Grund & Markplanering i Södertälje has grown to breaking point in recent years. Of the haulier’s nine vehicles, eight are DAF C85s, and none of them are older than 2009. There’s also an older DAF as a backup.
– DAF are ideal for our contracting activities and the demands of our customers with regard to the environment, for example, says Jan-Olof Ullman, CEO of the family company.
It was Jan-Olof’s father who started the company in 1989 with a single truck. Jan-Olof joined a few years later and another driver was hired.
– We had three vehicles for quite a while. Our big break came in 2005 and since then our sales have increased from SEK 4 million to around SEK 20 million, Jan-Olof explains.
What’s behind this breakthrough?
– The fact that we worked hard to gain big customers who order a lot from us. I have staff who are independent and loyal – that’s a big reason for our success.
When he says ‘big customers’, he is referring primarily to NCC Ballast. Although in terms of its 12 employees Grund & Markplanering is one of the smallest suppliers to NCC, in terms of volumes it is one of the biggest. This is largely thanks to DAF.
– We bought our first two DAF trucks in 1997. We have since replaced the old ones for new and expanded the fleet with the same brand.
The three pilot trucks in the NCC project have an average fuel consumption of just under three litres per ten kilometres.
– This is largely because I chose the more powerful 410 hp engine.
He also points out that the 4.20 metre wheelbase gives the company an advantage over the 4.30 metre wheelbase of its competitors.
– Thanks to a shorter wheelbase and a longer distance between the second and third axles, the truck has the same load capacity as a truck with a 4.30 metre wheelbase. This gives me a shorter truck and a much better turning circle.
He also stresses other benefits such as being easy to get in and out of, high ground clearance and not least the comfortable cab.
– It offers great visibility, which is important for our drivers, Jan-Olof concludes.
