Fraikin supplies new fleet to Collin & Hobson

12 January 2006

Collin & Hobson plc has replaced its fleet of eight commercial vehicles with a mixture of new Mercedes-Benz Axors, supplied on full service contract hire by Fraikin.

Operating out of the company's national distribution centre, located in Tamworth, the new fleet comprises six 25.33L Axor 26 tonne rigids and two 25.43LS Axor 6x2 tractor units with tri-axle refrigerated trailers, each with lifting front and steering rear axles. Both the rigid bodies and trailers have been manufactured by Gray & Adams and benefit from Zanotti refrigeration equipment.

The vehicles will be used to transport both ambient and chilled dairy products across the UK to customers ranging from retail multiples to independent chains and national wholesale Cash & Carry operators.

Phil Collin, Chairman of Collin & Hobson plc, explains: "Fraikin's local branch in Tamworth is ideally situated to manage our fleet and has been supplying commercial vehicles to us since 1992.

"The refrigerated transport sector places a high demand on suppliers for unprecedented reliability and swift emergency response to unexpected downtime, and Fraikin has a proven track record in this market," he adds.

Fraikin's five year contract hire agreement covers each of the new vehicles for repair and maintenance, road fund licensing, tyres and comprehensive breakdown support.

The new Axors are finished in a colourful livery applied by Owen Piling Graphics. They will be in operation six days a week and are each expected to cover up to 70,000 miles a year.

Further information on Collin & Hobson is available at www.collin-hobson.ltd.uk