Warisa Distribution’s new tractor units had to be fuel-efficient and come with reassuring Europe-wide back-up for the boss, while also offering the best of comfort and safety for its drivers. The Mercedes-Benz long-haul champion ticked all the boxes.
The Wigan-based operator’s five new Actros 2548 tractor units were supplied by Liverpool Dealer Roanza Truck & Van. They have range-topping, flat-floored GigaSpace cabs and advanced, 350 kW (476 hp) straight-six engines, which drive through smooth-changing Mercedes-PowerShift 3 automated transmissions.
Warisa Distribution works for lift and access equipment manufacturer JLG, a division of the US-based Oshkosh Corporation, and specialises in moving plant and machinery such as scissor lifts and telescopic booms on low-loader trailers.
UK-bound products are collected at Liverpool docks by Warisa’s trucks and transported to JLG’s pre-delivery inspection and preparation centre in Middleton, Greater Manchester, before onward transit to end users all over Britain.
Warisa also transports machines from JLG’s manufacturing plant in Belgium to customers across mainland Europe. Another string to the operator’s business is repatriation work, for international breakdown agencies, of UK-based cars and motorhomes which break down on trips to the Continent.
Managing Director Warren Myers said: “Our drivers can be away for weeks at a time, on long distance runs, so comfortable, well-designed cabs with lots of storage space are very important. The GigaSpace provides just that, with bags of room and very high-quality fittings. It’s a very ‘liveable’ environment, and the level of standard safety equipment is highly impressive.
“I’m happy too, because the trucks are averaging 8 mpg. In an application like ours, which entails pulling some decidedly un-aerodynamic loads, that’s an excellent figure, and represents a marked improvement on the vehicles they’ve replaced.
“Mercedes-Benz trucks also have a strong reputation for reliability,” he continued. “The Actros haven’t missed a beat so far, but I also take comfort from knowing that should the worst happen Mercedes-Benz provides top-quality back-up across Europe, so we’ll never be left stranded.”
Warisa chose its new trucks following a competitive trial involving a vehicle by a rival manufacturer, which saw the Mercedes-Benz win on both fuel efficiency and driver appeal. The eye-catching Actros are fitted with chrome Kelsa lightbars, wheel trims, side skirts and air horns, and are the subject of competitively-priced contract hire agreements from Roanza Truck & Van’s sister company, Premier Vehicle Rentals – they will be maintained at the Dealer’s truck workshop in Wavertree, Liverpool.
“I’ve known Roanza sales executive Richie Rainford for many years, and he was very helpful and informative when we enquired about trialling a demonstrator,” added Mr Myers. “I’ve also met the Service team and been impressed by the professional set-up, and the long opening hours which will help us to keep downtime to an absolute minimum.”
Roanza’s network of dealership sites covers Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire, Staffordshire and North Wales and its state-of-the-art workshops at Liverpool, Stoke, Trafford Park and Warrington are open 24 hours a day from Monday to Friday.
Family-owned Warisa Distribution has been trading for over 30 years. In addition to its new Actros, the company runs a 26-tonne rigid with Hiab crane, and three 3.5-tonne vans for urgent deliveries of small consignments.