The versatile 3.5-tonner has become a firm favourite with drivers, after the company made the switch to the Japanese manufacturer in 2020.

The three Grafters have been designed to stand out on the road, with custom-built dropside bodies from Robinson Truck Bodies and a new livery that adopts the look of a classic milk float. Replacing older vehicles, they will make deliveries from the company’s Oxford depot, joining a 130-strong mixed fleet running from eight locations in the North East, North West and south of England.

Rob Hodgson, Operations Assistant Manager at Hanover Dairies, says: “The Grafter is perfectly suited to our business. It’s small and manoeuvrable, yet with a payload capacity that matches the requirements of our varied delivery routes. Our teams must access everything from tight residential roads and cul-de-sacs to urban centres, businesses, schools and shops, and the Grafter gives us the flexibility to get to them all quietly and efficiently.”

On the road up to six days per week, the vehicles begin their rounds at 2am – meaning refrigerated bodywork isn’t necessary given typically lower ambient temperatures overnight. They will average anywhere between 8,000 and 30,000 miles annually, depending on their assigned routes.

“We operate from numerous sites across the country, so it gives us peace of mind knowing we’re never more than about 20 miles from an Isuzu dealer, even as we continue to expand the business to new areas. It has been clear from the beginning that Isuzu prioritises its customer service, ensuring our vehicles stay out on the road so we can keep the business running smoothly,” adds Hodgson.

Across the country, aftersales support is provided by experienced Isuzu Truck dealer partners, with Cordwallis Group servicing vehicles based at Hanover Dairies’ Oxford site, Arlesey Car & Commercials looking after Isuzu vehicles at the customer’s Cambridge base, while Thompsons Commercials works with the six depots spread across Northern England. All maintenance is overseen by the manufacturer’s National Fleet team.

The new Grafters are supplied with the manufacturer’s three-year unlimited mileage warranty, giving Hanover Dairies access to 24/7 roadside assistance through Isuzu Assist, alongside Isuzu Truck UK’s dedicated Customer CARE team.

From humble beginnings in 1976, when Trevor Hanover bought his first milk round, Hanover Dairies now delivers grass-fed cow’s milk from local, British farms to more than 120,000 customers across the country. The company prides itself on delivering its milk in environmentally friendly returnable glass bottles and recyclable plastic containers.