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Pulling power
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Our new series looks at why operators decide to buy the trucks they do. We begin by looking in the specialist heavy transport sector with Flegg Transport.
Words: KeyIn imoges: Nigei. waite: When OAF Trucks was asked to identify an operator for our 'Specifier' series, it didn't have very far to travel.
Flegg Transport, in Aylesbury, is just 16 miles from the manufacturer's UK head office in Thame.
Flegg Transport's small, but costly, fleet is arguably the finest on the roads. Jayson Flegg, managing director of the machine installation, removal and storage company, makes no apologies for ordering XF105 Super Space Cabs with just about every conceivable creature comfort.
"Things have got to look wow,Flegg states. "As soon as it comes in the gates it looks good, you won't get another chance to create that impression.
"Trucks have arrived on site and managing directors have asked the lads if they can sit in their lorry.
-Customers are spending between Lim and £2m on machinery and, to them, that is the most important thing in the world.
"When it turns up on a scabby piece of equipment, it's not a good image. When we show up, it puts the customer at ease." he adds.
Taking leave
Flegg's fleet has been all DAF since it became a limited company in 1997; with the flagship XF evolving from 95 to 105.
Sales teams from other manufacturers have knocked on the door and even got as far as issuing advice. "Another manufacturer's salesman told me that I didn't need these trucks, you need one with a 340hp engine, you can save so much money," says Flegg, before explaining, using industrial language, how the salesman was invited to leave.
The trucks arc on hire and lease purchase over five years. "DAF was an easy choice to make," Flegg reveals "With all the vehicles and problems we have had in the past, DAF was the most reliable, cost-effective, and fuel efficient.
"We do all the maintenance in-house and bought a diagnostics system to check for faults," he continues.
"We are fussy, my mechanic is a DAF man through
and through.
The spec of the vehicles, and the additional equipment such as cranes and trailers, means residuals are strong. "In 2003, we bought the truck I XF95 6x2], crane and trailer for £200,000 and sold it five years later for £125,000, That's not even 50% depreciation," says Flegg.
The vehicles also had automated transmissions. -We were told an automatic gearbox makes a bad driver fantastic, a reasonable driver very good, a good driver better, and an excellent driver, well, you can't beat that.
"My lads were given the choice and every one went for the auto box."
Although the company name has 'transport' in its title, that's not its primary concern, Flegg reveals: "Transport has come from the fact that we had a lorry, we aren't a transport company. All our guys are appointed people riggers, banksmen, machinery engineers with HGV licences.
-The trucks don't do a lot of mileage, perhaps 60,000 a year. We show up on site for three days and the trucks don't move," he explains,
The Flegg fleet consists of live XF105 artics, an XF105 drawbar.
CF65 18-tonner, an LF 75-tormer. and specialist trailers. including two Montracon trailers. The most recent addition is from Royen Trailers in Belgium.
As Flegg explains, quality is not the issue here.
"We ordered three trailers, designed by us, in September 2007 for March 2008 delivery. 1 phoned close to the delivery date to check when we would get them and it hadn't even started building them," he recalls.
When Royen missed further deadlines. Flegg had had enough and decided to cancel the orders.
Then, as the first trailer was completed, he made some enquiries about purchasing the bespoke FlexiWay trailer with a crane he had designed.
"It is a fantastic trailer, its quality is second to none; four-axle, three steering with one lift, 80-tonne plate, low one-piece bed with a FAST 110XP crane. But the customer service is a joke," he says.
Initially priced at £115,000, after cancelling the order, Flegg eventually bought it for £75,000. The other two trailers, says Flegg, could also end up on the fleet. "But it will be on my terms, not theirs," he adds.
History of Flagg Transport
Lyn Flegg started the company in 1974, delivering belts for Muller Martini, a Swiss company with a IJIC branch which produces printing presses.
By 1980, as the company expanded and added another vehicle, Flegg Transport employed its first member of staff, John Fetch, who is still with the company.
"We had the first 75-tonne Leyland Terrier, with a HAP 710 two-boom crane, with extensions out the sides, on the back, to shift printing machines," reveals managing director Jayson Flegg.
-We always moved second-hand equipment. Muller Martini was the only new equipment we shifted, the rest was second-hand, half-value goods"
As things took off, the company expanded to six vehicles before it became a limited company in 1997
Super six
That same year Flegg Transport turned to DAF Trucks for its vehicles and they were replaced again in 2003 with six vehicles, including live XF95 6x2 tractor units with Super Space cabs and an LF 7.5-tonne truck.
That same year Lyn Flegg decided to retire from the business "She said it was the hest way for me to hold on to things," Flegg remembers.
There has been indications of growth in recent years. For example, the company progressed from its 2003 £1.2m turnover to £2m in 2006/07 Proving that it is a family affair, Jayson's sister, Kiersty Cox, is the company secretary and Mark Marshall is in the role of operations director, and there are plans to set up Flegg Transport in some new premises.
He says: "We are planning to move to a 12m bespoke, state-of-the-art site. We are staying here for three years until the economy improves The 1,7-acre site will have 2,415m2of warehouse space, 9m-high eves. and a 25-tonne overhead crane that runs the length of the building," he says. •