Download - Uptime issue #3, 2012
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UPTIME
LOCAL HAPPENINGS Fuelwatch Challenge 2012 Finals
CROSSING BORDERS Cold Chain
UNIQUELY VOLVO Walking The Line
Teeing off at theVolvo World Golf ChallengeMalaysia 2012
A MAGAZINE FROM VOLVO MALAYSIA SDN BHD #3/2012
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A partner you can rely on mile after mile. One that cares for its cargo and is equally
competent as a tractor or rigid. The Volvo FM fitted with a 11 liter engine gives you
maximum torque within a wide rev range which gives very good driveability. It boasts a
sturdy, dependable design featuring an overhead camshaft four valves per cylinder and
precisely controlled electronic injection. The engine’s various functions are controlled
electronically by Volvo’s EMS (Engine Management System), which contributes to low
fuel consumption and low exhaust emissions.
Contact our nearest dealer or call our customer care centre at +6012-373 1030/ +6019-240 1030 for more details.
Volvo Trucks. Driving Progress
volvo fm
KOTA KINABALULots 34-6 & 7
Jln 1E, Industrial Zon 4 (IZ 4)
KKIP Selatan, Jln Sepangar
88460 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Tel : 088-499 855
Fax: 088-493 618
SANDAKANLot 2, Block G, Ground Floor
Bandar Ramai-Ramai
P.O. Box 3541
90739 Sandakan, Sabah
Tel
Fax: 089-272 707
: 089-235 855
MIRILot 2541, Jln Manettia
Piasau Lorong 8
Pujut-Lutong Road
98000 Miri, Sarawak
Tel
Fax : 085-655 855
: 085-655 618
DAI LIENG MACHINERY SDN BHDPrivate Dealer:
SHAH ALAM (HQ)No. 6, Jalan Bicu 15/6
Seksyen 15, 40200 Shah Alam
Selangor Darul Ehsan
Tel
Fax
: 03-5510 3300
: 03-5519 4233/
03-5519 0592/
03-5510 9096 (Parts)
KUCHING Lot 1017, Section 66
KTLD, Jalan Kilang
(P/O Jalan Tekad)
Bintawa, 93450 Kuching
Sarawak
Tel : 082-330 131
Fax: 082-333 387
IPOH56, Lengkok Rishah 2
Kawasan Perindustrian Silibin
30100 Ipoh, Perak
Tel : 05-527 8892
Fax: 05-528 0941
KUANTANLot 108
Semambu Industrial Estate
25350 Kuantan
Pahang
Tel : 09-566 9182
Fax: 09-586 9184
JOHOR BAHRU PLO 251, Jalan Firma 2
Kawasan Perindustrian Tebrau IV
81100 Johor Bahru, Johor
Tel
Fax
: 07-358 4955/
07-357 4834/
07-357 4835
: 07-357 4899
PRAI 2410, Jalan Perusahaan Prai
Kawasan Perusahaan Prai
13600 Seberang Prai
Pulau Pinang
Tel
Fax
: 04-398 9184/
04-398 9185
: 04-398 9187
BINTULULot 3069, Sublot 4
Kidurong Industrial Estate
97008 Bintulu, Sarawak
Tel
Fax
: 086-327 646
: 086-255 722
BINTULULot 429, Blk 38
Kemena industrial estate
P.O. Box 2025, 97008 Bintulu
Sarawak
Tel
Fax: 086-311 699
: 086-310 331
SIBUNo 5,
Lorong Lanang Barat 20A/2
96000 Sibu, Sarawak
Tel
Fax
: 084-210 613
: 084-210 612
Owned Dealers:
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MESSAGEFROM MANAGING DIRECTOR
Managing DirectorMansoor Ahmed([email protected])
CFO Finance
Philippe Roques([email protected])
VP Sales & LogisticsJerome Wong([email protected])
VP AftermarketMartin Kavanagh([email protected])
VP Business Development& MarketingSuzanne Ooi([email protected])
VP Human ResourceHarvindar Singh([email protected])
General ManagerCentralLaurent Lyonnet(+6016-226 9700)
General ManagerRest of Peninsular MalaysiaLaw Ah Tiong(+6019-380 9268)
Dealer ManagersNorthernSanthanasamy Mahadevan(+6018-466 5999)
SouthernMuhammad Khairulnizam(+6012-751 9600)
EasternGary Chin(+6016-339 9026)
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Change has been in the air since I took over the helm of Volvo Malaysia back in August 2011. It has been slow going as with any change but improvements have defi nitely been seen and felt. It might not be obvious to everyone as it takes time for something great to emerge. I have felt and experienced the patience and encouragement from our loyal customers and I would personally like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your patience and unending support. I promise, great things are to come from Volvo Malaysia!Some key improvements:
It has been a fantastic year for us all, customers and partners alike. We have entered into a strategic fi nancial partnership with Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia and together, crafted a unique proposition for our Volvo customers whereby they get to enjoy great savings off their loans when they purchase trucks from Volvo Malaysia.
MANSOOR AHMEDManaging Director
Volvo Malaysia Sdn Bhd
MANMANMana
Volvo
We have also introduced a complimentary TPOL (Total Profi t Over Lifecycle) consultancy with the objective to show our customers via facts and hard numbers how a brand new truck can actually induce cost savings across the business life cycle and why a heavier investment in the initial phase is more effi cient than buying used trucks or the cheaper competitive brands as there will be long term savings.
This year, we also have had many customer engagements which we hope have managed to bring all of us closer together, working as effi cient partners in growing our businesses. From the Volvo Ocean Race to the Volvo World Golf Challenge, the After Market roadshows to the launch of Globe Truckers, I would like to say that this has been a very successful year for us in terms of building relationships. For this, we have you, our valu-
able customers to thank.
Going into 2013, we can only move forward and up. To better ourselves, our services and our products. This is our constant promise to you. It is with pleasure I present to you the the closing issue of Uptime for the year. Enjoy the articles we have carefully put together and we hope you had a great 2012 wish you on even greater 2013! With Volvo Trucks Malaysia, let us grow together into the future.
Thank you and see you all soon!
1. Introduction of 6 new fully equipped action service vans, with a further 6 on the road by 1st quarter 2013. We are now able to come to you and attend to your emergency needs at a faster turn around time.
2. New fast track lanes whereby trucks allocated to these areas will be attended to immediately and completed within the agreed time.
3. A new dealership in Kuantan which will enable us to cover the eastern region. The facility is expected to be up and running by March 2013.
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CONTENTS#3/2012
6 Local Happenings Fuelwatch Challenge 2012 - Malaysia and APAC fi nals
8 Local Happenings New FH launch
9 Local Happenings Volvo Malaysia - Standard Chartered strategic fi nancial partnership
10 Local Happenings Teeing off
20 Crossing Borders Cold chain for optimised freshness
41 Aftermarket Volvo Malaysia - your long term business partner (TPOL)
An example of lost profi ts and possible future earnings based on a TPOL analysis. Where would you like your business lifecycle
to be in the next 10 years or more?
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SHORT HAUL AS IS SHORT HAUL ZE-IN
42 Aftermarket Profi le
40 Aftermarket Volvo Exchange System
100%RENEWEDvolvo exchange systemGenuine Volvo Parts and Service
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26 Uniquely Volvo Walking the line
28 Uniquely Volvo Cut your cost by knowing them
30 Uniquely Volvo First comes the driver
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UPTIME A MAGAZINE FROM VOLVO MALAYSIA SDN BHD
EDITOR: IRINA LAU
12 Local Happenings Volvo Malaysia’s Carnival
13 Features Three Decades of partnership and still counting
facebook.com/VolvoTrucksMalaysiaFollow us!
