Drinks supplier Britvic Ireland is aiming high by going low with its latest two Mercedes-Benz delivery trucks.
Both Axor 1824LL models, they were supplied by Newtownabbey dealer Mercedes-Benz Truck & Van (NI) and feature extended Lo-line chassis and full air suspension.
The new 18-tonners wear the livery of Magner’s Irish Cider, one of the drinks brands they distribute to pubs, clubs, hotels, restaurants and shops around the Greater Belfast area from Britvic Ireland’s base at Castlereagh.
Customer Services Manager Billy Grange says: “The combination of the low chassis and air suspension brings a significant reduction in the height of the vehicle’s load bed.
“That in turn means our delivery teams can do more of their work from the ground and spend much less time at height, which improves safety and convenience, and speeds up the job too.”
Britvic Ireland approached several suppliers after deciding it wanted low vehicles with air suspension and long chassis.
Mr Grange recalls: “Nobody could offer all of these features in a standard vehicle. However, Mercedes-Benz was able to supply a stretched 18-tonne chassis, converted at its own factory, whereas competitors could only offer after-market conversions.
“We were adamant that we wanted a factory-built vehicle with full manufacturer’s warranty. Mercedes-Benz made the whole process really easy and even put us in touch with other operators running similar vehicles, so we could get some unbiased feedback.”
And he adds: “Our new Axor are ideally suited to the job. The crews think they’re brilliant, not least because their lives have been made much easier; they can even drop the suspension by degrees at the front or the back to create a level working platform when they’re parked on an incline.”
Britvic Ireland acquired the Castlereagh operation in August 2007, when it purchased former owner Cantrell & Cochrane. The company is now the second largest branded soft drinks supplier in Ireland with around 1,000 employees on both sides of the border.
Cantrell & Cochrane purchased its first Mercedes truck, an Actros tractor unit, in 2006, and went on to add another two tractors and four rigid vehicles to its 25-strong fleet.
Source: Britvic
