Category Archives: Vans In Business

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

Hurst Plastics Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Mega-mile van operators choose Sprinters for reliability

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Hurst Plastics Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

One of Hurst Plastics’ new Mercedes-Benz Sprinters

The Sprinter has been viewed as the top choice for high mileage van operations pretty much since its introduction in 1995.

That situation looks unlikely to change anytime soon, judging from comments made by two high-mileage fleet operators who’ve recently taken on new Sprinters.

Door manufacturer Hurst Plastics is unusual among its peers in that it delivers more than 99% of its doors using its own fleet of vans. With more than 1,500 doors and 7,500 fire safety panels heading out of the firm’s factory each month, this policy of in-house delivery means that the company’s vans work hard.

Hurst has just taken on 15 new Sprinters which are each expected to cover 100,000 miles a year. The company plans to keep them for three years and then review their condition before deciding whether to keep them on the road.

Tiffin Sandwiches Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

One of Tiffin Sandwiches’ new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with driver Jon Pilkington.

It’s a similar story albeit with a different product at Tiffin Sandwiches. The company has become one of the UK’s top wholesale sandwich producers. But shipping this many fresh sandwiches daily to customers all over the UK requires some wheel time.

Tiffin has purchased 21 long-bodied Sprinters over the last 18 months, including five 314 CDI Euro 6 models which have just entered service. All of the firm’s vans are converted for temperature-controlled operation and are expected to do up to 2,000 miles per week — or 100k per year.

Unlike Hurst, Tiffin has only recently switched to Sprinters. Fleet Manager Steve Gadd explains why:

“Our previous supplier’s vehicles were struggling to cope with the rigours of our delivery regime, while its after sales service was poor. We therefore approached Northside, and trialled a Sprinter for six months. It slotted into the fleet very well and didn’t miss a beat.

“Not only is the Sprinter more reliable, but it’s also impressively fuel-efficient. We’d been getting 22-24 mpg from our established vehicles, whereas the Mercedes-Benz vans are returning 28-30 mpg. Given the high mileages they cover, this improved economy equates to a big saving on our fuel bill, so we’ve allocated Sprinters to our longest routes and also sent a few down to London, where they excel in the stop-start traffic.”

Mr Gadd intends to replace Tiffin’s entire fleet with Sprinters as soon as possible. Back at Hurst Plastics, Transport Manager Jon Brake has more experience of the three-pointed star and is just as keen:

The Mercedes-Benz package is unbeatable. I’ve been with this company since 1999, and since then we’ve tried vehicles by various manufacturers. The Sprinter has been the best by a mile. It’s a real workhorse, highly robust and with far superior build quality, as well as being really nice to drive.”

Both companies’ latest vans are 314 CDI Euro 6 models, which use both BlueTEC Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR or AdBlue) and Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) to minimise emissions and comply with the latest pollution regulation.

Northern Lighthouse Board Mercedes-Benz Vito

Buying proves cheaper than van hire for lighthouse keepers

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Northern Lighthouse Board Mercedes-Benz Vito

Very few van operators reach as many remote locations as the Northern Lighthouse Board, which operates more than 206 lighthouses around the coasts of Scotland and the Isle of Man plus a similar number of navigation buoys and beacons.

This demanding operating environment means that reliability and safety is even more important than usual. The NLB has recently taken on five long-bodied Vito 114CDI vans, which are based at the organisation’s operating centre in Oban, on the west coast of Scotland.

These vans are used by technicians who service lighthouses, to ferry supplies to lighthouses accessed by roads and to transport crew members for the NLB’s ships, Pharos and Pole Star.

Three of the five vans are crew van models, with a second row of seats and extra side windows. These allow up to five passengers plus the driver to be carried.

Ewen Mackerchar, its Marine Operations Manager, explained:

“We considered other options but decided on the Vito as it offered a far higher level of specification for the money, and the delivery lead time was shorter. Western Commercial provided a very professional service and handled all of our requests with the utmost efficiency.”

“We’re delighted with our new vans and can see we definitely made the right choice. The Vito is very comfortable for drivers and passengers alike, extremely well appointed and comes with a comprehensive array of safety equipment – as lighthouse operators we spend our lives helping to prevent accidents, so this is an attribute we value very highly.”

Like all Vito models, NLB’s vehicles are fitted with systems including the ADAPTIVE ESP® anti-skid programme, driver and passenger airbags and ABS anti-lock brakes.

They also benefit as standard from Mercedes-Benz Crosswind Assist technology, which ensures stability in the event of a sideways gust, Hill Start Assist — which prevents the vehicle from rolling back when setting off on an incline — and Attention Assist, which detects and warns against driver drowsiness.

Buying cheaper than renting?

