Greene King expands curtainsider fleet
The firm has expanded its national drinks distribution fleet with 60 new Don-Bur built curtainsided bodies, each finished in liveries showcasing the brewer’s brands.
THE NEW vehicles mark the continuation of a trusted relationship between the two companies, which dates back to 1995.
The order comprises a variety of vehicle types, including 45 specialist low-height DAF 26-tonne 6×2 ‘XD’ 340 day cab chassis with rear steer axles. Each rigid body is engineered for heavy-duty brewery operations, featuring interlaced baseframes that deliver an ultra-low floor height — ideal for efficient side loading of kegs. A full suite of brewery-specific ancillaries is mounted between and behind the wheelbase.
All rigid bodies are EN 12642-XL certified for load containment and several are equipped with Dhollandia cantilever and tuckaway tail lifts. The builds have also been adapted to suit the specific loading dock configurations at Greene King’s new flagship distribution centre in Bury St Edmunds.
The remainder of the order includes 18-tonne and 16-tonne DAF XB rigids, 7.5-tonne Isuzu chassis, and four 13.6-metre curtainsided semi-trailers. All rigid vehicles are fitted with Parksafe camera systems as standard.
Reverse logistics
Greene King has also improved sustainability through its relationship with pure-play contract logistics provider GXO Logistics.
GXO’s reverse logistics solutions have saved 160,000 journeys annually, while GXO and Greene King recycled or repurposed 16,000+ tonnes of waste in 2024.
Vance Fairman-Smith, group supply chain director, Greene King, said: “Our ongoing partnership with GXO is enabling us to drive forward best practices and innovation and adopt a range of environmentally responsible operational measures. By leveraging innovation, technology and best practice to reduce inefficiency and waste within the supply chain, the partnership has enabled us to make progress towards our sustainability targets and create more sustainable supply chain. This is good for our teams, communities, and customers.”
Key initiatives include:
- A structured driver performance management system, which improved fuel efficiency (MPG) by over 10% in 2024 alone.
- Investment in Eco Drive hydro-electric refrigeration technology, reducing fuel use by 2–4% since 2022.
- Over the last 3 years, the companies have installed strip and air curtains in refrigerated trailers, cutting energy consumption by up to 50% during deliveries.
- The companies have also trialled biodiesel, HVO, and electric vehicles – including using waste oil from pubs to power vehicles – which can potentially reduce emissions by up to 90% compared to diesel.
