Letsema Trade & Invest, a family-run logistics business, has expanded its fleet with two new DAF XF 480 trucks from Babcock, the sole DAF Trucks distributor in southern Africa. Fuel efficiency, driver comfort and a favourable buy-back programme were some of the key factors in the decision.

Founded in 2007 by Shadrack Ntoule, Letsema Trade & Invest started out in the side tipper segment with just two trucks and faced years of slow growth.

The big breakthrough came in 2016 on the back of a large contract from Sasol Chemicals for the transportation of non-hazardous chemicals across South Africa, which ushered in a new era for the business.

Since then, the company has consistently added to its fleet, acquiring its first DAF truck — a new XF 460 — in 2019. Operations Director Tshepo Ntoule, son of the founder, says the experience with that truck exceeded expectations.

“We ran the DAF XF 460 truck for five years, and when we reached the final repayment, Babcock informed us that we had a buy-back option in our contract, something we were not initially aware of. We were impressed by the buy-back value, and consequently traded in our XF 460 for two DAF XF 480 units, which we took delivery of in February this year,” says Ntoule.

Fuel efficiency played a major role in the purchase. “Fuel is our biggest operating cost, so any improvement makes a big difference. Our XF 460 averaged 2.3 km per litre over five years — we were very impressed,” he says.

Driver comfort is another top priority. Ntoule explains that a comfortable working environment helps drivers stay focused, reduces fatigue, and contributes to safety and fuel economy. DAF trucks are known for their spacious cabs, quality seating, low noise levels and advanced safety features — all of which support driver wellbeing.

Ntoule is particularly happy with the flexible and tailored finance packages from Babcock Financial Services. This is complemented by the customised repair and maintenance contracts, which speak directly to the needs of each client. Letsema Trade & Invest believes in servicing trucks with the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) supplier, which is key to maintaining optimal performance, ensuring safety and maximising the trucks’ lifespan and resale value.

Pull quote: “Babcock Financial Services offered tailored finance that met our needs, along with a customised maintenance contract. We believe in servicing trucks through the OEM to ensure performance and protect resale value,” says Ntoule.

“Uptime is critical for our business, and Babcock has shown real commitment to keeping us moving. Based on our experience, we’ll definitely be expanding our DAF fleet in future,” concludes Ntoule.