Category Archives: Vans In Business

News and information relating to the use and function of vans by UK businesses.

Ford Transit Custom expands blue oval role in NHS blood fleet

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NHS Blood Transfusion vehicles from FordVehicles operated by the NHS Blood and Transplant service (NHSBT) may not have the same high profile as other emergency services vehicles, but they deserve to.

Collectively, the NHSBT’s 500-strong fleet is responsible for collecting and transporting blood donations from all around the UK, and distributing them to hospitals as required — sometimes under emergency, blue light conditions.

Ford vehicles already played a major role in the NHSBT fleet, with around 65 per cent of the current fleet featuring the blue oval badge on their bonnet. This presence will now be extended by the addition of the Ford Transit Custom to the NHSBT fleet.

Current NHSBT Ford models include blue-light Ford Focus Estate models and specially-adapted Ford Transits, each of model has a key task in keeping blood supplies circulating.

NHSBT’s national fleet service manager, Larry Bannon, said:

“We are pleased to welcome the Ford Transit Custom on to our fleet and we are sure it will more than meet our expectations. The Transit is recognised throughout this industry as the perennial best in class, and it is certainly the best vehicle that fits our purpose, with excellent network support and a spare parts supply second to none.”

In addition to emergency-service livery and the fitment of special storage equipment, each van is lined in a special waterproof resin to enable power-washing of the interior to ensure cleanliness to prescribed and regularly audited levels.

Larry Bannon added:

“The Ford vans are used in every stage of the blood donation process, from collecting the blood from the village halls and schools where blood donation sessions are set up, then transporting the donated blood to our regional processing sites where it is tested, processed and sorted, through to delivering units of blood to hospitals, whether as part of a routine order or under emergency blue-light cover to meet a hospital’s urgent needs.”

Big payload and small footprint make FUSO Canter obvious choice for tile firm

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Walls and Floors FUSO Canter

As you can see from the size of the fork lift truck in the picture, Walls and Floors FUSO Canters have been fitted with fairly compact curtainside bodies — any more height or length would impact fuel efficiency and be unusuable, due to the high weight of tiles.

When considering what size of van or truck will best suit your requirements, you need to consider both the weight and the size of your typical load.

At one extreme you’ll find ultra lightweight products such as polystyrene packaging, which weigh very little but take up a lot of space.

At the other end of the spectrum are compact, heavy products, such as tiles. As anyone who has ever shifted a few dozen boxes of tiles knows, despite their deceptively small size, they are very heavy.

As a result, vans and trucks delivering tiles need above-average payloads for their size if they are to be fully loaded, while staying safe and legal. The obvious answer to this dilemma is a compact 7.5t truck, rather than a large 3.5t van, and tile retailer Walls and Floors is a faithful adherent of this practice.

The Kettering-based firm recently replaced its previous fleet of Canters with eight new Euro VI models, and John Steel, the firm’s operations director, confirms that payload and footprint are key to the Canter’s appeal:

“The Canter’s industry-leading payload is, of course, key to its appeal. Its size is also important, though – the Canter has a relatively compact footprint for a 7.5-tonner, which allows the vehicle to access tight locations and makes it very manoeuvrable.

The Canter 7C18 is powered by a 129 kW (175 hp) engine that offers a useful combination of economy and performance. Walls and Floors’ vehicles are also equipped with fully automated DUONIC dual clutch transmissions, which deliver smooth, fuel-efficient gear changes and incorporate an Eco Mode feature as standard.

Like their predecessors, the trucks offer impressive payload capacities. Most can carry in excess of 3,750kg, the only exceptions being the two which are additionally equipped with 1,000kg Anteo tuckaway tail-lifts weighing in at around 250kg, which are used for building site deliveries.

Toyota Proace demolishes competition for deconstruction specialist

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GCM Services Toyota ProaceThe Toyota Proace isn’t the most commonly-sighted van on UK roads, not least because the world, the European version is essentially a rebadged Fiat Scudo. Sadly UK drivers can’t get their hands on the highly regarded HiAce model that’s sold in Africa and Australasia.

Still, Toyota’s reputation for build quality and durability means that the Proace is an ideal choice for demanding users, such as Falkirk-based deconstruction contractors GCM Services.

GCM provides its specialist services to heavy industry and the petrochemical sector, and recently purchased several Proace vans to supplement its fleet.

The new vehicles are long-wheelbase models and have been finished in GCM Service’s corporate livery. They will be used for the company’s contract services across the UK, and are expected to stay in service for three years before being replaced.

Commenting on the acquisition, Gordon Marshall, managing director, said:

“We needed vehicles that reflected the quality of our business and which delivered the right capability and reliability. The Toyota Proace fits this profile perfectly.”