Interesting, the NLB used to hire their vans. However, they found that based on planned usage scenarios, owning and operating their own vans would be cheaper.

This is a useful reminder that while renting vans is often the most cost-effective solution, this isn’t always the case, even when other benefits such as fixed rates including servicing and maintenance are taking into account.

Robot Coupe Mercedes-Benz Vitos

Mercedes-Benz vans blend form with function for mixer firm

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Robot Coupe Mercedes-Benz Vitos

Robot Coupe’s new Vito vans

Robot Coupe probably isn’t a name that rolls of your tongue, unless you happen to work in the catering industry.

The French firm’s upmarket food processers, blenders and vegetable preparation machines are a common sight in commercial kitchens. This equipment isn’t cheap and the company maintains a team of chef demonstrators and service engineers to look after customers around the UK.

To improve load and seating capacity, the firm has just switched a number of its vans from Mercedes-Benz Citan models to larger crew cab Vito vans. These are 114 CDI models which use Merc’s 2.1-litre engine to deliver 136hp to the rear wheels. All of the vans have been specified with optional 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic gearboxes to make life easier for drivers who spend a lot of time in traffic.

Robot Coupe Director of Sales Paul Easterbrook confirmed:

“The Citans have been very good, but the Vito offers the extra space that allows our chef demonstrators to carry more equipment.

“The second row of seats means we can take fewer vehicles to exhibitions and events, and is also useful when we go out and about with our distributors or customers. The automatic gearbox, meanwhile, makes life at the wheel so much easier for the guys if they’re in stop-start traffic all day.”

Mr Easterbrook says that the vans are expected to cover upwards of 40,000 miles a year across the UK, so comfort and safety — traditional strong points for the German marque — are top priorities.

Having specified crew cab variants, Robot Coupe expects to be able to use fewer vehicles when travelling to trade shows or transporting customers.

The Grazing Shed's new burger van

Merc burger van is flipping tasty

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The Grazing Shed's new burger van

The Grazing Shed’s new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter burger van conversion

When Cardiff-based restaurateur Duncan Black decided to expand his award-winning burger restaurant, The Grazing Shed, he decided to take his business on the road with a burger van.

The Grazing Shed was voted the Number One Burger Joint in Wales at the British Burger Awards 2016. Duncan’s ‘Super Tidy Burgers’ use only locally-sourced beef, fresh-baked artisanal bread and homemade sauces and chutneys. Clearly his mobile unit would need to be able to sustain the high standard of cooking, service and presentation his customers are used to.

The team had been selling at festivals and events since 2014, but always from temporary stalls. So Duncan and his colleagues already had an accurate idea of the kind of volume, storage and cooking capacity they’d need.

“We can be doing anything up to 200 burgers an hour at a festival. As well as grills big enough to cook the food in these high volumes, we also needed a walk-in fridge with sufficient capacity for all of the burgers and accompaniments we might need for a full day.”

They were also already familiar with Mercedes-Benz vans, as the company already ran a Vito Dualiner as a general runaround. The desire to combine mobility with the efficiency and convenience of a permanent setup led Duncan to opt for a custom-built Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van conversion.

The solution was a 3.5-tonne Sprinter 313 CDI chassis cab with purpose-designed body built by Commercial Truck Bodies, of Cardiff, and Carrier refrigeration unit. The van has been generously specified and came with options including air-conditioning, a satellite navigation system, light and rain sensors, and electrically-adjustable door mirrors.

The fuel-efficient vehicle has opened the door to many new opportunities to meet and serve the public, for example at corporate events, parties and even weddings. Manned by up to six members of The Grazing Shed team, it has also fed supporters outside Cardiff City FC’s ground, and the crowds which have descended on the popular Barry Island resort on sunny days.

The new Bevan-bodied Traffix dropside Vauxhall Movano

Innovative Bevan-bodied Traffix van is “as good as it gets”

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The new Bevan-bodied Traffix dropside Vauxhall Movano

Bevan-bodiedVauxhall Movano dropside in operation with Traffix (source: Bevan Group)

Bodybuilder and conversion group Bevan Specialist Products has featured in these pages before, thanks to its growing size and commitment to well-engineered and innovative van conversions.

One of the company’s latest models is a Vauxhall Movano dropside conversion designed for traffic management firm Traffix. Based on a L4 long wheelbase Vauxhall Movano chassis cab model, the new Traffix vans include a range of features designed to make deploying signs and temporary traffic lights safer and more efficient.

To eliminate the need to tow trailers to carry portable traffic light systems, Bevan has fitted these vans with tail lifts. A new and bespoke racking system allows the traffic lights to be held in place vertically on the load bed.

The tail lift itself has also benefited from a dose of clever design. The platform is fabricated from mesh to reduce drag while on the move, and the tail lift pillars have LED lighting built into the top in order to replace the traditional horizontal light boards across the rear of previous models.

