LOCAL HAPPENINGS Fuelwatch Challenge 2012 Finals CROSSING BORDERS Cold Chain UNIQUELY VOLVO Walking The Line
UPTIME A MAGA ZINE FROM VOLVO MAL AYSIA SDN BHD #3/2012
Teeing off at the Volvo World Golf Challenge Malaysia 2012
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Owned Dealers: SHAH ALAM (HQ) No. 6, Jalan Bicu 15/6 Seksyen 15, 40200 Shah Alam Selangor Darul Ehsan Tel : 03-5510 3300 Fax : 03-5519 4233/ 03-5519 0592/ 03-5510 9096 (Parts)
volvo fm
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 56, Lengkok Rishah 2 Kawasan Perindustrian Silibin 30100 Ipoh, Perak Tel : 05-527 8892 Fax: 05-528 0941 JOHOR BAHRU PLO 251, Jalan Firma 2 Kawasan Perindustrian Tebrau IV 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Tel : 07-358 4955/ 07-357 4834/ 07-357 4835 Fax : 07-357 4899 KUANTAN Lot 108 Semambu Industrial Estate 25350 Kuantan Pahang Tel : 09-566 9182 Fax: 09-586 9184 KUCHING Lot 1017, Section 66 KTLD, Jalan Kilang (P/O Jalan Tekad) Bintawa, 93450 Kuching Sarawak Tel : 082-330 131 Fax: 082-333 387 BINTULU Lot 3069, Sublot 4 Kidurong Industrial Estate 97008 Bintulu, Sarawak Tel : 086-327 646 Fax : 086-255 722 SIBU No 5, Lorong Lanang Barat 20A/2 96000 Sibu, Sarawak Tel : 084-210 613 Fax : 084-210 612
DAI LIENG MACHINERY SDN BHD Private Dealer: BINTULU Lot 429, Blk 38 Kemena industrial estate P.O. Box 2025, 97008 Bintulu Sarawak Tel : 086-311 699 Fax : 086-310 331 MIRI Lot 2541, Jln Manettia Piasau Lorong 8 Pujut-Lutong Road 98000 Miri, Sarawak Tel : 085-655 855 Fax : 085-655 618
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SANDAKAN Lot 2, Block G, Ground Floor Bandar Ramai-Ramai P.O. Box 3541 90739 Sandakan, Sabah Tel : 089-272 707 Fax : 089-235 855 KOTA KINABALU Lots 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
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
MESSAGE
FROM MANAGING DIRECTOR 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 definitely 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: 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. It has been a fantastic year for us all, customers and partners alike. We have entered into a strategic financial 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. We have also introduced a complimentary TPOL (Total Profit 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 efficient 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 efficient 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 valuable 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!
Managing Director Mansoor Ahmed (mansoor.ahmed@volvo.com)
CFO Finance Philippe Roques (philippe.roques@volvo.com)
VP Sales & Logistics Jerome Wong (jerome.wong@volvo.com)
VP Aftermarket Martin Kavanagh (martin.kavanagh@volvo.com)
VP Business Development & Marketing Suzanne Ooi (suzanne.ooi@volvo.com)
VP Human Resource Harvindar Singh (harvindar.singh@volvo.com)
General Manager Central Laurent Lyonnet (+6016-226 9700)
General Manager Rest of Peninsular Malaysia Law Ah Tiong (+6019-380 9268)
Dealer Managers Northern Santhanasamy Mahadevan (+6018-466 5999)
Southern Muhammad Khairulnizam (+6012-751 9600)
Eastern Gary Chin (+6016-339 9026)
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MANSOOR AHMED MAN
Mana Managing Director Volvo Malaysia Sdn Bhd
CONTENTS #3/2012
6 Local Happenings 8 Local Happenings Fuelwatch Challenge New FH launch 2012 - Malaysia and APAC finals
9 Local Happenings 10 Local Happenings Volvo Malaysia - Standard Teeing off Chartered strategic financial partnership
20 Crossing Borders Cold chain for optimised freshness
28 Uniquely Volvo Cut your cost by knowing them
100% RENEWED volvo exchange system Genuine Volvo Parts and Service
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26 Uniquely Volvo Walking the line
An example of lost profits 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? 20.00 15.00 10.00 5.00 0.00 -5.00 -10.00 -15.00 -20.00 -25.00 -30.00 -35.00 1
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SHORT HAUL AS IS
40 Aftermarket Volvo Exchange System
30 Uniquely Volvo First comes the driver
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SHORT HAUL ZE-IN
41 Aftermarket Volvo Malaysia - your long term business partner (TPOL)
42 Aftermarket Profile
UPTIME
A MAGAZINE FROM VOLVO MALAYSIA SDN BHD EDITOR: IRINA LAU
12 Local Happenings Volvo Malaysia’s Carnival
34 Uniquely Volvo Bright ideas
13 Features Three Decades of partnership and still counting
16 Features A trucker’s journey from anonymity to fame
36 In a snapshot
19 Features Celebrating a successful first year
38 Volvo 101 NEW! Volvo Trucks Action Service Vehicles
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facebook.com/VolvoTrucksMalaysia
LOCAL HAPPENINGS
Fuelwatch Challenge 2012 - Malaysia and APAC finals The 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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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 official letter to the driver and his management. The 20 drivers arrived in Shah Alam on Thursday, 12 July 2012 for a briefing 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 predesignated route and all this within 45 minutes. The final 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 fidgety, 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 finally 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 final battle. Who will be the Champion of 2012?
