A commitment to driver comfort as well as operational efficiency prompted South Wales operator John Pearce Glynneath to invest in its first new Mercedes-Benz rigid for some 15 years.
The 18-tonne Actros 1824L is a real head-turner in its smart red and white livery. It was acquired with competitive funding support from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services and arrived, together with three Actros tractor units, via the Swansea branch of Dealer Euro Commercials.
Although it also supports John Pearce Glynneath’s local Pallet Network contract, the new curtainsider spends most of its time on general haulage work. Managing Director Clive Davies explained: “Driver Wayne Whetton has been with us for a number of years now, so we thought we’d get him something tidy to go up the road in. The Actros has a nice, comfortable cab which is spacious and well laid out, while it’s also a great flagship for our company.”
Powered by an advanced, 175 kW (238 hp) straight-six, the truck has an aerodynamic StreamSpace cab. Its appearance is enhanced by the curved roof profile of the 16-pallet body, which is by Newland Coachworks, of Northampton.
The three new Actros 2545 tractors also have StreamSpace cabs. They are now working alongside the four other, 330 kW (450 hp) Actros 2545s commissioned by the operator over the last couple of years. The tractors came with two-year Repair and Maintenance Contracts, while John Pearce has signed-up to a four-year agreement covering the 18-tonner.
Established in 1973 and still family-run – Mr Davies is the founder’s son-in-law – John Pearce Glynneath has been forging ahead strongly over recent years, during which it has significantly expanded its customer base. The company’s location on the A465 between Neath and Merthyr Tydfil means it is perfectly positioned to service the South Wales Valleys, with access to the Midlands via the upgraded Heads of the Valleys road.
A member of both the Road Haulage Association and the Freight Transport Association, John Pearce has won Bronze accreditation from the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS), and is also a member of the SafeContractor scheme.
It runs a fleet of 50 trucks. “We have a long-established relationship with another manufacturer, and continue to buy its products too,” said Mr Davies. “It’s fair to say, though, that we’ve been very happy with the fuel-efficiency and performance of our Actros, while the drivers are also enjoying them.”
The line-up also includes four other Mercedes-Benz rigids that had been pre-owned, and a 7.5-tonne FUSO Canter which is on pallet duties and was supplied by Euro Commercials – Mercedes-Benz Dealers also sell and maintain the popular Japanese light truck range in Britain.
“Euro Commercials does an excellent job for us,” confirmed Clive Davies. “I’ve known its Truck Sales Executive Steve Bastin for a long time and he’s a very good guy, while the Dealer is also very flexible when it comes to collecting our trucks for inspections and services, and returning them afterwards.”
He added: “Business has been very good over the last couple of years, during which we’ve grown fast. That’s largely down to the fantastic people we have working for us. Our suppliers have played their parts too, though, and in Euro Commercials we have one of the best.”
