Clearview National February 2020 - Issue 219 | Page 18

INDUSTRYNEWS
Trucks you can trust
A nasty road accident has only served to reinforce
Specialized Fabrications’ loyalty to the Mercedes-
Benz Atego, after its driver escaped unscathed.
» THE FAMILY-OWNED AND RUN
company designs, manufactures and installs
a wide range of architectural metalwork,
including staircases, balconies, canopies and
balustrades, as well as secondary steelwork in
both ferrous and non-ferrous materials.
Specialized Fabrications is based in
Gosport, Hampshire, and has just taken
delivery from local Dealer Marshall Truck &
Van of another 7.5-tonne Atego, to replace
the five-year-old vehicle which was ‘written
off’ in the collision.
Fitted with a dropside body by Solent
Bodybuilders, of Fareham, the new truck
is now delivering the company’s products
to development sites and other customer
locations throughout the south of England.
The Atego 818 has an air-conditioned
ClassicSpace day cab and an optional
ventilated driver’s suspension seat with
integral armrests. Its 5.1-litre four-
cylinder engine produces 130 kW (177
hp) and drives through a six-speed
Mercedes PowerShift 3 automated manual
transmission.
Specialized Fabrications was established
in 1984 by Managing Director Tony World.
His brother Kevin drives its only truck, while
another brother, Martin, is a Buyer, and son
Nathan is a Contracts Engineer.
Purpose-designed for light- and medium-
duty distribution work, as well as construction
applications, the Mercedes-Benz Atego
range from 7.5-16 tonnes GVW combines
outstanding dynamics, comfort and
manoeuvrability, with well-proven reliability
and durability.
Specialized Fabrications bought its first
7.5-tonne Atego in 1999 and ran the truck
for six years, before replacing it with one from
another brand. “That was a big mistake,” recalled
Tony World. “We bought the truck because it
was so keenly priced, but it wasn’t really up to the
job, and was forever in the garage.
“We quickly came to realise that we should
have paid more attention to quality, and gone
for another Mercedes-Benz. Having stuck it
out until 2010 we switched back to a used
Atego, which we ran for four years before
buying our first brand new one.”
Mr World continued: “Our last Mercedes-
Benz had given us five years of ultra-reliable
service before it suffered a twisted chassis in
the accident. The important thing, though, is
that Kevin got out without a scratch, which
says a lot for the strength and safety of the
Atego.
“Kevin is delighted with his new truck.
It has a more powerful engine than the last
one, as well as the automated transmission,
and is a nicer, more comfortable vehicle
all round. Clients are also pleased to see us
investing in premium-quality equipment,
as it helps to reassure them of our
determination to provide a reliable delivery
service.”
Key to Specialized Fabrications’ continued
loyalty to the Mercedes-Benz brand is the
customer-focused support it receives from
the workshop team at Marshall Truck &
Van’s Fareham headquarters.
Once again, the operator has taken out a
five-year Mercedes-Benz Complete Service
Contract. “The plan is competitively priced
and allows us to budget with confidence,
while also protecting ourselves against price
increases,” said Mr World.
“The Dealer knows us well and provides
a great service, which means we never
incur any downtime. We always drop our
vehicle off at the end of the day so it can be
inspected and serviced overnight, then pick
it up at 7am ready to go to work again.”
www.specfabs.co.uk
18 » F EB 2020 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M