Bestway heading for all-Mercedes fleet with higher payloads in package

HIGH payloads, proven reliability and industry-leading back-up sees the UK’ s largest independent food wholesaler Bestway heading for all-Mercedes fleet of vans.

Bestway Wholesale made the switch from its previous light commercial vehicle supplier a little over a year ago, when it purchased its first 56 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters from the Rygor Dealer Group.

Key to that decision was the fact that unlike its main competitor, the 3.5-tonne Sprinter had not gained significant extra weight in order to meet the latest emissions regulations.

By also substituting traditional ply-lining with an innovative, polycarbon alternative that is lighter as well as more easily cleaned, Rygor’s fleet sales specialist Chris Carter was able to offer Bestway a Sprinter in Euro 5b emissions specification with a payload of more than 1,200 kg (after deduction of a 75kg allowance for the driver).

“This was a good deal higher than our established van supplier could come up with,”confirmed Bestway Wholesale Transport Manager Pretash Patel.

“Every single kilo counts in our operation, so the Sprinter’s payload advantage was crucial to Rygor winning the business.”

Not that Bestway’s first Sprinter order marked the beginning of a new relationship with the dealer – the company has been buying Mercedes-Benz trucks from Rygor since 2006 and today most of its near 200-strong fleet of vehicles at 7.5 tonnes or above wear three-pointed stars.

Polycarbon panels instead of ply lining raise payload

The Sprinters, most of which carry Bestway Foodservice liveries, make daily deliveries to its customer base of independent retailers and caterers. With a network of 63 Bestway and Batleys branches across England, Scotland and Wales, Bestway has the buying power that allows it to offer a huge range of products at the most competitive prices.

Pretash Patel continued: “Our move to Mercedes-Benz Vans has been a resounding success. As well as using every bit of the Sprinter’s available payload we’ve had very positive feedback from our drivers, who say it’s a more comfortable drive than the vehicles they were in previously.

“We’ve had no issues in terms of reliability and nor, given the Sprinter’s fantastic reputation, do I anticipate any arising.”

Like all Mercedes-Benz Vans, Bestway’s Sprinters came with three-year, unlimited mileage warranties and additional MobiloVan cover that includes 24-hour breakdown cover for the life of the vehicle providing it is maintained within the manufacturer’s official dealer network.

“Mercedes-Benz Dealers provide excellent coverage in terms of their locations, while the fact that they also offer night-time servicing was another big ‘plus’,” said Mr Patel.

“It means our vehicles are always available for work when we need them, and thus contributes to the overall cost-effectiveness of our operation.”

Polycarbon lining for doors and sides plus wheel arch boxes

He added: “Mercedes-Benz Vans is a prestige brand, which can only reflect well on our own company’ s image when our vehicles deliver to customers.

“Rygor’s Chris Carter has also been a great help. He’ s worked with us for a number of years and has taken the time to understand our business. So he knows how we work and has come up with a solution that meets our needs perfectly.”

Bestway Wholesale, a part of Bestway Group, was founded by Sir Anwar Pervez OBE, who arrived in the UK in 1956 and opened his first convenience store in London’s Earls Court in 1963.
Bestway Wholesale also caters for the pet trade through its Bestpets outlets and last year Bestway Group acquired the Co-operative Pharmacy, rebranding its branches under the new name of Well.

Chris Carter said: “Bestway is a UK success story and we’re proud to be building on our relationship with such an important customer. The Rygor mantra of Setting Standards is all about providing operators with equipment and services that are tailored to meet the precise needs of their operations. That’ s what we’ ve endeavoured to do for Bestway, and I’m delighted that it’s working so well.”