Bevan gets the bevvies in with Moorhouse's Brewery. Biglorryblog says: I'll have a half!"

According to the official blurb: "The streamline Bevan21, launched in a standard rigid box format last September, is a major innovation in rigid body styling. Developed by engineers at Bevan Group with the help of leading European aerodynamic specialists, the new 21 features improved aerodynamic body styling to reduce wind slip resistance and drag along with creating a stunning outline to the vehicle. Independent track trials carried out by Commercial Motor Magazine in January09 showed a fuel saving of up to 15%. Aerodynamic features include:

• curved roof running to the mid length of the vehicle
• specially moulded air deflector
• no loss of cubic volume due to unique design
• specially moulded cab collar

The engineers at the Bevan group were delighted when presented them with the challenge of producing a curtainsider version for Moorhouse's Brewery. The major hurdle, in addition to keeping the rigidity of the body, was how to manufacture a curtain system that would require a curtain of a constantly varying height. This was achieved by using the pre-rolled roof cant and roof rails of the body superstructure as a template from which the curtains are produced to the unique Bevan21 shape of the vehicle. The final area, which was imperative to ease of use of the vehicle by Moorhouse's employees, was providing sufficient headroom clearance. The Bevan21 met this requirement by ensuring that operatives can load and unload from the bed of the vehicle without creating any health and safety issues."

Meanwhile, David Grant, Moorhouse's MD tells me: "Following the operational efficiencies gained from the recent delivery of our first 26-tonner, we worked with Ryder to try to further improve our fuel efficiencies. With an increasing number of aerodynamic semi-trailers appearing on the roads it made sense that the innovative Bevan21 design would work on a rigid too. We are hoping to achieve fuel efficiencies of around five per cent, but it is early days yet." And Anthony Bevan, boss of the Bevan Group adds:"We are delighted with uptake by customers for the Bevan21 and have enjoyed the challenge of producing the Bevan21 curtainsider for Moorhouse's Brewery. I look forward to hearing about the fuel cost savings achieved by the Bevan21 vehicle in its day to day service of their business, which I am sure will exceed expectations".