Browns Distribution has added a trio of new trucks to its fleet taking its total investment in fleet vehicles over the past 12 months to around £2.2 million.
The family-run firm’s first Mercedes-Benz trucks have been purchased from dealer eStar Truck & Van based just metres away from Browns’ new £9 million headquarters in Chemical Lane East, in Stoke-on-Trent.
They have joined a fleet of more than 60 trucks and 115 trailers dominated by rival brands and are among the first fleet trucks to boast the new Browns Distribution design following a rebrand.
The company has a regular fleet rotation policy but has said the deal came about from a well-timed approach from eStar’s Truck and Sales Consultant Ryan Lockett.
Browns Distribution Managing Director David Brown, pictured above, said: “Ryan’s timing was spot-on.
“He couldn’t have known, but he got in touch just as we were considering changes to our fleet purchase policy. We took a demo truck from eStar for a couple of weeks and were impressed enough to decide we would include Mercedes-Benz in the mix.
“The demonstrator was handed to one of our most experienced drivers, who gave us some very positive feedback. The cab was clearly well-designed and comfortable, the truck’s fuel returns were easily as good as anything else on our fleet, and overall it looked like a nice bit of kit.”
He added: “The most important thing with any vehicle, though, is its availability for work – uptime is everything.
“Having eStar’s round-the-clock workshop on our doorstep, and hearing the team there make all the right promises regarding how they’ll back us up, made the decision to invest in Mercedes-Benz a ‘no-brainer’.
“We also took up the offer of a five-year service contract, at a highly competitive rate, which will make budgeting for running costs much more predictable.”
As well as the £2.2 million investment in fleet vehicles in 2023, which includes the Mercedes units, Browns Distribution also invested £500,000 into new trailers.
A spokesman said: “We have a regular fleet rotation policy to ensure we continually have new, greener and more efficient vehicles on the road. Positives for us and our customers include increased fuel efficiency, performance, and reliability, but also driver comfort and satisfaction, and a good brand image.”
