The Actros 1863 from Kawatrans is not just an eye-catcher
Economics & Logistics
Even the coffee maker is stylish – Katja Vandeperre and Warre Daems put a lot of experience and a love of detail into their truck.
Actros 1863: equipped with the OM 473 engine and an output of 460 kW, the Kawatrans Actros is on the road with a top-of-the-range engine.
Kawatrans is Katja Vandeperre’s and Warre Daems’ company. This married couple travels all week in an Actros 1863 which you’d call special at the very least. “Our new truck represents the success story that we started 17 years ago,” Katja Vandeperre begins – she gave up her job as a hairdresser to work with her husband as his driving partner. “This way we were able to work at a turnaround speed that is ideal for transport jobs that require fast delivery,” Warre Daems continues. The couple adds that working together so intensively is ideal for getting the best out of their relationship whilst earning a good income.
After working together as employees for sometime, Katja and Warre decided to found their own company. “At the beginning we concentrated on air freight. For Katja who had just learned to drive, air freight haulage, which is usually on motorways, was the perfect learning experience,” recalls Warre Daems. After a short time transporting plants, Kawatrans landed in the business of refrigerated haulage. “We’ve now been transporting vegetables, meat and occasionally plants for years,” says Katja Vandeperre.
The Actros 1863 truck catches your eye immediately. Not only because of its special design, but also due to its fully customised interior. “Our truck is the result of a close cooperation between various parties who all gave their very best,” says Katja Vandeperre. They even thought about Zorro, the dog who got his own corner in the cab.
Actros impresses in tests.
Geert Van Dyck from Mercedes VDH was able to convince the couple of the Actros’s attributes during a two-week test. “He gave the appropriate answers to all our express wishes and requirements. And the Actros did the rest itself thanks to the qualities it has to offer. At the end of the two weeks I was a convert to the brand,” Warre Daems admits.
Rear view: Kawatrans can be found on the licence plate too.
The Actros 1863 isn’t just the dream of every trucker because of its design, but also because of its driving characteristics. “Its road adhesion is exemplary and its stability fantastic. Sometimes we call it our workhorse, but the standard of comfort in this Actros is so high that you sometimes forget that it’s a work tool,” Katja Vandeperre points out. “Also Mercedes‑Benz is a pioneer with regard to safety technologies. As far as those are concerned our truck is fully equipped too. Mercedes VDH went a step further and made our beacons adjustable from the cab. Thanks to this button we can easily change the frequency of the beacons which is a further plus point for safety. And that is very important, when you are on the road with everything you love - literally,” Warre Daems concludes.
Photos: Dirk Willemen
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10 comments
Dann allzeit gute und Schrottfreie Fahrt 😎😎🚛🚛👍👍
Dann allzeit gute und Schrottfreie Fahrt 😎😎🚛🚛👍👍
Bilder von der Innenausstattung wären aber auch noch interessant gewesen, wenns schon als so "besonders, individuell" im Artikel beschrieben wird 😕
Bilder von der Innenausstattung wären aber auch noch interessant gewesen, wenns schon als so "besonders, individuell" im Artikel beschrieben wird 😕