Lisburn-based food distribution specialist Andrew Ingredients, which celebrated its 70th anniversary this year, is running Northern Ireland’s first van from the ground-breaking Mercedes-Benz New Vito range.
The leading supplier of bakery ingredients and other food products to customers throughout Ireland took delivery of its new vehicle from Newtownabbey Dealer Mercedes-Benz Truck & Van (NI).
A 114 BlueTEC Compact model, it wears a livery that incorporates a special logo celebrating the anniversary. In a nod to the future as well as the past, the design also highlights the company’s presence on social media sites Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
The New Vito played a starring role at a special exhibition to mark the milestone, where it was presented alongside one of the operator’s first delivery vehicles, a beautifully restored Austin A60 half-ton van.
“These days most of our deliveries are made by a fleet of 26-tonne trucks, but our small vans have a vital role to play too,” said Managing Director Tim Andrew. “The new van is already hard at work making urgent deliveries of ingredients, having lined up alongside a vehicle from the previous Vito range that has provided reliable service for five years.”
Mr Andrew continued: “We’ve been operating Mercedes-Benz vehicles for many years now and they’ve always performed well. They’re extremely reliable, cost-effective to operate and present a smart, professional image. Each new model builds on a successful formula; they keep getting better, and the latest Vito is no exception. It’s very refined to drive and will, we’re assured, be even more economical than its predecessor.”
The New Vito 114’s advanced 2.1-litre engine – the first low-emission Euro 6 unit in the mid-sized van class – delivers a lively 136 hp. Yet, thanks to a series of fuel-saving enhancements including alternator management and the ECO start/stop function, it also offers outstanding economy of up to 44.1 mpg in the combined cycle.
New Vito was launched at the 2015 Commercial Vehicle Show in April and has set a new benchmark for performance, efficiency, safety and all-round quality in the mid-sized van segment. It is available in three lengths and at three gross weights and also as a crew van – with a second row of seats – or a Tourer, which can carry a driver and up to eight passengers.
Buyers can also specify 1.6-litre diesel engines, choose from versions with either front- or rear-wheel drive, and opt for six-speed manual or advanced 7G-Tronic Plus seven-speed automatic transmissions.
Suppliers from all over Europe exhibited their wares and services to more than 400 visitors who attended Andrew Ingredients’ 70th anniversary exhibition, which was staged at the company’s headquarters. Among the guests was Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment Jonathan Bell, who officially opened a new test bakery and kitchen. The festivities were capped with a special celebratory dinner for suppliers and staff, at Hillsborough Castle.
