Renewed: MB vans have been reordered by a Scottish home improvements company
Author:
ROBIN ROBERTS
A Scottish home improvements company has just updated its contract for its vans’ fleet.
Dunfermline-based CR Smith designs, manufactures and fits more uPVC and hardwood windows, doors, and conservatories than any of its competitors north of the border.
A Mercedes-Benz customer for over 30 years, its latest order is for 22 Long-bodied Sprinter 313CDIs, all of which are being supplied by Aberdeen dealer John R. Weir Truck & Van.
The new vans, which have now begun entering service, will operate throughout Scotland and be used by CR Smith tradesmen including joiners and plasterers. They are joining a fleet of 85 vans, which is dominated by 3.5-tonne Sprinters; CR Smith additionally has two Mercedes-Benz trucks, an 18-tonner which carries demountable boxes and a 10-tonne curtansider, both of which also arrived via the same dealer.
“We’ve been running Mercedes-Benz vans for over 30 years and have great relationships, not only with John R. Weir but also with the other dealers we rely on to maintain our vehicles,” confirmed CR Smith Fleet Manager Ian Darroch.
“Unlike other van manufacturers’ agents, Mercedes-Benz dealers are commercial vehicle specialists and offer out-of-hours servicing. That’s a huge advantage to us. Not only does it mean that our vans are always available for work when we need them, but it’s also a real bonus for our drivers.
“This is a great example of the flexibility that Mercedes-Benz demonstrates time and again in supporting our business. And that’s why, even when we hire vehicles, we always insist they have three-pointed stars on the grilles.”
Mr Darroch continued: “Our boys really enjoy driving their Sprinters and particularly appreciate some of the technology, such as the multi-function steering wheel.
“Our Mercedes-Benz vans are also supremely reliable – we have one that’s covered 93,000 miles in less than two years and hasn’t missed a beat – while the latest Sprinter model is also impressively fuel-efficient.”
Powered by a state-of-the-art, 2.1-litre Euro 5 engine producing 129hp, the 313CDI is 15 per cent more frugal at the pumps than the model it replaced. This improvement equates to an extra 4.5 miles per gallon, while CO2 emissions are down by 13 per cent.
Mr Darroch added: “We’re very conscious of our Duty of Care obligations not only to our own staff but also to other road users, so the fact that the Sprinter’s array of active and passive systems combine to make it the safest vehicle in its class only adds further to its appeal.”
Gerard Eadie CBE, owner of CR Smith, commented “Every time we’re looking to buy new vans and other brands are suggested, Ian Darroch always tells me: ‘I’m only looking at Mercedes Benz; we’ve tried others but the service offered by their dealerships is second to none’ and I have to agree!”
CR Smith is a family business, run by Mr Eadie since 1977. The company employs nearly 350 people across manufacturing, installation, sales and customer services, providing its high-quality range to customers from a network of bases in Edinburgh, Fife, Glasgow, Inverness and Aberdeen.
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