Supplied by dealer Roanza Truck & Van, the ten new arrivals are all 816 models with S- ClassicSpace day cabs and 5.1-litre engines, which transmit their 113bhp outputs via PowerShift automated gearboxes.
The vehicles have lightweight box bodies by Lawrence David, of Peterborough, and are fitted with 1,500kg Anteo tail-lifts.
Roanza has already supplied Tuffnells with 22 Atego trucks this year, all Lawrence David-bodied 816 variants. The first order followed successful trials at its Norwich depot of a single 7.5-tonner, which was well received by drivers. Tuffnells has also recently commissioned an 18-tonne Mercedes-Benz Antos drawbar rigid, with three more due for delivery by the end of this year.
The Atego trucks are supplied on an operating lease through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. Most are based in Stafford, and are being inspected and maintained under contract by the workshop team at Roanza’s Stoke-on-Trent branch.
Simon Parsons, head of group services at Tuffnells’ parent company Connect Group, says: “The proximity of the local agent and the quality of its service – Roanza has been our preferred supplier on vans for the last couple of years – played a big part in our decision to populate this depot with new Mercedes-Benz Atego and Antos.”
He adds: “The Atego is competitively priced but the primary focus, given the demanding nature of the work and the fact that we anticipate running these trucks for up to six years, was on lifecycle costs, driver acceptance, and health and safety.
“Our 7.5-tonners typically cover 50,000 miles a year and make 50 collections and deliveries a day. It’s a tough job so naturally a comfortable, easily accessed and well-built cab is really important to the guys who use them. Feedback on the Atego has been entirely positive – it’s a very safe and driver-friendly vehicle.”