Menzies Distribution goes for growth with a major MAN TGX order

Menzies Distribution (Menzies) has taken delivery of its first New Generation MAN TGX trucks. The new vehicles, 115 in total, will be operational in Menzies’ nationwide fleet by August 2021.  

Instantly recognisable in the new Menzies branding, striking Midnight Blue with Process Yellow livery, the company’s network and fleet will total around 4,000 assets and 100 nationwide depot locations.

Adam Purshall, Fleet & Procurement Director, Menzies Distribution Group, said: “As a business it’s essential that we continually look forward and ensure we offer our customers, many of which are blue-chip organisations, an industry leading level of service.

“These new vehicles will enable us to focus on the future and further enhance the sustainability and flexibility of our supply chain offering.

“It’s vitally important that we invest in the latest technologies available in terms of trucks and the advanced safety and assistance systems they offer. Through both our robust business growth strategy and our fleet replacement programme, we strive to operate an environmentally clean, safe and driver friendly fleet.”

Menzies’ New Generation TGX trucks are all powered by MAN’s latest’s Euro6D D26, 470hp six-cylinder, 12.4 litre engines, which have not only proved to be more fuel efficient than their predecessors, but are also lighter, both areas that proactively impact upon fleet total cost of ownership (TCO) and vehicle whole life performance.

“To ensure all our drivers are comfortable and fully in-tune with the new vehicles and the new levels of technology found onboard, in terms of driver assistance systems and the advanced drive trains, we ensured all our in-house driver trainers were fully briefed and trained by MAN’s ProfiDriver operation before the first vehicle arrived,” commented Adam. “This thorough product training is invaluable and will form the backbone of further training for our wider driver community as more of the new vehicles join the fleet.”

Building on safety, the new Menzies MAN TGXs feature a host of advanced safety systems: Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Electronic Stability Programme (ESP),Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), Lane Guard System (LGS). Included in the standard specification is the Electronic Parking Brake, which applies automatically when the vehicle is parked. All 115 vehicles have been specified with MAN’s new driver attention guard, red seat belts and to ensure third party safety, acoustic reverse alarms.

Adam added: “To ensure we maximize the fleet’s productivity and at the same time provide a safe working environment, we’ve fitted the latest technology in terms of camera systems and telematics solutions, across the entire fleet, both into the new additions and retrofitting on to all existing vehicles, in partnership MAN Telematics and Microlise Fleet Management.

“Our drivers now benefit from the latest driver aid technologies on the market, such as nearside enhanced-vision cameras, nearside sensor systems, forward facing camera and the Microlise DriveTab system– which links all the cameras onto a single easy view screen.”

All of the new vehicles have been specified with MAN’s latest comprehensive Efficiency Package (EL3) which includes MAN Efficient Cruise 3, MAN Efficient Roll, MAN Idle speed driving and Engine idle shutdown.

These latest vehicles offer Menzies drivers a calm and relaxing workplace, and a true home-from-home level of comfort when spending nights away. Enhancing the vehicle specification, Menzies has equipped the GM cabbed vehicles with under bunk fridges, satellite navigation and MAN’s revolutionary SmartSelect, which provides the driver with a touch-free infotainment system. Further features include automatic windscreen wiper activation with built-in rain sensors, and, automatic high-beam low-beam driving-light control.