Advanced Supply Chain Group (ASCG) has refreshed its fleet with 56 Mercedes-Benz Actros with 450hp and StreamSpace cabs, in a deal valued at £5.7m.
The vehicles, which have Vision Techniques’ anti-roll away BrakeSafe system, were provided by Hexagon Leasing under a three-year contract. The two firms have been working together for more than 10 years.
ASCG chief financial officer Glyn Rogan said that while it had considered the recently launched Scania and Daf models, Mercedes-Benz still offered the best product. “Mercedes-Benz trucks are excellent quality, they’re driver friendly and extremely reliable.
“We are not brand loyal but we are loyal to fuel efficiency, reliability and a good environment for drivers, and Mercedes-Benz delivers that.”
Each unit is fitted with rear-view, side- and forward-facing cameras. Rogan said: “We chose the cameras for driver safety and to monitor incidents, but mainly to protect drivers.”
The firm has recently restructured several operating divisions under a single parent company – Advanced Supply Chain Group – creating a business with an annual turnover of £44.9m in the year to 30 November 2015 and a pre-tax profit of £1.6m, with interests in transport, warehousing, freight forwarding and consultancy.
As part of the restructuring, ASCG has appointed two directors and a financial officer: Ben Balfour; Mohsin Chohan; and Sandy Hunter respectively.
Rogan said: “We are a rapidly expanding firm. The new directorships were made to strengthen the senior management team. Ben Balfour [recently promoted head of operations and to the board] has been with the business for 20 years.
“It is our policy to promote and develop from within the business, and these promotions have created more strength, helping Mike [Danby CEO] and I to develop the business.”