36 In a snapshot 38 Volvo 101 NEW! Volvo Trucks Action Service Vehicles
34 Uniquely Volvo Bright ideas
16 Features A trucker’s journey from anonymity to fame
19 Features Celebrating a successful fi rst year
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Fuelwatch Challenge 2012 - Malaysia and APAC fi nalsThe Fuelwatch Challenge Malaysia 2012 reached its peak on 14 July when the Malaysian champion was crowned at the annual Gala Dinner held at the headquarters in Shah Alam.
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In the 2 months following the launch of Fuelwatch in Shah
Alam on 16 May, the Preliminary Rounds were conducted
in Kuantan, Prai, Johor Bahru, Kuching and Bintulu. There
was an approximate 20% increase in participation from
the drivers when compared to 2011. This was also the
year the I-Shift was introduced into the Challenge.
Right after the Preliminary Round in Bintulu, the team
rushed back to Shah Alam to tabulate the results which
was announced on 26 June on Facebook followed
by personal calls and an offi cial letter to the driver and
his management. The 20 drivers arrived in Shah Alam
on Thursday, 12 July 2012 for a briefi ng and route
familiarisation session. We also ran an I-Shift introduction
and test drive session for those that were not familiar
with the state of the art gearbox. The majority of drivers in
Malaysia still operate manual trucks but by the end of the
day, many of the drivers were singing praises for the I-Shift
and the ease in which to operate it.
All too soon, it was the morning of the Semi-Finals. The
drivers arrived in batches and patiently awaited their turn
while at the same time, cheering the other contestants
on. What a show of sportmanship! This year, Volvo Trucks
rented 3 FM400 6x2 RSS I-Shift with a 20 footer ,12
tonne trailer from TS Transport as the tasks and route set
out was more demanding of the time compared to the
previous years. In the Semi-Finals, the contestants were
required to conduct a walk-round test with 27 items
on the check-list followed by a 20km drive on a pre-
designated route and all this within 45 minutes. The fi nal
driver completed his round at 5.50pm and everyone was
ushered back to the hotel. Many did not sleep, anxiously
awaiting the results.
After a brief breakfast on Saturday, all 20 contestants
were chauffered back to the Shah Alam HQ for the Finals.
You could see them being on edge and fi dgety, anxious
to know the results. Suzanne Ooi, the VP of Business
Development and Marketing was on hand to make the
announcement. The envelope was ripped open and the
6 Finalists was fi nally announced. It was heartbreaking to
see the disappointed faces on some of the drivers but it
was also a happy moment watching the celebration and
congratulatory handshakes going round the group. Then
it was time for the fi nal battle. Who will be the Champion
of 2012?
The same 3 trucks were used but this time, they were
given a pre-determined 50 km route which was to be
completed within 1 hour and 20 minutes. The fl ag came
down and off they went with their police escorts and St
John’s personnel in tow. 4 police escorts and a St John’s
Ambulance was on hand for safety and permit reasons
across all 2 days. When the 6th driver completed his turn,
it was a waiting game.
Guests started arriving for the Gala Dinner at 6pm. We
started with a cocktail, photo session and a Caricature
artist in attendance. Everyone was seated by 7.15pm
and after Martin Kavanagh, the VP of Aftermarket gave
the opening speech, dinner began. It was a sit down
affair with Swedish and European cuisine served throughout the night. As
we could not bring everyone to Sweden, we thought to bring Sweden to
them. In between dinner, prizes were given out to the 20 semi-fi nalists as
well as the 6 Finalists before the fi nal announcement of the 3 top winners
were made. The 100 strong guests were also entertained by Along from
Raja Lawak as well as a mind boggling costume change throughout the
night plus many Lucky Draw gifts thrown in. The night ended at 10pm with
many going home with lucky draw prizes. The camaraderie that developed
between the drivers who just met 3 days ago was something to be seen.
The air was also fi lled with a sense of pride from them and it could clearly
be seen, Volvo Trucks would be a brand that is permanently sealed in their
mind, body and soul.
For Roslan, the journey did not end there. He departed Malaysia for
Melbourne with En Nazari, the CEO of Taipanco on 5th November. It was
his fi rst time on a plane and Volvo Trucks Malaysia is very proud to be the
one who is opening the world up to him. Upon arrival, a van whisked him
off to Geelong, where the competition was held. Dining on oysters and
fresh seafood followed by a walk down the shopping district, the fi rst day
in Melbourne passed by in a blink of an eye. All too soon, the day of the
competition arrived. At the Australian Automotive Reaseach Centre, all the
participants were introduced to the truck they would be driving as well
as the route. Names were called and off each one went. It was a nerve
wrecking wait and each team could be seen strategising the drive at each
corner of the tent.
Roslan did very well but as the competition was so tough, he did not
emerge victor. China was declared the winner of Round One and went on
to battle with Chris Sanders of Australia in the APAC Finals. With a 20%
difference between him and his other combatants, Chris was declared the
APAC Champion for 2012. The day ended with a Gala Dinner thrown in
the honor of all the Fuelwatch participants.
Day 4 and 5 was all about enjoying Melbourne and the city. With lots of
shopping done, it was time to depart for the airport to make the trip back
home to Malaysia. With lots of fond memories and experiences, Roslan has
vowed to participate in the 2013 Challenge in hopes to bring the coveted
Fuelwatch Finals trophy back home to Malaysia.
All truck drivers driving Volvo trucks are encouraged to pre-sign up for
Fuelwatch Challenge 2013 today. Forms can be obtained at all Volvo
Trucks Malaysia dealerships.
Till next year!
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artist in attendance. Everyone was seated by 7.15pm
and after Martin Kavanagh, the VP of Aftermarket gave
the opening speech, dinner began. It was a sit down
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The safest Volvo in the world19 years. That is how long it has been since Volvo Trucks launched an entirely
new truck generation. For months, the world was abuzz with news of a new
truck being produced by Volvo but the company had kept things under wraps
till the 16 of August, when a video called the Ballerina Stunt featuring the new
FH was seeded on YouTube and went viral within minutes. 5 September 2012
was the date set for the big reveal in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Truckers in Europe was fl ooding the social networks with questions. The
event was so exclusive with limited invites, only a selected few customers
from countries all over Europe were in attendance. Asia markets also had the
privilage of being asked to send a media representative each from Malaysia,
Singapore, Korea, Thailand, China and Indonesia to witness history in the
making.
All the invitees gathered at Gothia Towers on the evening of the 5th and made
the short walk to the launch venue at Scandinavium. Throngs of people could
be seen entering the massive building and then the doors were sealed shut.
The event has begun.
The launch was broadcasted live and to everyones delight, Faith Dickey, the
record holding highliner who was featured in the Ballerina Stunt slacklined
across the room above the heads of the audience. After much fanfare, Volvo’s
new star was revealed!
For more information and pictures on the new FH, please do visit:
volvotrucks.com/fh
An online magazine dedicated to the FH is also available on
http://fh.volvotrucks.com/en-gb/index.html.
http://www.youtube.com/user/ volvotrucks?feature=results_main
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A Volvo solutionto your fi nancial needs
Like weaving a fi ne tapestry, Volvo Malaysia has taken much care
in crafting and planning the activities, services and solutions for
2012. Starting October 2012, we have put into place a strategic
deal with Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia, a prominent bank
in the world, offering a fi rst-of-its- kind fi nancial solution to enable
small-and-medium sized (SME) enterprises in Malaysia to purchase
high-quality trucks.
