The UK’s leading supplier of concrete safety barriers is going up in the world after becoming one of the first UK customers for a new van model from Mercedes-Benz.
Nottingham-based Hardstaff Traffic Barrier Services has bought a 3.5-tonne Sprinter 313CDI Dualiner from local dealer Mertrux.
Like its established Vito Dualiner stablemate, the factory-built Sprinter Dualiner retains a useful load area but adds a second row of three seats, allowing it to carry a crew of six, including the driver.
Hardstaff Traffic Barrier Services is part of the Hardstaff Group of companies, which can trace its origins back some 150 years. The group’s interests include a truck dealership, a road haulage operation, and engineering excellence in the area of dual fuel vehicle technology which allows standard production vehicles to run reliably and efficiently on natural gas and biogas.
Hardstaff Traffic Barrier Services is a long-standing customer of Mertrux. As well as operating a handful of Mercedes trucks, it has been relying on 2.7-tonne Mercedes Vitos to transport the crews responsible for installing its temporary barriers, together with their tools and equipment. However, the recent addition to its portfolio of new temporary barrier systems meant a larger van was needed.
“We are finding that in order to install these new systems we have to carry more and heavier equipment such as generators, compressors and impact guns,” explains Hardstaff Operations Manager Paul Ashmore.
“The Vito just isn’t big enough for this role but because Mercedes vans have always proved so reliable, we were only ever going to choose a Sprinter.”
In fact, the Long-bodied, high-roofed 313CDI is not the first Mercedes Sprinter to wear the colours of Hardstaff Traffic Barrier Services – the company operated Sprinters some years ago, before ‘down-sizing’ to the Vito.
“I used to drive our old Sprinters and although they never let us down, they couldn’t begin to compare to this new one,” continues Mr Ashmore. “It represents a massive step forward in terms of comfort, space and specification and is an absolute pleasure to drive.”
Reliability remains the key, though, especially because Hardstaff is regularly called upon to make emergency barrier deployments, for example after a major road accident or a toxic spillage. The firm also installs protective barriers ahead of major public events.
Mr Ashmore was a guest of Mertrux at a recent Mercedes-Benz Van Experience showcase, where existing and prospective customers where given the opportunity to put vehicles through their paces on a test track and experience at first-hand the effectiveness of their many safety systems, including the latest Adaptive ESP® anti-skid program.
“It was hugely impressive,” he recalls. “As an employer we’re very conscious of our Duty of Care obligations to staff so the fact that the Mercedes Vito and Sprinter are also the safest vans on the road is another major ‘plus’.”
The new Sprinter is the subject of a contract hire deal with Lombard Vehicle Management and is being maintained by the workshop team at Mertrux, Nottingham. “We’re delighted with the vehicle and I can certainly see us ordering more next year,” adds Mr Ashmore. |
