Leading South African transport and logistics specialist, Bridgewater Logistics, has taken delivery of its first new trucks as part of a larger fleet overhaul and expansion strategy.
Managing director, Quinton de Villiers, says that this strategy will strengthen both the distribution and line-haul operations of the company, while demonstrating Bridgewater Logistics’ ongoing commitment to investing heavily into ensuring the highest quality of transport and logistics services.
Bridgewater Logistics currently operates just under 200 trucks throughout the country, and these include those of its long-standing partners. The four new branded curtain-side links, included in the upgrade, will mainly be deployed in the company’s new line-haul operations.
“Certainly, the fact that we have decided to again opt for leading truck technology is testament to the fact that we are unwilling to relent on our quest to be the foremost supplier of specialist logistical and transport services. By opting for what is considered to be one of the best truck marques in the market, we are not only reassured of the high quality performance of these new welcome additions to our fleet, but also of a reliable after-sales technical support. These are both prerequisites to operating an “intelligent” transport and logistics solution for our customers,” De Villiers says.
Bridgewater Logistics opted for Volvo’s FH series with Euro 5 technology, with its many notable features that improve the overall productivity and, just as importantly, the safety performance levels of the truck.
Importantly, he says that the company’s procurement division was very impressed with the many technologies geared at making operating the trucks easier for his drivers. These include Volvo Dynamic Steering, which corrects unintentional steering movements, while providing extra torque when needed; and I-Shift, using built-in intelligence to quickly and automatically choose the right gear at all times.
“Our trucks are seen travelling on the heavy-trafficked South African road network every single day. As such, behaviour of our experienced drivers and the state of our commercial vehicles has a direct bearing on our image as a reputable operator in the country. We are not willing to compromise on this, and welcome technology that makes it is easier for drivers to get the job done efficiently and safely,” he says.
Bridgewater Logistics also invests heavily into ongoing driver training which, when complemented by cutting-edge truck technology, has also resulted in improved fuel efficiencies and less wear and tear on the fleet.
De Villiers concludes that his team are looking forward to more Volvo trucks rolling into the company’s head office in Pamona, Kempton Park. This includes his drivers, the best of who will be the first to test and drive them!
