The IRTE Northern Centre March CPD presentation took place at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel Accrington in April, with members and guests enjoying an in-depth technical presentation and a static vehicle display from DAF Trucks and Lancashire DAF.
On arrival the 39 attendees had the chance to have a look around two of the latest products from the current DAF range of vehicles, prior to the main presentation by DAF Marketing Manager Phil Moon and Preston-based Lancashire DAF Sales Manager Harvey King.
The presentation began with a history of DAF as Phil took the audience through a video and photo timeline journey of the company from its origins as a small engineering company in 1928 in Holland to the present day.
Phil highlighted milestone events that included trailer production, the birth of its truck manufacturing business - using Leyland Trucks parts under licence -as well as its introduction to the UK truck market, the collapse of the company in 1993, then its rebirth with a management buyout and the acquisition of DAF by PACCAR in 1996.
"That was the most informative and enjoyable presentation I have attended in over 50 years of attending IRTE events"
Peter Embery, Retired Fleet Engineer
The speakers then moved on to the present range of award-wnning vehicles currently within the company portfolio.
Their insight shone a light on all industry commercial vehicle requirements from the maximum weight long haul XG+, distribution market XD, construction industry XDC and XFC models and the versatile LF.
The speakers also outlined the vehicles' technical specifications and design and safety features.
Alternative power systems was another feature on the agenda and speakers shared first-hand insights into the present DAF range of XF and XD Electric Vehicles, as well as future developments.
The evening was rounded off with a very informative Q&A session before the IRTE Northern Centre's Honorary Chairman Sam Archer thanked the speakers for their presentation and vehicle display on behalf of the institution.
Pictured left to right: Mike Sweetmore (IRTE Northern Centre Committee), Northern Centre Hon. Chairman Sam Archer, Phil Moon DAF Trucks, Harvey King Lancashire DAF.