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-finalists as well as the 6 Finalists before the final 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 filled 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.
LOCAL HAPPENINGS
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.
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 first 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 first 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!
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 flag 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
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LOCAL HAPPENINGS
The safest Volvo in the world 19 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 flooding 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.
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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 http://www.youtube.com/user/ volvotrucks?feature=results_main An online magazine dedicated to the FH is also available on http://fh.volvotrucks.com/en-gb/index.html.
LOCAL HAPPENINGS
A Volvo solution to your financial needs
Like weaving a fine 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 first-of-its- kind financial 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 first time in Malaysia, a commercial vehicle company and a bank has joined forces to derive a total financial 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 financial solution by Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia, coupled with the Total Profitability Over-Lifecycle (TPOL) consultation by Volvo Malaysia is set to make significant strides in the logistics and haulage industry. “SMEs are the backbone of our country’s economy and they rely heavily on bank financing to fund their growth and business needs. This is where the financial solution will provide an instrumental thrust to their business growth,” Mansoor further stated.
The financial 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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LOCAL HAPPENINGS
Teeing off at the Volvo World Golf Challenge – Malaysia 2012 The 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 golfing dreams come true.
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LOCAL HAPPENINGS 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 definately 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
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.
11 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
LOCAL HAPPENINGS
Malaysia’s first ever carnival for truckers True to our promise to all Globe Truckers (GT) members, Volvo Malaysia held its first 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 first 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 filled day. And to make the event even merrier, staff and families from Volvo Malaysia were also invited. What better platform than a fun filled 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 first 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?!
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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 definately 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 filled weekend there before heading home with their Volvo goodies. n
FEATURES
THREE DECADES OF PARTNERSHIP AND STILL COUNTING Carrying on the Legacy When 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 to the greater economy.
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FEATURES The stark reality is that many of us may never fully comprehend the commitment and hard work contributed by these labourers and how significant 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 definitely 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.
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“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
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 specifications 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 first option that came across their mind was Volvo Trucks.
FEATURES
Volvo Trucks Malaysia An Unbreakable, Formidable Partnership 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 profitability”, 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 satisfied 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 efficient 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 efficiency, 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 efficiency 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 fleet. Out of 600 trucks, almost a hundred are Volvo trucks which have been owned since the company first started 30 years ago. “We started with Volvo Trucks and rest assured we will continue to own the Volvo fleet. They are the best business partner you can find 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
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FEATURES
A trucker’s journey from anonymity to fame The winner of Fuelwatch 2012 Malaysia chapter, moving on to represent his country in the regional finale and an everyday trucker finding his footing in a place he has always deserved, Roslan Bin Md Ali is a happy man today. Having returned just recently from his first 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 finding 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 first time he understood science and technique.
16 “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.
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.
FEATURES
When you talk to Roslan, he comes across as someone who has managed to find 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.
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FEATURES
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 AM A VOLVO FAN BOY! 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.”
“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 first one in the family to get onto a flight and travel overseas. What more could I want?” He smiles and that said it all.
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 efficient 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”
Taipanco Sdn Bhd – The perfect employer
“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.
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.
Moving 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 benefits 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.
“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 man
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Despite 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
FEATURES
Celebrating a successful first year Volvo Group Singapore commemorated its first 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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CROSSING BORDERS
Cold chain for optimised freshness 20
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 Ă…HMAN & PER GREHN PHOTOGRAPHY BRETT ELOFF
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he sun casts its first rays between the skyscrapers in Saudi Arabia’s second largest city, Jeddah. It is early morning, just after 8 am, but the outside temperature is already 30 degrees Celsius. The city’s location on the Red Sea makes the air humid. “The heat doesn’t really bother me; after 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 Arabian 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,”
CROSSING BORDERS
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.
