The founder and chairman of east Midlands-based Mercedes-Benz dealer Mertrux, Don Marshall, has passed away at the age of 72 after a long illness.
He began his career in the motor trade in 1963, landing a job two years later selling Dodge and Commer tractors for Burton-upon-Trent dealer Bert Deacon. By 1971 he had risen to truck sales manager before launching the third Mercedes-Benz CV dealer in Britain.
The company moved to bigger premises Derby in 1981 after adding the M-B passenger car and van operation to group's portfolio.
His son and current MD of the group, Ian Marshall, says: "If my father taught me one thing, it is that this is a 'people' business, always has been and always will be.
"That's why he ascribed such importance not only to the quality of the relationships we have with our customers, but also to the quality of the people we employ. He was a much-loved father, grandfather and employer, and will be sorely missed," he says.
Don's daughter Sarah is company secretary and youngest son Matthew a director. The latest recruits, and the first of Don's 10 grandchildren to join the firm, are Ian's daughters Lucie, 19, and Chloe, 17.
Today Mertrux operate from Derby, Leicester, Nottingham and Mansfield, and the Marshall family also owns Lancashire DAF and Lothian DAF truck operations, which are based in Preston and Edinburgh respectively, and previously held an ERF franchise.
Year: 2015 | Body Type: Hook loader | Cab Type: Day | Registration: MX15DYO | Mileage: 546,000 km | Power: 412 bhp
Year: 2016 | Body Type: Tractor unit | Cab Type: Sleeper | Registration: FJ66 UWD | Mileage: 751,000 km | Power: 440 bhp
Year: 2011 | Body Type: Box | Cab Type: Day | Registration: AY11 AEL | Mileage: 482,787 km | Category: Rigids
