Heron Foods expands Mercedes-Benz Actros fleet

Heron Foods has taken delivery of five Mercedes-Benz Actros, bringing the total number on its fleet to seven. 

The retailer’s new 4x2 Actros 1840s are based at its headquarters in Melton, East Yorkshire. They typically operate at 38 tonnes gcw and pull temperature-controlled 13.6 metre and short, urban trailers by Gray & Adams.

The units, which were supplied by Dealer Northside Truck & Van, will be inspected and serviced under five-year Mercedes-Benz repair and maintenance contracts.

Karl Dawson, head of logistics at Heron Foods, who is responsible for a fleet of 40 trucks, said: “We deliver round-the-clock to our network of stores, many of which are located in busy town centres, so we need a low impact tractor unit which is small and highly manoeuvrable.

“The drivers have certainly taken to their new Actros. Not only do they offer the manoeuvrability we need, but we’ve also specified their cabs with extra side glass which makes for excellent all-round vision.

“We’re very happy with their economy too. Last month our first two Euro VI units averaged 9.67mpg and 9.49mpg respectively, and these are figures which compare very favourably with our non-Mercedes-Benz trucks.”    

Another factor influencing Heron Foods’s decision to invest was the aftersales support it has received from the workshop team at Northside Truck & Van’s Hull branch, who also maintain its Euro V vehicles from the previous Actros generation.

“Depot manager Simon Rennison and his colleagues provide a great all-round service,” Dawson said. “If we have an issue, which you’ll always get from time to time, they’ll pull out all the stops to get it sorted and will keep us fully in the picture throughout.”