Unisurge, a manufacturer of medical products, has acquired three new Volvo 12-tonne additions to its fleet, with high-spec FL 4×2 rigids.
The medical supplies company now has 13 Volvo vehicles in its 18-strong commercial vehicle fleet, and the new box body of the acquired FLs will aid Unisurge in delivering all-important equipment and supplies to NHS hospitals across the country. The trucks have optimal load space with a compact body and 5,300mm wheelbase to aid manoeuvrability.
‘Volvo Trucks has always been our primary supplier. We have a really strong, established relationship and we have never been let down by them; so naturally they were the default choice for this latest order,’ commented Amir Farboud, Chief of Operations at Unisurge.
Alan Didwell, Transport Solutions Executive at Volvo Truck and Bus Centre East Anglia suppled the FLs, which have been carefully specified to maximise driver comfort and safety.
Hatcher Conversions fitted the FLs with high-roof cabs to give drivers extra head room, while allowing for airline style lockers to have extra storage space. The cab also has a heated driver’s seat, a TV, microwave, and a fridge/freezer for additional comfort.
‘With these new trucks we wanted to be able to move to overnight distribution, which meant making sure our drivers had a really comfortable living and sleeping space,’ Farboud elaborated. ‘Our drivers are our ambassadors on the road and giving them high-spec trucks will help ensure they are best equipped to represent the brand in a positive fashion.’
Even at the back of the box body, an electric up and over door has been built by Kurt Hobbs Coachworks to allow quick and easy access. An additional lower window in the passenger door improves safety and visibility.
‘The drivers love the new trucks. They asked specifically for the up and over electric shutter door at the back as it just makes their job a little easier. We do a lot of multi-drop work, even unloading at several delivery points on the same hospital site, so speed is of the essence,’ Farboud explained.
‘It is important the customer knows the trucks that we deliver their goods in are a premium product. They know the reliability of the Volvo brand and that in turn gives them added confidence in us.’
All three FLs were supplied through Volvo Financial Services and are covered by a Volvo Gold Contract, with servicing and maintenance to be carried out at Volvo Truck and Bus Centre East Anglia’s Ely depot. The trucks will be on the road five days a week, and are estimated to clock 80,000km per year.
Unisurge is a significant manufacturer and supplier of practitioner-specified procedure packs (CPT), dressing packs, medical disposable and theatre products, including Personal Protective Equipment to healthcare professionals.
