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A standout pair of new Scanias is providing a `paddock to packhouse’ rolling billboard for the produce of A.S. Wilcox & Sons.

The Pukekohe-based fresh produce company has replaced two of its older Volvos with a pair of new Scania S 660 nine-axle curtain sider units.

The eye-catching green machines are carting a range of Wilcox’s products, which are grown between Te Kao (in the Far North) and Ohakune in the south while providing branding for their popular Perlas brand of new season gourmet potatoes.

Moving to the Scania brand is a change for the A.S. Wilcox & Sons fleet.

“This is the first time we have run the Scania brand,” says transport manager Andrew Coe.

“We evaluated all of the main European and American options and decided to go with Scania this time. It stacked up as a great all round package, equipped with all of the modern safety and comfort features.

“Euro 6 was definitely a big factor in our decision. Being growers, we are always focussed on sustainability, so low fuel consumption and low emissions are very important to us.”

The S 660s are supplied via TR Group and are powered by the 660hp variant of the Scania 16-litre V8, paired up with the new generation G33 automatic transmission.

“A big thank you to Scott McKeogh and Len Walker who have simplified the ordering and build process for us and looked after the various parties that have had to contribute to the creation of the final product,” Andrew says.

The first unit hit the road in late-November with the final detail touches putting the second unit to work in January.

The trucks are identical apart from one identifying difference. One has round spotlights and the other has square lights.

Both of the 8x4 units are towing new Domett 5-axle trailers built in Tauranga which are equipped with Tyre Wise inflation devices.

“Dometts do all of our trailer work and body building,” Andrew says.

“We’ve been with Dometts since the 1990’s, they know our business well and have a standard AS Wilcox design for the trailers and bodies”

There is a strong Tauranga connection with the new Scania duo.

“Cliff [Mannington] at Signart in Tauranga did the signwriting for us and does a fantastic job. And the curtains are by the team from Tauranga Canvas,” Andrew says.

“We also ordered the extras – light bars, spots, eyelids, visor, stoneguard, stainless AdBlue and fuel tank covers and backlit Scania emblems and badges from Josh and Brock Rudsit at Go-in-Style Truck Styling Parts, who did a great job and the final fitting for us.”

Andrew says the truck bodies and trailers have a simple load layout designed for carting freshly harvested produce in large wooden bins.

“It’s paddock to packhouse. We are mainly carting potatoes, onions, carrots, and watermelons. There’s no need to cart anything chilled,” Andrew says.

“Both trucks will run at 58 tonnes from the end of January through till about the end of September. That’s our busiest time, the rest of the year they will work at 50MAX.”

Andrew says the trucks and their bold colours and livery provide a strong branding message for the range of Wilcox produce.

“We also run a Volvo which is sign written with our Vivaldi potatoes brand and we put a Kenworth K220 on the road in the colours of our Beta Bites snacking carrots.”

 The new Scania duo has been allocated to two experienced drivers on the A.S. Wilcox staff.

“Beau Matchett has been with us for about 19 years and Buddy Wallace is coming up six years driving for us,” says Andrew.

“Buddy’s son has been so excited about the new truck; he’s already built a lookalike model of it at home with all the extras he wanted on it!