PFD switches to Allison

Australia's largest privately owned food distribution firm, PFD Food Services, has begun switching its distribution fleet from manual and automated manual gearboxes to Allison fully automatic transmissions, in an effort to simplify driver training and recruitment.

The firm recently ordered 20 Isuzu FVD 1000 models fitted with Allison 3000 Series transmissions, with some of those models already in service.

PFD's national fleet manager, Steve Wright, says the decision was made after he drove an Allison-equipped truck at a customer drive event at Victoria's Australian Automotive Research Centre in Anglesea.

"I have to say I came away impressed with the new generation of Allison transmissions and realised they were a much better option for our operations than manuals or AMTs," he said.

Automatic transmissions are easier to operate and require less training for drivers than manual transmissions, making it easier to address increasing driver demand.

"It is becoming increasingly difficult to recruit skilled drivers," said Wright.

"So by providing Allison Automatics, recruiting for a truck that is easier to drive and requires less training is important."

PFD has a fleet of over 650 trucks, mainly Isuzu models, which deliver to over 40,000 outlets nationally.

Wright says automatic transmissions offer numerous benefits for a business like PFD.

"I believe automatics are the way of the future in distribution work, not only because of the ease of use, but also because of the efficiency and safety advantages they deliver," said Wright.

"They are simply a smarter choice."