The partnership between the two companies was sealed by
Mansoor Ahmed, Managing Director of Volvo Malaysia and Vishal
Shah, General Manager, SME Banking of Standard Chartered Bank
Malaysia at the Volvo Malaysia headquarters in Shah Alam on 11 of
October 2012.
For the fi rst time in Malaysia, a commercial vehicle company and a
bank has joined forces to derive a total fi nancial solution that has
made the purchase of commercial vehicles more affordable and
cost-effective in the long-term for SMEs. Although common with
passenger vehicles, this tailored-made fi nancial solution by Standard
Chartered Bank Malaysia, coupled with the Total Profi tability
Over-Lifecycle (TPOL) consultation by Volvo Malaysia is set to make
signifi cant strides in the logistics and haulage industry.
“SMEs are the backbone of our country’s economy and they rely
heavily on bank fi nancing to fund their growth and business needs.
This is where the fi nancial solution will provide an instrumental thrust
to their business growth,” Mansoor further stated.
The fi nancial solution is specially catered for Volvo
Malaysia’s customers. Both Volvo Malaysia and
Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia will work closely in
assessing the customer’s requirements with a two-week
turnaround time.
For more information, please contact Johan Sandblom
at 03-5510 3300 Ext: 255.
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Teeing off at the Volvo World Golf Challenge – Malaysia 2012The Volvo World Golf Challenge has evolved into a global event for club golfers. It is truly multi-national, beginning in Malaysia and culminating in a celebration of golf at the annual World Final in South Africa; an event where your golfi ng dreams come true.
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around the corner signalled the end of the game. After a
quick shower, lunch was served. While partaking in the
scrumptious meal prepared by the club, our guests had
the opportunity to view their gross scores as well as the
video of the entire day. Mr Mansoor Ahmed, Managing
Director of Volvo Malaysia also took this opportunity to
address the guests and gave them a brief update on
where we stood on the promises made at the beginning
of the year followed by the prize giving ceremony.
3 novelty prizes were given out followed by the main prizes.
The Champion was Mr Ng Kim Tee from Container Link
followed by En Mohammad bin Dalib from JPJ Putrajaya
and Mr Raymond Yoong as the 1st and 2nd runner up
respectively.
Echoes of congratulations could be heard all round the
banquet hall and with big smiles on their faces, our 100
strong guests from Malaysia and Singapore bid us adieu
and made their way back home with promises to return
again next year. n
As a sport, golf knows no boundaries - its participants come together to speak
the universal language of golf. Qualifying tournaments are played at beautiful
courses where golfers get the chance to participate in competitive but sociable
and professionally-run events whilst making new friends. However, this is really
just the start as local becomes national, and national becomes global.
After 4 years of planning the annual Volvo Malaysia Golf Invitational, it was
decided the time had come to step things up and relegate the event to a
whole new level. And so, Malaysia is now the 26th country to participate in
the internationally renowned Volvo World Golf Challenge taking on its rules,
regulations and internationally acclaimed standards. The Champion of the
game won one coveted slot in the World Finals in Durban, South Africa along
side a Swedish made designer Kosta Boda trophy and this defi nately helped
raise the stakes among the players.
The local qualifying round was held in Kota Permai Golf & Country Club on 3
October 2012 and guests started showing up at 6am. Our guests were more
than happy to slip into their brand new t-shirts and that created a wave the
color of bright blue skies around the course. With the blow of the horn, the
players were off!
The sun kept its sunny promise and along with a cool breeze saw the players
through all 18 holes along well kept greens. By 12.20pm, the rush of buggies
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Malaysia’s fi rst ever carnival for truckers True to our promise to all Globe Truckers (GT)
members, Volvo Malaysia held its fi rst annual
get-together for it’s GT members on 25 November
2012 at I-City in Shah Alam. Due to the diverse
spread of members across Malaysia, the carnival will
fi rst be held in the central region followed by the other
major states in 2013.
Invites were sent out via SMS to all the GT members
to bring their family members along for the fun fi lled
day. And to make the event even merrier, staff and
families from Volvo Malaysia were also invited. What
better platform than a fun fi lled day for the truckers to
get to know the Volvo family.
Adnan Laili, the Malaysian Fuelwatch 2011
Ambassador also showed up with his pretty wife all
the way from Johor Bahru. Roslan, the winner of the
Fuelwatch Challenge 2012 was also there with his
family.
Said Roslan “This is the fi rst time I have heard of a
truck company organising such an event for truck
drivers like me. Even companies that hire truck drivers
do not do things like this. It makes me so proud to be
linked to Volvo Trucks and even prouder to drive one.
I am looking forward to my duties as the Fuelwatch
Ambassador for 2013 and I hope all the truck drivers
in Malaysia will sign up for the competition as well as
be Globe Truckers!”
Both of them shared their stories and experience from
their trips to Sweden and Australia with the other
truckers that were there. With the buzz going, many
pre-signed up for the Fuelwatch Challenge in 2013.
So who will be our next champion?!
With an overwhelming turnup of over 500 people,
the event was akin to a bustling hive of activity. After
redeeming their welcome goodies at the registration
counter, people started pouring into the venue. The
activities was spread throughout the location in
anticipation of a big turn out to avoid crowded areas
and squashed bodies. Fromt the start, the ‘mountain’
which was situated right at the middle was a huge
draw. The Gladiator ring was also a favourite and
the kids defi nately loved the ‘Kids Zone’ where they
colored, drew, had their faces painted as well as
decorated cup cakes to take home. A petting zoo
made it all complete.
Throughout the day, participants were encouraged to try out all the activities as
every try rewards you with a stamp. A minimum of 4 stamp wins you a goody.
The more stamps you get, the bigger the goody! You should have seen the
number of people lining up to complete all the activities in their quest to get
more stamps.
Food and beverages was served all day long with redemptions of Vitagen and
Peel Fresh to keep everyone cool and quenched.
The event ended at 4pm but the fun did not stop there! Volvo Malaysia
generously subsidised 50% of the entrace fees to the ‘Waterworld’ as well as
the ‘Snow Walk” and many families continued their fun fi lled weekend there
before heading home with their Volvo goodies. n
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THREE DECADES OF PARTNERSHIP AND STILL COUNTING Carrying on the LegacyWhen one sees men in scrubby-looking jeans and shirt with their trucks delivering goods, most of us would give them a cold shoulder, acknowledging them as a blue-collar labourer with little to contribute tothe greater economy.
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possible trucks. “When you set up a logistics business,
there are a lot of core things that you should worry about.
Pricing of the trucks is not the key factor. It is the before
and after sales service experience that counts. More
importantly, however, is the availability of spare parts at
all times and the specifi cations as well as features of the
trucks that is considered for purchase”, said Lee Hooi
Jing,the third sister in the family.
“Volvo has a great reputation and a well-established
network. The best part of it all is that Volvo has always
been by our side since the early years of our company
formation. Our workers spend most of their time on the
roads and providing them with a good vehicle for their
daily operations is non-negotiable to us. That’s why we
are thankful to Volvo for being able to facilitate this. I
remember once my worker told me that “Boss, I love
my Volvo – sangat selesa memandu lori itu”. It was this
poignant moment when you realise that as an employer,
we are able to provide a comfortable working environment
for our employees. And, that spurs you further to continue
giving them the best”, Hooi Jing further adds.
When LTS decided to replace its old trucks inline with the
latest SPAD directive to impose restrictions on the age of
trucks on the road, the fi rst option that came across their
mind was Volvo Trucks.
