Tried and tested performance and reliability meant that when National Plastics needed a batch of new vans, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter was the only vehicle in the frame.
The specialist upvc building products supplier’s latest Sprinter 313 CDI Long chassis cabs arrived via South Wales Dealer Euro Commercials. All ten are fitted with bespoke box bodies by Cardiff Truck & Bus, which feature retractable curtains to the nearside for ease of loading and unloading.
Newport-based National Plastics supplies a huge range of fascia boards, guttering, soffits, cladding and related products, as well as windows, doors, carports and conservatories, to customers across the UK – with a network of 31 depots and a thriving online distribution business, it claims to be the country’s largest independent trade counter. Items are delivered to customers in a fleet of 32 vans, close to half of which are now from Mercedes-Benz.
“We’ve tried vans by a variety of manufacturers but none have performed as well as our Sprinters,” said Operations Director Paul Brough. “Their fuel efficiency is excellent and the overall running costs are highly competitive, not least because they’re so reliable.
“They’re also well-liked by our drivers, who find the cabs comfortable and user-friendly, and the level of safety equipment fitted as standard is also extremely high – a crucial attribute given our Duty of Care responsibilities to staff and other road users.
“Meanwhile, the service we receive from Euro Commercials is very professional too. The vehicle ordering and delivery process is handled extremely smoothly by sales executive Paul Reynolds and we have an excellent working relationship with the team at the Dealer’s Newport depot, where our vans are serviced.”
Mr Brough was a guest of Euro Commercials at the recent Mercedes-Benz VanExperience LIVE event, at Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire, where he enjoyed the opportunity to drive models from the manufacturer’s award-winning range both on- and off-road, and to learn more about its array of support services.
“The day was both entertaining and informative,” he recalled. “In my position, I don’t often have the opportunity to get behind the wheel, so it was useful to be able to get a feel for the vehicles our staff work with day-to-day.
“The range of abilities demonstrated was highly impressive, as were the presentations on services such as MobiloVan, the manufacturer’s emergency roadside assistance service.
“As a result, I feel even more strongly that we’ll continue to invest in Mercedes-Benz in the future, so that within the next couple of years I expect the vast majority of our vans to wear three-pointed stars.”
