Price Express Transport is enjoying reduced operating costs and enhanced Dealer service levels after commissioning its first Mercedes-Benz trucks.
Eye-catching in the Yorkshire operator’s distinctive yellow and blue livery, both are rigid models – a 12-tonne Atego and an 18-tonne Antos.
Price Express Transport is based in Doncaster, a stone’s throw from the local branch of supplying Dealer Northside Truck & Van, which represents the manufacturer in Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire.
Its new trucks have joined a fleet of 31 vehicles of various sizes, which work from the operator’s headquarters, as well as depots in Bristol and Sheffield. They are now hard at work, delivering commercial catering equipment to customers including hotels, cafes and restaurants.
The Mercedes-Benz Atego and Antos ranges are purpose-designed for distribution – at 6.5-16 tonnes gvw the Atego is aimed at those requiring a light- and medium-duty chassis, while Antos rigids at 18 and 26 tonnes gvw fulfil the heavy-duty role. Both offer outstanding driving dynamics and manoeuvrability, economical, high-torque engines and smooth Mercedes PowerShift automated transmissions which contribute to their exceptional levels of comfort.
Price Express Transport’s Atego 1218 is powered by a four-cylinder, 5.1-litre engine generating 130 kW (177 hp), while its Antos 1824 uses a 7.7-litre straight-six rated at 175 kW (238 hp).
Both have ClassicSpace S-Cabs and box bodies by JC Payne, of Walsall – these are built to a taller-than-standard design to provide 2.5 metres of internal headroom and have large rear apertures capable of accepting items such as display fridges which can be up to 2.4 metres high. The new trucks are also equipped with 1,000 kg Dhollandia tail-lifts.
Fleet Manager Craig Oldham said: “Our fleet has been dominated by another brand for some time but we felt the time was now right to look at some other alternatives.
“We researched what was on offer from the other main manufacturers, focusing on three key factors: reliability, because we don’t want trucks breaking down on their way to a delivery; running costs, in terms of both fuel efficiency and maintenance; and ‘uptime’, the amount of time we can expect them to spend on the road, earning their keep, as opposed to in the workshop.”
He continued: “I spoke to a lot of other operators who run Mercedes-Benz trucks and received only positive reports, so I have every confidence that our new trucks will prove dependable.
“Three months after the Antos and Atego entered service we’re delighted with the way things are going. The fuel returns are very promising and they’ve been extremely well received by our drivers.
“Northside Truck & Van’s service has been excellent too. The Dealer’s Sales Executive John Crossland liaised with the bodybuilder on our behalf, which was much appreciated. The fact that Northside’s Doncaster workshop is open round-the-clock means inspections and servicing can be undertaken outside our own working hours, so the trucks are always available for work when we need them.
“What’s more,” he added, “the Mercedes-Benz Repair and Maintenance Contract rates are significantly more competitive than those of our established supplier.”
Established in 1975, Price Express Transport specialised initially in the distribution of computer equipment and urgent freight, before moving 20 years ago into the commercial catering sector. In 1991 it also became a founding, shareholder member of the Palletforce network.
