Celebrating 100 years with a new Actros Edition 1

DRIVERS

Family company Arthur Spriggs & Sons Ltd celebrate a century of business with the purchase of a brand new Actros Edition 1.

The limited edition truck is one of 35 of the vehicles to be delivered to the UK, with only 400 being produced worldwide. The special truck is the perfect present for a business celebrating its 100th anniversary.

Chris Spriggs and son Harry are pictured with Arthur Spriggs & Sons’ flagship Mercedes-Benz Actros Edition 1.


Celebrating an historical birthday.

Arthur Spriggs started his haulage company in Northamptonshire in 1918 shortly after he had returned from the army following the First World War. His son Derek and wife Jean took over the firm years later, with their son Chris joining the family business in 1979. Chris is now Managing Director and initiated the expansion of the business in 1993, when a new site was acquired in Tewkesbury. Arthur Spriggs & Sons offer all manner of haulage services, from a single pallet delivery to a whole managed fleet, along with long-term warehouse storage solutions.

The company recently turned 100 years old – a fantastic achievement for the family! To celebrate Chris decided to treat his fleet to a brand new Actros Edition 1.


Actros Edition 1 driver Andy Quinn, right, is pictured with colleague Shaun Baker, proud driver of Arthur Spriggs & Sons’ limited edition Actros1.


Two special trucks in the fleet.

Chris confessed, “I’ve been in this business for 40 years and there’s not much that gets me excited these days. When I set eyes on this truck for the first time, though, my reaction was ‘Wow! Now that really is special’.”

The new Actros proudly displays a striking livery which marks their anniversary; however it isn’t the first eye-catching vehicle in their fleet. In 2018, they purchased a limited edition Actros1 tractor unit, recognisable by its sleek black and turquoise paintwork. The company were so impressed, they have  just ordered a further two more of the same vehicle!


“I’m still pinching myself, what an amazing truck!”

– Andy Quinn, Driver, Arthur Spriggs & Sons Ltd



State-of-the-art truck.

Driver Andy Quinn was given the keys to the new truck, as a reward for 18 years of loyal service. He’s thrilled with the opportunity, “Everything about this truck is state-of-the-art,” he said.  

Indeed, the latest Actros model is powered by a range-topping 15.6-litre straight-six engine which produces a potent 460 kW (625 hp) and offers an array of ground-breaking innovations including aerodynamically optimised MirrorCam technology, saving fuel and improving visibility of common ‘blind spots’ for increased safety and convenience.

The vehicle features Active Brake Assist 5 (ABA5), which allows the truck to perform emergency braking when pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles are detected in its path, helping to prevent collisions. Also included is enhanced Predictive Powertrain Control technology and a modern Multimedia Cockpit.

These features are standard in the new Actros.


Actros Edition 1 driver Andy Quinn.


“It’s obvious that the driver was the number one priority for Mercedes-Benz when it designed the Edition 1.”

– Andy Quinn, Driver, Arthur Spriggs & Sons Ltd


Superb special features.

The special Actros Edition 1 is loaded with extra equipment and stylish details to set it apart from the rest. The exterior boasts a distinctive gloss black grille, darkened headlamp covers and rims, and an Edition 1 branded sun visor incorporating four extra LED main-beam headlamps.

Whilst the GigaSpace cab includes black leather-trimmed interior – including door handles with contrasting topstitching  and a polished and brushed aluminium dashboard badge that confirms it as ‘One of 400’ Edition 1s. He can choose from no fewer than eight colours of ambience ceiling lighting and a bed that measures an industry-leading 900 mm wide – described by Andy as “a bunk-and-a-half” with wraparound curtain, for total relaxation.

It’s the perfect home-from-home for Andy, as he explains, “MirrorCam is a real step forward in terms of safety, not least because it eliminates a major ‘blind spot’, while my seat and bunk are unbelievably comfortable. I love the way it looks too.”


Actros Edition 1 driver Andy Quinn.


Reliable and cost-effective.

Arthurs Spriggs & Sons have commissioned a number of Euro VI Actros models over the years, dating back to 2012. One of those vehicles, a 26-tonne curtainsider, was the UK’s very first Mercedes-Benz rigid to meet the emissions standard that remains in force to this day.

“That truck continues to be a brilliant workhorse,” confirmed Chris Spriggs. “Our Euro VI Actros have always been fantastically reliable, cost-effective vehicles to run, and if the Edition 1 serves us as well as those that have gone before I’ll be a very happy man indeed.”



What’s next?

The company has come a long way since 1918 and it continues to grow. Chris’ sons Harry and Billy have also joined the family business and are the fourth generation to do so. With 60 Mercedes-Benz and FUSO trucks, in various sizes and now a breath-taking special edition vehicle in its fleet, we can see Arthur Spriggs & Sons continuing their success, maybe for another 100 years!


What do you think of the special new Actros Edition 1?

Does it have the ‘wow’ factor? Tell us your thoughts either in the below comment section or by private message.

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