Krommenhoek Metals is expanding with a new Scania P360 6×2*4

Breda – Krommenhoek Metals, which has branches in Rotterdam and Iceland, put a new Scania P360 into service some time ago. The truck is used for collecting scrap metal. The 6×2*4 vehicle, equipped with a steered and liftable trailing axle, has proven so satisfactory that KH is now considering purchasing a second identical truck.

KH Metals stands for Schroothandel Krommenhoek Metals. The company has transformed the collection and processing of scrap iron and other scrap metals into a full-fledged, professional service throughout the Netherlands. “We strive for long-term relationships with our customers, whom we want to relieve of as much hassle as possible,” says Ron den Ouden, operations manager at Krommenhoek Metals. “We purchase scrap metals and residual materials, primarily from the machining industry. We use various types of vehicles for this purpose. One of them had been a Scania P260 4×2 for years. It certainly wasn’t worn out, but it was still a Euro 5 vehicle, which was becoming a bit of a problem within environmental zones and at the Maasvlakte.”

That’s why the vehicle has now been replaced with a new, current-generation Scania P. “We choose Scania because of the comfort it offers the driver. We also prioritize safety and, for example, the fact that Scania comes standard with axle load indication. And that’s a really important feature in the scrapyard. The relationship with the dealer is also important. Together, we’ve taken another close look at how we manage the vehicle. After all, there’s always room for improvement, and the regular driver’s preferences certainly play a role in that.”

“First of all, we wanted to be able to transport more. That’s why the cargo bed is longer and taller. Now, for example, we can stack pallet boxes three high. That greatly improves efficiency because, for instance, aluminum machining scrap is bulky but weighs very little. In addition, the previous truck had a payload capacity of no more than 9.5 metric tons. The new one, with its trailing axle, has a 15-metric-ton payload capacity. That, too, gives us more flexibility. It goes without saying that, due to this increase in capacity, we opted for a more powerful engine. The driver now has 360 pk at his disposal. That power comes from the Scania 9-liter SCR-only engine. Paired with the Opticruise transmission, he’s very happy with it. I have to say that we like the whole concept so much that we’re now seriously considering buying another one to go alongside it.”

The cargo bed was custom-built by Stenis in Rotterdam. It is enclosed on three sides and has a sliding tarp on one side. “That has proven to be very efficient in practice. Not only do some of our customers occasionally have long loads, but it’s also simply faster and easier when you don’t have to load everything from the back. Of course, that does happen, and at the driver’s request, we’ve even installed a heavier tailgate now. And a step ladder, too.”

The new extended day cab with standard roof height offers the driver plenty of space. “And the all-around visibility is excellent. Plus, the new LED headlights provide great illumination. The driver also praises how easy it is to get in and out,” says Ron. “That was already good with the previous model, of course, but it’s just as good—if not better—with this generation. And now there’s even room for a small refrigerator.”

At Krommenhoek Metals, a box truck of this type lasts at least eight to nine years. “We don’t drive that many kilometers, and the wear and tear on our box trucks is very different from that on our hook-lift trucks, for example. Those trucks are put through much more during loading and unloading and because of the many PTO hours. That’s why we didn’t trade in our Scania box truck. We shipped it to our branch in Iceland. There, it’s now mainly used to transport individual pallet boxes for our customers there.”

For more information:
Nico van der Klugt, Press & Corporate Communications Officer
Phone: +31 (0)76 5254 000
Mobile: +31 (0)651 587 664
Email:nico.van.der.klugt@scania.com

About Scania
Scania is a leading manufacturer of heavy-duty commercial vehicles, buses, and industrial and marine engines. In the Netherlands, the Scania organization employs approximately 4,000 people across its plants in Zwolle and Meppel and 40 sales and service locations throughout the country. The plant in Zwolle is the largest Scania plant in the world. The company has approximately 50,000 employees worldwide, operates multiple plants in Europe and Latin America, and is represented in more than 100 countries. In 2019, net sales totaled SEK 152.4 billion and net profit was SEK 17.4 billion. For more information: www.scania.nl.