Traffix Operations Director Derek Vinning played an active role in the design of the new vans and is very pleased with the results:

“I’ve worked with a few traffic management vehicle bodybuilders over the years and there’s no doubt in my mind that when it comes to product quality and workmanship Bevan is far superior to any of them.

“We’ve gradually been able to shed weight, moved from traditional bulbs and halogen lighting to more effective flashing LEDs, and now fit Safe-T-Drop as standard – it’s a fantastic system and very reassuring, because unlike conventional, removable side rail bars, it’s impossible for an operative to forget to use it.”

“There are other companies out there using tail-lifts, but none with a vehicle that rivals the design of ours. When it comes to traffic management, I confidently believe this is as good as it gets.”

Another feature included on the new Traffix vans is Bevan’s patented Safe-T-Drop safety reail system. Rails automatically unfold on either side of the tail lift when it’s lowered, making it impossible for workers to forget to raise them. SImilarly, the dropsides can only be closed when the safety rails are in place, making correct use of the rails essential.

M8 Recovery Vito van

Vito van is “perfect” choice for recovery specialist

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M8 Recovery Vito van

M8 Recovery’s new Mercedes-Benz Vito tow van.

Glasgow-based recovery specialist M8 Recovery is known for its high-profile heavy recovery vehicles, but the company provides recovery services for all sizes of vehicle, including cars and vans.

To support the recovery of cars, M8 has recently added this very smart Mercedes-Benz Vito to its fleet. Liveried up with the firm’s trademark logo, it’s impossible to miss and makes a great first impression with customers.

The van is an extra-long Vito 116CDI with a crew cab body that can carry four passengers in addition to the driver. The load area has been fitted with a Compact Recovery Trailer by Oldham-based Intertrade Engineering UK. It’s a similar setup to that used by the AA and RAC patrol vans, which also carry fold-out towing dollies.

“Our vehicles are the visible face of the business when they’re out on the road, or attending a breakdown,” said Mr McManus, who founded his business in 2000 and is known throughout the recovery industry as ‘Junior’. “We take great care to make sure they are always clean and smartly turned out.

“The Vito makes for a great towing vehicle, too,” he continued. “Its uprated axle ratings and gross train weight of 5.5 tonnes mean we can lift and recover even large cars with no problem, while the rear-wheel drive set-up means traction is never lacking.”

M8 Recovery runs a fleet of 40 vehicles, ranging from vans to heavy trucks, and works across the Central Belt of Scotland and beyond, recovering broken-down cars, commercial vehicles, buses and coaches. The company is an active supporter of many local charities, raising funds for worthy causes including the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity.

Millbrook Healthcare Peugeot Boxer vans

Healthcare fleet puts 400th Peugeot van on the road

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Millbrook Healthcare Peugeot Boxer vans

Millbrook Healthcare has taken delivery of the 400th Peugeot van to join its fleet.

NHS contractor Millbrook Healthcare has taken delivery of 27 new Peugeot vans. The new additions take the firm’s fleet of Peugeot LCVs over the 400 van market for the first time.

The 27 new vans are mostly PEUGEOT Boxer 435 models, with the addition of two PEUGEOT Expert vans and a Luton-bodied Boxer. Millbrook’s role is to collect and deliver equipment to enable patients and those n need of care to remain comfortable and independent in their homes.

The equipment carried in the vans can range of large heavy items such as bed and hoists to smaller items like walking sticks and crutches. To help carry these mixed loads safely, Millbrook’s vans are fitted with internal racking, access ramps and other modifications by Bristol-based conversion specialist Motor On Services.

“We are really pleased to be part of the growing Millbrook Healthcare success story and delighted to be supplying the company with its 400th PEUGEOT”, commented Martin Gurney, Director of Fleet at PSA Group UK, “Millbrook Healthcare transports a wide range of equipment, helping to improve the lives of many people and the PEUGEOT light CV range provides vans ideally suited to the company’s unique needs.”

The latest 27 additions to the fleet will operate from Millbrook’s newest centre near Exeter, which opened its doors in June. The Exeter centre is one of 30 nationwide locations, from which Southampton-based Millbrook delivers more than 800,000 items of community equipment every year.

Hireway Volkswagen Crafter

Benefits of long-term van rental include specification choices

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Hireway Volkswagen Crafter

One of Wishaw, Lanarkshire-based Hireway’s Volkswagen Crafter vans.

One of the advantages of long-term business van rental is that in return for more commitment, customers are often able to request modifications for their vans. Typical examples include towbars, roof racks and interior racking.

