Ryder Helps Home Shopping Firm Turn Green

Online, January 25, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Ryder helps home shopping firm turn green

The UK's leading home shopping company, JD Williams, has boosted its green credentials with the introduction of a new fleet of environmentally friendly trucks, supplied on contract hire from Ryder.

"With over 20 successful catalogue brands such as Jacamo, High & Mighty and Simply Be, reducing the environmental impact of our transportation operation has become a key issue for us," comments Nigel Fletcher, JD Williams' transport manager. "So these new trucks will help us reduce our running costs, whilst demonstrating our on-going commitment to reducing our environmental impact."

The new fleet consists of DAF EEV (Enhanced Environmentally friendly Vehicles) 7.5 tonne and 18 tonne box vans and Mercedes-Benz 3.5 tonne Sprinter vans. The new box trucks have optimal-efficiency drivetrains and are fitted with aerodynamic Bevan21 truck bodies which provide a 15% fuel saving over standard box bodies.

There are also three DAF CF tractors units in the fleet, which are used to haul a mixture of curtain side, box and skeletal trailers as well as supporting the hanging garment operation with specialist trailers capable of moving more than15,000 garments.

Environmental impact, which has become a major issue for JD Williams, was the key consideration in the fleet vehicle selection process. "Discussions with transport industry specialists led to a rigorous evaluation of contract tenders," continues Nigel Fletcher.

"Our selection team was impressed by Ryder's in-house maintenance centres with 24 hour rescue and recovery service with a phone line manned by qualified engineers, and the offer of replacement vehicles following a breakdown. We also appreciated their knowledge and guidance during the vehicle specification programme, which helped provide us with trucks that were custom-designed to meet our exact needs".

"Another key aspect on the contract was that we were able to liaise closely with Ryder's nominated truck body builder, Bevans, whereby its in-house graphics team designed and applied eye-catching new liveries to the sides of the larger trucks. Bevans also fitted a number of garment rails to our specification".

"Overall the one-stop shop ability of Ryder to custom-design, supply and maintain a fleet of environmentally friendly trucks will play a key role in the continued growth and expansion of our company and our product ranges."

-Ends-

For further information please contact Colin Peck on 01784 482336 or Garry Hague on 07795 644284

About Ryder

Ryder Europe was established in 1971 and has grown through acquisition and organic development into a sizeable force in transportation with turnover of £158m and a fleet size of 12,855.

Its European business focuses on commercial vehicle rental and contract hire, maintenance and contract drivers operating from 23 locations, of which 16 are rental locations. Ryder Europe is part of Ryder System, Inc., a Fortune 500 provider of leading-edge transportation solutions worldwide, founded in Miami, Florida in 1933.

Ryder recently acquired Hill Hire which operates 13 sales and service facilities throughout the UK and employs 300 staff and technicians. Hill Hire provides contract hire, commercial vehicle rental and maintenance services. In addition to its comprehensive vehicle range, Hill Hire provides ancillary equipment, including a large trailer fleet.