Keyway extend fleet with switch to Volvo
Twenty-eight new trucks for South West-based plant hire, recycling and earthmoving operator
KEYWAY Group, based in the South West, have taken delivery of their first-ever Volvo trucks in the shape of: 24 Volvo FMX tipper trucks with day cabs and B-Ride high rear suspension; two 500hp STGO Cat 2 (up to 80 tonnes) Volvo FH tractor units; and two Volvo FM 8x2 rigids with King beavertail bodies, all from Truck and Bus Wales & West, in Avonmouth.
The new vehicles represent a switch to Volvo for Keyway and managing director Eamonn McGurk is delighted with the decision. ‘Traditionally, we’ve not run Volvo trucks, but the automated manual I-Shift transmission and incredible support from Truck and Bus Wales & West convinced us this was the way to go, and we’re extremely happy with the outcome,’ he said.
Founded in 1966, family-run Keyway operate more than 70 tipper trucks and Mr McGurk expects this to grow to more than 100 next year. ‘We’re seeing growth and we therefore need to cut our cloth to fit,’ he remarked. ‘The Volvo FMX’s with 420hp engines and either Thompsons or Boweld bodies – both with cab-operated tailgates – are proving to be a solid investment, offering good fuel economy as well as winning praise from our drivers.’
From a personal perspective, Mr McGurk believes Truck and Bus Wales & West would be hard to better. ‘Their knowledge and understanding of the product, their passion for Volvo and the level of customer service shown by the dealership is second to none,’ he said. ‘I have been immensely impressed and envisage us working more closely together going forwards.’
As expected from one of the UK’s leading plant hire, recycling and earthmoving operators, safety sits at the heart of every decision that is made, and in this regard Volvo ticked all the boxes, according to Mr McGurk.
‘Safety is paramount for us and the new trucks, be they the FMX, FH or FM, all deliver in this regard,’ he said. ‘The all-round visibility is excellent and we’ve bolstered this with both sensor and camera systems. In future, we will add factory-fitted, low-level nearside windows too, as we think this is a very positive development in truck design.’