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The stark reality is that many of us may never fully comprehend the commitment
and hard work contributed by these labourers and how signifi cant their roles
are to society and keeping our economy running at its pace. Step into the
world of the logistics industry just for one day and it will defi nitely be an eye
opener, as without them, our lives will be in the doldrums.
A classic case in point would be the life of Mr. Lee Ting San in the truck world.
What began as a very humble beginning 30 years ago has now transformed
into a formidable logistics provider in the Northern region. Lee Ting San
started driving his old trusty lorry, transporting goods for businesses in and
around the small quaint Penang island. After merely 4 years of doing so, the
late Lee decided to form his own transport company in 1974. With years
of hard work, perseverance, determination and a sharp sense of business
acumen, Lee has today built himself a company bearing his name, Lee Ting
San (LTS) Group,and elevated it to where it is today.
Following his recent passing, his son and three daughters took over the helm
and are today living up to his legacy of maintaining LTS as one the largest
trucking companies in Malaysia that provides transportation solutions to
businesses.
“It wasn’t an easy feat for the four of us to carry on our father’s business.
I started learning the ropes of the company’s business after completing my
secondary education. Thankfully, with the support of my sisters, we are still
able to forge ahead and maintain the company’s standards and business
principles that our father had initiated”, said Lee Kah Chye, Group CEO of
LTS Group, the only son of the late Lee Ting San.
When it came to building the business, the Lees’ looked around for the best
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Over the years, the logistics industry has changed dramatically. The Malaysian economy has grown
by leaps and bound and this has spurred the nation’s economic activities,mainly in the building and
construction industry. Despite changes in the industry, Volvo Trucks Malaysia has always been a
part of the LTS family.
‘On time, every time’ is the key principle of LTS’s day-to-day operations. “We at Volvo Malaysia echo
this tenet and are proud to be part of the LTS team by providing them with quality and reliable trucks
to support their daily operations. We are committed to continually provide transport solutions to
LTS to help optimise their business operations and profi tability”, said Mansoor Ahmed, Managing
Director of Volvo Malaysia.
“It is a great pleasure to continue supporting the business legacy of the LTS founder. Gaining our
customers trust is the best thing we can ask for. We are happy that we are able to deliver trucks
that suit their requirements and we are glad that our customers are satisfi ed with the products and
services offered to them”, Mansoor further adds.
Volvo has demonstrated - leadership by delivering world-class trucks and solutions that support
the nature of LTS’ business as well as for other customers in the logistics industry. With LTS’ plans
to forge ahead and maintain its market leadership, Volvo is supporting their goals through the
provision of the new FM trucks. The new FM with its i-Shift function is the recent talk of the town.
Business operators and truckers adore this model.
Mansoor explained that Volvo understands that high fuel consumption and maintenance costs are
some of the main issues faced by logistics companies like LTS. The new Volvo FM is a reliable,
durable and fuel effi cient truck delivering high uptime overcoming these challenges and is suited
for both regional operations as well as speedy distribution duties.
The newly refurbished Volvo FM is now equipped with Volvo’s latest version of automatic gear - changing
and the I-Shift for smooth, precise gear-changing which contributes to low fuel consumption, maximises
operational effi ciency, lowers maintenance cost and cares for the environment.
Lee Hooi Pheng enthused that the Volvo FM has always been a favourite truck choice mainly for its
reliability, fuel effi ciency and powerful engines. LTS has chosen Volvo as their preferred partner as
the company does not only offer high quality trucks equipped with the latest technology, but also a
great working customer relationship.
Today, LTS Group Sdn Bhd has a total of 600 trucks in their fl eet. Out of 600 trucks, almost a
hundred are Volvo trucks which have been owned since the company fi rst started 30 years ago.
“We started with Volvo Trucks and rest assured we will continue to own the Volvo fl eet. They are
the best business partner you can fi nd and it has been a great experience working with them. My
siblings and I are grateful for being able to expand the business our late father started and realise
his vision. We look forward to continuing his legacy and ensuring LTS remains at the forefront for
decades to come”, Kah Chye concluded. n
Volvo Trucks Malaysia - An Unbreakable, Formidable Partnership
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A trucker’s journey from anonymity to fameThe winner of Fuelwatch 2012 Malaysia chapter,
moving on to represent his country in the regional
fi nale and an everyday trucker fi nding his footing
in a place he has always deserved, Roslan Bin Md
Ali is a happy man today. Having returned just
recently from his fi rst international trip all the way
to Australia, Roslan is developing a new world
view, one that opens up his horizons to new
achievements he didn’t know existed just a few
short months ago. He speaks to us about his life,
his recent journey and learnings from suddenly
fi nding himself in the midst of attention from the
media as well as one of the biggest truck brands
in the world.
Just listening to Roslan talk about his journey from anonymity to fame, is inspiring. A humble start as a
factory worker immediately after high school, Roslan moved to trucking more than 6 years ago.
Speaking on his life at the factory, Roslan says, “It was a learning experience, a good place to start my life
as a responsible man making a living on his own.” He was surrounded by machinery and that was the fi rst
time he understood science and technique.
“But a 9 to 5 job was not my scene. I like the road – and the idea of being out driving for days, always
excited me.”Roslan adds.
His love for the road and the curiosity about a truck driver’s life eventually got him to driving trucks. Ever
since, it has been an uphill journey, “albeit a tiring one sometimes”, Roslan smiles.
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When you talk to Roslan, he comes across as someone
who has managed to fi nd the perfect balance between
passion and energy, and humility. He is usually quiet,
answering in crisp sentences but when you talk to him
about trucks and Fuelwatch, he suddenly exudes intense
passion and enthusiasm.
He has no complaints about spending long hours or days
touring the Malaysian highways. He loves his life as truck driver. “I have
worked within the four walls of a factory and suddenly when I took to the
roads, I felt free. The road springs up wonderful surprises. A classic car
convoy here, a hitchhiker there. In short, mine is an interesting profession.”
Roslan’s assignments usually involve two trips in a day, starting from and
returning to Port Klang. On some days, he tours all the way up to Northern
Malaysia in one long driving spree.
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When asked about the truck brand he admires, he is
quick to respond “Volvo!”.
“When you drive a Volvo, you realize that their trucks are
made keeping the long drives and our requirements in
mind. Fully automatic, hassle free, and easy functionality
at the press of a button – there is not much else that
a die-hard trucker expects from his ride. He adds that
Volvo trucks are so easy to handle that not much special
training is required to drive them. “And yet, what I admire
about the brand is their dedication in training us on how
to best utilize everything that Volvo has to offer in their
vehicles so that we can be the best among the best and
in our own way, help our employers save costs.”
Fuelwatch is one such initiative. “It must have been a
daunting task forn the Volvo team to travel across Malaysia
to train and test so many truck drivers on fuel effi cient
driving techniques. But I think it was their dedication
that made it possible year after year. Right from the day
I enrolled for the challenge, I learned something new
everyday.”
“When my predecessor Adnan was made the 2012
Fuelwatch Ambassador 2012 for Globe Truckers, I
looked at his position wistfully. It is a great honour to
represent a platform I share with truck drivers from across
the country. I am there today, and I am so full of pride! I
am now the 2013 Ambassador and I promise I will do
my best to spread the Fuel Saving message to all my
colleagues out there”
“Then there is Globe Truckers. Never before has there
been such a club for truck drivers like me. We always felt
like we were standing at the fringe in a society that looked
down upon our profession which they thought was classy.
I AM A VOLVO FAN BOY!
