Arrow Transport and Logistics, like many, had to deal with supply chain issues. It did so while expanding within the Daimler Truck family for its latest fleet additions
When supply chain challenges reared their ugly head, Arrow Transport and Logistics knew it had to change its ways.
Fighting the duel challenges of growing its fleet whilst simplifying servicing and maintenance the team at Arrow Transport and Logistics scoured the world to find trucks worthy of its work.
A big fan of Mercedes-Benz, the majority of the Arrow Transport and Logistics fleet is in the form of the Actros model truck.
Its expansion plans included more of the model, however supply challenges meant they were not going to be available in time for the business needs.
In a show of collaboration, Daimler Truck worked with Arrow Transport and Logistics’ managing director Craig Webster to look at its European, Japanese and American models and find the right solutions to fit the work the company had in mind for their new trucks.
“We are dedicated Mercedes-Benz Actros customers because they deliver the advanced safety features, fuel efficiency, lower emissions and driver comfort that we demand at Arrow Transport and Logistics,” Webster says.
“Although we were a little hesitant at first, we have found that the Freightliner Cascadia and Fuso Shogun products also tick the same boxes that we care about, even though they have different characteristics.”
The benefits for the business were two-fold. The trucks can be serviced at the same dealerships as the Actros’ currently are – and it was also able to access Daimler Finance to fund the purchases.
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Fuso, Cascadia and Actros getting the job done
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Webster says that while the Arrow drivers were used to driving the Actros model, and they were a little unsure about the Cascadia and Shogun models before they got behind the wheel, acceptance had come quickly.
“They had some preconceptions about the Fuso Shogun, with it being Japanese rather than a European truck, but these were soon overcome and the drivers love them,” he says.
“The Cascadia was also something different for us and we don’t usually run trucks with bonnets. But the feedback for both trucks has been overwhelmingly positive.”
The Shogun 460 models are a good fit for side-loader work in built–up areas and the visibility, maneuverability and performance have been popular.
Arrow uses some Cascadia 116 models for local cargo work and some Cascadia 126 sleeper cab models for longer runs.
The Cascadia has a short nose and is also fitted with additional bonnet-mounted mirrors, which improve its visibility.
It also has a full suite of active safety features including AEBS and is the only bonneted truck in Australia with a steering wheel airbag.
“We were an early adopter of active safety features like active emergency braking with the Mercedes-Benz trucks and we just wouldn’t buy a truck without them,” Webster says.
Arrow Transport and Logistics now has 120 trucks that operate cartage out of wharf precincts in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland. It was the first company in Melbourne to introduce Super B combinations and A Doubles to rural areas and continues to explore efficiency gains across its network.