Driver appeal, coupled with the promise of excellent reliability and competitive whole-life costs, prompted family-owned waste management specialist Cawleys to invest in its first Mercedes-Benz Antos. The Luton-based company’s new 26-tonner arrived via the Milton Keynes branch of Dealer Intercounty Truck & Van.
The Antos 2632 has a ClassicSpace M-Cab with extra storage space behind the seats. Its 7.7-litre, straight-six engine generates 235 kW (320 hp), which is transmitted to both rear axles via a smooth and efficient eight-speed Mercedes PowerShift automated gearbox.
The Antos is fitted with a Heil Powerlink compactor body and collects commercial waste in large wheeled bins from the premises of business customers across the Home Counties and in London. The subject of a five-year Mercedes-Benz Repair and Maintenance contract, it is being inspected and serviced at Intercounty Truck & Van’s Toddington workshop.
“It’s all about ‘horses for courses’,” explained Head of Waste Collection Phil Gudgeon. “The Antos is better suited to this application than the low-entry Mercedes-Benz Econic it has replaced, because it entails covering greater distances and making fewer stops than required for a domestic waste collection round.
“We spoke to other operators in our industry before placing our order, and it’s clear that Mercedes-Benz trucks have an excellent reputation for reliability, which will be crucial if we’re to deliver a service on which our customers can depend.
“The truck has been extremely well received by our drivers and the early indications are that it will be significantly more fuel efficient than its predecessor. This is important because as well as reducing our operating costs, it is helping to minimise the impact of our business on the environment.”
Mr Gudgeon added: “We’ve been very impressed with the service from Intercounty Truck & Van. Strong working partnerships with customers are crucial, but so, too, are our relationships with suppliers.
“The Dealer’s Sales Executive Ben Cooper demonstrated an impressive willingness to learn about our business and understand our needs, putting together a vehicle specification that is perfectly tailored to our operation. The support package, meanwhile, is both comprehensive and cost-effective.”
Established in 1947 and now in the third generation of family ownership, Cawleys specialises in collecting and, where possible, recycling commercial waste, including food and hazardous and sensitive materials. It runs a fleet of 16 trucks which handle a variety of wheeled bins and skips.
The company has a policy of aiming for zero waste to landfill, preferring instead to recycle – to this end it operates its own materials recycling, waste-to-energy and anaerobic digestion facilities.
The Mercedes-Benz Antos range is purpose-designed for heavy-duty, short-radius roles – rigid chassis at 18 and 26 tonnes gvw offer outstanding driving dynamics and manoeuvrability, economical, high-torque engines and smooth Mercedes PowerShift automated transmissions which contribute to their exceptional levels of comfort.
