Landscaping contractor Roy Cowie has taken on four new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter tippers with seven-seat crew cabs having been impressed with the reliability of previous vans.
All the new vans are 314 CDI models with fuel-efficient 143hp engines and bodies by Ingimex of Telford. Three of the vans had been pre-built and were available from stock, so could start work without delay. All were supplied by Mercedes-Benz dealer BLS Truck & Van.
The crew cabs allow teams of between three and five operatives to travel in comfort and provide a safe space for tools, wet weather clothing and personal effects to be securely locked away.
Aberdeenshire-based Roy Cowie, which holds two Royal warrants having carried out work on Her Majesty the Queen’s Balmoral Estate, and Birkhall, the Scottish residence of Prince Charles, acquired its first Sprinter three years ago. “It was a revelation,” said director Cam Paterson. “The build quality was a clear step up from what we’d been used to and it has proved to be far more reliable than the vehicles we’d been using.
“Since switching to Mercedes-Benz we’ve enjoyed dependable performance – wear and tear parts like brake pads, for example, are lasting twice as long.
“So, too, is the Agility finance package, which represents great value for money and comes with predictable costs that allow us to budget with confidence, as well as a range of options at the end of the term.”
Safety is another key consideration for Roy Cowie. Standard features on its new Sprinters include Active Brake Assist, which can stop the vehicle autonomously if required, Adaptive ESP, and Crosswind Assist for increased stability, as well as ATTENTION ASSIST, which detects signs of tiredness and warns the driver.
“The package is excellent, and we plan to replace our remaining vans as they come up for renewal with more Mercedes-Benz vehicles,” added Paterson.
Established in 1994, Roy Cowie employs 65 people. Its fleet of 30 vans now includes 10 by Mercedes-Benz. The Sprinters work on landscaping, grounds and garden maintenance contracts for commercial and private clients across Aberdeenshire. They also undertake gritting work on trading estates, car parks and the like, using electrically-powered grit hoppers and spreaders that can be fitted to their load beds.