But with Globe Truckers, it is uplifting who truck drivers really are, which are
the movers and shakers of the transport industry. Without us, the market will
come to a standstill as no goods would be delivered thus creating a huge
discrepancy between supply and demand. Now I see how important I am to
the world and it makes me proud to call myself a truck driver.”
“I speak on behalf of all my fellow truckers that we are grateful to Volvo for
engaging with us and uplifting our horizons so often,”
When asked about his recent Australian sojourn for the Fuelwatch APAC
Finals, you see a hint of disappointment on his face. But he is quick to add,
“There is always next year. Winning would have been good, but the lessons I
learned, the sights I saw, the people I interacted with, and the experiences I
had in Australia will stay with me forever. I can always win next year.”
“My wife and children are proud of me for not only winning the challenge in
Malaysia but to be the fi rst one in the family to get onto a fl ight and travel
overseas. What more could I want?” He smiles and that said it all.
Taipanco Sdn Bhd – The perfect employerMoving on to the topic of his employer, Taipanco Sdn Bhd, Roslan says that
he has had a very long association with the company. He speaks about the
benefi ts he gets from his employer. But according to Roslan, what makes them
one of the best people to work for in this business, is that they understand
the need for motivation in a profession that can sometimes be physically and
mentally exhausting, what with the long hours spent behind the wheel and
away from families.
Roslan adds, “Fuelwatch was an eye opening experience not only for truckers
but also for my employer. We have now started an internal competition based
on the lines of Fuelwatch.” Roslan expects this competition to prepare him
and other drivers of Taipanco for Fuelwatch 2013.
“I am sharing my learnings with my fellow colleagues. Next year, with these
learnings and applying smart techniques to our everyday driving routine, in
addition to the internal competition, we hope to make Taipanco and Volvo
proud of having us on the team. A year of preparation will help all of us not
only ace Fuelwatch but also become better drivers.”
Roslan – The family manDespite being the macho trucker and a man of the road that Roslan is,
somewhere deep down is a responsible father and husband who likes his
quiet time off with his family. His weekends are usually spent in the company
of his small family. His two children are the apple of his eye. And he has big
plans for them. He says, “What else is a father’s hard work for? I want to give
my children the best education and comforts that I can provide.”
Ambitious, driven, passionate, and humble – Roslan is an interesting trucker.
But when we saw him enjoy his sunny Sunday at the Volvo Malaysia Carnival
recently, wife and kids in tow, we also realized that he is a good father, a good
man. Here is to wishing Roslan the best that life has to offer! n
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Celebrating a successful fi rst yearVolvo Group Singapore commemorated its fi rst year of success by showing a
gesture of appreciation to customers and business partners on 30 November
2012.
A celebratory dinner at the company’s facility welcomed 160 customers and
business partners. A pre-dinner cocktail reception allowed guests to see the
physical Volvo Truck and UD Truck alongside their respective engines and
transmissions, epitomizing its multi-brand dealership.
The highlights of the dinner included a video on the people behind the
dealership, presentation of congratulatory token to the Singapore’s contender
who was placed 2nd in the Fuelwatch Asian Finals off-road competition 2012
in Australia alongside handover of scale models to both Volvo Trucks and UD
Trucks key customers.
Guests were treated to a 4-course fusion meal with the backdrop of
entertainment by a well-known local singer-songwriter, Tay Kewei.
Volvo Group Singapore has been in business just over one year and currently,
every 4th new registered heavy duty Truck in Singapore is either a Volvo or
UD Truck.
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Fruit importer Sharbatly in Saudi Arabia bases its operations on an important principle: the transport chain must never be broken. Cold stores, temperature-regulated trailers and trucks from Volvo Trucks are the solution in the struggle with the merciless desert sun and heat that can exceed 60 degrees Celsius.WORDS CHRISTOFER ÅHMAN & PER GREHN
PHOTOGRAPHY BRETT ELOFF
Cold chain for optimised freshness
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Saudi Arabia is one extreme end of climate conditions. If Sharbatly’s products are to remain fresh, the trucks have to function right down to the smallest detail.
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The sun casts its fi rst rays between the skyscrapers in Saudi Arabia’s second largest city, Jeddah. It is early morning, just aft er 8 am, but the outside temperature is already 30 degrees Celsius. Th e city’s location on the Red Sea makes the air humid.
“Th e heat doesn’t really bother me; aft er all, I have air conditioning in my truck,” says Reynaldo Garcia with a smile, as he climbs into the
driver’s cab on his Volvo FH with a 13-litre engine and an output of 440 bhp. He starts the truck and the cold air that pours out of the vents is a relief! Reynaldo Garcia works as a truck driver for Ar abian Transportation
Company Ltd, an associated company of Saudi Arabia’s largest fruit and vegetable importer, Mohammed Abdallah Sharbatly Co. Ltd. His job is to transport fruit and frozen vegetables to Sharbatly’s customers all over the large kingdom.
“My longest route is to Dammam. It’s 1,400 kilometres – in one direction,”
says Reynaldo Garcia. Dammam is situated on the Arabian Gulf and, to
get there, Reynaldo Garcia has to cross the country, driving through a huge desert landscape. Th e roads are as straight and long as the sun’s burning rays are hot. During the summer months, the temperature in Saudi Arabia can exceed 60 degrees Celsius.
“Th at isn’t a problem. As long as the truck works as expected, the goods are fi ne,” says Reynaldo Garcia.
HIS TRAILER IS EQUIPPED with an advanced refrigeration system where the temperature can be adjusted to match the type of goods being transported. Bananas require
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MY LONGEST ROUTE IS TO DAMMAM. IT’S 1,400 KILOMETRES – IN ONE
DIRECTION.REYNALDO GARCIA, TRUCK DRIVER
a temperature of 13 degrees Celsius, apples two degrees and oranges fi ve degrees. It is easy for Reynaldo Garcia to adjust the temperature on a control panel.
Transporting fresh food in a country like Saudi Arabia is a challenge, to say the least. However, Sharbatly has the experience and expertise that are needed to master the hot climate.
“We keep the fruit and vegetables fresh from the country of origin. Th e products are shipped in refrigerated containers that land at the port in Jeddah. Our trucks pick them up and bring them to our cold store where they are unloaded. Basically, the fruit doesn’t feel the hot climate of Saudi Ar abia,” explains Hashim M Sharbatly, Deputy General Manager, Mohammed Abdallah Sharbatly Co. Ltd.
Together with his two brothers, Hashim M Sharbatly is the third generation to run this company. Every year, Sharbatly imports about 30 million packages of fruit and frozen vegetables – bananas from the Philippines, apples from Italy, France and Chile, pears from Chile and citrus fruit from Egypt. Th e list of countries where Sharbatly’s fruit and vegetables are grown is very long.
Th e hot, dry climate makes it diffi cult to grow fruit and vegetables locally in Saudi Arabia. So the demand is high. At the present time, Sharbatly has around 1,500 employees.
Sharbatly’s aim is to maintain top quality – to deliver fresh fruit and frozen vegetables that are cold – so the transport has to be faultless.
“Twenty-eight years ago, we decided to start purchasing Volvo trucks. We found that they were really solid performers, safe and durable and that they had a high resale value. Th at’s why we decided to go with Volvo,” explains Hashim M Sharbatly.
“RIGHT NOW, the Arabian Transportation Company’s truck fl eet comprises around 350 medium- and light-duty trucks used for daily distribution, plus over 100 heavy-duty trucks. Seventy per cent of these are trucks from Volvo and the most common model is the Volvo FH with a 13-litre engine and an output of 440 bhp. Th e most recent trucks are equipped with I-Shift ,” comments Franco Negro, Manager, Arabian Transportation Company.
