The new additions are seven Mercedes-Benz Actros, two of which pull drawbar trailers at up to 36 tonnes gtw.
The curtainsiders are in three lengths: 9.2m for the trucks that work solo, 7.7m for the two drawbar prime movers, and 7.4m for their twin centre-axled trailers. The bodies were built at Supertrucks in St Helens, which became part of the Bevan Group in 2014.
“Our previous bodybuilder went bust shortly after we took delivery of the last batch of vehicles, which left us without aftersales support. We were particularly vigilant, therefore, when we came to select a supplier this time round,” says Megan Hughes, transport manager for SAS.
SAS evaluated potential candidates and sought views from other businesses, before visiting Bevan’s headquarters in the West Midlands. “We were impressed by its commitment to quality,” says Hughes.
“The design of our truck bodies is relatively straightforward, but the products we carry are heavy and can be quite cumbersome, so strength and durability are both crucial.
“These are still early days, of course, but it’s clear to see that our new curtainsiders are built to a much higher standard than those they’ve replaced.”
Service capability was key to the deal, too, and Hughes adds: “On the evidence of what we’ve seen so far, Bevan’s aftersales support is every bit as good as we’d been promised.”