Roofing contractor Pinnacle Slating & Tiling knows it can bank on superb reliability from the Mercedes-Benz Vito – it has one that’s still going strong and looking good after a decade, while Managing Director Warren Howell is a big fan of the Vito Sport crew van he purchased a year ago.
The Oswestry-based company runs 12 vans, all but a couple of which are by Mercedes-Benz, as well as a 7.5-tonne skip truck. Supplied by Dealer Roanza Truck & Van, and acquired with competitive funding support from Mercedes-Benz Finance, the latest arrivals are both Vito 111 CDI models. Instead of the usual gleaming painted panels, they wear stunning vinyl-wrap artwork by M&M Signs & Graphics, of Stoke-on-Trent, which depicts the heavily riveted metalwork of a machine that might appear in a post-apocalyptic sci-fi movie.
Their 1.6-litre engines offer outstanding fuel economy of 45.6 mpg (combined cycle). Other variants of the mid-sized Vito range are available with rear-wheel drive, but the 111 CDI’s 114 hp output is transmitted via the front wheels.
The vans are now working hard, transporting Pinnacle’s staff, together with their tools and equipment, to sites within a 35-mile radius of its headquarters. The company provides pitched and flat roof construction and repair services to a wide range of commercial customers, local authorities and private homeowners.
“Our Vito vans have proved themselves to be great performers over a long working life – the oldest has 160,000 miles on the clock – which explains why we keep coming back for more,” said Mr Howell. “They never give us any trouble and always fetch a good price when we come to replace them. Even after 10 years, there’s never a shortage of buyers.
“Mercedes-Benz vans are very cost-effective to operate but they’re also premium products, and certainly not ‘built down to a price’,” he continued. “That makes them a perfect fit for our own business, which has an ethos of quality workmanship and customer-focused service. The Vito has exactly the image we want to project to our clients.”
Mercedes-Benz Vans also leads the field in terms of safety. The Vito is equipped as standard with features such as Adaptive ESP®, ATTENTION ASSIST, Crosswind Assist, and driver and passenger airbags.
“The safety specification of our vans is also very reassuring,” observed Mr Howell. “As a company which is experienced in working at height, we make health and safety our number one priority. Here, too, Mercedes-Benz complements our own commitment.”
Like all new vans bearing the three-pointed star, Pinnacle Slating & Tiling Vito models are also backed by three-year, unlimited mileage manufacturer’s warranties, and came with MobiloVan cover, which includes free, round-the-clock emergency roadside assistance.
“That’s a service we’ve never had to call upon, but it’s nice to know it’s there,” said Mr Howell. “It’s another example of the great customer care we receive from Mercedes-Benz and Roanza Truck & Van.”
Commenting on the distinctive appearance of his vehicles, he said: “I had my own Vito crew van wrapped a year ago, and our supplier tried to persuade me to go for the futuristic riveted metalwork design at the time,” recalled Mr Howell.
“I didn’t think it was the right finish for a personal vehicle with a second row of seats, so opted for matt black instead. It is perfect for our working vans, though. It’s a bold look and is certainly helping to get us noticed because the vans really stand out.”