Powered by a flexible, efficient 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine, the Proace medium duty van is designed for ease of use. The long-wheelbase model chosen by GCM allows a payloads of up to 1.2 tonnes to be carried, while the firm’s drivers will enjoy a comfortable and safe environment, with Bluetooth, driver and passenger airbags and electric windows and door mirrors included in the standard specification.

Ambulance fleet introduces new concept vehicles to emergency fleet

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SECAmb Mercedes-Benz Ambulance and training vehicle

One of SECAmb’s new driver training vans, alongside a new emergency ambulance.

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) has introduced a range of new vehicle concepts to its fleet. 

Although chassis cab 5.0t Sprinter ambulances remain at the heart of the fleet — SECAmb operates 300 of these A&E ambulances — the trust has started to introduce a wider range of other models and specifications for different duties.

One area of emergency care where patients may notice a difference is in SECAmb’s new fast response vehicles. Over recent years, ambulance trusts across the UK seem to have standardised on well-specified medium-sized estate cars for paramedics, but the downside of these is that they provide no room for even basic treatment, which often results in an ambulance being called to transport the patient to hospital.

To help alleviate this problem, SECAmb has replaced a number of its fast response cars with 2.8t Vito 116CDI Dualiners — panel vans with a second row of seats and purpose-built interiors which allow patients to be treated for minor wounds and injuries at the scene, inside the vehicle, eliminating the need for a trip to A&E.

SECAmb has also introduced a new class of vehicle for driver training: five 4.0t Sprinter 419CDI panel vans are now operating as dedicated Driver Training Units. Fitted with a variety of cameras and motion sensors, the vans have been specified with a second row of seats and onboard monitor and video equipment, which allows multiple students to receive tuition at once and to watch back their driving immediately after manoevures have been completed.

Elsewhere in SECAmb’s fleet, five critical care ambulances have been introduced: these are based on the standard box body ambulance specification, but carry additional equipment for treating the most seriously ill patients. The trust has also added a number of Sprinter and Citan panel vans to its fleet for logistics and support use.

As you may have noticed, all of these vehicles are Mercedes-Benz — commenting on the choices, Justin Wand, SECAmb’s Head of Fleet Operations, said:

“However, while acknowledging the need for vehicles of different sizes and specification, we also wanted to standardise on a consistent, reliable platform. Mercedes-Benz was the obvious partner, not least because in the Sprinter, Vito and Citan its range includes a model which is right for every application.

“Plus, of course, we already know from long experience that on a whole-life cost basis, taking account of factors such as fuel economy, reliability and maintenance, Mercedes-Benz products represent better value than those of its competitors.”

As we’ve seen before, Mercedes customer always appear ready to sing the praises of the three-pointed star, and their loyalty is often notable.

Mercedes-Benz safety credentials prompt switch from rental vans for rail contractor

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RSS Mercedes-Benz Vito and Citan vansRail contractor Rail Safety Solutions (RSS) has taken delivery of 22 new Mercedes-Benz vans and minibuses.

The new vehicles — a mixture of long-bodied Vito 113 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Traveliner minibuses with nine seats, Vito Dualiner models with a second row of seats, and Citan 109 CDI Extra-longs — are on a contract hire agreement and replace rented vehicles.

Key to Rail Safety Solutions’ decision to put its faith in vehicles bearing the three-pointed star was a visit made as guests of Midlands Truck & Van, by Chief Executive Richard Toy and Fleet Manager Robert Barrett to the latest Mercedes-Benz VanExperience LIVE.

“It was an excellent day, and very reassuring to experience the various safety features fitted as standard to the Vito and Citan,” recalled Richard Toy. “This reinforced the view we had already formed, which was that in terms of the level of protection they offer for our employees Mercedes-Benz Vans are without equal.”

Safety was a big factor in RSS’s decision to move away from rental vehicles and acquire the Mercedes vehicles — prior to ordering its new fleet conducted a comprehensive analysis of safety incidents involving rail industry workers. This concluded that a number of accidents occurred not while staff worked on track, but while they were en route to the location or returning home.

These findings were borne out when three track workers employed by another operator were killed and a fourth critically injured in an horrific motorway smash last year. The accident happened as they made their way home having finished a shift in the early hours of the morning.

RSS has also fitted each of its new vans with a Driver Awareness Warning System. This employs a dash-mounted device which focuses on the driver’s retina and measures their ‘blinking pattern’ at the start of the journey, then sounds audible warnings if it detects signs of drowsiness or inattention. Fitting systems like this is not usually possible in rented vehicles, so a move to a longer-term solution made sense.

