Mabey Hire gets four new Mercedes-Benz Actros rigids

Supplied by Northside Truck & Van, Mabey Hire has received four new Actros 2535 rigids to work out of its depots in Cardiff, Durham, Glasgow and Wellingborough. The vehicles are equipped with 7.7-litre engines with 354hp. The 2.3m wide ClassicSpace M-cabs have a lower floor and driving position which earned the Actros a four-star DVS rating. 

Transport manager, Martin Binns, said: “We’ve been upgrading our fleet and developing our use of safety systems hand in hand with Mercedes-Benz for the past five years. Safety is our number one priority. We want our trucks to be as safe as possible, not just for our drivers but for all other road users too. In my view, with all their various systems, Mercedes-Benz trucks are the best you can get.”

To ensure scaffolding and temporary works equipment is delivered safely to Mabey Hire’s engineering, construction and utilities customers the trucks are fitted with several safety features. The vehicles have active brake assist 5 autonomous braking, lane keeping assist, stability control and MirrorCam cameras instead of traditional side mirrors. 

Micra Truck Bodies of Wakefield fitted the trucks with extendable walkways on the nearside, steps at the rear and an all-round fall prevention system. Binns said: “Northside’s sales executive Steve Cusworth handled all the liaison with Micra and kept us fully informed at all times.”

The trucks are also helping Mabey Hire work towards reducing its Scope 1 emissions. Binns added: "We're committed to doing all we can to minimise the effect of our operation on the environment too. These vehicles play their part in that – they have replaced the last of our older models so now all our trucks meet the Euro-6 emissions standard.

“As a bonus, at 12-13mpg they’re also proving to be at least a full mile per gallon more economical than the Swedish-built vehicles we stood down, which makes them ‘greener’ as well as more cost-effective to operate. Along with the proven reliability of the Actros, and the high standard of back-up we’ve come to expect from Northside Truck & Van, it’s an excellent all-round package.

“We believe it’s critical that the construction industry, and society as a whole, looks to minimise pollutant emissions and improve air quality. As well as delivering a noticeably improved fuel economy and reduced emissions, the new vehicles also offer a range of safety enhancements and technological features, all designed to improve road safety standards for the driver, pedestrians and fellow road users.

“We take our environmental responsibilities as a company very seriously. As well as taking steps to reduce our carbon output at our offices and depots across the UK, it’s just as important that we deliver this same approach to sustainability on the road.

“These new fleet additions mark a significant investment by Mabey Hire into ensuring that we continue to uphold our three ESG principles of Environment, Social and Governance. As well as reducing our environmental impact, this investment also represents our longstanding commitment to the safety of our colleagues and customers but also the general public.”