“What Else Have You Got?

In-depth

21 June

Written By Graham 'Kermie' Harsant

Arrow acceleration aided by Daimler Truck trio.

It’s a high class problem when you need to grow your fleet, “right now!”

Arrow Transport and Logistics recently looked to Europe, Japan and the United States for trucks to grow its fleet.

Managing Director, Craig Webster, has long been a loyal Mercedes-Benz Trucks customer, but due to supply constraints, the brand was not able to deliver all the Actros units Arrow Transport and Logistics needed.

However, Daimler Truck was able to cover Craig’s needs with trucks from North America’s Freightliner and Japan’s Fuso that suited his required applications, in addition to the German Mercedes-Benz Actros units it could deliver.

Keeping the business within the Daimler Truck family means all of the units can be serviced by the same dealership network.

Craig was also able to take advantage of the Daimler Truck Financial Services (DTFS) guaranteed buy back package to finance units across all three truck brands, resulting in a streamlined process with minimal paperwork. The buyback finance package is unique to DTFS in Australia, providing Arrow with the security of having the choice to return the trucks at the end of the finance contract for the agreed price, keep, or sell them.

Craig says he was pleased Daimler Truck was able to fulfill his requirements.

“We are dedicated Mercedes-Benz Actros customers because they deliver the advanced safety features, fuel efficiency, lower emissions and driver comfort that we demand at Arrow Transport and Logistics,” he said. “Although we were a little hesitant at first, we have found that the Freightliner Cascadia and Fuso Shogun products also tick the same boxes that we care about, even though they have different characteristics.”

Used to driving the Actros model, the Arrow drivers were not sure about the Cascadia and Shogun models before they got behind the wheel.

“They had some preconceptions about the Fuso Shogun, with it being Japanese rather than a European truck, but these were soon overcome and the drivers love them. The Cascadia was also something different for us and we don’t usually run trucks with bonnets. But the feedback for both trucks has been overwhelmingly positive.”

As it has turned out, the Shogun 460 models are perfect for side-loader work in built–up areas and the visibility, maneuverability and performance have won new fans among the drivers.

Arrow uses some Cascadia 116 models for local cargo work and some Cascadia 126 sleeper cab models for longer runs.

The Cascadia has a short nose and is also fitted with additional bonnet-mounted mirrors, which improve its visibility. Like the Actros and Shogun, the Cascadia also comes standard with a full suite of active safety features including AEBS and is the only bonneted truck in Australia with a steering wheel airbag.

The inclusion of the active safety features was critical for Arrow.

“We were an early adopter of active safety features like active emergency braking with the Mercedes-Benz trucks and we just wouldn’t buy a truck without them,” said Craig. “It is also reassuring that the Cascadia has a driver’s airbag and I was really surprised to hear it is the only one in that class that does.”

Arrow Transport and Logistics now has 120 trucks that operate cartage out of wharf precincts in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland. It was the first company in Melbourne to introduce Super B combinations and A Doubles to rural areas and continues to explore efficiency gains across its network.

It features fully licenced wash bay and quarantine facilities catering to the mining, agricultural and commercial sectors, covering vehicles, trucks, plant or equipment and can provide fumigations and biosecurity inspections with a 48-hour turnaround.