In addition to this system, the Vito and Citan are equipped with an array of standard fit active and passive safety systems. These include the ADAPTIVE version of the Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) pioneered by Mercedes-Benz in partnership with Bosch, as well as Brake Assist and ABS, and flashing hazard warning lights that are switched on automatically under emergency braking.

Tuffnells chooses ejector seat option for extra-long Merc Sprinters

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Tuffnells Mercedes-Benz SprinterLeading next-day business-to-business delivery specialist Tuffnells Parcels Express has been delivering parcels for 100 years.

Unlike many of its peers in the logistics sector, Tuffnells has not previously operated Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans, but following a successful trial, the company has switched a portion of its 100-strong van fleet to the German marque.

Tuffnells’ first 22 Sprinters are finished in a modified version of the firm’s familiar Big Green Parcel Machine’ livery, which highlights its 100 years of operation.

Supplied by North-West Dealer Enza, all are 313 CDI models with advanced 129 hp engines driving through smooth 7G-Tronic automatic transmissions (N.B. It’s interesting to see a big van operator choosing an automatic transmission — these have been popular in lorries for some years now, and are the default choice for many truck operators).

Although the vans are high roof, extra-long body models, Tuffnells has also arranged for the passenger seats to be removed from its van, enabling loads in excess of six metres to be carried inside the van — essential as one of the company’s customers is a blind manufacturer which makes blinds up to six metres wide.

Each van is expected to cover around 50,000 miles per year, and the vans have been purchased through a contract hire package that includes full maintenance agreement.

 

Andrew Morton, Tuffnells’ National Fleet Manager, says:

“The contract hire package was competitively priced and we had some very positive feedback from those drivers who tried the demonstrators – they liked the Sprinter’s performance and handling, while more than one reported the experience as being more like driving a car than a van.

 

Tuffnells has 34 strategically located depots throughout the UK and Ireland and offers a wide range of guaranteed delivery services, with online electronic proof of delivery available within seconds for the majority of consignments.

Electric power isn’t always the answer, but was tax or technology the problem?

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Morris Vermaport Mercedes-Benz CitansA few years ago, Nottingham-based lift installation and servicing firm Morris Vermaport decided to provide petrol-electric hybrid cars for its service engineers to use, in a bid to align its fleet with the company’s commitment to minimise emissions and fuel consumption and operate as sustainably as possible.

Photographs on the company’s website suggest these cars were Toyota Prius, but the specific model doesn’t really matter.

What did matter, according to Andrew Waddell, the firm’s operations director, is that company vehicle tax rates on these cars were prohibitively high — in particular, they were much higher than the tax rates on the Mercedes-Benz Citan vans the firm has now purchased to replace the hybrid cars.

Fuel consumption from the hybrid cars wasn’t exceptional either, when looked at across the vehicles’ full usage cycle, according to Mr Waddell:

“There’s not a lot to choose between the two vehicles in terms of mpg returns – the hybrids are good around town but less so on longer runs, or when fully loaded, which is when the Citan really shows its class.”

To me, it looks like the hybrid cars were an optimistic, well-intentioned choice that didn’t quite work out — although it might have done had the tax regime been more favourable. This is an important point because fuel consumption isn’t the only issue here: there’s clear and abundant evidence that diesel emissions are the biggest single cause of air pollution in UK cities, thanks to nitrogen dioxide emissions, which are largely ignored by the EU-led CO2 vehicle taxation regime.

As I discussed recently, there’s an obvious case for changing the vehicle tax incentives away from their narrow focus on CO2 emissions, to a more complete view of pollution. In this scenario, Morris Vermaport might have found that their petrol-electric hybrid cars were more cost effective — and less polluting.

Mercedes-Benz magic helps Leekes stay in the black

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Leekes Mercedes-Benz SprintersYet another tale of Mercedes-Benz loyalty that runs even deeper than the undeniable quality and performance of their vans.

Independent retailer Leekes has put 26 new Mercedes Sprinters into operations at its department stores and building centres in South Wales and the West Midlands.

The firm has a long history of running Mercedes vans and trucks, but some of the new Sprinters replace vans of another brand, which failed to hold their value as well, according to company director Stuart Leeke, who said:

Our experience of disposing of these vehicles confirmed that the Sprinter continues to command high residual values compared to other types of van.

The new vans are liveried in black and are all Sprinter 313 CDI models in BlueEFFICIENCY specification, which includes the ECO-Start start-stop system, as well as other fuel saving measures such as low rolling resistance tyres and efficiency improvements to items like the power steering system, fuel pump and battery management.

