Seven new Mercedes-Benz trucks for Relay Technical Transport

Relay Technical Transport has added seven more Mercedes-Benz trucks to its 54-strong fleet.

The Buckinghamshire-based operator, which is a market leader in the storage, handling and distribution of delicate and valuable electronic equipment, has been an all-Mercedes and FUSO operation for more than 20 years.

The latest additions, which consist of five Mercedes Atego 1224L 12-tonners and a pair of 18-tonne Mercedes Actros with VBG couplings, have all been supplied by dealer of choice, Marshall Truck & Van.

Excepting seven Actros tractors, the entire fleet is equipped with bespoke box bodies, built, fitted and liveried by Ferndown-based Horton Commercials. Specification includes insulated roofs, padded tie rails and diesel/electric Eberspacher heaters with full-length airsocks to protect fragile cargoes, and Bär Cargolift cantilever tail-lifts with 2-tonne capacities for all Atego, and 2.5 tonnes for the Actros.

Unusually, the 12-tonners are equipped with ClassicSpace L-cabs with additional side windows, and a seat/bunk combination which allows seating for four occupants.

Relay Technical Transport operations director Tom McMahon, said: “I’ve been with this business for 23 years and can’t recall us running anything other than Mercedes-Benz and FUSO trucks. The Atego has been ever-present because it’s such a fantastically reliable piece of kit. We currently have in excess of 30, and they just don’t let us down.”

While image-conscious Relay normally replaces its trucks every five years, in this instance it is swapping Atego rigids which have been on the road for 10 years, during which time they have covered 800,000km each.

“They’ve certainly not been falling down on us, though,” confirms McMahon. “Rather, they’ve still been out there, day in, day out, and doing a great job. Sixty months is the average age across the fleet right now, but that will come down significantly once we’ve replaced the remaining, older vehicles, which we’ll be doing this year.”

Mercedes-Benz and FUSO will be exhibiting at this year’s Road Transport Expo, which takes place at Stoneleigh NAEC on June 28-30. It’s FREE to attend, and registrations are now open.

Seven new Mercedes-Benz trucks for Relay Technical Transport

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