JMD Haulage Contractors continue their quest to refresh their fleet with more new MAN Trucks.

Knowsley, Liverpool, based JMD Haulage Contractors continue building on excellence as they take delivery of five more new MAN Trucks. This latest batch joins 43 other vehicles that have all been delivered in the last 12 months and a further 24 vehicles to be delivered throughout 2024, making a total of 72 New vehicles.

The New fleet, all TGX tractors featuring the range-topping flagship GX cabs, are plated at 44 tonnes and are finished in factory traffic white paintwork with black chassis. In 6x2 chassis configuration, 59 of the new vehicles are 26.480 (480 hp) models, with the further 13 being 26.470 (470 hp) variants.

With almost five decades of experience, JMD Haulage has grown gradually over the years, and with their modern fleet of 80 vehicles, which are all under three years old, with an average age of around 12 months, today they are the biggest haulier of containers in and out of the Port of Liverpool.

As the biggest user of the port, JMD Haulage work alongside Peel Ports by utilising the vehicles day and night. The infrastructure and operations at the port allow JMD Haulage to meet customer KPI’s consistently, this is proven by JMD Haulage’s long standing relationship with shipping lines such as ACL/Grimaldi, as pictured.

In offering this five-star nationwide level of service JMD Haulage offers a full suite of container and genset haulage services, offering warehousing and storage options, waste transport management and specialist ADR.

Alan Maguire, Director of JMD Haulage Contractors, said: “We have a longstanding and trusted relationship with MAN Truck & Bus, our local dealership MTC Northwest of Knowsley, our local MAN Regional Fleet Sales Manager, Tony Davidson, and, I have to say that we are very impressed with the level of service we receive. Nothing is too much trouble for all parties and we very much appreciate and value, the 360-degree level of wrap around care, 24/7. 

“Over the years our MAN Trucks have proven to be reliable, robust and importantly, efficient and TCO friendly,” added Alan. “As a business it’s vital that we invest heavily in equipment and systems that measurably improve both the business’s profitability and at the same time the working environments of our staff. MAN Trucks are firm favourites with our drivers who openly wax lyrical about their high levels of comfort and safety.”

To ensure maximum driver comfort each of the new vehicles comes with an enhanced specification, including a 240-volt Microwave oven, which is fitted in the centre locker above the driver's head and a remote-controlled 22-inch colour television with Freeview functionality, fitted to the sidewall behind the Co-driver’s seat. Other comfort features include a 7-inch satellite navigation screen with MAN’s unique SmartSelect system, an under bunk fridge, comfort heated and ventilated driver's seat, and, a removable chill-out hammock.

Alan continued, “These latest vehicles, an order of 72 MAN TGX tractors in total, join the business at a busy time. This means that as a business we can provide customers with a suite of bespoke and tailored services built to suit their transport needs.”

Helping maximise fleet productivity, improve load security, track valuable customer goods and assure client peace of mind, all the JMD vehicles are fitted with advanced Telematics and camera systems, a large majority with DVS specification. This means that the entire fleet of 80 vehicles is both visible to the transport office and contactable at all times.

All 72 of JMD’s new vehicles are powered by MAN’s Euro6e compliant 12.4-litre, six-cylinder in-line D26 engines, the 59 26.480’s producing 357 kW (480 hp) and the 13 26.470’s producing 350 kW (470 hp). In late 2022 at the IAA International Show MAN announced an update to the robust D26 engine range, increasing both torque and hp, by 50 Nm and 10 hp respectively. This update, along with a range of weight-saving innovations, delivered fuel savings of up to 4 per cent and greater payloads, therefore increasing customer TCO (Total Cost of Ownership).

“Our vehicles cover an average of 120,000 kilometres annually, so to help ensure the safety of our drivers and at the same time other third party road users, we ensure that all vehicles are specified with the latest safety and assistance systems.” Concluded Alan.

Each of the new trucks comes with a full complement of advanced MAN Trucks technology, including Electronic Braking System (EBS) Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Lane Change Support (LCS) Drivers Airbag, Active Brake Assist (ABS), Anti-Slip Control (ACS) ESP, EBA and ESS.

Founded by John Deveney in 1976, JMD remains a family-run business. John, a former merchant seaman and founder member of Mersey Maritime, started the business with a single vehicle, a Seddon Atkinson, and a contract to move from Liverpool to Falkirk. In January 1989 Alan Maguire, John’s nephew, joined the business, in a junior position in the Transport Office, when the company operated 10 vehicles. Alan trained as a mechanic and gained his HGV license when aged 21, before being made Transport Manager. In 2006 company founder John, who is still involved to this day, made Alan a company Director.

Tony Davidson, Regional Fleet Sales Manager, MAN Truck & Bus Ltd, commented; “It’s always a pleasure seeing and speaking with Alan, Leia and the team at JMD and I very much value both the business and the relationship we’ve formed over the years.

“We knew from early feedback that the initial 13 470 horsepower vehicles were performing well in terms of fuel consumption and driver acceptance. Now telematics data shows the newer 480 horsepower vehicles are starting to show their potential too, which is very encouraging indeed. It’s also encouraging to receive positive feedback from the JMD drivers as this allows us to further understand their needs and ensure we are meeting their expectations too.”  

All of the new vehicles are subject to a 36-month R&M Comfort Super service contract, this high level of cover caters for all servicing and inspection needs, MOT’s, and if required a replacement vehicle program. During their busy lives the vehicles will be maintained by MAN Truck & Bus UK Ltd’s franchised partner MTC Northwest Ltd of Knowsley, Liverpool.

All MAN vehicles are supported by MAN Truck & Bus UK's Nationwide Commercial Vehicle Dealer network, with many operating extended hours, including round-the-clock servicing and customer-tailored solution maintenance.

The entire MAN range benefits from MAN's Mobile24 24-hour assistance service, which guarantees customers a professional roadside partner throughout Europe 365 days of the year.