KC dials up new Mercedes-Benz Vito fleet
East Yorkshire’s leading communications provider is delivering its community messages directly to customers, thanks to a new fleet of Mercedes-Benz vans.
KC – formerly Kingston Communications – has recently refreshed its brand and the new vehicles play an important in raising awareness of the company’s community- and people-focused values.
Supplied by Hull dealer H&L Garages, the 34 Long-bodied Mercedes-Benz Vito 109CDI vans are now being used by the new company’s engineers. Several wear striking, full wrap vinyl liveries that depict local scenes such as the Humber Bridge, Hull’s KC Stadium, and stunning views of the region, underlining the company’s ‘Proud to be part of local life’ ethos.
KC’s decision to invest in its first fleet of Mercedes-Benz vans followed a lengthy evaluation process involving several vehicle marques.
Alan Carter, KC’s Regional Engineering Team Leader, commented: “When choosing our new fleet we took numerous factors into account, including ‘whole life’ operating costs, suitability for the job, driver acceptability, safety and servicing arrangements, and the Vito emerged as clearly the best vehicle.”
KC’s engineers cover an area of roughly 200 square miles. Their new vans were specified with optional air conditioning while the standard double ‘bench’ passenger seats were replaced by Mercedes-Benz with fully adjustable single seats – in most cases staff work solo but they ‘double-up’ for major jobs.
The vans were racked out, on the recommendation of H&L Garages, by specialist Sortimo and are used to transport instruments and components, and tools; they are also fitted with roof racks for carrying ladders. Their vinyl wrap liveries, meanwhile, are the work of Hull firm DeSigns.
Mr Carter continued: “Our engineers are delighted with their new vans, which are very comfortable and car-like to drive, so much so that there hasn’t been a single negative comment.
“Health and safety is a very big issue for us as we’re always conscious of our Duty of Care obligations to staff. Not only do Mercedes-Benz vans lead the field in terms of active and passive safety systems, the fact that the Vito’s roof height is relatively low also means that our engineers are less likely to suffer injury when handling their ladders.”
KC’s new vans are the subject of a five-year lease deal with leading provider Leaseplan, under which they will be maintained in H&L Garages’ workshop on Priory Park, Hull.
Mr Carter continued: “H&L Garages are providing an exceptional service. The dealer supplied demonstration vehicles and resolved one or two minor issues instantly, while the maintenance arrangements are working brilliantly.
“H&L’s workshop is open through the night, so we can drop our vehicles off at 4pm and collect them at 8am the next day. This means that rather then being off the road during the day, our Mercedes-Benz Vitos are always available for work when we need them.”
For more information, visit k-c.com.
