Everything in the garden is coming up rosy for landscaping contractor Roy Cowie, following the arrivals of its latest vehicles from Mercedes-Benz Dealer BLS Truck & Van.
The Aberdeenshire company, which holds two Royal warrants having carried out work on Her Majesty the Queen’s Balmoral Estate, and Birkhall, the Scottish residence of Prince Charles, is now running four new Sprinter tippers with seven-seat crew cabs.
All are 314 CDI models with fuel-efficient 143 hp engines and bodies by Ingimex, of Telford. Three of the vans had been pre-built and were available from stock, so could start work without delay.
The subject of a flexible, low-cost Agility funding agreement from Mercedes-Benz Finance, the Sprinters have replaced vehicles by another manufacturer. Their spacious crew cabs allow teams of between three and five operatives to travel in comfort and provide a safe space for tools, wet weather clothing and personal effects to be securely locked away.
Banchory-based Roy Cowie, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2019, acquired its first Sprinter three years ago. “It was a revelation,” recalled Director Cam Paterson. “The build quality was a clear step up from what we’d been used to and it has proved to be far more reliable than the vehicles we’d been using.
“Since switching to Mercedes-Benz we’ve enjoyed dependable performance – wear and tear parts like brake pads, for example, are lasting twice as long. Meanwhile, the customer service from BLS Sales Executive Patrick Lovie and from the workshop team who maintain our Sprinters is excellent.
“So, too, is the Agility finance package, which represents great value for money and comes with predictable costs that allow us to budget with confidence, as well as a range of options at the end of the term.”
Safety is another key consideration for Roy Cowie. Standard features on its new Sprinters include Active Brake Assist, which can stop the vehicle autonomously if required, Adaptive ESP®, and Crosswind Assist for increased stability, as well as ATTENTION ASSIST, which detects signs of tiredness and warns the driver.
“The package is excellent and we plan to replace our remaining vans as they come up for renewal with more Mercedes-Benz vehicles,” added Mr Paterson.
Established in 1994, Roy Cowie employs a staff of 65. Its fleet of 30 vans now includes 10 by Mercedes-Benz. The Sprinters work on landscaping, grounds and garden maintenance contracts for commercial and private clients across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. They also undertake gritting work on trading estates, car parks and the like, using electrically-powered grit hoppers and spreaders which can be fitted to their load beds.
Cam Paterson, meanwhile, makes site visits and attends client meetings in his Mercedes-Benz X 250 d, which was also supplied by BLS Truck & Van last year. The stylish pickup combines standards of comfort, driving dynamics and safety not previously seen in its market segment, with genuine hard-grafting credentials.
The vehicle’s high-torque, 2.3-litre engine transmits its 190 hp output via a seven-speed automatic transmission, and offers impressive performance both on-road and across rough terrain. Underlining its everyday practicality and fitness for purpose, it also offers a payload of more than 1.0 tonne and can tow a further 3.5 tonnes.
“The X-Class is a fantastic vehicle, with a real premium feel, but it’s a proper workhorse too,” enthused Mr Paterson. “The carrying and towing capacity, and all-wheel drive capability, certainly come in handy in our line of work. We cover a large area, so if I have to drive a long distance to meet a client the pickup’s comfortable cab and excellent driving manners mean I always arrive feeling fresh and relaxed.”
