GALLERY: New additions to the fleet

Idwala Industrial Holdings Limited recently launched several new Mercedes and Volvo trucks to their existing fleet of trucks. The company has offices in Honeydew.

Idwala showcased several new Mercedes-Benz and Volvo truck tractors and related technologies at the launch of the new vehicles. On display were a 40-cubic metre side tipper interlink built by Afrit, a 40-cubic metre dry bulk powder tanker built by Duncanmec, a Mercedes Benz 2644 horse, and a Volvo FH440 horse truck. The trucks are used to pull the bulk powder tankers.

Head of logistics at Idwala Gary Wood explained that the majority of the fleet will achieve 800km per day. “This distance equates to 22 400km per month or 268 800km per year. The life of a vehicle is estimated at just under three years, achieving 800 000km,” he said.

Wood continued that the operational performance of each vehicle is of paramount importance and has been fine-tuned over the past 25 years in order to optimise routes. “Each vehicle is monitored 24/7 and every minute is accounted for by a team of dedicated operational staff,” he said.

He also revealed that a special feature on display was the latest technology direct drive PTO driven Gardner Denver “Tornado” compressor supplied and fitted by Flowsafe. “The unit generates 1 000 cubic feet of air per minute to a maximum pressure of two bar. The big advantage of installing this compressor onto the Idwala fleet is a payload saving nearly 750kg, which translates into additional efficiencies and cost savings,” he concluded.

Idwala Industrial Holdings Limited is a producer of industrial minerals and lime. It recently celebrated the acquisition of an additional eight interlink side-tipper combinations to complement their existing fleet of 30 bulk powder tankers and eight curtain side vehicles.