One of the world’s largest JCB dealers has broken new ground by commissioning its first Mercedes-Benz vans, most of which are being used by mobile service engineers who provide customers with round-the-clock back up.<\/p>\n
Greenshields JCB sells and supports the maufacturer’s renowned range of construction and industrial machinery from headquarters in Farnham, Surrey, and six other strategically located depots throughout the South-East.<\/p>\n
The new fleet of 22 vehicles arrived via Rossetts Commercials, which represents the three-pointed star in Surrey and Sussex. They were painted on line at the Mercedes-Benz factory in their distinctive shade of yellow.<\/p>\n
All but two of the new vans are 3.5-tonne Sprinters, which have been distributed throughout Greenshields JCB\u2019s branch network. They are assigned to members of its 65-strong team of field engineers, who undertake on-site maintenance and repair of equipment \u2013 storage conversion specialist Bott racked out the vehicles\u2019 cargo areas to carry tools and a comprehensive stock of spare parts.<\/p>\n
The Sprinters are all Medium-length Sprinter 314 CDI models with fuel-efficient 143 hp engines, comfortable, well-equipped cabs, and reassuring safety armouries which include reversing cameras. The two other vans are a mid-sized Vito 114 CDI Long, which has been allocated to a senior technician-trainer, and a small Citan 109 CDI Long, now being driven by a workshop foreman.<\/p>\n
Rossetts Commercials supplied a series of vehicles for trial before finally landing the order.<\/p>\n
Key to Greenshields\u2019 decision to partner with Mercedes-Benz was the promise of 24-hour aftersales support from Rossetts and its fellow franchisees, with workshops in their new customer\u2019s area of operation. They will be servicing Greenshields\u2019 new vans under repair and maintenance contracts.<\/p>\n
Simon Hoare, the JCB dealer\u2019s general manager aftermarket, explained: \u201cWe guarantee a four-hour response time to machine breakdowns, though we\u2019re often at the customer\u2019s site a lot more quickly. If we\u2019re to make good on this pledge it\u2019s essential that our own vans are reliable, and that if the worst happens we\u2019ll get the support we need.\u201d<\/p>\n
Like all Mercedes-Benz Vans, Greenshields JCB\u2019s new fleet came with MobiloVan cover, which includes free emergency roadside assistance, as well as three-year, unlimited mileage manufacturer\u2019s warranties.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe liked the sound of the Mercedes-Benz back-up,\u201d said Hoare. \u201cIts workshops are open through the night, which should mean that our vans are always available for work when we need them, while the MobiloVan breakdown cover was also an important \u2018plus\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
He continued: \u201cThe Mercedes-Benz demonstrators were well received by our engineers, and they couldn\u2019t be happier with their new vans. \u00a0From the company\u2019s point of view, meanwhile, the all-round quality and premium image of these vehicles can only complement our own brand.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoare also praised the customer-focused manner of Rossetts\u2019 response to Greenshields\u2019 initial enquiry. \u201cOf the three dealers we invited to tender, the Mercedes-Benz representative was the most professional, and provided the best experience by far,\u201d he recalled.<\/p>\n
Greenshields JCB still operates another 50 vans by its previous vehicle supplier. \u201cWe plan to replace the balance of the fleet over the next 24 months, and if the manufacturer and dealer deliver on their pledge then there is a strong likelihood that Greenshields JCB will become a significant Mercedes-Benz user,\u201d added Hoare.<\/p>\n
www.greenshieldsjcb.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"