The Washington-based business was founded by Savva Roberts with a single van. The following year he swapped it for his first Mercedes-Benz, and he’s bought no other make of van since.
Today, SR Transport runs five 3.5-tonne Sprinters and four mid-sized Vito models, as well as 19 trucks of various sizes.
The latest arrivals from North-East dealer Bell Truck and Van are a Long-bodied Vito 111 CDI and a Sprinter 316 CDI chassis cab with curtainside bodywork by Alloy Bodies, of Manchester, and cab roof-mounted sleeper pod by Czech manufacturer Pony Auto Trend. Both wear laurel wreath logos highlighting their owner’s 25th anniversary.
“Reliability is the single most important factor behind our loyalty to Mercedes-Benz vans,” explained Roberts. “A lot of our work entails just-in-time deliveries and given the size of the fines we’d incur if we arrived late, we simply cannot afford breakdowns.
“Our Sprinter and Vito vans have stood the test of time. Problems have been few and far between and on the very rare occasions that they have occurred the Mercedes-Benz emergency roadside assistance service has responded quickly and efficiently.
“Given the distances our vehicles cover the manufacturer’s unlimited mileage, three-year warranty is another big plus point. Our vans are also comfortable and well-liked by their drivers, equipped with a reassuring array of safety features and very economical to run.”
SR Transport maintains its Mercedes-Benz vans in its own workshops but relies on Bell Truck and Van for regular parts deliveries.
“It’s a first class service,” added Roberts. “We buy used as well as new vehicles from Bell and its sales executives are very switched on.”
