44 | FEBRUARY 2020
Motoring
Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk
SPECIALIZED FABRICATIONS PLACES ITS
TRUST IN ANOTHER MERCEDES-BENZ
ATEGO FROM MARSHALL TRUCK & VAN
A nasty road accident has
only served to reinforce Special-
ized 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 ar-
chitectural metalwork, including
staircases, balconies, canopies
and balustrades, as well as sec-
ondary 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 vehi-
cle 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 devel-
opment sites and other customer
locations throughout the south of
England.
The Atego 818 has an air-condi-
tioned ClassicSpace day cab and
an optional ventilated driver’s
suspension seat with integral
armrests. Its 5.1-litre four-cyl-
inder 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 Buy-
er, and son Nathan is a Contracts
Engineer.
Purpose-designed for light- and
medium-duty distribution work,
as well as construction applica-
tions, 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,
Brothers Tony, left, and Kevin, are pictured with
Specialized Fabrications’ latest Mercedes-Benz Atego
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. Hav-
ing stuck it out until 2010 we
switched back to a used Atego,
which we ran for four years be-
fore buying our first brand new
one.”
Mr World continued: “Our last
Mercedes-Benz had given us five
years of ultra-reliable service be-
fore 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.
Tony
World
“Kevin is delighted with his
new truck. It has a more power-
ful engine than the last one, as
well as the automated trans-
mission, 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 reas-
sure them of our determination
to provide a reliable delivery
service.”
Key to Specialized Fabrications’
continued loyalty to the Mercedes-
Benz brand is the customer-fo-
cused 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 down-
time. 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