Sweden’s Scania has bagged its biggest European order, which will see the company deliver over 2,000 trucks to British transport operator Eddie Stobart Limited and its associated companies.

Due for delivery over a two-year period starting March 2016, the deal will involve several Scania UK dealers, both in terms of vehicle supply and repair and maintenance operations, the manufacturer said.

This is the fourth time Eddie Stobart and its associated companies have placed a major order with Scania in the UK. The first two were for 1,000 vehicles in 2010 and 2012, followed by 1,500 units in 2014.

“We are naturally delighted that the long-established relationship between our organisations has not only flourished but continues to grow. We are now very much looking forward to fulfilling this latest order,” said Claes Jacobsson, MD of Scania (Great Britain) Limited.

Most of the vehicles in the deal will be supplied on 36-month contract hire agreements, including road fund licence and all repair and maintenance. The model mix includes Scania G-Series and R-Series, all with Scania Highline cabs and equipped with 410 or 450hp engines.

“Scania has long played a major role in our fleet and we are naturally extremely pleased to be once again committing to the marque,” says William Stobart, executive chairman of Eddie Stobart Limited. “We have been impressed with Scania’s operating economy over the life of the vehicle and the performance of Scania’s 410 and 450 SCR-only Euro 6 engines.”

These factors, together with the service provided by Scania’s dealer network, were the reasons behind the company’s decision to opt for Scania, Stobart added.

Scania is a major supplier of trucks, buses, coaches and industrial and marine engines in the UK, and has a 90-plus-strong network of service centres there. In 2015, the manufacturer commanded a 19.5% share of the UK heavy truck market, while its combined bus and coach market share amounted to 7%.