Palletways goes contract hire with Mercedes

Palletways is moving to contract hire vehicles for its owned transport operations with an order for 67 trucks from Mercedes Benz. The company’s owned operations traditionally spot-hired a substantial number of its vehicles but has taken a strategic decision to increase the proportion of its fleet which is the subject of longer-term arrangements.

The new vehicles, a mix of Actros, Antos and Atego, include 28 tractor units and 39 rigids.

Director of owned operations Zac Brown said: “Palletways owned depots have been operating Mercedes-Benz vehicles on a rental basis for a number of years, and this experience has proved entirely positive. We are now investing in premium-quality products which offer exceptional reliability and fuel-efficiency, and have been very well received by our drivers.”

Most of the tractors are Actros 2543 StreamSpace models with advanced, 10.7-litre straight-six engines producing 315 kW (428 hp). The line-up also includes four Actros 2548 BigSpace units with 350 kW (476 hp), 12.8-litre power plants.

All of the rigids have ClassicSpace cabs and curtainside bodywork by Lawrence David, of Peterborough, with 18-tonners forming the backbone of the fleet. In addition to the 21 Antos 1824s, Palletways has ordered six 26-tonne Antos 2530s, eight 15-tonne Atego 1528s and a quartet of 7.5-tonne Atego 816s.

The tractor units and all but the smallest dozen of the rigids are equipped with optional Safety Packs which include Active Brake Assist 4 and Proximity Control Assist technology. Palletways has also specified fuel-saving Predictive Powertrain Control systems.