AXOR TAKES THE BISCUIT
26 October 2005 - Mercedes-Benz

Some of Britain’s best-loved biscuit brands are now being distributed to the regional distribution centres of major supermarkets and other retailers by a new fleet of 10 Mercedes Axor tractor units.

United Biscuits (UB) is a leading European manufacturer and marketer of biscuits and snacks. Its McVitie’s brand is purchased by more than 85 per cent of UK households!

Supplied by Nottingham dealer Mertrux, UB’s new trucks are its first to wear the famous three-pointed star. All 430bhp Axor 2543 models with high-roofed cabs, they are based at UB’s main distribution centre in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, where they have lined up alongside 18 DAF tractors.

Andrew Holbrook, the company’s Vehicle Maintenance Unit Engineering Supervisor, oversaw the acquisition of the new vehicles. He explains: ''We were previously an all-DAF operation but decided to put the latest batch out to tender. So as well as DAF, we spoke to three other manufacturers, one of which was Mercedes.''

UB put demonstrators from all four contenders through their paces before declaring Mercedes-Benz the winner. ''There were a number of factors that persuaded us to come down in favour of the Axor,'' says Mr Holbrook.

''Firstly, the fuel figures were excellent. Most of my DAFs are 380bhp units but to help us increase productivity and delivery capability, as well as to reduce driver fatigue, I wanted to take a step up in horsepower.

''Over the nine days that we ran it the 430bhp Axor demonstrator averaged 9.5mpg at 44 tonnes. That was equal to, if not better than, our DAFs, despite the fact that it’s a bigger engine.''

He continues: ''The Axor was also very well received by our drivers. They particularly liked the comfortable seating position and the layout of the cab. This is their ‘workstation’, the place where they spend most of their time, so the drivers’ opinions were always going to be a crucial factor in our decision.

''And thirdly,'' Mr Holbrook adds, ''the rates for the five-year Mercedes-Benz operating leases to which we’ve signed-up were highly competitive.''

UB’s new Mercedes Axor are double-shifted and will each cover around one million kilometres over the next five years. ''As well as being more powerful, they are also a lot quieter than our DAFs, so the lads are practically fighting over them at the moment,'' he laughs.

Mr Holbrook has also been encouraged by his early dealings with Mertrux. ''Sales executive Gary Millhouse was very attentive throughout the tendering process, while we have also had plenty of support from his colleagues in after sales – we will be using our own workshops for routine maintenance but I have been sending my fitters to Mertrux, Nottingham, to gain some initial instruction about the Axor, and in due course they will be attending more formal training courses at Mercedes-Benz HQ.

''If the service remains this good I can certainly envisage us buying Mercedes again in the future.''

www.mercedes-benz.co.uk

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