Fuso Fighter conquers shift in shopping

There is a widespread shift to online shopping that is now growing at an exponential pace, which in turn is the driving force behind the new growth and demand on the services of transport companies like Somerset Removals and Storage

Somerset Removals and Storage founder Peter Farrow was reversing a forklift with a brand new fridge strapped to a pallet, when I arrived at his depot a little before 8.00am on a Saturday morning. Earlier in the week he’d suggested the weekend meeting, as demand on their services during the week was intense.

"We’ve always offered a wide range of the traditional services you’d expect from a transport removal and storage operation,” Peter began. “But it’s always been our reliability and going the extra mile for our customers that has set us apart. It’s also the fact we’re a small family business which means that everyone in the organisation is accountable and takes pride in their workmanship."

Part of that reliability Peter attributes to the good run he gets from his Fuso trucks. "We’ve been dealing with Chris Saltmarsh from CJD Equipment in Launceston for over 30 years and we get excellent back up services from them," Peter said. "We keep our Fuso trucks for around 10 years and during that time we’ve never had any issues with them. The only money we ever spend on them is regular servicing," he added.

"For traditional house moving we offer a full prepack of everything or just those breakable items, and when you arrive at your new house we offer the service to unpack it all for you," Peter said.

"This gives the customers flexibility with their moving process. We also do a lot of packing and storage for people who might move away temporarily for work or family reasons," he added, pointing to some 10-cubic metre crates stacked neatly at the rear of the warehouse.

“We currently have three Fuso Fighter trucks in our fleet,” Peter explained. "They’ve been excellent and never miss a beat. We have regular service runs to the rugged west coast as well as down to Hobart and across to the east coast, so we cover the entire state from here.

"However our biggest growth in recent times has been in the online sales area," Peter revealed. "We now provide a deliver, installation and removal of the old product service,” Peter told us. “The growth in this area is increasing rapidly. We are seeing more and more people purchasing large white goods online. They are delivered here from the mainland and overseas then we distribute them to their final locations."

According to a recent UPS survey in the USA, shoppers now make 51 per cent of their purchases on the web compared with 48 per cent in 2015 and 47 per cent in 2014. These latest results of the survey, now in its fifth year, illustrate the degree to which the adoption of online shopping is accelerating. This year, 44 per cent of smartphone users indicated they made a purchase from their device, up from 41 per cent a year ago.

Closer to home the NAB reports that online spending is growing five times faster than traditional retail spending and now accounts for 6.8 per cent of total bricks and mortar sales of $296.9 billion.

Peter agrees that the convenience of online shopping is attracting more people, especially when the supplier offers free shipping. When you compare that to the hustle and bustle of heading into the major shopping centres in Hobart or Launceston where it can cost up to five dollars an hour to park your car before you even begin your shopping it certain makes online shopping look attractive.

Fuso Fighter Features

Peter cites the great headroom and legroom in the cabin of the Fuso 1024 as delivering superior operator comfort for his drivers. Meanwhile, there are also plenty of storage options for the equipment and tools of the removal driver.

"The doors open a full 90-degrees making entry and exit a breeze for the drivers," Peter said.

In terms of the driving position, all the major controls and instruments are in easy reach. The dash shapes around the driver to create a console-like feel, with a large speedo and tacho, flanked by temperature, fuel gauge and brake pressures, with warning lights for everything else.

The Fighter is one of Fuso’s most popular trucks thanks to its strong reputation for efficiency and durability. Over the years, the truck’s design also developed a good balance between driving pleasure, safety, performance, and reliability, as Peter can testify.

On the safety side, the Fuso Fighter 1024 includes ISRI driver suspension seat, transom window, cruise control, airbag, and keyless central locking and electronic windows. The truck also boasts great vision from the driver’s seat as can be seen in our photo of the pedestrian standing beside the passenger’s door. Peter has covered the passenger side transom window with one-way material to offer more privacy the driver and security for the equipment in the cabin.

Meanwhile Peter cites its ease of serviceability and the back-up service he gets from his dealer CJD Equipment in Launceston as a major swaying factor in the purchases decision as well.

In terms of suitability for the job, Peter admits the Fuso Fighters have been doing an admirable job. "The drivers like them too which helps," he added. "They’re very comfortable to drive, with good visibion and there’s plenty of room inside for all the things delivery drivers require.

"More importantly, the Fuso engines have been performing faultlessly, with our older Fuso already notching up over a million kilometres.

"The reliability and fuel economy we’re getting from the Fighters is what we expected," Peter said. "With margins so tight these days you need your equipment to be reliable and economical and it’s just a bonus when they’re so comfortable to drive."

Specifications: Fuso Fighter 1024

Engine: Fuso 6M60-9AT1 Diesel

Horsepower: 177kW @ 2500rpm

Torque: 745Nm @ 1400rpm

Gearbox: Fuso Manual M070S6-OD

Retarder: Exhaust Brake

Front Axle: Fuso F400T

Front Suspension: 1300x70mm parabolic springs

Rear Axles: Fuso R052T/D052H 9500kg

Rear Axle Ratio: 4.44

Rear Suspension: 1300x70mm Semi-Elliptic leaf with stabiliser bar

Brakes: Air actuated hydraulic dual circuit