Victorian furniture and homeware retailer, McPhails Furniture, has bolstered its new regional delivery model with the inclusion of three new F Series Isuzu trucks.
The Wangaratta-based store has invested in the FRR 110-260s to amplify its delivery capabilities on an interstate scale, following the retailer’s establishment of an online sales platform during COVID-19.
These trucks, collected last year from Gilbert and Roach in Sydney, initially replaced the retailer’s former fleet due to its stock availability, according to second-generation storerunner, Taylor McPhail.
“We had been running a different truck brand in the past, but found that their stock levels were unreliable,” he said.
“So, we made the choice to swap to Isuzu.”
Travelling vast distances from the Wangaratta warehouse – some as far as Adelaide in one direction or the Sunshine Coast in the other – the FRR 110-260s were chosen for their efficient performances on long haul trips.
“Each truck is doing between 3,000 and 5,000 kilometres each week,” McPhail said.
Powered by a six-cylinder 6HK1-TCC engine, these trucks offer 191kW of power and 761Nm of torque between 1,450 and 2,400rpm.
These capabilities, matched with an 11,000kg verified gross mass, ensure the trucks provide an effective combination of power and payload for moving furniture across long distances; a task further supported by the trucks’ 5.56-metre extra-long wheelbases.
For the McPhails crew, some of the FRR 110-260s’ standout features include their driver-focused cab designs and Allison LTC2500 automatic transmissions which help to reduce driver fatigue behind the wheel.
“The interior cab design is one of the things our drivers comment on,” McPhail said.
“It’s sleek, efficient and easy to navigate. The visibility from the cab is great as well.
“Some of our routes can stretch over 900 kilometres, so we also opted for the Allison automatic transmission to help with the long drives.”
Concerned with the comfort of its drivers, McPhails has taken ergonomics into account, fitting its FRR 110-260s with Isri 6860/875 NTS air suspension seats to further combat fatigue.
Additionally, McPhails has also been meticulous in choosing the trucks’ exteriors, displaying its branding with custom wraps designed locally by Grimshaw Signs.
Fleet expansion is still a priority for the company, which is also aiming to improve its warehouse operations and overall delivery service quality in regional areas.
This will largely be assisted by McPhails’ relatively new 11,000m² Wangaratta facility, which will streamline operations by reducing unnecessary stock transfers and allowing more time for deliveries.
“Our quality control from factory to warehouse has to be phenomenal,” McPhail insisted.
“Our customers rely on us to deliver a high-quality product that will be in the same excellent condition during transit as it was when it left the warehouse.”
Isuzu, ahead of these fleet expansion plans boosted by warehousing efficiencies, is favoured to be the first pick for the retailer’s future trucks.
“We are looking forward to expanding the fleet with further Isuzus in the near future,” McPhail said.
