This month‘s Top Truck continues a long-standing relationship between brand and operator. Celebrating their recent 30th anniversary, this impressive unit looks toward the next 30.

The immaculate fleet of Scania bulk tippers seen daily visiting construction sites around Auckland are the pride and joy of P & I Pascoe Ltd from Papakura. The distinctive white-cabbed Scanias with two-tone blue detail are a striking sight, and with the addition of a new flagship, the bar has definitely been raised. A fitting Top Truck to take the crown this month.

Thirty years ago, Peter and his dad, Ian Pascoe, started a small business venture with a secondhand Scania 112 bulk tipper supplying construction commodities in and around South Auckland. Three decades on the business has moved with the times and grown where required to meet the market, the net result being a depot that has an impressive array of bulk tippers that all sport the fire-breathing Griffin on the radiator grille.

Photo: Andrew Philp, refrigeration technician – cool, pilot of the new R620 – COOLER!

The Badges say it all.

Andrew Philp is the proud pilot and caretaker of the new number 12 in the fleet, a Scania NTG V8 R620 6×4 rigid tipper with a matching new 5-axle T&G Transport Trailer. Andrew, like a lot of us, had an interesting start in the transport industry. Fresh out of school, it was straight into a refrigeration and air conditioning apprenticeship, but on reflection having completed his qualification, Andrew realised there was more.

An opportunity to become an owner-driver with Ansett Couriers was his introduction to becoming a professional driver. Three years as a courier led Andrew to a job opportunity with Turners and Growers, on Auckland retail deliveries. Driving a mix of Hinos, older ERFs and a 395 Mitsubishi was a good grounding for Andrew. From here it was a stint with Atkins Carriers as transport manager before heading across the pond to Queensland, Australia. This move shifted Andrew into the world of bulk tipping around Brisbane at the wheel of an International 9900i combination. Returning to New Zealand in 2008, Andrew replied to an advertisement from P & I Pascoe looking for a truck and trailer operator. The interview went well, and now more than 10 years down the road Andrew has nothing but compliments for the company. “A truly great bunch to work for, good gear and great management,” he said. 

Photo: Keeping it in the family, an R480, R500, R580 and the R620.

Andrew‘s time with P & I Pascoe Ltd has seen him drive a diverse selection of Scania‘s finest, from a 400 4 series into a 420 bonneted T series (gumboot), progressing to a 470 R series, a 620 R series, and now the NTG R620. Talking to Peter you quickly find that the decision to run the Scania was not a chance selection, rather a long-standing passion for the product that drove the purchase of the original 112. You will also find the same passion and respect for the brand running through the veins of the team. Onsite workshop manager Trent Cockroft and the workshop team are proud and experienced supporters of the Swedish product.

Trent carries with him a wealth of brand-related technical information and understanding, enabling purpose-built adaptation projects in addition to the day-to-day maintenance tasks. An example of these in-house abilities at work is a selection of ex dairy company 8×4 tankers making their way into the fleet after being re-engineered into 6×4 rigid tippers. Looking over them closely, you are hard-pressed to tell them apart from a factoryfinished build.

Photo: Striking modern graphics with an oldskool cool twist.

Photo: The R620 interior has evolved just a touch since the days of the mighty LB80.

Peter is the first to admit that a lot has happened in the business throughout the past 30-plus years. “It has come a long way, and working with Dad has been awesome,” he said. “It is something rather special to have the team that we have here working with us currently, and also those who have previously been a part of the team. Past employees, current employees, workshop and office staff, I cannot say thank you enough to them all for their efforts over the years; without them it just would not have happened.”

Peter is also quick to mention the fantastic business relationships they enjoy with the many suppliers who have supplied the company with superior product and design. Mike Stevenson and the team at T&G Transport Trailers, and Peter Burson and the T.A.T.E.S team to name just a couple. “It is very much thanks to our loyal suppliers and our customers who have supported our business and contributed to make it what it is today,” said Peter.