Wincanton Actros Felixstowe (7)

Wincanton is putting safety first in its latest fleet upgrade with the addition of 100 Mercedes-Benz Actros tractor units.

Motor Transport's Haulier of the Year at the 2017  specified the 2545s with flat-floored versions of the StreamSpace cab. They are equipped with Mercedes PowerShift automated transmissions also.

The trucks come with Mercedes-Benz Safety Packs, which include Active Brake Assist and Proximity Control Assist technology.

Active Brake Assist employs multi-mode radar to monitor moving and stationary objects in front of the vehicle, from a speed of 15 km/h, with the ability to apply automatic staged braking if the driver fails to react to the alarm.

The new trucks, which will all have joined Wincanton’s 4,000-strong fleet by the end of January, will be hauling shipping containers on skeletal trailers.

Supplied by East Anglia dealer Orwell Truck & Van, most are based at Felixstowe, while others work from Liverpool and Birmingham.

Wincanton’s group fleet director Carl Hanson said: “Given the extra equipment we have specified, these Actros tractor units are among the safest trucks available, and will help to protect other road users as well as our own drivers.

“Their spacious, flat-floored cabs, which we fit with fridges and microwave ovens, provide a comfortable working and living space for our drivers, while we also know from previous experience that Actros tractors are fuel-efficient and cost-effective to run.”

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