“Volvo trucks are defi nitely designed to fulfi l the requirements that this part of the world sets,” adds Alberto Bianconi, Transportation Manager, Arabian Transportation Company.
“During the summer, it’s obviously diffi cult to carry the fruit without encountering problems with the actual cargo. Th at’s why we have equipped our fl atbed fl eet with more than 30 movable refrigerator sets; this means that we can carry the fruit loaded into the containers wherever we want in the kingdom, without aff ecting the original quality of the product,” he adds.
Sharbatly collaborates closely with Zahid Tractor, which has been Volvo Trucks distributor in Saudi Arabia for many years. Th e gold service agreement that has been drawn up between the companies is incredibly important for Sharbatly; the trucks have to keep moving the whole time, other wise the goods will be damaged.
MOHAMMED ABDALLAH SHARBATLY CO. LTDFounded in: 1933 Number of employees: approx. 1,500 Headquarters: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Number of Volvo trucks in the fl eet: some 60 Volvo FH trucks with a 13-litre engine and an output of 440 bhp
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ZAHID TRACTORThe Zahid Group is a private importer and Volvo Trucks’ only distributor in Saudi Arabia. The partnership between Volvo Trucks and Zahid Tractor dates back more than 30 years. In 1998, a jointly owned plant, Arabian Vehicles and Trucks Indus-try (AVI), was opened in Jeddah. It has a production capacity of around 2,000 trucks. Volvo Trucks has a market share of 25 per cent when it comes to heavy-duty trucks in Saudi Arabia.
Operations at the Sharbatly workshop in Jeddah are run by Danie Zaayman. The workshop only uses Genuine Volvo Parts and the technicians have been trained by Volvo Trucks via Zahid Tractor to take care of the vehicles in the right way.
Franco Negro, Manager at the Arabian Transportation Company
Alberto Bianconi, Transportation Manager, Arabian Transportation Company Ltd, at the Sharbatly cold stores in Jeddah
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› “Our core business is to make sure that the trucks are up and running so that Sharbatly can focus on its core business and deliver its products on time. We achieve this by signing a ‘gold’ maintenance contract with the company,” explains Nasser Bayram, Director, Commercial Vehicles Division, Zahid Tractor.
WHEN ZAHID TRACTOR DELIVERS A NEW TRUCK to Sharbatly, it is serviced regularly by Zahid Tractor for fi ve years. Th e service is performed by trained Volvo technicians and this guarantees that the trucks operate without problems. Should one of Sharbatly’s trucks run into problems on the road, technicians from Zahid Tractor’s fi eld service team are summoned to perform the necessary repairs on the spot.
Adjacent to the cold stores in Jeddah, Sharbatly has its own workshop to service the trucks that are fi ve years old or more and which are no longer covered by the service agreement with Zahid Tractor. Th ere are also workshops in Dammam and in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh.
Workshop manager Danie Zaayman wipes the sweat from his brow and inspects the work that is being done on a Volvo FH13 in the lubrication pit.
In spite of the hot climate, where the drivers are sometimes forced to drive through sandstorms that whip their vehicles mercilessly, Danie Zaayman says that Volvo trucks have no trouble withstanding the harsh climate in Saudi Arabia.
“So far, we haven’t had any problems with the Volvos. We have trucks that have done one million kilometres without anything being changed or overhauled on them. Th at includes the engine and the clutch.”
THE REPAIR STAFF who work at the Sharbatly workshops have been trained at Zahid Tractor’s Competence Development Centre to enable them to take the best possible care of these Volvo trucks. Danie Zaayman explains that they only use Genuine Volvo Parts. In the workshop, there is a stock of the most frequently used parts, such as brake pads and fi lters.
“Th ey are always available and quality-wise it’s a better option for us to use Volvo parts.”
Danie Zaayman is also responsible for ensuring that new drivers learn how to drive Volvo trucks. When he thinks the drivers are ready, he contacts Zahid Tractor which then checks to make sure that the drivers are suffi ciently skilled to get behind the wheel of a Volvo truck.
On the fi ve-lane motorway which passes through Jeddah, Reynaldo Garcia sits calmly and securely behind the wheel. Th is road is one of the most important transport routes between the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Th e traffi c is heavy and yet the cars do their utmost to switch from one lane to the next, sometimes “creating” a lane that does not actually exist!
“THE MOST COMMON REASON for an accident between a truck and a car is that the truck driver is unable to see the car, as it has suddenly put itself in a blind spot,” says Reynaldo Garcia.
He is one of many guest workers in Saudi Arabia and originally comes from the Philippines. For the past 12 years he has been driving fruit for Sharbatly and is regarded as one of the most experienced truck drivers in the company. Reynaldo Garcia parks his truck outside the Sharbatly cold stores.
“It’s a question of being careful and keeping your eye on the other motorists. Th ings usually work out well,” he says with a smile.
Reynaldo Garcia’s trailer will soon be loaded with fruit, aft er which he will begin the 1,400-kilometre journey through the desert to Dammam. n
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Yemen
Jordan
Oman
United Arab Emirates
Iraq
Kuwait
Red Sea
Arabian Gulf
Jeddah
Dammam
Riyadh
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIACapital: Riyadh Area: 2.1 million square kilometres Number of inhabitants: 29 million Constitution: monarchy History: the country is situated on the Arabian Peninsula between the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf. This is where Islam began and its two holiest places, Mecca and Medina, are situated here. Other industry: oil is Saudi Arabia’s most important export. The country has about 25 per cent of the world’s oil resources.
Mr. Seifallah Sharbatly and Mr. Hashim Sharbatly at the Mohammed Abdallah Sharbatly’s head offi ce. The company was founded by their grandfather.
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In the workshop, there is a stock of the most frequently used parts. The repair staff who work at the Sharbatly workshops have been trained at Zahid Tractor’s Competence Development Centre to enable them to take the best possible care of these Volvo trucks.
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Walking the lineThe woman on the rope is Faith Dickey, one of the big names in slacklining, a young sport in which practitioners walk across a slack, nylon rope rigged between trees or rock peaks. I’ve walked slacklines between rock peaks 1,200 meters above ground,” says Faith. “But this is something else entirely. The drivers are fantastic, but no matter how they drive the line is moving in all directions.”
The stunt looks dramatic - but was performed for real – on a nearly completed highway in Croatia, with no oncoming cars. The fi lm was made to highlight the driving experience with Volvo’s new truck – the new Volvo FH.
Since Volvo Trucks was involved, security was of course a prime concern during the entire fi lming, but when the Holly-wood crew who were brought in to coordinate the shooting fi rst
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heard about the idea that they were astounded, “I thought every conceivable stunt had already been done. I was wrong. Crashing boats at 40 knots, turning over in burning cars, it’s just another day’s work. But nobody’s walked a line between two moving trucks before. It feels like a huge challenge, and it’s challenge that lights my fi re,” says Peter Pedrero, who in his day-to-day work coordinates stunts in fi lms like James Bond, Harry Potter and Pirates of Caribbean.Watch the clip and fi nd other material about Volvos new FH truck online: www.newadress.com. n
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Cut your costs by knowing themBuying a truck can be complex business. To make sure it’s a profi table transaction you need to be aware of all the costs involved. Total Cost Calculator is a digital tool that gives truck owners a clear overview of all essential costs.
WORDS PER GREHN
PHOTOGRAPHY VOLVO TRUCKS
From the moment you decide to buy a new truck up until the point when your new truck is generating money for your business, time and planning is needed. Th e truck must be as profi table as possible in an industry that has become increasingly competitive.
