Global steel manufacturer ArcelorMittal has taken delivery of a 7.5-tonne Fuso Canter meeting its requirement for a vehicle with maximum load-carrying ability in a compact package.

As a 7C18 model, the Canter is powered a 3.0-litre common-rail powerplant that generates 129 kW (175 hp) and up to 430 Nm of torque, and is paired with a Duonic dual-clutch automated manual transmission with Eco Mode, Parking and Creep functions.

Its 20ft platform is by Commercial Body Specialists of Stoke-on-Trent. The compact exhaust system means the model meets the Euro VI Step E emission standard.

ArcelorMittal’s depot at Birkenhead supplies a wide variety of steel plates and profiles to customers across the North of England.

Much of this goes to large manufacturing customers including Cammell Laird, where it is used in the construction of ships and submarines.

The new vehicle, supplied by dealer eStar Truck & Van and with a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty, is now working across the North-West, and to Yorkshire and the West Midlands, on a daily basis.

Elliott Taylor, Transport Production Co-ordinator, said: “When we decided to invest in a vehicle of our own to handle this work, it was clear we needed something that would give us the biggest ‘bang for our buck’ on payload but also be compact and manoeuvrable enough to get in and out of sites where access is tight.

“The compact footprint and tight turning circle make it very agile, so for the sort of deliveries we ask it to perform, the Canter really is extremely well suited.”