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. The 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. “That isn’t a problem. As long as the truck works as expected, the goods are fine,” 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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CROSSING BORDERS
MY LONGEST ROUTE IS TO DAMMAM. IT’S 1,400 KILOMETRES – IN ONE DIRECTION.
MOHAMMED ABDALLAH SHARBATLY CO. LTD Founded in: 1933 Number of employees: approx. 1,500 Headquarters: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Number of Volvo trucks in the fleet: some 60 Volvo FH trucks with a 13-litre engine and an output of 440 bhp
REYNALDO GARCIA, TRUCK DRIVER
› a temperature of 13 degrees Celsius, apples two degrees and oranges five
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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. The 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 Arabia,” 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. The list of countries where Sharbatly’s fruit and vegetables are grown is very long. The hot, dry climate makes it difficult 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. That’s why we decided to go with Volvo,” explains Hashim M Sharbatly.
“RIGHT NOW, the Arabian Transportation Company’s truck fleet 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. The most recent trucks are equipped with I-Shift,” comments Franco Negro, Manager, Arabian Transportation Company. “Volvo trucks are definitely designed to fulfil the requirements that this part of the world sets,” adds Alberto Bianconi, Transportation Manager, Arabian Transportation Company. “During the summer, it’s obviously difficult to carry the fruit without encountering problems with the actual cargo. That’s why we have equipped our flatbed fleet 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 affecting 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. The 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, otherwise the goods will be damaged.
CROSSING BORDERS
Franco Negro, Manager at the Arabian Transportation Company
Alberto Bianconi, Transportation Manager, Arabian Transportation Company Ltd, at the Sharbatly cold stores in Jeddah
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.
ZAHID TRACTOR The 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 Industry (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 heavyduty trucks in Saudi Arabia.
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CROSSING BORDERS
Iraq Jordan Kuwait ian ab Ar
Dammam
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Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Riyadh United Arab Emirates
Sea Red
Jeddah Oman
Yemen
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
Mr. Seifallah Sharbatly and Mr. Hashim Sharbatly at the Mohammed Abdallah Sharbatly’s head office. The company was founded by their grandfather.
›
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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 five years. The 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 field 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 five years old or more and which are no longer covered by the service agreement with Zahid Tractor. There 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. That 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 filters.
Capital: 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.
“They 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 sufficiently skilled to get behind the wheel of a Volvo truck. On the five-lane motorway which passes through Jeddah, Reynaldo Garcia sits calmly and securely behind the wheel. This road is one of the most important transport routes between the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. The traffic 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. Things usually work out well,” he says with a smile. Reynaldo Garcia’s trailer will soon be loaded with fruit, after which he will begin the 1,400-kilometre journey through the desert to Dammam. n
CROSSING BORDERS 25
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.
UNIQUELY VOLVO
Walking the line The 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.”
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The stunt looks dramatic - but was performed for real – on a nearly completed highway in Croatia, with no oncoming cars. The film 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 filming, but when the Hollywood crew who were brought in to coordinate the shooting first
UNIQUELY VOLVO 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 fire,” says Peter Pedrero, who in his day-to-day work coordinates stunts in films like James Bond, Harry Potter and Pirates of Caribbean.Watch the clip and find other material about Volvos new FH truck online: www.newadress.com. n
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UNIQUELY VOLVO
Cut your costs by knowing them Buying a truck can be complex business. To make sure it’s a profitable 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
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rom 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. The truck must be as profitable 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. Lene Larsen The margins are small and transport firms have to find new ways of cutting costs and improving profitability. We can help in these areas,” says Lene Larsen, Marketing Communications Manager at Volvo Trucks.
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SHE BELIEVES IT IS IMPORTANT to see the bigger picture when buying a truck. The initial purchase price for the truck is just one of several costs that affects its profitability. 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. “The main expenses for a truck business are listed clearly. You fill 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. The 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 profitability the key is of course to focus on reducing these major costs rather than making savings in less significant 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 profitability 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. This 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 profitable overall.” A taylor made specification of the truck, use of the fleet management system Dynafleet, driver training and a correct wheel alignment, are all examples of parameters that help cut fuel costs and increase uptime, and hence increase the profitability significantly. TOTAL COST CALCULATOR IS PART OF a digital, web-based business tool called Maximize Your Ownership. This is a free business tool that, in a simple way, can help you improve profitability 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 profitability. 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 profits. That’s how a really good partnership works – we learn from each other.” n
UNIQUELY VOLVO
EXPLANATION OF THE TOOL THE PARAMETERS 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 Larsen n “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 figures 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.”
