Thompsons win significant tipper order
New orders for Euro 6 tippers helps put company in market-leading position for tipper bodies
THE Thompsons Group, one of the UK’s leading tipper body manufacturers, have started 2014 with a flourish having received a major pre-Christmas order for new Euro 6 tippers. And with more than 200 orders for new bodies placed with Thompsons and sister company Charlton during December alone, the Group recorded its best sales year ever in 2013.
‘Initially, we took a cautious view on Euro 6 thinking that a good proportion of 2014’s tipper sales would have been pulled forward into last year to avoid the new legislation,’ commented Thompsons director Scott Burton.
‘Indeed, that may well have happened, but the evidence now is that truck buyers are, if anything, choosing to re-equip their fleets faster than ever. This upgrading is not just about Euro 6, it’s also about needing to have the most modern, best equipped and safest tipper trucks that it’s possible to buy. In the last year, both Thompsons and Charlton have made great strides in these areas, which customers of all types are now clearly recognizing.’
New Euro 6 tippers are already on the road, the first units being bodied on the latest Mercedes-Benz 8x4 Arocs chassis. In Dover, Charlton have built two very high-specification insulated crane tippers for Dartford-based FM Conway, while Thompsons’ Blackburn factory has delivered another two similar chassis fitted with full-spec, heavy-duty Loadmaster bodies for LC Vehicle Hire of Leeds.
For 2014, Thompsons are not only building Euro 6 tipper demonstrators for Volvo, Scania, DAF, MAN, Mercedes-Benz, Renault and Iveco, but also providing a significant number of vehicles for ‘bank stock’ arrangements with various truck manufacturers and their dealers.
The situation at Charlton is equally upbeat, with continuing strong demand not just for tippers, but also the company’s other highly specialist product lines, including bodies for moving plant equipment as well as bespoke designs for all types of highway applications.
