New Mercedes-Benz Actros L for Mark Harrod

Stafford-based Mark Harrod has bolstered its Mercedes-only fleet with a new Actros L 18-tonne curtainsider. The sports equipment supplier also runs another Actros 18-tonne curtainsider, two Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis cabs with platform bodies and three Sprinter vans. Supplied by sales executive James McCarthy at Midlands Truck & Van, the Actros L has a BigSpace cab and a 326hp 10.7-litre engine. Commercial Body Specialists in Stoke-on-Trent fabricated the body. 

General Manager, Mary Brandrick, said: “The new truck has taken its place at the head of our transport operation. It’s a moving advert for our business as well as a very serious workhorse, and certainly looks the part.

“Our deliveries are what I would call ‘ugly freight’. They are irregular shapes and sizes, and need to be handled by people who know what they’re doing. This means using third-party hauliers isn’t really an option, so we prefer to run our own trucks.

“The new Actros is already our vehicle of choice for the biggest deliveries and longest runs – especially if that involves going into London or other cities with clean air zones, where its Euro VI emissions standard helps protect us against unnecessary charges.

“Distances vary but the truck can often be out for three days at a time, making a number of drops. We think it’s only fair to give our driver a comfortable living and working space, which is why we specified the Actros L BigSpace.”

Mark Harrod manufactures and supplies sports equipment to schools, grass-roots organisations and premier league teams. The company makes goal posts, team shelters and other associated equipment for football, rugby, hockey and basketball applications, among others. 

Brandrick concluded: “Mercedes-Benz trucks have served us well and proved to offer a reliable and cost-effective package. They’re good on fuel, safe, robustly built and project a smart image. James McCarthy was very helpful throughout the ordering process and we’re impressed by what we’ve seen of Midlands Truck & Van’s service back-up too, so overall we think we’ve scored a winner with our new Actros.”