“Fuel costs have risen in most parts of the world in recent years and in many areas there is even a shortage of drivers. Th e margins are small and transport fi rms have to fi nd new ways of cutting costs and improving profi tability. We can help in these areas,” says Lene Larsen, Marketing Communications Manager at Volvo Trucks.
SHE BELIEVES IT IS IMPORTANT to see the bigger picture when buying a truck. Th e initial purchase price for the truck is just one of several costs that aff ects its profi tability. So to make it easier for truck owners to see this bigger picture, Volvo Trucks has launched a free internet tool called Total Cost Calculator.
“Th e main expenses for a truck business are listed clearly. You fi ll in the sums for each item and end up with a total cost for the truck per km.”
Lene has been responsible for the development of the tool into an app that has been available on Ipads and Android tablets since May 2012. Th e results, which are displayed in graph form in the app, can prove unexpected.
“It’s always good to have the cost spread clearly presented. In many cases the largest items by far are fuel and personnel costs.
“To increase profi tability the key is of course to focus on reducing these major costs rather than making savings in less signifi cant areas”. Lene cites costs for service and maintenance as an example.
“Service and maintenance stand for a relatively low proportion of the total cost of the truck. To improve profi tability it’s better to concentrate on reducing fuel consumption and increasing uptime than for example try to save costs by buying cheap spare parts or ignore a planned service. Th is can
lead to unplanned stops and unnecessary downtime, the truck wearing out prematurely and its second hand value falling, which makes the truck purchase less profi table overall.” A taylor made specifi cation of the truck, use of the fl eet management system Dynafl eet, driver training and a correct wheel alignment, are all examples of parameters that help cut fuel costs and increase uptime, and hence increase the profi tability signifi cantly.
TOTAL COST CALCULATOR IS PART OF a digital, web-based business tool called Maximize Your Ownership. Th is is a free business tool that, in a simple way, can help you improve profi tability for your company (see box).
“Once you have got your results on the Total Cost Calculator I suggest you contact your Volvo dealer to discuss how you can reduce your costs and improve profi tability. We’re here to help you so that you can get the best possible solution for your business.”
LENE BELIEVES THAT TOTAL COST CALCULATOR will also help Volvo Trucks to better understand the everyday realities facing our customers.
“When we talk with truck owners we learn how we can improve our products and services so that we can help our customers improve their profi ts. Th at’s how a really good partnership works – we learn from each other.” n
Lene Larsen
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n “This part of the tool contains the cost parameters that affect the total cost of the truck. It’s obvious here that the purchase price is just one of many costs overall. Everything affects this total cost – from the depreciation cost, second-hand value, and interest
rate levels to insurance, staff costs, maintenance and fuel costs”, says Lene Larsenn “You enter your own costs for each item on the tool. To get the correct end-result you have to be completely honest with yourself and be as accurate as possible. All
the fi gures you enter are treated anonymously and cannot be traced by anyone else.”n “When you have entered all your details the total cost is displayed clearly in the graphical section. The end result shows what the truck costs per km. The tool gives you a
full overview of your costs divided for each item.”n “Once you have your result you can print it or save it to your computer.. My advice is to then contact your Volvo dealer to discuss how you can improve your results in future.”
EXPLANATION OF THE TOOL
TOTAL COST CALCULATOR – PART OF MAXIMIZING OWNERSHIPThe total Cost Calculator tool gives you the opportunity to calculate or simulate your business cost by adjusting key parameters to refl ect your operation. It is a part of Volvo Trucks’ digital business tool called Maximize Your Ownership. In addi-tion to the calculator, the tool has four other sections that show how you can improve the profi tability of your business.
THE PARAMETERS
A POWERFUL RELATIONSHIPThe program shows how the cost of service and parts affects your total cost of ownership and business.
VOLVO OPTIMISED SERVICE PLANThis interactive presentation shows the value of establishing an effective and proactive service plan for your truck.
YOUR SERVICE AGREEMENTThis tool helps you select the service program that bests suits you and your business.
YOUR SUPPORT SERVICESGet an informative overview of the wide range of Volvo support services available and how they can help your business.
TOTAL COST CALCULATOR AND MAXIMIZE YOUR OWNERSHIP CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.VOLVOTRUCKS.COM VIA
YOUR LOCAL MARKET SITE. YOU CAN ALSO DOWNLOAD TOTAL COST CALCULATOR AS AN APP FOR YOUR IPAD
OR ANDROID TABLET.
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First comes the driver...“The driver is always our main focus,” says Roger Brorsson, Product Manager at Volvo Trucks for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Drivers give input on every stage of Volvo’s development process, from the design stage to fi eld tests prior to launch. The aim is to create vehicles that meet their every need.WORDS DAVID WILES
ILLUSTRATION KJELL THORSSON
HANDLINGA truck that handles badly can wear out the driver and even cause accidents. Yet Volvo has built a reputation for trucks that handle well and are easy to drive. “A truck that handles well allows the driver to focus on the traffi c situa-tion and the surrounding environment and actually helps them to be a better driver,” says Roger Brorsson.
Volvo has over the years introduced a wide range of technologies and solutions to create the ideal handling characteristics that drivers demand, and adapted for the particular application, whether construction vehicles, city distribution or highway use.
Anti-lock brakes, antiroll bars, leaf suspension and shock absorbers contribute to creating the ideal handling characteristics on a Volvo truck. Electronic Braking System (EBS) and patented disc brake technology gives an especially high degree of safety when slowing the vehicle. The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) backs up the driver, stepping in when a truck is about to lose its grip on the road and skid or roll over. Sensors on the truck measure the yaw angle, lateral acceleration and steering wheel position. A central unit monitors the incoming readings and the brakes are activated on one or more wheels as necessary. At the same time, engine torque is reduced to lower road speed until equilibrium is regained.
THROUGH MANY YEARS OF
DISCUSSION WITH DRIVERS, WE KNOW WHAT IS IMPORTANT FOR THEM.ROGER BRORSSON, PRODUCT MANAGER AT VOLVO TRUCKS FOR EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA
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... then comes the truck
DASHBOARDThe dashboard should provide the driver with important information about the vehicle and the controls for operating it, without distracting unnecessarily or obstructing the driver’s visibility. “We have developed dashboards that are ergonomic, logical and practical,” says Roger Brorsson.
The dashboard is curved around the driver to prevent refl ections and to give a clear overview without the need for the driver to move or lean over to read a dial or fl ick a switch. “Our switches are big and easy to operate, and they are situated in the most convenient places. The ones you use the most are the easiest to reach,” says Brorsson.
A customizable LED display allows the driver to select which information they want to see, while information on oil temperature, for example, is only presented when there is an issue. “Otherwise you don’t see them, so the driver can focus on the driving,” says Brorsson. “You could say that our dashboards today are intelligent; the driver only sees what he needs or wants to see.”
In-dashboard storage for items such as coins, pens, water bottles and mobile phones has been improved at the drivers’ request, while certain switches can be customized on demand and features such as extra bottle-holders added.
VISIBILITYThe truck driver requires good visibility in order to be able to identify and avoid dangerous situ-ations. “As a truck driver you have a big respon-sibility to look out for unprotected road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists or motorcyclists,” says Roger Brorsson. “So the driver’s ability to see everything that is going on around them is at the front of our minds when we develop vehicles.”
