STARK UK, the leading material supply merchant, and DAF, the market leading commercial vehicle manufacturer in the UK, strengthen their working partnership by coming together to improve operating efficiencies and the next generation of trucks.
15 drivers from across STARK Building Materials UK Ltd, representing Jewson, JP Corry, Jewson Partnership Solutions, Jewson Major Build Solutions, Frazer and Minster, recently attended a factory tour and innovation workshop at DAF Trucks’ facilities in Leyland. As well as getting the chance to see how trucks are built, the drivers were asked to give direct feedback on what works and what could be improved, particularly for vehicles with a drop-side body and crane, the kind they operate daily across the UK. Their feedback on performance and ergonomics could help shape how DAF builds its next generation of trucks.
Please see attached and below for the full press release for further information, along with a selection of images from the tour and workshop.
15 drivers from across STARK Building Materials UK Ltd have joined DAF Trucks to help design the ‘Vehicle of the Future’ for materials distribution.
Meeting for a day’s innovation workshop and factory tour at DAF’s world-renowned facilities at Leyland, drivers were invited to share their thoughts and feedback about what works well and what needs improving as DAF continues to evolve and its vehicle designs.
Having shown their guests how DAF truck designs have changed over the past 10 years, the drivers who travelled from across the UK to represent Jewson, JP Corry, Jewson Partnership Solutions, Jewson Major Build Solutions, Frazer and Minster, shared their suggestions on how to further improve the performance and ergonomics of trucks with a drop-side body and crane.
Mark Gingell, National Fleet Sales Manager at DAF Trucks, said “Our trucks are the drivers’ offices – and where they spend most of their working day as they travel between branches, distribution hubs and customers’ sites. It’s really important to us that we make sure our trucks deliver what they need as a safe, comfortable and efficient vehicle and mobile workspace.”
Darren O’Donnell, STARK UK Fleet Manager added “Our drivers do a really important job. They’re the face of our company and look after our customers’ deliveries with care and with pride. We really appreciate and value our drivers, and that’s why DAF invited them to have a direct input into how truck designs evolve and benefit from technology innovation to improve the driving experience and vehicle performance”.
Commenting on the day, Stuart Yates, a driver for Frazer Widnes said “I’ve been blown away by seeing the production of a truck like the one I drive on a daily basis. And to be asked to give my feedback and to know that my ideas may end up being included in the vehicle design of the future is something I can’t quite believe – it’s great to be recognised in this way”.
This is not the first time STARK UK drivers have been invited to get involved in vehicle designs. All Jewson drivers were invited to design the new livery introduced in Summer 2024 when the business launched its new brand design to reflect the improvements being made to its customer proposition.
