Antos trucks: new additions to the Bestway fleet
Business & Logistics
Outstanding reliability and Dealer back-up contribute to low cost of Mercedes-Benz ownership for a UK success story.
A decade after it began operating Mercedes-Benz trucks, the UK’s largest independent food wholesaler is forging ahead with its plan to move to a van fleet in which every vehicle wears a three-pointed star. Bestway Wholesale made the switch from its previous light commercial vehicle supplier by purchasing its first 56 Sprinters. Key to that decision was the fact that unlike its main competitor, the 3.5-tonne Sprinter had not gained significant extra weight in order to meet the latest emissions regulations.
By also substituting traditional ply-lining with an innovative, lightweight polycarbon alternative, Mercedes-Benz was able to offer Bestway a Sprinter 313 CDI in Euro 5b emissions specification with a payload of more than 1 200 kg (after deduction of a 75 kg allowance for the driver). “This was a good deal higher than our established van supplier could come up with,” confirms Bestway Wholesale Transport Manager Pretash Patel. “Every single kilo counts in our operation, so the payload advantage was crucial.”
The Sprinters, most of which wear Bestway Foodservice liveries, make daily deliveries to its customer base of independent retailers and caterers, from a network of 63 Bestway and Batleys branches across mainland UK. Not that Bestway’s first Sprinter order marked the beginning of a new relationship – the company has been buying Mercedes-Benz trucks since 2006 and today they account for most of its near 200-strong fleet.
The truck line-up includes a handful of tractor units and 26-tonne rigids, as well as a number of 7.5-tonne FUSO Canters, the latter also supplied by Mercedes-Benz and specified for their market-leading payload capacity. Backbone of the operation, though, are its 15- and 18-tonne vehicles. Most of the 15-tonne Atego are fitted with fridge bodies, while the 18-tonners are generally used for ambient distribution. These include the latest additions to the truck fleet, all of which are from the Euro VI Antos range and fitted as standard with Mercedes PowerShift automated transmissions.
“It’s the first time we’ve gone with the auto ’box in a vehicle of this size,” says Pretash Patel. “The drivers love it because it makes their lives so easy and allows them to concentrate fully on the road, while it should also help to reduce driveline wear and tear costs. Mercedes-Benz is a prestige brand, which can only reflect well on our own company’s image. Its vehicles continue to prove supremely reliable and cost-effective to operate, while the back-up from its Dealer Network is excellent.”
Photos: Impact
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