PHOENIX Healthcare Distribution supplies a range of products to hospitals, health centres, dispensing surgeries and pharmacies. Part of the PHOENIX Group, it operates from UK headquarters in Runcorn and a network of 13 depots nationwide.
The new Sprinters are on multi-drop delivery duties and typically cover more than 1,000 miles a week. All are fitted with tracking systems and rear parking sensors, and limited to 70 mph.
According to Jason Gadsby, group fleet manager at PHOENIX Healthcare Distribution, the need to maximise vehicle ‘uptime’ was the crucial driver behind the company’s decision to move to Mercedes-Benz.
“We want our vans to be out on the road and earning, not laid up because we couldn’t get them into the workshop the night before, or because parts are on back order,” he explained.
“The after sales package we were offered by Mercedes-Benz was certainly eye-catching. Routine services and minor repairs will be undertaken at our own sites and at times convenient to our business, by factory-trained technicians.
“And should the worst happen, we also have the reassurance of knowing the MobiloVan support from Mercedes-Benz includes 24-hour emergency roadside assistance.”
New EU legislation requires that pharmaceutical products must be carried in temperature-controlled vehicles. PHOENIX plans to trial a Sprinter chassis cab with fridge body by Paneltex, alongside a panel van converted by the same specialist.
The new fleet is the subject of a contract hire agreement with long-term partner LeasePlan.