Rugby-based builders merchant 4 Shires has bought a 3.5-tonne Mitsubishi Fuso Canter 3C15 to service its second depot, in Daventry, just opened.
It's the company's first light truck – having previously used hire vehicles for deliveries – and came with a curtainside body built by Leicester specialist Saunders of Stapleton.
4Shires director Peter Middleton-Smith explains that his firm is a light merchant, so volume rather than payload capacity is important. "We didn't want to go above 3.5-tonne gvw, but [it] had to be able to carry lengths of plastic drainage pipe, roofing fascias and other materials."
Middleton-Smith says that the solution presented itself when a supplier made a delivery of drainage materials to 4 Shires' yard, using a 3.5-tonne Mitsubishi Fuso Canter.
"I took one look at that vehicle and realised it would be perfect for our business too," he recalls.
He cites the Canter's reputation for strength and durability –with its ladder-style chassis making it a small truck, not an bigged-up van.
"We're delighted with our new Canter," says Middleton-Smith. "It's a nice drive; it does exactly what we wanted in terms of carrying capacity; and it's going to be very productive.
The truck was provided by Coventry Mercedes-Benz dealer Gerard Mann Commercial Vehicles.
