To celebrate the introduction of the Volvo FH in 1993 – a quarter of a century ago – Volvo Trucks is releasing The Volvo FH 25 Year Special Edition. Available as both Volvo FH and Volvo FH 16, it is characterised by its distinctive exterior and interior design, superb driver comfort and state-of-the-art additional features.

The Volvo FH is one of the industry’s most successful models ever with nearly 1 million trucks sold since launch, creating a way of life for millions of drivers all over the world. The Volvo FH 25 Year Special Edition is therefore not only a celebration of the truck itself, but also a tribute to all the customers and drivers who have been driving this icon for the past 25 years.

“The Volvo FH is the perfect representation of a customer focused mind-set and a model that has been pushing the boundaries for a quarter of a century. This magnificent edition truck is therefore both a tribute to the first 25 years and a starting point for our continued successful journey with customers and drivers,” says Claes Nilsson, President Volvo Trucks.

“The first-generation Volvo FH meant so much for Volvo Trucks and the whole industry. It was a milestone; in fact, it was a game-changer that totally transformed the perception of a modern truck. Working on the design of the edition truck has been a real honour,” says Nigel Atterbury, Senior Graphic Designer at Volvo Trucks.

The exterior of this special edition is best described as contemporary with a retro twist. The silver/grey and orange décor highlights the truck’s origin and the striping forms the number 25 to signal the anniversary. The striping combines 3D effects and shadows to echo the design trend of the early 1990s and gives the truck a distinct retro look.

There are two launch colours, one darker, cool grey tone (Mammoth Tree Metallic) and a shiny red (Crimson Pearl), the latter a modern tribute to the original red cab colour of 1993.

When opening the door, a premium and luxurious interior awaits the driver. Safety has always been key to the Volvo FH and this passion is manifested by orange details in everything from seat belt stitches to curtains, carpets and reflective safety door decals. Using subtle, yet distinct accents, the design team has created a continuation of the safety and driver focus that has always been essential in the Volvo FH. And to enhance a great driving experience, the seats combine quilt and leather to offer exceptional comfort and design.

The limited edition truck also embodies how the Volvo FH has been, and remains, an innovation leader. It includes some of the truck’s latest breakthroughs and it can be specified with the brand-new extensions to Volvo Dynamic Steering:

• Volvo Dynamic Steering with Stability Assist. Designed to prevent skidding accidents.
• Volvo Dynamic Steering with Lane Keeping Assist. Engineered to help the driver stay in lane, preventing collisions and roll-over accidents.
• Volvo Dynamic Steering with Personal Settings. Allows individual adjustment of steering wheel resistance for convenient and comfortable driving.

“This truck really shows how Volvo Trucks is driving progress and continues to set new standards in trucking, just like the Volvo FH has done since 1993,” explains Tomas Thuresson, Global Long Haul Segment Manager at Volvo Trucks.

Tomas concludes: “It is a fantastic edition that pays tribute to a quite outstanding truck and the millions of people; customers, drivers and fans that have been engaged in the Volvo FH for 25 years.”

Leading global, multi-disciplined engineering and construction specialists, J Murphy & Sons Ltd has recently put three Volvo FH-540 13-litre Tandem Axle Lift tractor units in operation for the HS2 building works, all supplied by Pete Schofield, Transport Solutions Executive at Thomas Hardie Commercials Ltd in Trafford Park.

With over £100m worth of high-specification plant and transport equipment at their disposal, international specialist Murphy Plant, a division of Murphy, can’t afford indecision when it comes to choosing their trucks, particularly after just being awarded Transport for London’s FORS Gold status at their London depot.

After looking at all the available options for its depot at Golborne near Greater Manchester, the company has chosen to invest in three Volvo FH-540 6×4 tractor units, all rated at 80-tonnes.

“We’ve had the odd Volvo in the past, but not on the scale we’ve purchased this time,” notes Logistics Supervisor, Michael Eden. “Personally I’m a fan because Volvo is the only manufacturer who can supply a driving tag axle, and that suits our current job perfectly.” Heavy haulage work is always easier with a double drive tractor as this configuration gives improved traction, but the downside is a dip in fuel consumption. Volvo’s Tandem Axle Lift enables operators like Murphy Plant, who often move machinery in one direction, to eliminate this issue.”

“In the past we’ve tried a simple tag and single drive, but it was taking too much weight off the drive axle, the result being wheel spin when pulling away,” Michael explains. “This solution is a nice bit of a kit, and it works. It’s nice to have the twin drive when we’re loaded, then the fuel economy when we’re not.”

Combined with four-way cameras and additional passenger door glazing panels, all fitted by Thomas Hardie Vehicle Services (THVS) in Chorley, and with all three Globetrotter-cabbed vehicles on full Volvo Gold repair and maintenance contracts, the Murphy team is now all set to deploy them on one of their latest contracts, the HS2 building works.

“We’ll be using the trucks for road-railers mainly,” Michael reports. “These run at around 40-tonnes apiece on our Nooteboom specialist trailers. I’ve yet to drive one loaded myself, but my drivers tell me they’re pulling well. They’re also very comfortable, very well equipped inside as well as, I believe, being one of the best looking trucks on the market. Overall we’re very pleased indeed.”

The transport industry is filled with legacies.

We’re fortunate to have such a legacy connected to a member of staff here at Thomas Hardie. Manda Shaw, our Payroll Administrator, benefits from her father’s legacy. Manda informs us that her father (Chris Shaw) has been a truck enthusiast “since he could walk”.

Chris is the very proud owner of an original Volvo F12. Chris initially bought the truck in 2006 from Thorburn Transport Ltd. For Chris, this wasn’t merely an exhibition piece but more of a an obsession for him, so he immediately put the vehicle to work, before eventually retiring the truck in 2011.

Nowadays Chris and his F12 attend a variety of transport events throughout the year. Manda tells us “he loves doing the truck up for shows and events”. It was at Llandudno Transport Festival that Chris encountered the truck’s first ever owner, Gareth Thomas. They have been in touch ever since, piecing together the story of this remarkable vehicle.

The F12 was originally part of Gareth’s continental haulage operation, so it is well travelled, having delivered payload all over Europe. Gareth eventually sold the truck but retained a keen interest in it, hoping to one day buy it back. However, the truck seems to have found a forever home with Chris Shaw, who is attached enough to the F12 to have had a tattoo of the cab on his leg.

Since the truck’s retirement from commercial work, Chris has found a new purpose for it. The truck has a new life working in the community. Chris, with the help of his F12, does a large variety of charity work. From taking Easter eggs with a bike group to children’s homes, to Southport Parade for Queens Court Hospice, and taking Santa and his sleigh on his yearly tour for the roundtable.

Manda shares her father’s enthusiasm for the transport industry, commenting, “I’ve been brought up as a truck driver’s daughter, un-doing straps on a curtainsiders, as well as being on top of the truck polishing the spotlights”. She gained invaluable experience with trucks and once considered starting her own haulage business.

However, the law changed, so for a number of years she enjoyed a career as a Weighbridge Operative seeing trucks all day long! before successfully securing a position at Thomas Hardie as a Payroll Administrator, Manda remarks, “Now I’m here, I absolutely love it!”. Working for Thomas Hardie Commercials means that she is creating a new legacy with Volvo Trucks, the same company which made the vehicle her father loves so much.

For more information, please contact : lbain [at] thardie [dot] co [dot] uk