What has not changed, though, is both new and replaced vehicles were from Mercedes-Benz.
Working from National Veterinary Services’ headquarters in Stoke-on-Trent, the 11 new Actros pull temperature-controlled semi-trailers and service a network of 11 hubs which, in turn, deliver to some 2,700 veterinary practices nationwide. The company has been supplying and distributing products to animal health practices and other approved outlets since 1989 and stocks more than 15,000 lines, including pharmaceuticals, instrumentation, pet products and accessories.
Supplied by eStar Truck & Van, the new Actros are all 2545 models. Their StreamSpace cabs are 2.3m wide – the narrower of the two widths available – and have 170mm engine tunnels. This combination, together with the Mercedes-Benz MirrorCam technology that has replaced conventional mirrors, and the additional windows fitted in the lower half of the nearside doors by Astra Vehicle Technologies, of Ellesmere Port, means the trucks attract an impressive three Direct Vision stars from Transport for London. They are therefore permitted to continue operating in the capital from 2024 onwards.
The Actros are powered by 12.8-litre in-line six-cylinder engines that produce 442bhp and are now being maintained under Mercedes-Benz Finance contract hire agreements by the workshop team at eStar Truck & Van’s Stoke branch.
National Veterinary Services (NVS) even trialled one of the dealer’s demonstration units with a 320mm tunnel and correspondingly lower floor. However, it felt that the specification of the vehicles as ordered represented the best compromise between enhanced visibility and driver comfort.
Fitted with air management systems and Jost sliding fifth wheels, the Actros will each cover 150,000 km per year. They begin leaving the company’s main warehouse before midnight, bound for the hubs, with final deliveries made to customers by its fleet of 140 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans.
Transport operations manager Phil Bate observed: “It’s all about recognising and responding to the direction of travel in the industry. Unsurprisingly, our drivers loved the spacious, flat-floored units they were in previously. But they also understand the rationale behind our decision to move to smaller cabs that offer better direct visibility.
“We’ve embraced Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ MirrorCam and other technology because of the tangible benefits it offers in terms of compliance, not only for London but for other towns and cities too. By moving to three star-rated vehicles we’ve effectively future-proofed our fleet. We’ve also done everything we can to ensure the safety of our driving colleagues and of the public in general, particularly vulnerable road users, while at the same time specifying a few additional features to make what can be a very tough job that bit more comfortable.”
In addition to its 11 tractor units, NVS operates a single fridge-bodied Actros 18-tonner.