Drays out in Kent
Faversham based Shepherd Neame are a typical operator of an urban artic secondary distribution fleet which they use to make pub deliveries. The Kent based firm claims to be Britain’s oldest brewer, tracing its roots back to at least
1698. Now predominantly owned by the fifth generation of the Neame family, the company brews and retails its own beers under a range of highly successful brands such as Spitfire and Bishop’s Finger, which are sold both through its 369 pubs across the South East and its customer base of other retailers and public houses. Both Spitfire and Bishops Finger are currently in the Top Ten Premium Bottled Ales league. Shepherd Neame also brew a range of beers and lagers under licence, including Oranjeboom, Asahi, Kingfisher and the Hong Kong Brewery’s Sun Lik. Total product output from Faversham is around 300,000 brewers’ barrels of around 36 gallons each which are shipped every year. Pub deliveries add up to around 2,500 tonnes a month. Deliveries to supermarket customers and wholesalers is growing, says Simon and two independent third party hauliers, Young Brothers and Fast Forward Transport at Sittingbourne look after the primary distribution.
Commercial Motor went along to see how they used their 15 strong fleet of Volvo FL urban artics and ask what benefits they bring to the in-house transport operation. CM spoke to Transport Manager Simon Lathwell-Fisher who has been with Shepherd Neames for four years. Simon has worked for some of the biggest names in the drinks industry logistics sector, such as Carlsberg, and explained why he continues to use Volvo’s as the main vehicle on the secondary distribution fleet: “Urban artics were in the fleet before I joined Shepherd Neames,” he says, adding, “They have excellent manouverability compared to a rigid. The Volvos have proven to be very reliable and we get really good support from their local dealer, M C Truck and Bus at Maidstone. Downtime is minimal which is good because it’s such a specialised combination that it wouldn’t be possible to get hold of a replacement if one was off the road.” The Volvo dealer also carries out MOT tests and Simon says that he is very happy with the first time pass rate achieved currently.
Looking at Shepherd Neame’s latest Volvo urban artics, it’s easy to see how the concept has proved such an attractive formula. The small 4x2 tractor unit just looks right with its tapered Don Bur trailer, and, to use the tried and tested Jeremy Clarkson Top Gear formula: If it looks right, it is right!
