New IVECO Dailys distribute fine food in the west

For Western Australian fine food providore, Blue Cow Cheese Company, two new IVECO Daily models are helping to grow the business and its distribution.

As a distributor of cheeses, yoghurt, milk, charcuterie, antipasto, pastry, dessert and other products, the Perth-based company has experienced steady growth since its inception in 1998 and currently supplies goods to over 400 outlets across WA, as well as interstate through third party distributors.

According to company founder and Managing Director, Nick Bath, the two new additions to the company fleet – one a van, the other a cab/chassis – are making a big impact.

"We've grown our own range of Blue Cow Cheese products considerably over the last two years as well as now distributing a much wider selection of other prominent gourmet food brands," he said.

"The two IVECO products have joined our distribution fleet to help us meet this increased demand, and they've been a great fit for our business, having many benefits compared to the Japanese trucks that we've previously used."

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The new Dailys are 50C models and feature the optional 5200kg GVM to maximise their payload.

Both of the new vehicles have refrigerated payload areas fitted with innovative Thermo King Cold Cube technology for frozen products. The refrigerated bodies provide three storage areas: frozen, chilled and ambient temperature, increasing the versatility of the vehicles.

With its lower roof height, the van predominantly operates in a metropolitan environment allowing better access to confined loading areas, while the cab chassis normally travels suburban and more regional distribution routes.

Nick said that the Daily models are a favourite among the drivers.

"The vehicles feature the Hi-Matic eight-speed full automatic transmission, responsive engines and offer a more car-like driving environment compared to cab-over light trucks – our drivers really prefer them," he said.

"Both Dailys also have a driver's suspension seat which adds to the comfort and, for added safety and ease of use, we've specified reversing cameras.

"As the business owner, I'm very conscious of providing our team with the safest working environment we can; our drivers can be on the road for eight hours a day, so it's good to know that the Daily has a lot of active and passive safety features."

Nick said his IVECO vehicles helped portray a clean and professional image to the public.

"The Daily range is sleek and aerodynamic, and while this helps fuel efficiency, from a visual perspective they just look more modern on the road," he said.

"In the food industry, it's essential that the distribution vehicles are attractive and kept in the best condition possible – we wash our vehicles every week and undertake regular maintenance between servicing. Our IVECO Dailys definitely get noticed on the road and we get great feedback about their appearance."

Fourteen months ago Blue Cow Cheese Company opened a Brisbane-based warehouse, and Nick says the company will now look to add to its Daily fleet with a vehicle for deliveries around Brisbane.

"Brisbane is the first step that will allow us to better distribute our goods in the eastern states," he said.

"We'll need at least one more Daily to operate from that site and from that point we hope to eventually have a greater presence in New South Wales with further expansion south."

The Dailys were purchased from IVECO's Perth truck Dealership, AV Trucks, which Nick said is conveniently located near Blue Cow Cheese's Belmont site.

"AV Trucks has provided us with excellent service and support, and as an added benefit are within short proximity to us for vehicle servicing," he said.