Blaydon-based Old Haulage has praised MV Commercial for its ability to quickly supply a fully refurbished Volvo FH, mounted with a Cormach Serie 75000 crane and fly jib, to help it secure a new business opportunity.

The family-run firm, which has been an MV Commercial customer for over a decade, has put the 32-tonne 8×2 truck, featuring a cabin-spec body, to work installing roof trusses for its customer, a local housebuilding firm. The firm had previously relied on a mobile crane to complete such a job.

Amanda Old, Director at Old Haulage, says: “In the initial new business conversations, we were told a flatbed body with a heavy-duty fly jib was needed for a new-build project planned to start within a couple of months. Of course, we looked at placing an order for a new vehicle, but the lead times were over 12 months!

“Thankfully, when we spoke to MV Commercial, they had the truck we required in their Ready to Go stock. I’ve no doubt that had we ordered a new vehicle from scratch, we would have lost out to another haulier due to the extended timeframe.”

In addition to the refurbished 32-tonner, MV Commercial has also supplied Old Haulage with a new 44-tonne Volvo FH 6×4 tractor unit fitted with a heavy-duty Palfinger PK 78002 crane. As part of the company’s nine-strong mixed commercial vehicle fleet, the new tractor unit replaces a similar older truck, which the haulier typically looks to do after five years of service.

This latest renewal comes a year after Old Haulage turned to MV Commercial for an identical Volvo FH, albeit fitted with a HIAB X-HIPRO 858 crane.

“Thanks to its Airdrie facility, MV is a one-stop-shop, meaning all the trucks can be liveried, while the tractors can also have the additional lights and airhorns we requested fitted on site. It simply means that the vehicles are ready to go, which is a huge timesaver for us,” adds Old.

Old Haulage started life as a coal merchant more than 50 years ago. Today, it operates from a 5,000 sq ft warehouse in Blaydon and a nearby yard, providing nationwide general haulage and crane hire alongside specialist services, including the installation of fuel station signage.