8/20/2019 CASE STUDY - Nidera forges ahead with Mercedes Benz fleet

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T

he grain, seed and fertiliser merchant

is now beneting from increased fuel

efciency after commissioning its

rst Mercedes-Benz tractor units tobe equipped with the manufacturer’s

groundbreaking Predictive Powertrain

Control system.

Their introduction has opened the way

for the Ipswich-based operator to stand

down its last three non-Mercedes-Benz trucks, so that by the end of

2015 every one of its 40 vehicles will wear a three-pointed star.

Supplied by East Anglia Dealer Orwell Truck and Van, the

ve new trucks are all Actros 2445 models with wind-cheating

StreamSpace cabs and small-wheeled (17.5in) mid-lift axles, which

offer a weight saving of some 300 kg compared to the standard

version with 22.5in wheels.

The lighter mid-lift axles are contributing to improved economywhen the vehicles run empty, as well as increasing payload capacity.

However, Tim Capey, Operations Director at Nidera, believes the

main reason for the impressive early mpg performance of the new

vehicles is its adoption of Predictive Powertrain Control (PPC), and

the associated driver training delivered by Orwell Truck andi think

Van’s designated ‘Fuel Saver’ Lee Betts.

PPC is a clever cruise control that works in conjunction with the

Mercedes PowerShift 3 automated transmission and employs three-

dimensional GPS mapping to read three kilometres of topography

An international trading company,Nidera is active at every stage of

the grain supply chain, originating

all types of arable crops fromfarmers and marketing anddistributing them to consumersthroughout the UK.

Nidera forges ahead

 with Mercedes Benz

feet

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66 | November 2015 - Milling and Grain

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Pulling together: Nidera’s Transport Manager TomPoutney, right, with Paul Simpson of Orwell Truck & Van

8/20/2019 CASE STUDY - Nidera forges ahead with Mercedes Benz fleet

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ahead. It responds by controlling gear changes, speed and braking

to maximise fuel efciency. Mercedes-Benz says the system, which

is particularly effective in hilly terrain, can cut fuel costs by up to 5

percent, though some operators have reported signicantly higher

savings.

“It is difcult to make precise comparisons given the different

routes and the varying ages of our vehicles,” explained Tim

Capey. “However, it’s fair to say that in terms of fuel returns theearly indications from these new PPC-equipped vehicles are very

positive.

“This is partly down to the technology but also to the excellent

coaching provided to our drivers by Orwell’s Lee Betts – in one

case, the result has been an improvement of as much as 0.6 mpg,

which is very encouraging.”

Nidera’s latest trucks are powered by state-of-the-art 330

kW (449 hp) straight-six engines and, like its other Actros, are

also tted with Mercedes-Benz FleetBoard telematics systems.

FleetBoard analyses driver performance against a range of criteria,

including over revving, harsh braking, idling, speeding and ‘green

band’ driving, and highlights areas in which improvements can be

made.

Nidera has been forging ahead strongly after two years of good

harvests and high yields. Its tractor units pull bulk-tipping trailers

and make nationwide deliveries of cereals, oilseeds and pulses to

customers in the food, feed and bio-energy industries.

The company purchased its rst Mercedes-Benz trucks in 2000

and since then Orwell Truck and Van has steadily increased its

share of the eet. The vehicles are serviced in the Dealer’s Ipswich,

Colchester and Newmarket workshops under seven-year Mercedes-

Benz Repair and Maintenance Contracts.

Mr Capey added, “Fuel efciency is certainly important but

we focus on all elements of the ‘whole life cost’ calculation.

Reliability and residual values are also key and so, too, is our very

close working relationship with our supplier. Orwell Truck and

Van understands and meets the requirements of our business – we

make full use of its overnight servicing capability and if we have

an issue, as you always will from time to time, we know who to

contact to get it quickly sorted.”

Paul Simpson, Truck Sales Manager at Orwell Truck and Van,said, “Given the nature of the work and the fact that Nidera’s trucks

spend a relatively high proportion of their time on A and B roads,

it’s pleasing to see the positive effect that Predictive Powertrain

Control is having on their fuel efciency.

“This brilliant system, which can also now be retrotted to

vehicles that are already on the road, offers operators the chance

to enhance their environmental proles by reducing their carbon

footprints, while at the same time improving their bottom

lines.”

Milling and Grain - November 2015 | 67

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