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The first trucks to wear the striking new livery of Meachers Transport and Warehousing are also its first to wear the three-pointed star of Mercedes-Benz.
A leading provider of transport and warehousing for over 50 years, Meachers has headquarters in Southampton. However, the 12 new Mercedes tractors are operating from its other main depot in Derby, where the company has recently enjoyed a surge in business levels.
The throughput of goods at this site doubled over 12 months, thanks to increased demand from the likes of e-bookers, Renderplas and Air International Transit. It was for this reason that it recently expanded its warehousing facilities in Derby by more than 50 per cent, purchasing an additional facility next door to its depot in Raynesway.
Meachers’ new Mercedes are all BlueTec® Euro 4 Actros 2544 models with Long Distance sleeper cabs and the latest, 12-speed Mercedes-Benz PowerShift automated transmissions. They arrived via Derby dealer Mertrux, which has also taken orders for three Euro 5 units, to be supplied early next year.
Meachers Transport operates a fleet of around 80 trucks, which has traditionally been dominated by MAN and ERF – no surprise given that, until mid-2005, the Meachers Group also held a sales and servicing franchise for the two brands in Southampton.
Meachers Director Richard Lambourne explains: “Since selling the dealership in Southampton we’re no longer tied to MAN. We’d not bought trucks from them before, but I’ve known the senior management at Mertrux for many years and they were keen to do business.
“The fact that their workshop is only about a mile from our own premises clearly appealed, but they also put together a very attractive and competitive deal. The package felt right and we couldn’t be happier with our Actros.”
He continues: “These are still early days as far as mpg figures are concerned, but the early returns are promising. What we can say for sure, though, is that the drivers absolutely love their new Mercedes.
“We haven’t had one complaint, which is unusual when you introduce a new truck. The Mercedes are comfortable, quiet and easy to drive – the PowerShift transmission is a particular success, because it makes their lives so much easier.”
Three times a winner of prestigious awards from the Institute of Transport Management, Meachers prides itself on offering innovative supply chain solutions across a diverse range of industry sectors.
Its Actros are being serviced under five-year Mercedes-Benz repair and maintenance contracts. “We’re dealing with people we know and they’re looking after us exceptionally well,” adds Mr Lambourne. |
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