme covering deliveries from its regional outplaces to city centre customers and will now use the 45 Isuzus to cover the distribution routes previously handled by the company’s 100 Renault Master vans.
The move follows analysis that identified the payload afforded by switching to the bigger GVW Isuzus would enable the company to operate less vehicles in total, whilst also increasing its efficiency in distribution through the increased payload achieved.
Lee Holmes, head of transport, Wren Kitchens, explained: “By switching to Isuzu 7.5t rigids, we have been able to achieve the minimum payload of 2.8 tonnes that makes this operation viable, as we need to carry at least two kitchens and two remedials within each Isuzu for this new distribution operation to be successful.”
The new trucks, supplied by Isuzu Truck’s Humberside dealer Thompson Commercials and fitted with a purpose-designed demountable body, will still be able to deliver to the same locations as the vans due to their compact footprint.
