Mercedes Move is Elementary for Watsons

When Wolverhampton-based Watsons Glass decided to switch commercial vehicle suppliers, one brand emerged as the clear front-runner – Mercedes-Benz.

Watsons has already bought two Mercedes Atego rigid trucks and a pair of Mercedes vans, and now plans to switch the remainder of its fleet to the three-pointed star as soon as possible.

The vehicles were supplied by local dealer Gerard Mann Commercials, which has already won glowing praise from its new customer.

Established a quarter of a century ago, Watsons Glass operates from a production facility on the Manders Estate in Old Heath Road. The firm specialises in processing glass and offers a wide variety of products which can be found throughout the world in airports, schools, banks, superstores, exhibitions, hospitals, hotels and other environments.

Its two new trucks are a 12-tonne Atego 1222 and a 7.5-tonne Atego 816. Both have day cabs and curtainside bodies with sliding roofs, by Fred Smith & Sons (Motor Bodies), of West Bromwich.

They are the first vehicles to wear Watsons’ recently redesigned corporate livery and are now being serviced under four-year Mercedes-Benz repair and maintenance contracts by the workshop team at Gerard Mann’s Willenhall dealership.

The 12-tonner is Watsons’ largest truck yet, while the 7.5-tonner replaces another of the same size bought from its previous vehicle supplier.

'We’re already discussing another vehicle for early next year and, if things continue to go well, will be aiming to replace our remaining three trucks with new Mercedes at the earliest opportunity,' confirms General Manager John Storr.

He continues: 'We were not particularly happy with the service from our previous dealer, or indeed with the vehicles themselves. So we had a good look at the market and Mercedes-Benz stood out as offering the best quality and value for money.

'We’re delighted with our new Mercedes and the drivers are very happy too, while the back-up from Gerard Mann is brilliant; the dealer calls us in advance to let us know when the vehicles are due in for servicing, then undertakes the work during the night so they’re ready for action again next morning.'

In addition to its two new trucks, Watsons Glass has also bought a pair of pre-owned vans for use by its fitters, who work nationwide. The Long-bodied 3.5-tonne Sprinter 313CDI and 2.7-tonne Vito 109CDI Compact – which previously delivered parts to Gerard Mann customers – were both supplied under the Mercedes-Benz Approved Used banner.

Adds Mr Storr: 'Some people perceive Mercedes-Benz to be expensive but those vans cost a fair bit less than we’d budgeted for, and both are in excellent condition.'

Web: http://www.watsons-glass.co.uk