Sheet metal firm wins prize draw for Mercedes Fuso Canter08 January 2014

Coventry-based metal products manufacturer HTA Group has won a year's free use of a 7.5-tonne Fuso Canter truck in a national draw staged by Mercedes-Benz.

Commercial vehicle operators taking Canter test drives were automatically entered in the competition.

"This is great news," says Mark Vale, HTA's group finance director (pictured). "We were considering a Canter anyway, which is why we took the test drive. So to win the use of a brand new vehicle for a full year is a real bonus."

HTA's 7C15 truck was supplied by local dealer Midlands Truck & Van, and comes with a 12-month repair and maintenance contract.

Powered by the 150bhp engine mated to a Duonic transmission – the first dual-clutch automatic for light trucks – it has a curtainside body by Fred Smith & Sons, of West Bromwich, which also applied HTA's livery.

As well as a pair of 18-tonne Mercedes-Benz Axor trucks, HTC was running a 7.5-tonne Atego, which it was preparing to stand down after six years in operation.

"The Canter is a ready-made replacement for our Atego," says Vale. "It's fulfilling an operational need and has been quick to impress, particularly because of its exceptionally high payload potential...

"We're able to carry approximately four tonnes, which is the best part of a tonne more than we'd get on a conventional 7.5-tonner."

And he adds: "Given that we're carrying steel, weight rather than cubic volume is the limiting factor in our operation. So a payload gain of this magnitude makes a welcome contribution to increased efficiency and productivity."

Author
Laura Cork

This material is protected by MA Business copyright
See Terms and Conditions.
One-off usage is permitted but bulk copying is not.
For multiple copies contact the sales team.