How times have changed. Once upon a time Meachers Transport was a big ERF user (not to say an MAN-ERF dealer). Now the first trucks to wear its new livery are also its first to wear the three-pointed star of...you guessed it Mercedes-Benz.
Although Meachers has been around for over 50 years and has its headquarters in Southampton the 12 new Merc tractors will operate from its other main depot in Derby, where the company says it's "...recently enjoyed a surge in business levels."
Meachers’ new Mercedes are all Euro-4 Actros 2544 6x2s with Long Distance sleeper cabs and the latest, 12-speed Mercedes-Benz PowerShift auto box. They were supplied by Derby dealer Mertrux, which has also taken orders for three Euro 5 units, to be supplied early next year.
Meachers Transport 80-strong fleet has traditionally been dominated by MAN and ERF. Indeed, until mid-2005 the Group also held a sales and servicing franchise for the two brands in Southampton.
Meachers' director Richard Lambourne explains: “Since selling the dealership in Southampton we’re no longer tied to MAN. We’d not bought trucks from them before, but I’ve known the senior management at Mertrux for many years and they were keen to do business. The fact that their workshop is only about a mile from our own premises clearly appealed, but they also put together a very attractive and competitive deal.”
He continues: “The drivers absolutely love their new Mercedes. We haven’t had one complaint, which is unusual when you introduce a new truck. The Mercedes are comfortable, quiet and easy to drive – the PowerShift transmission is a particular success, because it makes their lives so much easier.”
New livery? Doesn't look any different from the livery on the Ivecos that they took on when they first sold the ERF dealership. The Ivecos didn't last long.... true to form in my experience!!