British Steel: Strengthening the Fleet with Renault Trucks

British Steel has further strengthened its transport operation with the delivery of six new Renault Trucks T High 480 tractor units, supplied by Thompson Commercials on contract hire.

The latest additions build on an already successful partnership between British Steel and Renault Trucks. Since introducing the manufacturer into its fleet in August last year, the company has continued to invest in the brand, with Renault Trucks now making up 10 of its 15 commercial vehicles.

Danny Atkin, Transport Manager at British Steel, explained why Renault Trucks was the right choice for the business.

"We chose Renault Trucks because they offered a product that suited our operational requirements and represented good value for the business. We were also impressed by the support from Thompson Commercials throughout the process, which gave us confidence that we'd have a strong partnership beyond the initial purchase."

The six new T High 480s were handed over by Thompson Commercials' Lincolnshire Area Sales Executive, Andy Scotney, who worked closely with British Steel throughout the process, from the initial discussions through to the final delivery of the vehicles.

Reflecting on the experience, Danny said:

"It's been a really positive experience. Getting to the point of delivery took a lot of hard work from both sides, but working closely with Andy from Thompson Commercials made the whole process much easier. It's been a genuine team effort to get everything over the line, and we've appreciated the support throughout."

To ensure a smooth introduction to the new vehicles, Thompson Commercials' Fleet & E-Tech Solutions Manager, Stace Whitehead, provided driver familiarisation and training, helping the team get to grips with the latest technology from day one.

"Having Stace on hand to work with our drivers when the new trucks were introduced was a real benefit. He helped them become familiar with the vehicles and their new technology from day one, which gave the drivers confidence and made the transition into the new fleet much smoother."

Looking ahead, British Steel is optimistic about the future of commercial vehicle technology. Danny believes mirrorless camera systems offer clear advantages in visibility and aerodynamics, although continued improvements in reliability will further enhance their appeal.

The business is also closely monitoring developments in electric trucks. While the technology is advancing rapidly, the nature of British Steel's operation and the distances involved mean electric trucks aren't currently the right fit for the fleet.

For that to change, Danny believes further development of the UK's charging infrastructure will be key.

"The biggest factor would be greater availability of reliable, high-speed charging infrastructure across the country. Faster charging times and more widespread charging locations would give operators the confidence that electric trucks can be used efficiently without impacting productivity. As the infrastructure develops, it will become a much more viable option for fleets like ours."

The delivery of these six new Renault Trucks T High 480s marks another milestone in the growing partnership between British Steel and Thompson Commercials, combining vehicles suited to the demands of the operation with dedicated support from the Thompson Commercials team.