The arrival of the latest three new Isuzu 7.5 tonne curtainsided rigids at family-owned wine business Ellis Wines marks the 20th anniversary of the first Isuzu joining the Middlesex based company, who now only operate Isuzus for its distribution fleet vehicles above 35 cwt.
Such was the success of the first Isuzu at Ellis Wines that the company subsequently developed a successful long-term relationship with Isuzu Truck UK for all its non-LCV vehicles.
“When we took our first Isuzu, it became really obvious that they were the ideal vehicle for our wine business due to their versatility, compact footprint and unbelievable turning circle, as well as giving us excellent payload and outstanding operating performance,” said Paul Wilshaw, operations manager, Ellis Wines.
Paul continues, “Over the years, the Isuzu marque has really ticked all the boxes for us giving us superb long-term service and vehicles that the drivers really enjoy driving as well.”
The three new Isuzu Euro VI N75.150 (E) rigids have all been supplied by local Isuzu Truck dealer Cordwallis Commercials (Reading) Ltd and each one features the popular Easy Shift automatic transmission for the first time. All the trucks have been fitted with curtainsided bodies manufactured by Solent Bodybuilders.
“The new Isuzus will be working predominantly in the London area so the Euro VI specification will have a significant impact on reducing the cost of our distribution operation, whilst the Easy Shift automatic transmission is ideal for driving within the busy congested London conurbation,” commented Paul.
Although the new Isuzus will be based out of Ellis Wines’ main stockholding and bonded warehouse in Hanworth, Middlesex, they will also be used for overnight trunking deliveries to the company’s southwest distribution centre in Devon.
“Another really important feature of Isuzus is their longevity and reliability. We will probably be running these new vehicles for at least 10 or 12 years minimum. In fact, we currently have an 11-plate Isuzu still in our fleet, working trouble-free on a daily basis”, added Paul.
Ellis Wines is an independent, family-run wine business, originally established in 1822. Servicing an area from Bournemouth to Birmingham as well as the Southwest of England, Ellis Wines operates a 20-strong vehicle fleet delivering to hotels, events, city corporates, independent wine shops, retailers, pubs, clubs, restaurants, and the on-trade in general.
“At Ellis Wines, the company has a heritage and business ethos that is based on building long-term partnerships with their customers, but this also applies to its relationships with suppliers as well. Our 20-year partnership with them has enabled the prestige wine business to develop an efficient distribution operation with Isuzu trucks at its core. And obviously, this established relationship will continue for many years to come with the addition of these latest Isuzu 7.5 tonne vehicles,” said Andy Williams, UK dealer sales manager, Isuzu Truck UK
