The company has been buying Mercedes-Benz vehicles for more than 30 years – they have been supplied since 1995 by South Wales Dealer Euro Commercials .

Glass Systems now runs a single-marque fleet of nearly 50 trucks , the majority of which are the subject of Mercedes-Benz contract hire agreements . Most are 18-tonners , although the line-up includes 7.5- and 26-tonne rigids as well .

Glass Systems began operating tractor units in 2017 , following its acquisition of two former Pilkington Group factories in Barnsley and Cumbernauld . However , these are rented vehicles .

Also acquired with competitive funding support from the manufacturer , the new Actros tractors are both 2543 variants with StreamSpace cabs and 10.7-litre , in-line six-cylinder engines that produce 315 kW ( 428 hp ).

Like every 18-tonne Actros curtainsider that Glass Systems has acquired within the last year-and-ahalf

– Euro Commercials has delivered 14 and another two are currently in build – the tractor units are equipped with MirrorCam , Mercedes-Benz Trucks ’ pioneering alternative to conventional mirrors .

Other standard-fit technology includes the Active Brake Assist 5 emergency braking system , which boasts the industry ’ s most advanced pedestrian recognition capability ; the latest , enhanced version of Predictive Powertrain Control , which manages gear changes and ensures that full use is made of the Mercedes PowerShift 3 transmission ’ s Eco Roll function to maximise fuel-efficiency and reduce emissions ; and the radical Multimedia Cockpit , which has replaced switchgear with stylish and intuitively-operated twin screens . Established in 1988 , Glass Systems is the UK ’ s largest manufacturer and supplier of sealed glass units . Since 2015 it has been part of the Polish-owned Press Glass Group , a European leader in the fenestration sector .

In addition to its headquarters at Llansamlet , Swansea , and the two ex-Pilkington sites , Glass Systems operates production facilities in Pontyclun and Port Talbot , and another in Peterborough , where the tractor units are based . The subjects of Mercedes- Benz Complete Service contracts , they deliver to construction sites and other customer locations across the eastern side of England .

The safety benefits of MirrorCam are well documented and widely appreciated by those operators that have already embraced this pioneering development , as well as their drivers . The system provides much improved rear visibility – the driver of a tractor unit never loses sight of the back of the trailer when reversing – and the cameras are less susceptible to misting over in heavy rain . It has also removed major blind spots in the shape of the large mirror housings that obscure forward visibility .

However , Glass Systems National Transport Manager

Rob James has already seen enough to recognise that MirrorCam also offers other , significant advantages . “ We have some narrow roads in this part of South Wales , while the new tractors will be on and off busy sites at which access may be tight .

“ Any fleet manager will tell you that in such circumstances , it ’ s inevitable that a truck with mirrors will suffer a certain amount of accident damage , whether from overhanging branches or other vehicles . MirrorCam is already helping to reduce damage costs on the 18-tonners because being so much smaller and mounted high up on the roof , the camera are a lot less vulnerable to ‘ knockoffs ’.”

Mr James also confidently expects the new tractors to be more fuel-efficient

than the rented units Glass Systems already operates . While enhanced Predictive Powertrain Control and improved cab aerodynamics contribute to economy , so , too , does MirrorCam – the fifth-generation Actros consumes up to 1.5 % less diesel , Mercedes-Benz estimates , because the compact and streamlined camera housings offer significantly less wind resistance than mirrors .

“ In these days of driver shortages it pays to keep the guys happy ,” continued Rob James . “ While it took some older colleagues a little longer to get used to the new dashboard and cameras , they were all won over pretty quickly .

“ Most importantly , I ’ m convinced that running a modern , technologically advanced fleet gives us a big advantage when we ’ re

recruiting younger drivers . They really like all the mod cons , and no-one does that better than Mercedes- Benz .”

Glass Systems relies on the workshop team at Euro Commercials ’ Swansea branch to inspect and maintain the vehicles that operate from its three Welsh factories . “ The Dealer provides fantastic support ,” added Mr James .

“ Its local Service Manager Kevin Bacon and Service Advisor Pippa Tredwell , who handles the bookings , bent over backwards to keep us on the road throughout the pandemic , while Truck Sales Executive Steve Bastin has managed our account for years and knows our business inside out .”

www . glasssystems . co . uk