Spartan Motor Factors has added the first Sprinter models to its fleet of more than 40 Mercedes-Benz vans.
The Sprinters are 3.5-tonne H2 L2 314 CDI variants with high roofs and long bodies. They are based at Spartan Motor Factors’ distribution hub in Newport, which the company opened this year, from where they are used to replenish its network of branches.
These vans came from the Cardiff branch of Euro Commercials – as have the other Mercedes-Benz vans in the fleet. The majority are small Citans. Between three and eight long-bodied 109 CDIs are based at each of Spartan’s branches, and used to deliver a comprehensive range of products including friction, filtration and other parts, lubricants, paints, welding gas and tools to trade and private customers within 45 minutes of the order being received.
The Vito Sport 116 CDI and 119 CDI crew vans are assigned to branch managers. Fitted with second rows of seats, and dynamically styled – features include chrome highlights and 17in alloy wheels – they help the company to attract the best candidates.
Spartan, established in 2012, was the brainchild of former RAF officer Jason Farrugia and his co-directors, former schoolfriend Lee Gratton and Daniel Webb, both of whom already had experience of working within the automotive parts sector. The firm operates from a network of 12 branches throughout South Wales and the South West, the latest of which opened in Bristol in July. It plans to launch a further three before the end of this year.
Initially, Spartan ran a “mixed bag” of vans, but in 2015 acquired a pair of used Vito crew vans from Euro Commercials. Since then, Spartan Motor Factors has strengthened its relationship with Mercedes-Benz and commissioned 23 Citans and a further seven Vito crew vans in 2018.
The company has taken delivery of another 10 Citans and a couple more Vito models this year, as well as the Sprinters, and will add more as it extends its reach by opening further branches.
“We’d tried vans by a couple of other manufacturers previously and suffered reliability issues with both of them,” said Farrugia. “By contrast, we’ve never had a problem with a Mercedes-Benz. They’re fit for purpose, cost-effective to operate, and lead the field in terms of safety. Our drivers confirm they’re also a lot nicer to drive than the vehicles they were in previously.
“Business success for Spartan is all about providing customers with a fast, reliable ‘one-stop shop’ service. If a customer has a car stripped and up on a ramp, and he needs a part to get the job finished, he wants it as soon as possible. We have to live up to our delivery promise, and in order to do that we need vans which won’t let us down.”
Farrugia added that Spartan has worked increasingly closely over the past four years with Euro Commercials’ van sales executive Scott Williams, sharing development plans and timescales with him so the vehicles are always in stock when we need them.
“Scott is constantly in touch and the dealer has provided us with courtesy and even loan vehicles whenever we’ve needed one to tide us over,” said Farrugia. “It’s reassuring to know that we can always rely on Euro to bend over backwards to help keep our business moving.”
