Quickslide has added four new DAF 290CF 18-ton boxed vehicles to its fleet, the latest in a series of investments by the West Yorkshire fabricator as it looks to improve the quality of its service and infrastructure.

The new vehicles, which are linked to Quickslide’s EvoNET business management system, will introduce a greater level of customer service to the fabricator’s nationwide customer base, the company said.

EvoNET communicates directly with the vehicles’ TomTom satellite navigation system to provide the most efficient delivery route for the day and allows customers to keep track of their orders through automatic text message and email alerts, allowing them to plan their daily workloads more effectively.

Representing a combined outlay of almost £half-a-million, the vehicles feature built in glass racks, six-way cameras – including cameras located internally to monitor cargo – upgraded lighting and sign writing, and the latest tail lifts that are designed to be tucked neatly away when not in use.

Ben Weber, Quickslide’s managing director, said: “The addition of the new DAF vehicles to our fleet will allow us to increase output with modern vehicles that are not just more reliable but also more aerodynamic and fuel efficient.

“Thanks to full air conditioning, and mod cons that include a fridge and microwave, they will also provide a comfortable working environment for our drivers, who spend hours upon hours on the road delivering to our nationwide customer base, allowing them to relax in comfort during their well-earned rest periods.

“And when they are on the road, the journey is much more efficient due to the fact that our new EvoNET management system – which integrates into our logistics department – can automatically arrange delivery drops into the most efficient order and plan a route accordingly with the vehicle’s TomTom device.

“EvoNET has also paved the way for barcode scanning, not just on the factory floor but prior to despatch and at each delivery. It means that drivers are alerted if anything has been left off the vehicle before setting off on their journey, and if something is left on by mistake between stops.

“Ultimately, it reduces the pressure on our drivers by helping to eliminate mistakes and, when combined with our latest order tracking and SMS/email update services, provides an even greater level of service to our customers.”