25 YEARS OF UK MARKET LEADERSHIP
CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE SPOTLIGHT: LEYLAND ASSEMBLY PLANT
Leyland Trucks might be an historic name in vehicle manufacturing – but high-tech innovation is woven into its DNA WORDS: RONNIE HITCHENS Many commentators have lamented the demise of the British truck industry. But while many famous names have disappeared, in Lancashire at least, the heart of truck manufacturing in this country still beats strong. Leyland Trucks still proudly carries the name of its home town, tracing its origins back to 1896 and counts fifth generation employees on the payroll. This is no heritage business reliant on a nostalgic customer base to keep it afloat. Leyland Trucks today is a global leader in the automotive industry. Almost one in every three trucks on UK roads is built at the Leyland Assembly Plant (LAP): a true UK automotive success story. And it’s been recognised too, most recently with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise. With
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the end of the Brexit transition period on the horizon, its location on this side of the Channel may make it even more critical to UK operators, ensuring the supply of vehicles and parts they need to keep the UK economy on the road.
STATE OF THE ART The LAP was heralded as a worldleading facility upon its opening in 1980. As part of Paccar since 1998, Leyland Trucks builds DAF vehicles for markets across the world. In fact, it is thought to be the only production facility to produce the entire range of trucks, of any one brand, on a single production line and under one roof. The single building, which covers 16 acres of an 86-acre site, houses the production facility, offices and the Paccar Parts Distribution Centre (PDC). Leyland has a proud history for sure, but the company now plays a vital role
A COMMERCIAL MOTOR SUPPLEMENT
in developing new technologies. The team of engineers is responsible for the design and development of the entire LF series and specific CF models, and is playing a key role in the development of DAF zero-emissions solutions. Latest is the battery powered LF Electric, which was showcased in 2018 and is expected to commence field trials shortly. Continuous investment in the building, manufacturing processes, and, above all, the people, means that the LAP remains among the most advanced in the industry. Production boasts the world’s first robotic truck chassis paint booth, with ‘dancing’ robots intricately choreographed to ensure every chassis variant receives precisely regulated paint coverage – it’s a sight to behold. A 1,000-strong workforce has the latest state-of-the-art technology at its fingertips – literally; every chassis is accompanied on its journey from
