Member Article

Durham’s Lumsden & Carroll invest £1 million in HGV fleet with North East suppliers

Durham-based Esh Group’s civil engineering arm, Lumsden & Carroll, has invested over £1 million in additional and replacement capital equipment including JCBs, excavators and a major expansion of the heavy goods vehicle (HGV) fleet in recent months with North East suppliers.

Nine new Renault Range K high-specification HGVs have been delivered to the firm’s Bowburn headquarters at the beginning of the New Year.

The 32 tonne 4-axle tippers, supplied by Thompson Commercials of Teesside, have been equipped to particular standards required by Lumsden & Carroll in support of work with clients such as water Authorities, the Environment Agency and national house-builders.

The deal has expanded Lumsden & Carroll’s HGV fleet to 45, the majority of which are now Renault vehicles. Durability is a critical consideration for Lumsden & Carroll as these vehicles can carry up to 20 tonnes per load (the equivalent weight of about 15 Ford Fiesta vans), make 10 loads each day and are operated 5 or 6 days a week, throughout the year averaging between 60,000 and 80,000 kilometres annually.

The alloy body, manufactured locally by Aliweld Ltd, from Ryton near Gateshead, and alloy wheels, help to reduce the empty vehicle weight and maximise potential payload.

Managing Director of Esh Construction, John Davies, said: “We’re very pleased to have made this investment through regional businesses; it is an important part of our procurement strategy to support companies within the regions where we are based and do business.

“We’re particularly pleased to have taken delivery of these trucks; we really like the performance of Renaults – they have very high ground clearance, excellent traction on rough site roads and those which we already have in the fleet are showing great durability.”

Managing Director of Thompson Commercials, principal Renault truck dealers in the north east, Paul Simpson, said: “We’re delighted to have supplied more of these Renault Range K trucks to Esh Group.

“It’s a great endorsement for these vehicles as most people in the region quickly recognise the iconic green Lumsden & Carroll livery which is so familiar on roads in the North – it looks good together with the Renault logo!”

Lumsden & Carroll serves clients throughout Yorkshire, Cumbria, the Scottish Borders and the North East from each of its regional headquarters.