Beautiful trucks of the year so far

The Bru must get thru.

World-famous soft drinks provider AG Barr purchased nine new Actros 2543 models. The modern vehicles all possess ClassicSpace cabs, 10.7-litre straight-six engines and proudly wear the livery of the international company’s best-known brand, IRN-BRU – otherwise known as’ Scotland’s other national drink.’ AG Barr’s fleet of 47 trucks are 94% Mercedes-Benz with the majority being rigid 26-tonners.

Eye-catching and efficient.

A blue two-tone striped design is the main feature on Woodland Logistics’ vehicles. The 138-strong striking fleet consists of mostly tractor units along with 34 rigids and a combination of 18- and 26-tonners.

However the trucks aren’t just great eye candy, they’re also proving efficient with reports of a 10% improvement in fuel-economy thanks to the Predictive Powertrain Control (PPC) systems. Woodland Logistics Managing Director Sean Kirby confirmed: “We choose Mercedes-Benz trucks for their outstanding reliability and fuel efficiency, which ensure that we are best-placed to succeed in a highly competitive environment.

FUSO Canter is part of Daimler.

Did you know FUSO Canter is part of the Daimler family? The brand is sold and serviced through the Mercedes-Benz Dealer Network in the UK and it’s the most-produced truck of the Daimler Group – 150,000 Canters are sold every year worldwide!

Going green.

International engineering company J Murphy & Sons have matched their livery to their green credentials with their FUSO Canter Eco Hybrids.

The business wanted to respond proactively to the recent introduction of London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) so placed an order for 20 of the vehicles. The compact yet robust trucks are powered by a 110 kW (150hp) diesel engine which works in parallel with a state-of-the-art 40 kW (54hp) electric motor. They also offer excellent manoeuvrability in tight city streets and the low seating position allows drivers to make better contact with pedestrians and cyclists, helping to improve safety.

A bright birthday present for Wren.

This year Wren Kitchens celebrated its 10^th anniversary and commissioned 12 Mercedes-Benz trucks to celebrate. The order featured two Actros 2551 tractor units and 10 fully air-suspended Antos 18-tonners with demountable box bodies, all of which are finished in the company’s trademark vibrant green livery.

“Ultimately, it was Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ leadership in the field of safety that really swung it for us. Nothing is more important to Wren Kitchens than the protection of our employees and, indeed, of other vulnerable road users,” says Lee Holmes, Wren Kitchens’ Vice-President of Transport.

An additional 31 vehicles are due to be delivered including rigids, 10 7.5-tonne FUSO Canters and another 21 18-tonne Antos, most of which will pull drawbar trailers.

Safe and sleek.

Safety is paramount for utilities contractor Ferns Surfacing. The company won’t compromise when it comes to protecting their staff and road-users so have invested in a pair of 32-tonne Mercedes-Benz Econic tipper-grabs.

The dynamic duo is based at the company’s Wembley depot and undertakes all manner of urban projects. For this reason the Econic’s sleek low-entry design with a deep, panoramic windscreen and full-height, glazed passenger door providing maximum visibility, proves essential in heavily congested areas.

– Guy Gregson, Unimog operator

The all-rounder Unimog.

Kent-based contractor Guy Gregson and his business ‘Agritraction’ services the agriculture sector, undertaking tasks such as verge, hedge and grass cutting plus the overseeding of parks and playing fields and clearing snow in winter. For all of his work, he uses a mighty Unimog. The U218 implement carrier is actually his fifth all-terrain Unimog vehicle and he also uses it for traction-only services; with an Operator’s Licence he’s able to drive it at high-speeds on motorways.

Recalling his first Unimog, Mr Gregson said: “I was hooked from the outset. No other truck could touch it in terms of the sheer breadth of its abilities. That remains every bit as true today, as it was then.”

Easy on the eyes and efficient.

P Harper & Sons, a third-generation agricultural business, treated themselves to an Actros 2548 BigSpace tractor unit recently and it exceeded expectations. Adorned in the striking company colours of blue and red, the truck is both easy on the eye and highly efficient with driver Rob giving it the thumbs up, stating it’s the best vehicle he’s ever driven.

The ‘Guv-nor’ of turf and topsoil.

An awesome Arocs! Turf specialists Supreme Turf & Soils have decorated their powerful Mercedes-Benz truck with images of East End boxer, bouncer, businessman, bodyguard and sometimes actor, Lenny McLean. It is also fitted with Kelsa light bars, factory air horns and headlamp covers. The Essex-based business operates under parent company John A. Probert Sons & Grandsons and bears similar designs on the other vehicles in its fleet, which pay homage to McLean who was known locally as the ‘Guv-nor’ – the company wants to be viewed as the ‘Guv-nor’ of turf and topsoil.

The Arocs 2532L tipper-grab is a new addition and is based on a on a 6x2, on-road N3 chassis, which enhances the truck’s agility.

Packing a powerful punch.

CRS Building Supplies are happy with the payload and productivity gains with their 7.5-tonne FUSO Canters. Four of the 7C15 vehicles were purchased, in a vivid red hue, ensuring they stand out on any construction site and pack a serious punch.

CRS Building Supplies Transport Manager Paul Gibbard explains, “Our smallest vehicles are 3.5-tonne tippers which offer payloads of 900 kg. The Canters are barely any bigger in terms of their external dimensions, but can carry an impressive 3.8 tonnes.”

Were you impressed?

We hope you’ve enjoyed browsing through some of our favourite trucks of the year so far. If you’ve got a Mercedes-Benz truck that you’re proud of – share it with us below or send a private message; it may feature in a future RoadStars article!