TOTAL COST CALCULATOR – PART OF MAXIMIZING OWNERSHIP The total Cost Calculator tool gives you the opportunity to calculate or simulate your business cost by adjusting key parameters to reflect your operation. It is a part of Volvo Trucks’ digital business tool called Maximize Your Ownership. In addition to the calculator, the tool has four other sections that show how you can improve the profitability of your business.
A POWERFUL RELATIONSHIP
VOLVO OPTIMISED SERVICE PLAN
YOUR SERVICE AGREEMENT
YOUR SUPPORT SERVICES
The program shows how the cost of service and parts affects your total cost of ownership and business.
This interactive presentation shows the value of establishing an effective and proactive service plan for your truck.
This tool helps you select the service program that bests suits you and your business.
Get 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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UNIQUELY VOLVO
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 field tests prior to launch. The aim is to create vehicles that meet their every need. WORDS DAVID WILES ILLUSTRATION KJELL THORSSON
HANDLING
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A 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 traffic situation 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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UNIQUELY VOLVO
UNIQUELY VOLVO
... then comes the truck VISIBILITY The truck driver requires good visibility in order to be able to identify and avoid dangerous situations. “As a truck driver you have a big responsibility 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 position to give the best possible overview. There are large glass panels, powerful windscreen wipers and big rear-view mirrors with additional
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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 reversing, effectively giving the driver something that all road users would benefit from – eyes in the back of their head.
SPACE
DASHBOARD
The truck cab is like a home away from home for many drivers and Volvo puts huge efforts into finding 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 find 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 efficient driver. The steering column is infinitely 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.
The 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 reflections and to give a clear overview without the need for the driver to move or lean over to read a dial or flick 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.
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UNIQUELY VOLVO
UNIQUELY VOLVO
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
HEADLAMPS n The V-shaped running lights integrated
into the front headlight assembly show unmistakably 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 Reflectors play an important role in the
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headlights, spreading and directing the light from the bulb to the desired area on the road ahead. Besides the reflector 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 reflector 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.
UNIQUELY VOLVO
TAIL LAMPS 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 configuration, 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 statistics 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 distinguishable from the running lights help drivers of following 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 fixed.
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100% RENEWED volvo exchange system Genuine Volvo Parts and Service
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Everyone needs time for recovery Keep the fighting spirit. To put new energy into the game exhausted players have to be replaced. 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.
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 quality Genuine 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 environment When 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?
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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.
AFTER MARKET
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volvo trucks malaysia dealers network Volvo Sales, Service & Parts Volvo Service & Parts 2410, Jalan Perusahaan Prai Kawasan Perusahaan Prai 13600 Seberang Prai Pulau Pinang Tel : 04-398 9184 / 04-398 9185 Fax : 04-398 9187
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
Prai
Ipoh
Kota Kinabalu
MIRI
Kuantan
Lot 2541, Jln Manettia Piasau Lorong Pujut-Lutong Road 98000 Miri, Sarawak Tel : 085-655 855 Fax : 085-655 618
JOHOR BAHRU
Shah Alam
07-358 4955 / 07-357 4834 / 07-357 4835 07-357 4899 (Parts & W/shop dept)
Sandakan
SABAH
Miri SANDAKAN
Bintulu
Johor Bahru
Sibu No. 6, Jalan Bicu, 15/6 Seksyen 15, 40200 Shah Alam
Lot 2, Block G, Ground Floor Bandar Ramai-Ramai P.O. Box 3541 90739 Sandakan, Sabah Tel : 089-272 707 Fax : 089-235 855
SARAWAK
03-5510 3300 / 03-5510 2300 03-5519 4233 / 03-5519 0592 / 03-5510 9096 (Parts)
Kuching 97008
SIBU Lot 1017, Section 66, KTLD Jalan Kilang (P/O Jalan Tekad) Bintawa, 93450 Kuching Sarawak Tel : 082-330 131 Fax : 082-333 387
No.5 Lorong Lanang Barat 20A/2 96000 Sibu, Sarawak Tel : 084-210 613 Fax : 084-210 612
Tel : 086-327 646 Fax : 086-255 722
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Volvo Malaysia Sdn Bhd www.volvotrucks.com.my Volvo Malaysia Sdn Bhd retains the right to alter the information given without prior notiďŹ cation.
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