Wishaw, Lanarkshire-based firm Hireway Vehicle Rental is a case in point. The firm provides short, medium and long-term rentals and longer-term rental customers can choose to have racking to towbars fitted to their vans. Hireway has just ordered 40 Volkswagen Transporters and 10 Caddy vans to add to its fast-growing fleet.

Christy McTear, who founded Hireway last year and is currently the operations manager, says that he hopes to add more VW vans to Hireway’s fleet later this year:

“Both the Transporter and Caddy are ideal vehicles for the businesses we supply, and with the option of being racked out or having towbars fitted, they can accommodate our varied customer requirements and needs. The ease of the deal has been exceptional and with Hireway looking to expand in the future, we would love to look into extending our partnership with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles later this year.”

Founded in 2016, Hireway runs a 70-van fleet, specialising in supplying vans to companies operating in the  electrical, plumbing, heating, repair and maintenance industries.

Winton Engineering

Should you consider a van with on-board power?

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Winton Engineering

On vehicle power eliminates the need for costly and inconvenient generators (image: Winton Engineering)

Does your van need more power? I’m not talking about the kind of power that could get you an increased speeding fine from Monday.

I’m asking about the kind of power that forces you to carry or tow a generator to provide power for tools and equipment. Examples include road drills, hand tools, pumps, compressors and welding gear.

Although portable generators are a workable solution, they’re not ideal. Freestanding generators need fastening down in the back of the van and require you to carry fuel. Towable generators also need fuel and create licence restrictions for younger drivers. Hired equipment sometimes turns up late, or not at all.

If you’re using a daily rental van, you’ll have no choice but to use a standalone generator.

But if you’re specifying a van for long-term hire or leasing you may be able to have an on-board power system fitted to the van. Doing this means that your vehicle will be converted to take power from the engine. This can be used to provide compressed air, electricity, hydraulic power or high pressure water jetting.

Although these systems may add to the upfront cost of the van, it should also benefit the van’s residual value. Recent auction reports suggest that highly-specified and specialist vans remain in strong demand at auction. As a result, leasing a van with onboard power may not cost all that much extra on a monthly basis.

Any increase will be partly offset by savings on generator purchase or hire. And as with any convenient facility, on-board power tends to be used more because it’s always available. That tends to improve productivity.

Reputable providers of on-board power systems will install systems in line with manufacturers’ guidelines and with EU Whole Vehicle Type Approval and UK National Small Series Type Approval (NSSTA). This is often essential on new vehicles, in order for them to be compliant with all current legislation.

Specialist converters such as Winton Engineering are able to provide on-vehicle power conversions alongside extra equipment such as racking and external lights. A one-stop shop can be an advantage as the converter takes responsibility for ensuring that all work done is compliant with any relevant regulations.

Volkswagen Transporter AA Patrol van

AA updates fleet with 158 new VW Transporter vans

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Volkswagen will supply 158 new Transporter vans to the AA to replace outgoing vehicles on its national patrol fleet. The additional vehicles come on top of The AA’s order last year for around 500 Transporter vans, which were fully converted at The AA’s conversion site in Oxfordshire.

Volkswagen Transporter AA Patrol van

As I’ve commented before, the AA appears to maintain a policy of running two vehicle marques. From what I see on the roads, the firm’s other van of choice is currently the Ford Transit Custom.

Fitted out for heavy use

The AA-spec Transporters will be supplied with twin batteries and a higher spec driver’s seat, among other options. Interstingly, 24 of the 158 Transporters will be fitted with a DSG automated gearbox, allowing for a smoother drive and better fuel economy.

I’d imagine that ordering this relatively small number of DSG automatic vans is by way of a trial for the AA. As the firm’s vans do much more heavy towing than is common for vans of this type, there will probably be considerable interest in the durability and efficiency of this increasingly popular gearbox.

Inside AA patrol van

Inside the front section of an AA Patrol van — tools and various spare parts, including common sizes of battery.

The new Transporters will be used by AA Patrols as roadside and recovery vehicles and will be fitted with the firm’s standard extra equipment, which includes specially-equipped with warning beacons, racking and a deployable recovery trolley.

Chris Wiltshire, Fleet Engineer for The AA said:“We couldn’t be happier to continue the fantastic relationship The AA has with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. We have a vehicle that has been developed to suit our needs, and which is converted with specialist racking to accommodate The AA’s tow system, additional equipment and tools.

“The close working partnership provides services to The AA’s wider customer base and supports Volkswagen Group by providing the dedicated Volkswagen breakdown assistance service.”

AA Patrol van towing equipment

The rear of the van is taken up with the AA’s fold out towing dolly, a universal spare wheel and other towing-related equipment.

In case the patrols’ own vans breakdown — which one would hope is a rare occurrence — they will be able to access Volkswagen’s network of 72 dedicated Van Centres and 24 Authorised Repairers across the UK.