ARH Group has added a further 28 Mercedes-Benz Vitos to it fleet to support a new multi-million pound contract win.

The facilities management company acquired its first 10 Vitos last year and has now decided to switch its entire fleet of 200 vans to Mercedes-Benz models.

ARH Group is recruiting up to 60 more skilled engineers and extra head office staff, all of whom will be dedicated to its new electrical services contract, which commenced on 1st June.

The company has had a working relationship with the ‘top four’ supermarket since the early 1990s – its directly employed, regionally-based engineers have supported the retailer’s expansion while also serving other local businesses.

It recently underwent a rebranding exercise and the Mercedes-Benz vans are the first to wear its new logo and icons. All are Long-bodied models with 1.6-litre engines.

The vans are racked out to carry tools and spares. They will be maintained by the most conveniently located members of the manufacturer’s franchised network under
Mercedes-Benz ServiceCare plans, which the operator has paid for ‘up front’ in order to fix its costs.

The fact that Mercedes-Benz Dealers are commercial vehicle specialists and offer out-of-hours servicing was key to the Vito’s appeal. So, too, was the MobiloVan cover, which includes free emergency roadside assistance.

ARH Group fleet manager Simon Greene, said: “It’s crucial to the smooth running of our operation that we do everything possible to minimise downtime.

“Previously, when a vehicle was booked in for a service, we’d have to hire a replacement and our engineer would then have to swap all of his gear across, which was very time-consuming.

“However, because Mercedes-Benz workshops remain open at night he can drop his van off at the end of the day, go home in a courtesy vehicle, then pick up his own again first thing next morning, ready to go. In terms of convenience and efficiency, this is a massive step forward for us.”

The company is proposing to operate its Mercedes-Benz vehicles for no more than three years, during which they will typically cover up to 20,000 miles per annum.

“We don’t want to run them into the ground, as the Vito’s strong resale value was another factor in our decision to move to Mercedes-Benz,” added Greene.

The vehicles were supplied by Midlands Truck & Van in Coventry.