Company News
Davis Food Ingredients, one of the largest importers and distributors of food ingredients in New Zealand, saw Solomon’s experience and speciality in bespoke design projects, and approached them with their need for a 9.5m body on a DAF CF85 8×4 Chassis.
Renowned for their level of quality in terms of produce and service, which includes controlling all aspects of their supply chain, Davis Foods also constantly look to improving and re-invest into the business. This new vehicle is just a part of that process and Solomon’s are proud to be working with Davis Food Ingredients on this project.
Solomon’s technical engineers and sales manager worked closely with Davis Food Ingredients to achieve exactly the specification that was required, which also included taking into account the differing road legal regulations covering New Zealand when compared to the UK. Designed for Tri-Temp operation, the vehicle features 2 movable stowable bulkheads, access via two side doors, and a Thermoking T1000 spectrum fridge unit. The flexibility in the design allows for full utilisation of the vehicle, allowing it to be used for a huge range of delivery types and temperatures.
Externally, the vehicle is instantly striking. Despite the reduced width compared to a maximum width UK body, Solomon have been able to offer their unrivalled industry-leading slipstream vehicle design package. Proven in both independent testing and in real-world scenarios, the package features custom moulded sections to the front corners, which align with the cab mounted air management kit to improve airflow onto the body. The capping sections are also designed specifically to improve aerodynamic performance, and the Rear curving Kamm tail roof section dramatically improves airflow from the rear of the vehicle. All these components work together to dramatically reduce vehicle drag, improving vehicle performance and fuel economy.
Jason Heather, National Transport Manager for Davis Foods said: ‘When deciding to build a truck for one of our major customers dedicated operations, we agreed that this truck should be something unique and which stands out amongst our competitors. After scouring most of Australasia for something with a difference and not finding it, we broadened our search and came across Solomon Commercials. We instantly recognised that Solomon’s bespoke build designs were what we were looking for. After lengthy consultation we came up with a design that both parties were happy with. We are particularly proud to be the first company in New Zealand to use Solomon Commercials and the very impressive Slipstream system will also be something which will turn heads everywhere it goes. Considering we were working together from opposite sides of the planet Solomon Commercials ensured that this was a smooth and trouble free process and we look forward to working with them again on all of our future build projects.’
The partnership between Solomon Commercials and Davis Food Ingredients has already proved successful, with the two companies working on the design and build of a further two vehicles, in the 12T and 18T weight categories.
