The Oxfordshire-based operator has commissioned ten bespoke IPVs, based on 18-tonne Mercedes-Benz Antos chassis, and fitted with bodies by the Bevan Group and crash cushions and hi-vis arrows by Highway Care.
Bevan and Kent-based Highway Care have formed a strategic alliance for a design and build IPV solution, which sees the two suppliers working together on services such as breakdown assistance and livery application.
The A Cones vehicles are fitted with Highway Care’s heavy-duty Safe Stop 90 crash cushions, which absorb rear-end impacts at speeds of up to 68mph and feature a galvanised external safety frame that offers protection against the low-speed impacts in a yard.
The Bevan-bodied IPVs for the operator include dropsides, sideguards and hand rails, as well as cone wells which are 20% larger than those typically found on an IPV of this size. The trucks are also equipped with beacon bars and front- and rear-facing 4G recordable, downloadable and streaming camera systems.
Steve Pope, operations director for A Cone, says: “We chose Mercedes-Benz chassis for the brand’s premium values, as well as its reputation for reliability and safety. And we chose Bevan and Highway Care to build and fit out the trucks, because we were attracted to the idea of being the first customer for their new partnership.
“The ‘one-stop shop’ proposition also made good sense; we haven’t had the hassle this time, for example, of taking the trucks elsewhere to get them liveried, as we’ve had to do in the past.”
Pope attended several production meetings for the vehicles, and was impressed with Bevan’s willingness to meet his list of requirements: “They took everything on board, and have delivered on all of their promises.
“We’re delighted with the result, because our new IPVs look fantastic and are clearly built to last. Given this, they can only enhance our growing reputation as a quality service provider within the traffic and highways management industry.”
Bevan and Highway Care say their alliance is resulting in “a very encouraging order pipeline” with 60 more vehicles already on order.