Home FleetWatch 2017 FUSO rises to the occasion and hits a six

FUSO rises to the occasion and hits a six

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Frans Putter (left) from Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles Centurion hands over two of the six FUSO models to Johan van Zyl, national distribution manager for Anchor Yeast.
Frans Putter (left) from Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles Centurion hands over two of the six FUSO models to Johan van Zyl, national distribution manager for Anchor Yeast.

Results from a three month test period of the FUSO FE8 -150 and the FA9- 137 models impressed Anchor Yeast, southern Africa’s leading yeast manufacturer, so much that the company ended up buying six new FUSOs to form part of its growing fleet.

Johan van Zyl, national distribution manager for Anchor Yeast, says they are always looking at opportunities and this applies in the case with the trucks used to run the business.

“The FUSO FE8 -150 and the FA9- 137 that we used as demos for three months proved to be impressive as we compared them to our current fleet. We used them for stop-start operations as well as for long-distance applications and were pleasantly surprised. That is why we ended up buying six FUSOs to form a vital part of our extending fleet,” says Van Zyl.

In addition to depots in Cape Town, George, Port Elizabeth, East London, Durban, Bloemfontein, Polokwane, and Gauteng, Anchor Yeast boasts manufacturing facilities of the highest standard and ensures that all their operations exceed industry requirements. The company produces yeast for the baking, wine-making and consumer markets in South Africa.

Established in 1923, the company attributes its growing success to the solid relationships it has with its customers, employees and suppliers. FUSO Trucks Southern Africa is now part of the fold as it assists the brand to further increase its business footprint.

Looking resplendent in their livery are two of the six FUSO models brought into the Anchor Yeast fleet after being tested – with impressive results – for three months.
Looking resplendent in their livery are two of the six FUSO models brought into the Anchor Yeast fleet after being tested – with impressive results – for three months.

What particularly impressed Van Zyl was the back-up service provided by FUSO. “Dealing with perishable goods such as yeast, we know just how critical it is to be able to pick up the phone and receive the type of service that the FUSO team offers us.

“Anchor cannot exist on its own. It is simply impossible. Our chain means that all our suppliers are part of our business and that is exactly how we regard FUSO. Firstly, our body builder partner DMA has been outstanding when it comes to service delivery. Secondly, our trucks are just one of the tools we need to be able to do what we do, and they play a vital role” he says.

Van Zyl also enthused about the AMT saying he has never had an AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) truck before. “I was extremely sceptical about the idea when FUSO suggested the FE8 -150, which is an AMT. Such a huge vehicle had me worried about the power it would offer but the numbers it returned were phenomenal. My drivers told me how strong that gearbox is and how much power it delivers! Ease of driving meant that the two drivers who were testing the vehicles both ended up wanting to drive the AMT.

“The loading capacity of these vehicles has also been class-leading, as it manages to carry so much more than other trucks with the same specifications. That makes a huge difference when it comes to our various deliveries.”

The FUSO trucks covered more than 8 000 kilometres and were supplied by Sandown Commercial Vehicles Centurion.

A clearly delighted Ziyad Gaba, who was recently appointed  head of FUSO Southern Africa to succeed Naeem Hassim who will assume his new responsibility as the head of Daimler’s Regional Centre for Commercial Vehicles in Central Africa (both effective from July 1, 2017), had this to say about the deal.

“As FUSO, we have a clear growth path mapped out and at the core of this is our customer. We continue to ensure that our vehicles exceed their expectations, which is why we get ourselves involved on all levels of their business. It does not matter the application that our trucks are faced with, we simply ensure that we provide the best possible service by responding quickly to any and all requests.”

His words are so mushy that it could be viewed as puffery. However, match them with what Anchor Yeast’s Johan Van Zyl says above and they become reality. Yeah!