Mercedes-Benz Vans UK MD Steve Bridge is joining Warrington-based eStar Truck & Van on 1 February 2021.
Bridge joins eStar Truck & Van as MD and will work closely with owner and entrepreneur Sid Sadique.
Bridge joined Mercedes-Benz as a regional fleet manager in 2000 and became MD of Mercedes-Benz Vans UK in 2014.
eStar Truck & Van has its headquarters in Warrington and operates branches in Deeside, Liverpool, Manchester and Stoke-on-Trent.
Bridge said: “I’m passionate about the Mercedes-Benz brand and delighted that, although I’m leaving the company with which I’ve spent the last two very happy decades, in my new position I’ll still be representing the world’s number one truck and van business.
He added: “The opportunity to oversee eStar Truck & Van during a period of exciting evolution is one I’m relishing, and which I simply couldn’t resist.”
Bridge takes up his latest role in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic which has driven greater adoption of online services in the industry.
Bridge said: “The pandemic has proved how much we all rely on the truck and van communities to keep the country moving.
“Many businesses have quickly adapted their offerings to provide online solutions for customers, or introduced new delivery services to ensure that their products can still reach consumers.”
eStar Truck & Van has a strategy to develop online sales channels as the trend to buy vehicles online continues to grow.
The company is also planning to establish an eEducation centre that will showcase the fully electric range of Mercedes-Benz vans and FUSO eCanter trucks, alongside zero-emission products based on low-entry Mercedes-Benz Econic chassis and built by Electra Commercial Vehicles, which is also owned by Sid Sadique.
Bridge said: “Electrification and digitalisation will both be hugely significant for the UK commercial vehicle market going forward, so the fact that we’ll be able to bring them to life quickly, and in an easy-to-understand format, will allow us to provide customers with all-encompassing solutions.”
Sid Sadique has a long-established relationship with Mercedes-Benz. In addition to Electra Commercial Vehicles his portfolio includes the NRG Fleet Services Group, which includes businesses such as Riverside Truck Rental that supply and operate trucks and vans bearing the three-pointed star.
Sadique is also chairman and shareholder of Kent-based Mercedes-Benz Dealer Sparshatt Truck & Van.
Sadique said: “I’ve known Steve for many years and am delighted to welcome him to my executive team as MD of eStar Truck & Van.
“Between us we have spent almost two-thirds of a century serving commercial vehicle operators. Not only do we understand the market, but we’re also perfectly placed to meet the changing demands of our customers.”
