Well here it is!
Today I bring to you the grand opening of AB Logistics. (Name and paint subject to change.)
Okay, so it's not that glamorous or big of an announcement, but I've saved up enough to buy myself a truck, upgrade my garage facilities and really get into the world of haulage. There is currently only one truck in my fleet, but I have plans set out to increase that number.
Here she is, ABL001. A lovely MAN TGS 18.440 4x4. Kitted out with an offroad cover and freesteps, reasons for which I shall explain.
When I said I'd saved up to start my own business, I really mean I saved some money and took out a loan from the bank. Quite a big one too. I should be able to pay it off without any trouble, so there's nothing to worry about money-wise right now. Part of the deal when applying for the loan was to have a contract in place to be the primary haulage company for a EU based business. Having working many times through my Agency for SteinBruch, I sought them out hoping to strike a deal to manage their delivery work. This would mean hauling sand, rocks, machinery, building materials, etc. Having put a proposal together and working closely with their managing directors I was able to get a contract drawn up stating that subject to a trial run they would take my company on as their primary haulage supplier.
I presented this to the bank and at first they seemed skeptical, however after lowering their offer on the loan they accepted. A few days and a £270,000 bank transfer later, I was in business.
I visited the large MAN dealer in Northern France, where I met with a few different people to discuss my needs and work out yet another deal for them to supply trucks to my business. The truck you see above is the first which has been sent over. After some more deliveries are completed, I am to take what I have learnt back to them and work on a whole mini-fleet of trucks to get me going.
Here is the first journey hauling 24t of sand from Southampton to the quarry just outside of Strasbourg.
I arrived at the Tree-ET yard at 5:30pm. It was weird arriving in my own truck, opposed to turning up and there already being one there for me. I hitched the trailer, hopped out to take a quick photo and then hit the road.
I got caught in the rush hour traffic leaving Southampton, but it wasn't a problem once I hit the motorway. 24t of sand is a lot, and I'll be honest in saying that the truck struggles going up hill. I'm thinking more power is needed. 440hp is ideal for transporting supermarket goods, but perhaps not for what I'm using it for.
Folkstone is my destination, the sun is setting and the roads are clear. I'm having a great time behind the wheel of my new MAN. Drives great!
The English channel is just visible from my cab, as are the white cliffs. Not far from the Channel Tunnel now. It's all very exciting!
It was near enough dark when I finally arrived. Just gone 9pm and the sky is still somewhat light. I must say, I really do love these cool late Spring evenings.
On French soil once again, this time in my own truck. I was only on the train for about half an hour or so, which is pretty good if you ask me. Especially since France is an hour ahead of England, and it was still a little light when I got there.
I do love the French countryside, especially when I'm just cruising along at 30mph. Expect at night. Night driving is a bit rubbish because you can't really see anything! Full beam is on, roads are quiet. Time to settle down and get a move on. Will likely have to stop in a few hours for some sleep though.
I love pulling up at foreign toll booths! You have to climn across the cab to give them the money, it's always a laugh! Plenty of space to move in my MAN though, so all is well!
I think by this point it was starting to get a little lighter, but I've been driving for so long now that I can't really tell. Definitely need some rest. GPS says there's a garage up ahead, maybe they'll have a parking bay.
They do! Thank goodness. No need for diesel, only used quarter of a tank so far. Not bad at all. Time for rest. I'll finish the trip later on.
I woke up around midday, parked next to me was another MAN. An older TGA model. Nice truck, not a fan of the colour though. Time to get a move on, not too far to go now!
When you see the signs for your destination, it always reminds me of when I used to go on holiday when I was younger, and I'd see the sings for where we were staying and get all excited! Strasbourg ahead, almost there!
This is why I love the French countryside. Just look at it! Lovely. Too many trucks spoiling the view though, haha!
I see the signs for the quarry. It's a dirt road, but it's no problem for my raised chassis and protective plates. Taking it nice and easy so as not to slide about on the gravel and sand.
And here I am. Just having my sheets signed and being told where to unhitch. It's a steep climb down into the quarry, but not a problem for me. It's been quite a good trip for the new truck. Not without its problems, but I got there in the end and that's all that matters.
I'll take what I've learned back to the guys at MAN trucks, and see what we can sort out. Might just be a simple engine swap, but either way this job has been a success and I'm pretty happy with the result. Time to start paying off that loan!
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Thanks once again for the comments! I really appreciate it, and I hope you're enjoying the story.
Cheers,
- Anthony.
