OPERATOR PROFILE
OPERATOR PROFILE
Pulling Pints A visit to McMullen & Sons is nothing short of a delight. The brewery and pub chain is steeped in history, with its 190-year-old home in Hertford offering many insights into the growth of a true family business Words: Ronnie Hitchens
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verything about McMullen’s (or Mac’s as it’s more familiarly known) has an endearing
DAF DRIVER SPRING 2020
charm. Quite apart from the intoxicating aromas that permeate the characterful old buildings, the company has the air of a traditional company founded on decadeslong business methods – if it
ain’t broke, don’t fix it! The distribution department, of course, is the main focus for DAF Driver and, despite the old-school feel of the place, Mac’s has embraced the latest technology, most
evidently seen out on the road in the shape of DAF and Volvo 18-tonne drays, including the two latest trucks – a DAF LF 230 and an LF 180. The 230hp unit was at our disposal for the day, chaperoned by
distribution and warehouse manager, Dave Valentine. DAF front and centre “I just really, really like the DAFs,” admits Valentine. “They’re easy to drive and
exceptionally easy to maintain. The mirrors are excellent – it’s the little things that you notice.” Valentine was put in contact with DAF dealer Harris DAF in Waltham Cross in 2018, where a 12-tonne
Photographs: Karl Hopkinson
LF was procured. “Russell [Rackham] put together the spec. I was impressed with the process and the finished product was great – it was my first procurement project with Mac’s and DAF was there,
front and centre,” he recalls. “Harris DAF’s service levels are excellent. I remember taking out a DAF recently, which had developed a knock on full-lock. The Harris technician who was with me SPRING 2020 DAF DRIVER
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