Menzies accelerates fleet growth with major Ford order in partnership with TrustFord

Menzies Distribution has significantly expanded its van fleet, taking delivery of 150 new generation Ford Transit vans for deployment across a wide range of the group’s markets and services.

The Transit, which in 2020 received a striking mid-cycle facelift, was chosen for its intelligently crafted cabin with new instrument panel, more powerful and efficient engines, and impressive capacity. Maximum loadspace is 15.1 cubic metres, gross payload excluding passengers is 2.250 tonnes and maximum load length is 4.256 metres. The vans feature state-of-the art driver assistance and safety systems, while on the outside, livery is fully recyclable – a feature pioneered by Menzies in 2021, helping to refine the logistics sector’s approach to modern vehicle branding.

The Transits are expected to add further versatility to the Menzies fleet, notably for ‘final mile’ use. They will operate from 15 sites, with larger numbers of between 13 and 26 new vans earmarked for Stockton-on-Tees, Swansea, Cullompton, Coventry and Bristol. The vehicles will support commercial customers in services including parcel delivery and in several areas of newstrade.

Commenting on the Ford order, Menzies Fleet & Procurement Director, Adam Purshall said:

“The Ford Transit has been an iconic feature of final mile and urban delivery for decades and this is the toughest, most trusted Transit yet. In addition to our focus on our dedicated electric fleet, in order to achieve a reduction in our footprint it’s imperative that we upgrade our traditional fleet with the very best in class in terms of fuel efficiency, aerodynamics and Euro 6 compliance for this important part of the work undertaken by Menzies Distribution.”

Mark Wilkie, CV and Fleet Director of TrustFord said, “We first started working with Menzies Fleet over 3 years ago with our Mobile Service support and are delighted to be building on that existing partnership with this exciting new order. We are really looking forward to working with the team on further innovation and fleet solutions going forward.”

‘Fleet’ is one of the three main pillars within the Menzies Distribution Sustainability pledge, alongside ‘energy consumption’ and ‘reuse and recycling’ for the business and its partners. In 2021 the Group committed substantial investment to new assets including more than 100 VW Crafter vans, bespoke lifting roof trailers, tractor units, high cubic capacity curtain-siders and 189 New Generation MAN TGX trucks.