Peter Broughton puts Mercedes-Benz and Fuso Canters into operation

Fresh produce wholesaler Peter Broughton has taken delivery of nine Euro-5 trucks supplied under derogation: a mix of  Mercedes-Benz and Fuso Canters.

The new fleet includes a 26-tonne Euro-5 Axor 2533L, which the firm said is its heaviest vehicle yet and an addition to the fleet.

It has also taken two 15-tonne Atego 1524s at Euro-5, four refrigerated 3.5 tonne Mercedes Sprinter 316 vans, and two Fuso Canter 7C15s, all of which were taken as replacements.

A spokesman for Mercedes-Benz also revealed that the firm has another 7.5-tonne Fuso Canter on order as it continues with plans to expand through acquisition.

The trucks all feature the firm’s new livery and are fitted with insulated curtainsided-bodies built by Andover-based Transload, part of the Paneltex group.

The Sprinter vans have also been liveried with the company’s branding and will be used alongside the trucks to deliver to wholesalers, restaurants, hotels, schools and caterers across south, west and mid-Wales.

All of the vehicles were supplied by Euro Commercials (South Wales) and the operator said it now favours Mercedes-Benz over other marques.

MD Nicholas Broughton said: “The 26-tonner is our biggest vehicle yet. It has a 32ft body and runs to west Wales each day, returning with fresh produce collected from suppliers.

"The Canter, meanwhile, gives us a market-leading payload of 4 tonnes – that’s half a tonne more than we’d get on a conventional 7.5-tonner and a crucial advantage in terms of productivity.”