Kent-based van operators are enjoying enhanced levels of aftersales support following a major refurbishment of its Sittingbourne workshop by Mercedes-Benz Dealer Sparshatt Truck & Van.
The creation of a dedicated unit for van servicing at the company’s headquarters on the Eurolink Industrial Estate was made possible by the relocation of its successful bodyshop operation to a new site, a short distance away.
A leading member of the Mercedes-Benz Trucks Dealer network, Sparshatt is also authorised by the manufacturer to maintain and repair vans. Using the latest diagnostic equipment and tooling, and fitting only Mercedes-Benz GenuineParts, its Sittingbourne van team offer a full complement of aftersales services, including Class 4, 5 and 7 MoTs.
As a commercial vehicle specialist, Sparshatt understands the crucial importance of ‘uptime’ to operators. Its new van centre is therefore open from 6am until 10pm on weekdays, and from 6am until lunchtime on Saturdays.
“This means that customers can get their vehicles serviced, repaired and tested at times which suit them,” explained Kevin Wise, the Dealer’s General Manager – Aftersales. “Our out-of-hours capability is an important benefit for those who need their vans to be out on the road and earning during the normal working day.”
Sparshatt Truck & Van has a 45-year track record of serving operators of vehicles bearing the three-pointed star. The company was acquired last year by Steve and Paul Rooney, who have embarked on an ambitious programme of investment in facilities and people – the £200,000 workshop project comes hot on the heels of the £330,000 spent on new, state-of-the-art paint booths for the bodyshop.
Kevin continued: “I’ve been here for 36 years and there’s a lot of experience in my team, while we also have some very talented and enthusiastic younger technicians, some qualified, others still apprentices.
“The fact that we’re trusted to look after vehicles belonging to some of the country’s biggest fleet operators, including the likes of DPD, G4S and Loomis, should give those who might only run one or two vans the confidence to know they’re in safe hands with Sparshatt.”
The van centre is smartly finished and has nine bays. Importantly, the Dealer has also introduced a new routing system, dividing vans arriving at or leaving the site from heavy trucks, and a van-only parking area.
“As regular customers will recall, demand for our services meant that parking has long been a challenge here at Sittingbourne,” said Kevin. “Not any longer. Relocation of the bodyshop has given us the room we needed not only to create a comprehensively equipped service facility which is fully dedicated to light commercial vehicles, but also to reorganise the approach so that van drivers are clearly directed to their own, designated parking area.
“The decision to separate our van and truck service operations is already proving hugely successful, and means the system works more efficiently and smoothly to the benefit of all our customers.”
