Wholesale fish supplier New Wave Seafood netted itself a prize catch in the shape of 11 new Mercedes-Benz vans.
The Gloucestershire company wanted the most efficient, reliable vehicles it could get for its money. Ultimately, though, it was the promise of exceptional after sales support from Rygor Commercials that tipped the scales in favour of the three-pointed star.
Supplied by the Dealer Group’s Swindon branch, the new fleet – or shoal – of vans are all named after types of fish. Among the titles worn by individual vehicles are John Dory, Red Mullet, Sea Bass and Wild Salmon.
The six Sprinter 314 CDIs and five smaller Vito 114 CDIs were acquired with funding support from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services and will be maintained by Rygor under Service Care Plans paid for on a monthly basis. Like all Mercedes-Benz vans they also benefit from free MobiloVan emergency roadside assistance and are covered by three-year, unlimited mileage warranties, although the operator has extended these to five years.
The vehicles are all powered by 140 hp versions of the same fuel-efficient 2.1-litre Euro 6 engine. The Sprinters are a combination of Medium and Long wheelbase variants while the Vito vans are Long models. Among the class-leading arsenal of standard safety equipment fitted across the board is innovative Adaptive ESP® load-sensing stability system, which also includes Crosswind Assist to help mitigate against the effects of potentially dangerous sideways gusts.
New Wave Seafood Account Manager Marcus Cooper commented: “The finance and servicing arrangements are highly competitive in terms of cost, while fixing the amount we pay each month means we can budget with confidence, knowing there won’t be any nasty surprises further down the line.
“Not that we anticipate any issues,” he continued. “We’ve operated vehicles by a variety of manufacturers over the years and found that nothing comes close to a Mercedes-Benz for reliability over a long, hard operating life. Our vans typically cover up to 50,000 miles per year, so the fact that the warranty has no mileage limit is very important.”
The new vehicles were insulated by Polar Truck & Van, of Westbury, Wiltshire, which also fitted their GAH refrigeration units. They have taken their places in a fleet of 35 vans, which deliver six days per week to hotels, restaurants and catering outlets, as well as making collections from Cornish fish markets and food producers. Several other brands are represented but New Wave is now pursuing a policy of converting the line-up to Mercedes-Benz, as vehicles come up for replacement.
“The cost of the refrigerated conversion means we look for a working life of four to five years,” explained Mr Cooper. “During that time we want our vans to be out on the road at every available opportunity, not laid up in the workshop. Since we took our first Mercedes-Benz vehicles from Rygor a couple of years ago, we’ve found them to be far more reliable than any of the competition, and therefore much more cost-effective to operate.
“Mercedes-Benz Vans’ MobiloVan cover provides a safety net in the event that the worst happens and a vehicle breaks down. Not only do we save money, because we don’t have to pay for an external breakdown supplier, but we’re also assured of a higher level of service, because roadside attendance is by fully-trained technicians fitting only Mercedes-Benz GenuineParts.”
He added: “The final piece of the jigsaw is the excellent care we receive from Rygor Commercials. Sales Executive David Lever liaises with the converter and always ensures that vehicles are delivered on time and in perfect condition. We also have a great relationship with the Swindon workshop team – the Dealer can service our vans outside normal working hours, so they are always available for work when we need them.”
David Lever said: “New Wave Seafood supplies the finest quality products and promises its customers an exemplary level of service – and with its commitment to Setting Standards, Rygor shares the same values. We’re delighted to be able to provide the award-winning vehicles and exceptional back-up that will keep this business moving.”
ends
For more information, or to request bigger/higher-res image files, please contact:
John Ripley or Steve Warren
Impact Communications, 01926 842126
John: 07771 484595, john@impactcom.co.uk
Steve: 07770 470251, steve@impactcom.co.uk
Notes to Editors: Rygor Commercials
Founded in 1992, the Rygor Commercials Group operates from a network of 11 sites located across, Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Warwickshire, West London, Wiltshire and Worcestershire.
Among its staff of more than 600 people, the company employs 180 Mercedes-Benz trained technicians, 60 parts specialists and 30 sales executives.
Rygor sells and services Mercedes-Benz Vans and Trucks, FUSO Canter and Unimog vehicles, as well as servicing a wide range of manufacturers’ commercial vehicles, buses and coaches.