Bond's transport manager Ian Addis, a devout manual gearbox man, has had his views challenged after recently trying a Mercedes-Benz Actros with a 12-speed Mercedes PowerShift automated system.
"I always thought a stick was best," he admits. "But occasionally I take a truck out myself and I have to concede that Mercedes-Benz have that auto box just right – it makes for a very smooth ride indeed."
Bond's five new tractor units, fitted with PowerShift, are all 4x2 Actros 1846 models with flat-floored MegaSpace cabs. Fitted with Daimler FleetBoard telematics systems, they are part of a three-year contract hire deal with supplying dealer Sparshatts of Kent.
The trucks are plated for operation at 32 tonnes gcw and pull curtainside trailers with Moffett Mounty fork-lifts. They are used to transport refrigerated cabinets, some of which Bond Group supplies on a rental basis for use during peak periods.
While Sparshatts is maintaining three of the Actros, the other two are based at Falkirk and Stoke, so serviced by the local Mercedes-Benz dealers.
"The contract hire package on offer from Sparshatts was certainly competitive and, although these are early days, I like what I've seen of the dealer so far."
In addition to its Actros tractor units Bond Group also runs nine rigid trucks of various sizes, among them a 7.5-tonne Mercedes-Benz Atego.
