Brighton Tools & Fixings knows all about premium-quality equipment – which explains why it is now running four new Mercedes-Benz vehicles supplied by local Dealer Rossetts Commercials.
Three stylish Citan vans are allocated to Sales Representatives, who visit construction sites and other locations across much of East and West Sussex, and parts of Kent, to promote the company’s comprehensive range of power tools and manual tools, fixings and other site consumables.
The Citan is the smallest van ever to wear a three-pointed star, and offers exemplary comfort, practicality, reliability, and safety. It is also a big winner at the pumps. Packed with clever features, Brighton Tools & Fixings’ Long-bodied 109 CDI variants deliver outstanding economy in the combined cycle of up to 65.7 mpg, and CO2 emissions as low as 112 g/km.
The fourth vehicle, an X-Class pickup, is now the personal transport of Managing Director Matt Hyde. The imposingly styled four-door, five-seater combines robustness, functionality, strength and off-road performance, with the classical design, comfort, driving dynamics and safety characteristics of a true Mercedes-Benz.
A top-of-the-range X 350 d model, it is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel which delivers a muscular 258 hp and 555 Nm of torque over a wide engine speed range, and is paired with a 7G-TRONIC PLUS seven-speed automatic transmission featuring steering wheel-mounted shift paddles.
Mr Hyde founded Brighton Tools & Fixings in 1991 with his father Arthur, who retired a decade ago but remains a Director. The company, which operates from headquarters on the Centenary Industrial Estate, stocks a large range of power tools by some of the industry’s biggest names, together with laser and routing products, hand tools and consumables.
“The X-Class is exceptionally smooth to drive, with a refined and very well-equipped interior,” confirmed Mr Hyde, who also uses his pickup to visit sites, as well as to attend meetings with customers, and for general support purposes. “The substantial payload allowance of just under a tonne is useful too, as it means I can transport everything I need without having to worry about exceeding the weight limit.
“Our Sales Representatives are equally pleased with their new Citans,” he continued. “They were in car-derived vans previously, and the Citan represents a definite step-up in terms of prestige, comfort and all-round quality. It’s also a more practical vehicle in which to carry product samples, catalogues, literature, and the like.”
Equally important to Brighton Tools & Fixings is the Mercedes-Benz ServiceCare Plan arranged by Rossetts Commercials. As a truck and van specialist, the Dealer understands the importance of keeping businesses moving, so offers night-time vehicle maintenance and repair support.
Meanwhile, like all new vans sold through the official Mercedes-Benz Dealer network, the operator’s new Citans and X-Class are backed by three-year, unlimited mileage warranties, and came with MobiloVan cover, which includes free, 24-hour emergency roadside assistance.
“The back-up was a key factor behind our decision to switch to Mercedes-Benz,” confirmed Matt Hyde. “The business is going well and has been growing strongly, but we operate in a tough market. As an independent we have to differentiate ourselves from larger competitors by providing a higher level of service. That means our vehicles must be available for work when we need them, not laid up in a workshop.”
Rossetts Commercials took back the company’s three previous vans and its MD’s former pickup in part-exchange against its new Mercedes-Benz vehicles. “Van Sales Executive Martin Gearing was very attentive, and I was pleasantly surprised by the competitive cost of the package he put together,” recalled Mr Hyde.
“For less than I expected we’ve been able to upgrade to better vehicles that can only enhance our image in the eyes of established and prospective customers, and hold out the promise of proper, commercially-focused aftersales support.”
