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A fast-expanding building supplies and hardware group is launching its own van fleet, with the help of Mercedes-Benz.
Altham-based UKHD Group, which has gone from a standing start to a staff of 95 in just four years, is now running four Mercedes Sprinters supplied by Blackburn dealer Ciceley Commercials. Up to 16 more are set to follow by the middle of next year.
The group of nine companies previously relied on independent carriers to deliver goods to customers nationwide, but has now decided to take its transport operations in-house.
Its first vehicles are all Extra Long 3.5-tonne Sprinter 311CDIs - three are panel vans, the fourth is a chassis cab with curtainside body by Alloy Bodies, of Manchester. Three more curtainsiders are due for delivery this month (June).
"The Sprinter is the ideal size at the moment but we'll probably look at adding some Mercedes trucks when we get into inter-depot trunking in the near future," says UKHD Group's Chairman Jamie Govier.
"We chose Mercedes-Benz because of its reputation for producing reliable and long-lived vehicles. It's also a brand that underpins our own corporate image in term of quality, professionalism and service; we already run a fleet of Mercedes cars."
UKHD Group was established by Mr Govier and business partner Geoff Grierson in 2004 to provide a broad range of products - including building supplies, hardware, ironmongery, safety items and personalised work garments - from its main distribution centre at Altham. Other depots are located in Blackburn, Preston, Stockport, Leeds and Accrington, with more planned for South Yorkshire, the Midlands and London.
Says Mr Govier: "The Sprinter is comfortable and easy to drive, and we're getting good fuel economy already. It's also easy to load and unload, particularly at some of the tighter sites to which we deliver."
UKHD's Mercedes vans came with a market-leading, unlimited mileage, three-year warranty. "We expect our Sprinters to do 50-60,000 miles a year so the generous warranty is a big bonus," adds Mr Govier.
"The people at Ciceley Commercials have also been very professional and easy to deal with; the vehicles arrived on time and the final product looks superb." |
| | | Sprinter The benchmark of its class with superb load space |
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