Capital Equipment News November 2017

TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS NEWS

Best UD fleet drivers off to Japan

Forging strong, service-based relationships with customers is a top priority for Babcock and one of the driving reasons behind logistics provider OneLogix’s decision to purchase a further 12 DAF Trucks from the local supplier, bringing its DAF Trucks fleet for group company OneLogix Projex up to 80. OneLogix Projex purchased six DAF Trucks in 2012 and has since returned to Babcock on numerous occasions as the two companies continue to build a strong and symbiotic relationship. Alec Jackson, sales executive for Babcock’s Transport Solutions division, says the new order comprises 11 DAF XF105.460s and one DAF XF105.460 hub reduction to pull 75 t lowbeds. OneLogix Projex uses DAF Trucks primarily for highway haulage of machines and containerised cargo, both nationally and cross-border, and the new trucks will be used for lowbed and stepdeck work with the transportation of yellow metal machinery. They include hazardous chemical modifications by Babcock to allow the trucks to carry universal products. “Five of the new trucks have already been delivered and the DAF XF105.460 in particular has shown excellent results for UD Trucks Southern Africa announced the brand’s top fleet drivers in two categories at its annual Extra Mile Challenge driver competition. The competition, which considered numerous efficiency and safety evaluations, took place at the Gerotek Vehicle Testing Facility and saw 17 participants from across South Africa competing in either the Quester or Quon extra heavy truck category. Lafras Kruger from RA Transport in the Eastern Cape walked away with top honours in the Quester category, while Buza Ngcelwane from Dairy Farmers of SA, also from the Eastern Cape, was named the best Quon driver. In the process, both Kruger and Ngcelwane qualified to represent South Africa in the global Extra Mile Challenge competition that will take place in Japan this month. The two South African contenders will be joined by their fleet managers at UD Trucks’ headquarters in Ageo, and will see drivers from across the world compete in the two vehicle categories to ultimately be crowned the champions. “We greatly value the vital role truck drivers play in our economy and the overall

From left to right: Gert Swanepoel (MD of UD Trucks Southern Africa), Lafras Kruger (Quester winner), Buza Ngcelwane (Quon Winner), Catherine Wang (UD Trucks Corporation) and Stefan Bronkhorst (UD Trucks GM Fleet Sales).

cy and productivity via on-board telematics on the Quester and the on-board VCU on the Quon models. Apart from the driving tests, the drivers had to perform some challenging handling and parking tests, where accuracy and efficiency were key to success. Drivers also had to complete a pre-drive inspection on the vehicles to ensure the roadworthiness and safety of the trucks. b

development of the region,” says Gert Swanepoel, MD of UD Trucks Southern Africa. “The Extra Mile Challenge not only tests the skills and efficiency of UD fleet drivers, it also goes a long way in raising the standards within fleets, as well as creating awareness of the importance of safe and efficient driving.” Drivers were put through their paces in various challenges that measured efficien-

OneLogix keeps on trucking with DAF Trucks

OneLogix has purchased 12 new DAF trucks from Babcock.

OneLogix Projex, currently standing as the best in their fleet in terms of uptime and fuel consumption,” says Jackson. Built for the long haul, the DAF XF105 sets the standard for long distance road transport and has fast become Babcock’s best-selling truck with beneficial features such as low operating costs, top comfort to the driver and high revenues per kilometre to the operator. The day-to-day performance of the vehicles in any operating environment is

one of the main factors contributing to its upward trajectory and its superiority was once again proven at Truck Test 2017 that placed the DAF XF 105.460 as the best long-distance truck tractor in the South African transport market. An average payload of 30 620 kg, average speed of 66,1 km/h and average fuel consumption of 44,29 ℓ/100 km ensured that the DAF XF 105.460’s came out tops in the Tridem flatdeck category with a payload productivity factor of 45,7. b

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