Kevin Harte started out as a local Nelson milkie with his ten year-old son Leithem as a runner. Eighteen years later, as Goodman Fielder contractors, the pair runs a fleet of Meadow Fresh trucks delivering not only the morning milk but most of what’s on your breakfast plate too. 

While Ian and his wife took over deliveries to 300 local homes, Kevin concentrated on building the commercial side of the business, delivering to supermarkets and restaurants. He says his purchase last year of a low-height Fighter

FU281L8 was vital to growth. “We previously dealt only with milk, cream and cheese,” says Kevin.  “Goodman Fielder approached us looking for a ‘one-stop, one-drop’ operation covering both their dairy and packaged meats products. Our investment in the new truck gave them confidence to give us the contract: it proved we not only had the capability but that we are serious about the future.”

The FU281L8 certainly means business.  “It looks great when it rolls in,” says Kevin. “I had all the extras fitted: an aluminium bumper on the front, skirts and a huge stereo system in the back. It’s great for the drive back from Murchison.”

Image is important to Kevin, for his own business and the Meadow Fresh brand; Fuso fits the bill both visually and mechanically.  “We preferred the look of the Fighter over other truck models and my nephew Sean, a truck mechanic, studied the spec sheets and said ‘this is the one to go for’.  “Its low height is really important because we’ve got to work from the side.  It also comes with a tag axle for when we need to run a full load. The foldaway tailgate is also neat and handy.”

Kevin says the Hendrickson air suspension was also a big draw.  “I’ve watched other trucks on roundabouts, rocking all over the place.  You don’t get that with the Fighter. When you’re carrying one-tonne pallecons – big metal cages with 900 litre bags of cream inside – you don’t want them moving around. 

“The Fighter had a lot going for it and with 280hp, it was way ahead in terms of performance.”  The truck does a lot of work, visiting supermarkets in the morning – “that’s when it’s at its fullest” – and a 250 km round trip to Murchison replenishing cafes and dairies at about three-quarters full.

The Fighter easily accommodates 12 full pallets and still sits at around 2,000 kg under its GVM of 18,000 kg.  “Even though we’re not always full, economically the larger truck is the one to run on this route,” says Kevin. “Fuelwise, there’s no point using a smaller truck to go on long runs over the hills.” 

He has one Canter doing the rounds in town and hopes to trade in an older 6x2 truck for two more Canters to keep up with growing demand. His latest Fuso purchase has already proved its worth in bringing home the bacon.  “It’s been a really good investment. It’s beautiful to drive – just like driving a car.  The first thing you notice is there’s no engine noise, which means you have to watch the revs a lot closer. The guys couldn’t get over how quiet it is!”

That’s when they’re not cranking up the stereo as they cruise back to base after another day’s hard work.