The boat-tail is mounted on a normal three-axle semitrailer for European long-haulage. The length of the vehicle combination increases by 30 cm, which is equivalent to the extra length permitted for a tail-lift or other loading equipment according to the European Union’s Directive 97/27 EC.

“The tests are limited to Sweden and Denmark while we await final word on how road and traffic authorities in the Netherlands and Germany view our interpretation and application of the EU directive,” says Anders Gustavsson, Managing Director of Scania Transport Laboratory (Scania Transportlaboratorium AB).

Fuel savings of two percent not only reduce the transport industry’s costs but also lead to large environmental gains.

“For the Transport Laboratory trucks, which run 360,000 km per year and consume an average of 26 litres of fuel per 100 km, it represents a annual saving of almost 1,900 litres of diesel and five tonnes of CO2 emissions – per truck. This kind of aerodynamic improvement is positive for industry profitability as well as the environment and is equivalent to the results of several years of engine and chassis development work,” Mr Gustavsson says.

A recently introduced EU proposal would amend the current Directive 97/27 EC to allow trailers to be equipped with a rear air deflector that lengths the vehicle combination by 30 cm.

“This is a solution that does not encroach on cargo space and can also be retrofitted on existing trailers. In light of this, I hope that European trailer manufacturers will find it of interest to begin developing an integrated boat-tail. It involves a very simple technical solution that could quickly help reduce transport costs and environmental impact,” Mr Gustavsson concludes.

Scania Transport Laboratory is a wholly owned subsidiary of Scania that tests and evaluates vehicle characteristics and performance in commercial road haulage. The company’s tasks also include training and coaching its drivers in economical and safe driving techniques. The company accounts for a small portion of the goods haulage to Scania’s European production and assembly units. Its fleet consists of 20 tractor units and about 70 semitrailers.

[private]“In response to the continued recovery in global demand, we need to increase our workforce in order to handle a higher production rate during the third quarter,” says Anders Nielsen, Executive Vice President and Head of Production and Logistics.

The number of rehirings in the production network will be equivalent to one fourth of the fixed term temporary employees whose contracts were not renewed due to the sharp downturn that followed the 2008 financial crisis.

“We used the period of low production capacity utilisation to take steps to improve our methods and ways of working. The improvements that our employees have developed will result in a significant improvement of productivity,” says Mr Nielsen.

Since late 2008, the number of employees in Scania’s production network has decreased by about 3,000, including 2,000 fixed term temporary employees whose contracts were not renewed. The rest of the decrease was due to a freeze on replacement recruitment resulting from retirements etc.[/private]

Available nationwide via Scania’s 90-strong service centre network, replacement brake discs and pads, clutches, lights, starter motors and radiators are among the wide range of workshop repair tasks proving particularly popular. The programme is now set to enter a new phase as Scania embarks upon an aggressive marketing campaign to further boost awareness and demand.

“Customers today need to accurately know the costs of repairs in advance – and with prices quoted and guaranteed up front, our Fixed Price Repairs programme breaks the industry mould,” says James Armstrong, Aftersales Director for Scania (Great Britain) Limited.  “Scania Fixed Price Repairs are based on the known standard times an experienced Scania Technician will take to do the job.  We know those times are the most efficient in the industry and if for any reason the job should take us longer, no additional labour charges will be passed on to the customer.

“Furthermore, our Fixed Price Repairs use only Scania parts of the same quality as the original and the price we quote includes all consumables required to do the job.  All Scania Fixed Price Repairs carry a full warranty, including roadside assistance and consequential damage cover.

“The net result is that Fixed Price Repairs from Scania are exceptionally cost-effective and represent excellent value for money.  And with every job carried out by fully-skilled Scania Technicians, quality, attention to detail and peace of mind are all  assured.

“The uptake and demand we are seeing around the UK clearly demonstrates that operators find our Fixed Price Repairs programme an extremely attractive proposition.  We will therefore continue to drive the change by further extending the range of jobs covered by the programme.  For the future, we will be introducing Fixed Price Repairs to our Ancillary Services business, covering, for example, tail-lifts and fridges, our Tanker Support activities and even our Accident Damage Repair service.

“In summary, with top quality work and highly competitive prices, Scania Fixed Price Repair have been designed to take away the uncertainty and get vehicles back on the road as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Supplied by Silurian Scania, the Scania dealer for South Wales, West Wales and Herefordshire, the trucks have been acquired through Scania Finance on five year full contract hire agreements.

All three vehicles are low chassis height Scania P 235 DB4x2MLA models with Scania CP16 day-cabs.  Each is powered by a 230 horsepower/1,050 Nm (774 Ibf.ft) torque Scania DC9-16 Euro 5 EGR engine driving through an eight-speed Scania G875 gearbox.  All maintenance for the duration of the contract will be carried out by Silurian Scania’s Cross Hands depot.

“These vehicles have been acquired as part of our rolling fleet replacement programme,” comments Felinfoel Brewery’s Finance Director, Philip Lewis.  “We already operate an entirely Scania fleet and remain convinced that the marque is the best-suited to our operations, especially in terms of reliability, performance over the demanding local terrain and the service support we receive from Silurian Scania.”

The vehicles’ curtainsider bodies are Felinfoel Brewery’s first by Bevan Group, of Halesowen, West Midlands. These specialised units employ an innovative system which allows the curtains to be fastened using quick release buckles fixed to the side raves and mounted internally, so protecting them from fouling by road dirt.  Not only does this set-up allow quicker access to the load, the absence of conventional external straps and buckles leaves a smooth, clean expanse of curtain for the operator’s livery.

The new vehicles are now delivering to Felinfoel Brewery’s 83 owned public houses, which are located throughout South and Central Wales.  In addition, the firm also services a growing free trade business with its range of beers and other licensed trade products.

Stobart Group and A. W. Jenkinson Forest Products have a joint-procurement agreement on purchasing various items, with trucks being one of them, and together they have placed an order with Scania for 1,000 trucks.

Mainly comprising 2010 International Truck of the Year Scania R-series models, the order also includes a significant number of Scania G-series vehicles. Deliveries will commence in March 2010.

“As an established marque within the Eddie Stobart and A. W. Jenkinson fleets, the operating efficiency and all-round value delivered by the Scania product is well-known and appreciated by both our companies.

The order for the 1,000 trucks is 80/20 per cent split in Stobart’s favour, which comprises of vehicle replacement plus new growth within the Group,” comments Stobart Group Chief Operating Officer, William Stobart.  “The 400 and 440 horsepower engines specified in this order meet the latest Euro 5 environmental standard without the need for any additives or exhaust gas after-treatment, which offers considerable advantages from an operational point-of-view.”

For Scania (Great Britain) Limited, Managing Director Hans-Christer Holgersson comments:  “We are naturally delighted to receive this order, which marks our continued association with two of the most respected names in the UK transport industry.  We are also pleased to note that the operational performance of our award-winning new R-series trucks and our G-series range of vehicles, plus the experience and expertise of Scania’s UK service organisation, have all been contributory factors behind the decision of Stobart Group and A. W. Jenkinson to once again opt for Scania.”

Made up of both fleet replacements and additional vehicles, the order includes four key specifications:

• R 440 LA6x2/4MNA Highline cab right hand drive tractor units
  (Stobart Group)
• R 440 LA6x2/4MNA Highline cab left hand drive tractor units
  (Stobart Group)
• G 400 LA4x2MNA standard sleeper cab right hand drive tractor units
  (Stobart Group)
• R 440 LA6x2MNA Highline cab right hand driver tractor units
  (A. W. Jenkinson)