| 
|
 |
East London-based scaffolding specialist Trad is gearing up for what it hopes will be an Olympic construction bonanza by moving to new, larger premises and investing in a fleet of clean, ‘green’ BlueTec® Mercedes Axor tractor units.
Supplied by dealer Sparshatts of Kent, the 14 new trucks have 360hp SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) engines that meet super-tough Euro 5 EC emissions regulations which do not come into force until 2009.
All are 4x2 Axor 1836 models with standard sleeper cabs, behind which are mounted Fassi 130A cranes capable of lifting one tonne at a distance of 10.5 metres. Their arrivals coincided with Trad’s impending move from its present four-acre home to a new, seven-acre site just four miles away, in Renwick Road, Barking.
Group Managing Director Des Moore declares: “We now have a modern, environmentally-friendly delivery fleet and a purpose-built, much larger base right in the heart of the development area for the 2012 London Olympics.
“So yes, of course, we’re very optimistic that we’ll be able to pick up valuable new contracts as a result of all the work that will soon be getting underway, right on our doorstep.”
Founded in 1969 by Hayden Smith, Trad Scaffolding has since diversified into the Trad Group of construction-related companies. Trad Hire and Sales, its national hire and sales organisation, will shortly be taking delivery from Sparshatts of a 6x2 Axor 2529L with Euro 4 engine, Chelmer Truck Bodies platform body and Hiab crane, due to increased levels of business at its Stockport depot.
The Axor tractors have replaced Trad Scaffolding’s previous, Swedish marque fleet. The operator originally sought quotes from five companies, before whittling them down to just two.
“We plumped for the Axor because although they were by no means the cheapest, Sparshatts put together a very competitive deal using Mercedes-Benz finance,” reveals Transport Manager John Oates. “This, coupled with the uneclipsed reputation of the Mercedes badge for both reliability and quality, made it an obvious choice.
“After sales back-up was a key factor too. We were impressed with the dealer’s presentation and it is now sending technicians to our site to carry out routine inspections and maintenance overnight, so we don’t incur any downtime.
“And we wanted Euro 5 trucks because we all share a responsibility to do as much as possible to tackle global warming. As a pioneer member of Transport for London’s Freight Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) we are also hoping to secure reductions in the Congestion Charge, if not its elimination altogether, for those vehicles with the lowest emissions.”
Mr Oates continues: “It is disappointing that having taken a lead in the operation of environmentally-friendly fleets, companies like ourselves are not being rewarded with the Reduced Pollution Certificates that would allow us to make significant savings on Vehicle Excise Duty because our trucks are not fitted with NOx sensors.
“But I know that various trade bodies and manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz are lobbying the Department of Transport to point out the unfairness of this policy and hopefully secure a change of heart. Obviously, we hope they succeed.”
Trad Scaffolding’s new Mercedes are working primarily in London and the south-east on projects of all sizes, ranging from high street refurbishments to construction of the new Wembley Stadium, for its long-standing client base.
“The Axor only carry about nine tonnes on average and our mileages are very low, so we’re intending to run them for at least seven years,” adds Mr Oates. |
| | |
Models
Your toolkit