A variety of body types are used by Leekes, including long-bodied panel vans fitted with frails for use by the firm’s double-glazing fitters, along with dropsides for conservatory teams and an extra-long wheelbase van used to deliver furniture. The additions take Leekes’ fleet to 70 vans, most of them Sprinters, and the firm also uses Merc’s Atego light truck for most of its haulage requirements.

Leekes’ relationship with Mercedes is now 16 years old, and unsurprisingly, Mr Leeke remains a fan of both the technical and reputational benefits that come with operating Sprinters:

“Mercedes-Benz is a premium brand with an image of quality that can only enhance our own reputation,” said Director and Company Secretary Stuart Leeke. “We bought our first Sprinters in 1998, since when they have always proved outstandingly reliable, cost-effective to operate and popular with our drivers. Safety is of paramount importance to our company, so the fact that Mercedes-Benz leads the field in this respect is also key to its appeal.”

It’s not a new story, but how many other marques have this effect on their customers?

Sprinter pampervan brings luxury spa to your doorstep

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Zen Ten Spa Sprinter

Caroline Jones’ Sprinter conversion, the Zen Ten Spa

Working vans can often be a little rough around the edges — it’s the nature of the job. However, I’m pretty certain that therapist Caroline Jones’ new Sprinter conversion will retain its pristine new finish for rather longer than usual.

Caroline has recently taken her spa therapy business on the road, with a custom Sprinter conversion built around a luton body.

The Warwick-based former BBC producer recently purchased a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 313 CDI medium chassis cab with a purpose-built and climate-controlled box body, built for her by M6 Motor Bodies, of Birmingham.

“It’s been more than a year since I began evolving the concept of the Zen Ten Spa and having put so much work into the project I’m really excited finally to be up and running,” she said.

“My business is not a beauty parlour; it’s a spa, and aimed at a high-end, lifestyle-focused customer base. So given its premium brand values and the unrivalled quality of its products, Mercedes-Benz was the only manufacturer I wanted to work with.”

Fitted with a folding massage couch, a fruit bowl-style basin in pure mother-of-pearl, gossamer curtains and an abundance of gold-plated fixtures, the room has been painstakingly designed down to the finest detail, to be a relaxing and rejuvenating tranquil oasis.

Inside the Zen Ten Spa

Inside the Zen Ten Spa, which is climate controlled, plush luxury fittings make it hard to tell that you are in a van.

 

Caroline, who spent 22 years making network TV programmes for the BBC in Birmingham, has been a practicing aromatherapist since the early 1990s, and is also qualified to administer a range of other treatments. She offers a portfolio of ten holistic therapies including Swedish Massage, Reflexology, Reiki, Indian Head Massage, Hot Stone Therapy and Foot Rescue, as well as other, lighter alternatives.

Vauxhall makes it a double with new fleet order, but buyer Chivas misses opportunity to cut emissions

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Chivas Brothers Vauxhall Combo Crew Van site vehicle

One of Chivas Brothers new Vauxhall Combo Crew Vans for site use, powered by diesel, sadly, not petrol or electric.

Whisky and gin maker Chivas Brothers has opted to renew its existing fleet of Vauxhall Combo site vehicles with new model Combo Crew Vans.

The 15 Vauxhalls will be used by Chivas’ warehousing teams as site vehicles. They will remain on the fleet for the next five years, covering an average of 2,000 miles per year travelling between warehouses to load and unload casks at the beginning and end of the whisky maturation process.

The Combo vans Chivas has purchased are powered by Vauxhall’s standard 1.3 CDTi 16v engine, for which the official specification suggests fuel consumption of 57.6mpg and CO2 emissions of 129g/km.

These models are in ecoFLEX spec and benefit from Start/Stop technology, but while they are likely to be an improvement on the outgoing vans, the idea that these emissions and fuel consumption figures are realistic for low mileage site use is laughable — although I suspect the CO2 figure played a role in the purchase choice. A petrol engine, although more suitable for low mileage use, would, on paper at least, have emitted more CO2.

Still, that’s the inevitable result of the government’s myopic focus on CO2 emissions, to the exclusion of all else: diesels aren’t really that environmentally friendly, especially when they’re cold, and with the vans expected to average just over 5 miles per day, these engines are never likely to warm up fully or deliver the benefits they do offer for high-mileage users.

Not only would faster-warming petrol engines (available in Combos) be more suitable for such low mileage work, they would probably be less troublesome, too — but really, this is a classic example of an application that is perfectly suited to electric vans.

By sticking with Vauxhall, which doesn’t offer any electric vans, Chivas has missed an opportunity. For similar money, after allowing for the government’s plug-in grant, the spirits firm could have purchased Renault Kangoo Z.E. or Nissan e-NV200 electric vans, and reduced on-site emissions to zero.