The board at Hywel Dda Health Board's Carmarthen Laundry Service has finally replaced its two 13-year old Bevan-bodied Mercedes-Benz trucks.
Carmarthen conducted a formal tender process before ordering its new trucks, which, once again, combine 13-tonne Mercedes-Benz Atego chassis with Bevan bodies.
On this occasion, though, they are the subject of a six-year contract hire arrangement with public sector vehicle finance specialist Automotive Leasing, a division of LeasePlan.
Both commercial vehicles have been fitted with box versions of Bevan's streamlined Bevan21 body. This features a curved roof and moulded air deflector and cab collar, designed to reduce wind resistance.
Independent tests have confirmed that the Bevan21 is capable of cutting fuel bills by more than 15%, and trucks with this body – which is also available as a curtansider – are now producing impressive mpg returns for some of the biggest fleet operators on Britain's roads.
The fuel-efficient Mercedes-Benz Atego 1324 chassis, on which Bevan's bodies are mounted, were supplied by South Wales dealer Euro Commercials.
Laundry manager Derek Upton has retained one of the two older vehicles as a spare. "They proved exceptionally good value for money and are a testament to the manufacturing quality of both Bevan Group and Mercedes-Benz," he states.
"Others would have fallen to bits years ago, but Bevan's bodies are still perfectly sound, while the Mercedes-Benz chassis have been incredibly reliable. In 13 years, we replaced one clutch – which says it all."