Volvo’s cabs are designed to give maximized all-round visibility, with an optimized driving po-sition to give the best possible overview. There are large glass panels, powerful windscreen wipers and big rear-view mirrors with additional
wide-angle mirrors as standard that minimize the blind-spot. Volvo’s Lane Changing Support technology, activated by the turn indicator, keeps an eye on the blind-spot to the side of the truck and alerts the driver by a noise and warning light if a vehicle is detected there.
A rear-view camera with an integrated display on the dashboard is also available as an option. It shows the driver what is happening behind the truck when revers-ing, effectively giving the driver something that all road users would benefi t from – eyes in the back of their head.
SPACEThe truck cab is like a home away from home for many drivers and Volvo puts huge efforts into fi nding out what drivers want from their cab environment. “We aim to provide drivers with good ergonomics while working, plus ease of moving around the cab and a well-planned and comfortable rest area,” says Roger Brorsson. “From many years of discussing with drivers we know what is important for them. For starters we offer the standard cab, the Globetrotter cab, and the Globetrotter XL cab, which means they can fi nd a truck that suits their situation and application. They can get as much space as they need.”
Seats are of course crucial, and can be adjusted right down to the smallest detail, while several bed options mean a good night’s sleep and a well-rested, safe and effi cient driver.
The steering column is infi nitely adjustable and can be easily moved up and out of the way for convenient entry and exit from the cab. The gearshift for the I-shift automatic gearbox is situated on the chair meaning it is close to hand when driving, yet out of the way when the driver moves to the resting area, giving improved access compared with a conventional gearstick.
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n The V-shaped running lights integrated into the front headlight assembly show unmis tak ably that it is a Volvo heading your way. These distinctive lights make the vehicle more visible to other road users in all light conditions, while the light emitting diode (LED) technology means a very long lifespan. As they use just a fraction of the energy of conventional light bulbs, these running lights don’t contribute noticeably to the vehicle’s fuel consumption.
n Refl ectors play an important role in the headlights, spreading and directing the light from the bulb to the desired area on the road ahead. Besides the refl ector for the dipped
beam which is also used when full beam is switched on, there is also a separate full beam bulb with its own refl ector specially optimized for this purpose. The result is the best possible visibility for the driver.
n Changing headlight bulbs used to be a tricky and time-consuming exercise. But not anymore. Volvo has developed a new solution in which the whole front headlight unit swings out on a hinge to give quick and easy access to all front light bulbs. Now removing and replacing bulbs takes just a matter of seconds. However, choose long-lasting xenon high intensity discharge (HID) lights as an option and bulb changes will be a rare event.
HEADLAMPS
Bright ideas Bright and reliable lights on a truck improve productivity for the driver – and road safety for everyone else. Here are some shining examples of Volvo Trucks’ smart light features.WORDS DAVID WILES
PHOTOGRAPHY ROBIN OLSSON
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n Owners of trucks that operate on bumpy and uneven surfaces have long had to deal with the problem of light bulbs vibrating within the lamp and breaking. Volvo has come up with designs that protect against this common issue. Depending on the confi guration, lamps are either insulated with rubber mounts or mounted in such a way that vibrations are minimized to give the light bulbs the longest possible life.
n Accidents where a car crashes into the back of a truck account for some 6% of fatalities involving heavy vehicles, according to statis-tics compiled by Volvo’s Accident Research Team. In an attempt to improve road safety and
reduce the number of these type of accidents, Volvo has designed its rear brake lights to make them more visible to other road users. High-intensity lights that are clearly distinguish-able from the running lights help drivers of fol-lowing vehicles clearly see that the truck ahead is braking.
n Another smart Volvo solution sees an orange side running light integrated into the side of the rear lamp module. With both front and rear lights on all new Volvo trucks it means that, should a lamp cease to function, the driver is alerted by a warning light on the dashboard to ensure that the problem is swiftly fi xed.
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100%RENEWEDvolvo exchange systemGenuine Volvo Parts and Service
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If you want to be certain of a 100 % renewed truck – always choose Genuine Volvo Parts. And if you want to do some extra
good for your wallet and the environment, Volvo Exchange System should be your first choice.
Sustainable qualityGenuine Volvo Parts represent unbeatable function and quality down to the smallest detail. That is why they can be recreated to
their original condition despite having covered many miles of tough use.
What makes the Volvo Exchange System unique is that the parts are remanufactured where they were originally produced to
begin with. This remanufacturing process is carried out so thoroughly that they always meet the very same quality standards as
for brand-new components. So of course they also come with the same warranties.
What is more, exchange units are always upgraded to the latest version. This means that an exchange unit is always as good as
– or better than – the component it replaces.
Care for the environmentWhen you replace an old Genuine Volvo Part with a Volvo Exchange unit, you do both the environment and yourself a big favour.
By reusing parts we can save energy, reduce the consumption of valuable materials and cut emissions of carbon dioxide.
What happens in the factory?In order to ensure the same quality standard as for a brand new part, all incoming parts undergo meticulous renovation in our
factories. Here, for instance, is what happens with your old turbocharger:
• The turbocharger is dismantled and cleaned before its various components are inspected. Certain parts are sand-blasted
and cleaned in a high-pressure wash.
• All bearings, seals and attachments are replaced with new parts.
• The compressor wheel is cleaned, measured, balanced and inspected in a special machine.
• The turbo housing is checked for signs of cracks and fatigue.
• Damaged parts are replaced with new Genuine Volvo Parts.
Everyone needs time for recoveryKeep the fighting spirit. To put new energy into the game exhausted players have to bereplaced. The very same principle applies for your truck. Worn-out parts must be replaced in good time so as not to jeopardise driveability, safety and transport economy.
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volvo trucks malaysiadealers network
Volvo Sales, Service & Parts
Volvo Service & Parts
Lot 1017, Section 66, KTLD
Jalan Kilang (P/O Jalan Tekad)
Bintawa, 93450 Kuching
Sarawak
Tel : 082-330 131
Fax : 082-333 387
Shah Alam
No. 6, Jalan Bicu, 15/6
Seksyen 15,
40200 Shah Alam
03-5510 3300 /
03-5510 2300
03-5519 4233 /
03-5519 0592 /
03-5510 9096 (Parts)
JOHOR BAHRU
07-358 4955 /
07-357 4834 /
07-357 4835
07-357 4899
(Parts & W/shop dept)
Johor Bahru
Prai
2410, Jalan Perusahaan Prai
Kawasan Perusahaan Prai
13600 Seberang Prai
Pulau Pinang
Tel : 04-398 9184 /
04-398 9185
Fax : 04-398 9187
Ipoh
Kuching
Bintulu
Sibu
Miri
Kota Kinabalu
Lots 34-6 & 7
Jln1E Industrial Zon 4 (IZ 4)
KKIP Selatan, Jln Sepangar
88460 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Tel : 088-499 855
Fax : 088-493 618
KOTA KINABALU
Lot 2541, Jln Manettia
Piasau Lorong
Pujut-Lutong Road
98000 Miri, Sarawak
Tel : 085-655 855
Fax : 085-655 618
MIRI
Sandakan
SABAH
SARAWAK
Lot 2, Block G, Ground Floor
Bandar Ramai-Ramai
P.O. Box 3541
90739 Sandakan, Sabah
Tel : 089-272 707
Fax : 089-235 855
SANDAKAN
Volvo Malaysia Sdn Bhd retains the right to alter the information given without prior notification.
Volvo Malaysia Sdn Bhdwww.volvotrucks.com.my
97008
Tel : 086-327 646
Fax : 086-255 722No.5
Lorong Lanang Barat 20A/2
96000 Sibu, Sarawak
Tel : 084-210 613
Fax : 084-210 612
SIBU
Kuantan
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