The vehicle was presented to Graham Dawe, managing director of Ipswich-based SES, at a recent launch event at Milsoms, Kesgrave Hall, which was attended by locally based van operators
The vehicle was one of two Citan 109 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Longs supplied by Orwell to SES, which plans to order another couple next month.
Founded in 1977 as an electrical engineering contractor, SES offers a range of services, including fast-reaction support for operators of social housing schemes, nursing and residential homes throughout the South-East and South-West.
Sister operation Suffolk Fire Protection (SFP), meanwhile, specialises in fire prevention systems, emergency lighting and the provision and maintenance of fire extinguishers.
Between them SES and SFP operate a fleet of 40 vans, most of which are fitted with specialised racking and assigned to engineers. Although the line-up includes half a dozen Mercedes-Benz Vito models also supplied by Orwell Truck & Van, most of these vehicles are of a similar size to the Citan but by a rival manufacturer.
‘This is a very exciting development for our business,’ said Mr Dawe. ‘We currently have three field-based engineers working in the South-West and as they cover substantial mileages they will all be getting Citans, because reliability is crucial and we cannot afford breakdowns.’
He continued: ‘The Vito is an excellent product, cost-effective to run and built to the exceptionally high standard you’d expect of Mercedes-Benz. In most cases, however, it’s just too big for our needs. The Citan offers all of the Mercedes-Benz virtues of comfort, economy, reliability and safety, but is also the perfect size for our operation, so I’ve no doubt we’ll be buying more over the months to come.’
The Citan is powered by a diesel engine with 75PS, 90PS and 110PS power outputs, or a 114OPS petrol unit, and achieves up to 65.7 mpg with CO2 emissions as low as 112g/km.
Panel van versions are available in three lengths – Compact, Long and Extra-long – and offer volume carrying capacities of up to 3.8 m³ and a maximum payload potential of 735kg.
The Citan Traveliner is based on the Long wheelbase and has a folding rear bench seat, allowing it to carry the driver and up to four passengers. The Citan Dualiner, meanwhile, has the same seating configuration but, because it is based on the Extra-long format, also offers a practical cargo space.
James Russell, van sales manager at Orwell Truck & Van, said: ‘The Citan is a very exciting addition to the Mercedes-Benz van range and we’re offering some highly competitive and flexible finance packages that can put customers behind the wheel for as little as £6.95 a day.’