VOLVO PLANTS A TOMATO
As their name suggests, Tomato Plant’s fleet is ideal for moving heavy plant and machinery. However, they also specialise in transport logistics for the entertainment industry, having recently moved equipment for the Glastonbury and Download Festivals as well as delivering action vehicles and props for various film and TV productions.
Going for the high output version of Volvo’s 13-litre straight-six engine and their Globetrotter cab, the Tomato Plant Company have added a tri-axle Andover trailer and Fassi crane to the outfit for ultimate performance and flexibility. Volvo’s I-Shift 12-speed automated gearbox has sliced off 70kg and was specified for ease of use and fuel economy.
When quizzed about the company’s quirky name, Keith Williams said, “We are first and foremost a professional road transport company, but we also have a sense of humour and believe that it helps if you can make your customers and the public have a smile while you are doing a decent job.” The eye-catching tomato livery on Keith’s Volvos will certainly do that.
Starting with a used Volvo FH13-480 sourced from Volvo dealer MC Truck & Bus Ltd in Maidstone, coupled with a King low-loader trailer, Keith set up the Tomato Plant Company Ltd after selling his successful waste tankering business back in 2009. Business is going from strength to strength and yet another 60T FH13-500 Globetrotter XL tractor unit has just been delivered together with a new King trailer.
“I’ve been working with trucks for over 11 years, but these will be a lot more fun,” said Keith. After a demo of several top brand trucks, Keith decided to make his fleet an all-Volvo affair, “For the build quality, ride and handling characteristics not to mention the image,” he said.
