32 | FEBRUARY 2019
Motoring
Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk
Emplas commits six-figure investment to its fleet
Emplas has continued
its programme of
infrastructure and
customer service
investment, with a major
upgrade of its fleet.
Representing a significant six-figure
Hydro
Launches New
Branded Fleet
Hydro has launched
its first UK fleet of
branded vehicles to
deliver Building System
brands Sapa, Technal
and WICONA across
the country, uniting
the three brands under
the Hydro message.
Unlike previous delivery fleets, the
six new Hydro trucks can carry an in-
creased payload, designed to carry both
stillage aluminium profiles as well as pallets
of accessories in one delivery, reducing the
number of journeys needed to fulfil orders
and improving delivery times.
The Euro VI engine regulation compliant
tucks deliver a 7% reduction in fuel con-
sumption when compared with previously
used Euro V standard. The trucks also in-
corporate further efficiency measures such
as Predictive Powertrain Control, a unique
cruise control system designed to make in-
tuitive predictions through the use of digital
maps and GPS data, which helps reduce
fuel consumption further by up to 5%.
Driver safety has also been a key focus in
the development of the new trucks, allow-
ing for a host of safety features including
Active Braking, which reduces speed based
on surrounding hazards.
www.hydroextrusions.com/en-GLOBAL/
investment, this gives Emplas a fleet of of
six Mercedes-Benz HCV Actros trucks, pow-
ered by low emission Euro 6 engines.
In addition to lowering emissions, the
additional five 18 tonne and one 44 tonne
wagons each feature a hard-sided wall. This
gives the Wellingborough-based trade fabri-
cator increased flexibility within its fleet.
The addition of a further new Mercedes
Sprinter and Luton van to its fleet, further
increases Emplas’ ability to react to custom-
er demand.
Kush Patel, Operations Director said: “We
have already seen some fairly substantial
increases at the pumps this year. With fuel
prices are forecast to continue to rise we have
invested in a new and even more fuel-efficient
fleet now, so that we don’t have to pass those
costs on to our customers going forward.”
Emplas growth has been underpinned by
a programme of continuous development.
This has included a more than £5m spend
on new factory extension, machinery and
infrastructure since April 2017.
Adding around a third again to its man-
ufacturing facility its factory extension was
completed at the end of 2017, housing new
lines, loading bays and offices.
Its’ acquisition of Padiham Glass in May
also gives Emplas increased control of its
IGU supply chain at a time of increased
uncertainty in glass supply, as well as giving
its customers access to cutting-edge inno-
vation in float glass technology from Saint
Gobain.
www.emplas.co.uk
Pricing and Specification
Announced for New AWD Sprinter
Pricing and specification have been
announced for the new Mercedes-Benz
Sprinter AWD, which is now available to or-
der for March 2019 production, priced from
£37,540 excluding VAT for the Sprinter 314
Chassis L2 AWD.
The Sprinter AWD is designed to offer a
practical and capable solution where addi-
tional traction is required and uses the tried
and trusted Mercedes-Benz 4-ETS (Electron-
ic Traction System) technology, which is
integrated with Adaptive ESP, offering unri-
valled traction management in operation.
The Sprinter AWD features selectable low
range transmission and Downhill Speed
Regulation to enhance the traction and
grade ability of the Sprinter range even
further, as well as increasing the climbing
ability of the vehicle.
The AWD system is turned on and off
electro-hydraulically, enabling the system
to be engaged (4x4) or disengaged (4x2)
in vehicle speeds of up to 6 mph if condi-
tions demand. The system is operated by
a dashboard mounted rocker switch with
integrated indicator lights to show selection
and full engagement.
The system uses full electronic control to
manage traction which negates the need for
a manually engaged differential lock. In all-
wheel-drive mode, the transfer case sends
35% of the power to the front axle and 65%
to the rear axle. With low range engaged
torque is increased by around 40%.
In addition to the low range gear se-
lection and Downhill Speed Regulation,
enhanced standard specification for the
Sprinter AWD above a standard 4x2 Sprint-
er includes entrance grab handles on both
front doors, hydraulic steering, and mixed-
use mud and slush tyres for optimum all
round suitability.
The AWD Sprinter models are covered by
full three-year, unlimited mileage Mercedes-
Benz Warranty and supported by the na-
tionwide Dealer Network.