Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk
SEPTEMBER 2020 | 37
Motoring
MERCEDES-BENZ VANS OF STOCKPORT DELIVERS
MAXIMUM FLEET VISIBILITY FOR WINDOWS SPECIALIST
Family-owned Alexander Windows
is enjoying the benefits of increased
efficiency and productivity after turning
to the newest member of the Mercedes-
Benz Vans retail network for a new
fleet of vehicles equipped with groundbreaking
PRO connect technology.
Part of the LSH Auto UK
group, Mercedes-Benz Vans of
Stockport has provided its near
neighbour with eight smartly
finished black Sprinters, which
came with 4G internet connectivity
as standard, as well as a pair of
Vito models.
Established by proprietor Steve
Wood and his wife Gaenor in
1991, Alexander Windows supplies
and installs a broad range
of tailor-made windows and
doors for homeowners and trade
customers.
The company took advantage
of a Mercedes-Benz Finance
funding package to acquire its
first vans bearing the three-pointed
star – Mercedes-Benz Vans of
Stockport took back its previous
fleet in part-exchange.
The Sprinters are 3.5-tonne 314
CDIs and powered by fuel-efficient
143 hp engines that drive
the rear wheels – the same model
is also available in front-wheel
drive configuration. With the
exception of a single long-bodied
L3 variant used solely for
deliveries, all are medium-length
L2s, and allocated to Alexander
Windows’ uniformed two-person
installation teams.
The Sprinters have roof racks
and external glass-carrying frails
on one or both sides. St Helen’s-based
fenestration sector
specialist Supertrucks, a long-established
supplier to Alexander
Windows, fitted new roof racks,
but removed the frails from its
customer’s previous vehicles,
then refurbished them prior to
refitting to the Sprinters. The
operator installs its own interior
racking.
The two mid-sized Vito vans,
a 114 CDI PROGRESSIVE and
a 111 CDI PURE, are used by
Alexander Windows staff responsible
for undertaking surveys and
service work.
The Woods’ daughter Emily and
son Alexander – after whom they
named the business – both also
work for the family concern. Its
decision to launch an innovative
360-degree interactive ‘virtual
showroom’ during the lockdown
has been instrumental in helping
the company to maintain business
levels through the pandemic.
Steve Wood commented: “The
huge increase in the number
of Mercedes-Benz vans you see
these days has certainly helped
to make the brand more attractive
to me. When I started out
and there were a lot fewer on
the road, I always felt there was
an issue in terms of perception
– had you rolled up in a new
Mercedes-Benz back then, prospective
customers were likely to
think you’d be too expensive.
“That no longer applies. It’s still
a premium product, of course,
and I’d like to think our new
vans will only enhance our own
reputation for quality and service.
But no-one’s going to think
you’re charging too much these
days, simply because you run a
fleet of Sprinters. On the contrary,
it feels like the ‘go to’ vehicle
now, for professional, well managed
businesses like our own.”
Mr Wood continued: “I was
genuinely surprised that the
finance package put together by
Mercedes-Benz Vans of Stockport’s
Experience Partner Joe
Heath was so competitive. In
cost terms it was on a par with
the deal we were offered by
our previous supplier, but the
Sprinter and Vito are far superior
in terms of quality and technical
specification, and have a better
image too.”
He recalled: “I test drove one
of the Dealer’s demonstrators
and was really impressed with
the comfort and quality of the
cab. The engine was extremely
smooth and quiet, and the whole
experience was more reminiscent
of a high-quality car then
a van. What’s more, the in-built
Mercedes PRO connect technology
also allows me to manage my
fleet without having to rely on a
third-party system, as we’ve done
previously.”
Mercedes PRO connect provides
operators with a range of
fast, efficient and cost-effective
vehicle management services. As
well as pinpointing its location
in real time, the system monitors
everything from the van’s
maintenance status to the efficiency
of the driver’s style at the
wheel, and even the amount of
fuel in the tank. It also provides
high-level navigation, communication
and security services,
and allows fleet managers to
control certain vehicle functions
remotely. The Sprinter also comes
as standard with the Mercedes
MBUX infotainment system,
which features a user-friendly
voice control function.
Meanwhile, the Sprinter’s reassuring
armoury of market-leading
safety features includes the
autonomous Active Brake Assist
system with another ‘first’ in the
shape of pedestrian recognition
technology, and ATTENTION AS-
SIST, which detects drowsiness in
the driver and encourages them
to take breaks when tired.
Mr Wood added: “The service
we’ve received from Joe and his
colleagues at Mercedes-Benz Vans
of Stockport has been excellent.
The Dealer arranged for the vehicles
to be ply-lined, and for all of
the Sprinters with the exception
of the longest to be fitted with
rear steps which are linked to the
reversing sensors.
“The fleet looks amazing. We
couldn’t be happier with our new
Mercedes-Benz vans, and the
same is true of the crews who
use them.”
alexanderwindows.co.uk