MHW Magazine News and stories from the Materials Handling Industry
Independent recycling and waste management specialist Weir Waste has signalled its determination to go for growth by commissioning a new fleet of Mercedes-Benz Antos refuse trucks.
The Birmingham-based company operates material recovery facilities in the city’s Bordesley Green district and in Oldbury, and serves commercial customers throughout the West Midlands, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.
It is now running five 26-tonne 2530s and a single 18-tonne 1824 from the Antos heavy distribution range. Supplied by Dealer Midlands Truck & Van, all have Dennis Eagle Olympus rear-end loader bodies.
Between them Weir Waste’s two operations can process some 500,000 tonnes of waste and recyclables each year. Commercial & Industrial Manager Rajesh Brigue joined the company last year from one of the biggest names in the industry, and is now playing a key role in its drive to win new business from companies across the region.
“Following a major programme of investment our Oldbury site is now the largest automated commercial material recovery facility in the West Midlands, its optical sorting equipment delivering some of the industry’s highest recycling, recovery and purity rates,” he said.
“This capacity allows us to look at all waste streams and offer a total management package for clients who are conscious of their corporate social responsibilities and keen to divert as much waste as possible from landfill.”
He continued: “It’s important that the trucks we use should reflect our commitment to the environment and with their low-emission, Euro VI engines our Mercedes-Benz Antos fit the bill perfectly. We’re very proud of these new vehicles, which convey a professional, high-quality image of our company when they arrive at a customer’s premises.”
The Weir Group, which also operates a construction and demolition waste management service from another depot in Birmingham, runs a combined fleet of 50 trucks. Several marques are represented but the Antos are its first by Mercedes-Benz for more than a decade.
The company’s Oldbury Depot Manager Malcolm Gregory is responsible for the 25 vehicles currently in service with the company’s Commercial & Industrial Division. “Midlands Truck & Van put together a compelling package in terms of the specification of our new trucks and the high level of back-up built into the cost-effective contract hire agreement,” he explained.
Weir Waste’s Antos have short ClassicSpace (S) day cabs and state-of-the art, 7.7-litre six-cylinder BlueEfficiency Power engines – the six-wheelers have outputs of 220 kW (300 hp) while the 18-tonner produces 175 kW (240 hp). All drive through smooth-changing Mercedes PowerShift 3 automated transmissions.
“Given the nature of the work, with heavy traffic and a lot of stopping and starting, the auto gearbox was a ‘must’,” added Mr Gregory. “The drivers are really pleased with the comfort and easy driveability of these new trucks, and if they’re happy so are we.”
Weir Waste provides a comprehensive range of skips and containers and operates seven days a week. The company offers free site audits for prospective customers, while its waste vehicles are also fitted with sophisticated MOBA bin weighing and identification systems that enable it to charge by bin weight; not only does this technology prevent overfilling, it also helps customers to achieve their environmental goals by minimising the amount of waste they produce and send to landfill.
The Mercedes-Benz Antos has set new standards in the key 18- and 26-tonne rigid truck segments by combining practical, comfortable cabs, impressive economy and safe, assured driving characteristics, with low repair and maintenance costs. Customers can choose from three six-cylinder Euro VI engines and no fewer than 13 outputs, allowing them to tailor the power and torque of their vehicles perfectly to suit any application. The standard-fit Mercedes PowerShift 3 transmission, meanwhile, delivers swift, seamless gear changes – while most Antos models employ the eight-speed version, 12- and 16-speed alternatives are also available.
