Edinburgh, Scotland—Aug. 4, 2013—Leading newspaper and magazine wholesaler Menzies Distribution Ltd., is refreshing half of its large goods vehicle (LGV) delivery fleet with 110 new vehicles on a five-year contract hire deal with Ryder. The new Iveco trucks range in size from 6.5 to 26 tonnes.
Menzies Distribution, a new Ryder customer, will receive the trucks in batches throughout 2013 and 2014. Although some trucks will arrive after emission standard Euro 6 comes into force next January, all will be Euro 5 compliant, due to a joint initiative between Ryder and Iveco to have the new vehicles registered by August 2013.
Menzies Distribution has a 240-strong LGV fleet along with 310 light commercial vehicles (LCVs) which assist in delivering more than five million newspapers and two million magazines every day, with some vehicles covering up to 75,000 miles annually. As a result of detailed consultation with Ryder, the entire new fleet will be equipped with market-leading telematics system, Microlise, to help Menzies Distribution monitor fuel consumption, driver performance and delivery schedules.
An additional 16 vehicles, previously on long-term rental, are also being converted to a four-year contract hire agreement. This equipment comprises three 44-ton GVW tractor units and matching trailers; four 26-tonne and six 18-tonne trucks.
Allan Hughes, transport and logistics manager of Menzies Distribution, said: “We look forward to a mutually beneficial strategic partnership with Ryder, which will involve the provision of, and fleet management for, over 120 vehicles in 2013 and 2014. Ryder has invested a great deal of time and effort into understanding our business and what is important to Menzies Distribution.”
Ryder’s sales and marketing director Robin White said: “We are delighted that Menzies Distribution has chosen Ryder as its partner for fleet renewal for the first time. The new fleet mix is the result of highly detailed consultation to ensure that the most appropriate vehicle sizes were selected to achieve the most efficient payloads, which is a complex undertaking in the heavy newsprint sector.
“Ryder will be working closely with Menzies Distribution to ensure that the Microlise telematics system is used to its full potential, helping to improve environmental performance and cut operational costs," White added.
