New Actros builds on firm foundations for Dunne Group

Scottish building and civil engineering contractor Dunne Group has chosen a New Actros from Mercedes-Benz to spearhead an expansion into the South of England.

The company bought its New Actros 2545 tractor unit to service a newly opened depot in London, and it is now trunking daily from the Central Belt of Scotland.

Dunne Group is based in Bathgate and has depots in Manchester and Leeds as well as its new London site. The company operates divisions specialising in building, civil engineering, concrete flooring, pre-cast concrete and plant hire.

Supplied by Edinburgh dealer Western Commercial, the vehicle has an aerodynamic StreamSpace cab and is powered by a 450hp straight-six engine, driving through the latest Mercedes PowerShift 3 automated transmission.

Dunne Group runs a fleet of 35 trucks in which 8×4 tippers feature heavily, and bought the New Actros and a pair of new Montracon 45ft flatbed trailers solely to supply its London outpost.

Operations Director John McCormack explained: "We’ve won several large contracts in and around London recently, and decided to open a depot from which to service them.

"We already run some Actros so we know they are efficient and reliable, while the new model is also a strikingly good-looking vehicle. It’s making an average of 10 trips up and down the M6 and M1 each week, which means it’s highly visible and is certainly fulfilling our requirement for a smart flagship truck to raise the profile of our business."

He continued: "The New Actros has hit the ground running with some very promising early fuel returns. We won’t take any precise readings until it’s had time to bed in but the indications are certainly positive.

"Meanwhile, the cab is extremely well-appointed and comfortable, and the PowerShift 3 gearbox and superb new chassis make it a pleasure to drive."

Dunne Group is also signing up to a Mercedes-Benz Repair and Maintenance Contract, under which Western Commercial will maintain the new truck and an Actros concrete pumping vehicle.

"We’re very happy with the service we receive from Western," concluded Mr McCormack. "They’re efficient, professional, and always there when we need them."