Sprinter delivers a healthy alternative for Sangers

A Belfast company is providing a vital lifeline to pharmacies throughout Northern Ireland, with the help of three new Mercedes-Benz vans.

The Sprinter 209CDI Mediums are the first Mercedes to join the 50-stong commercial vehicle fleet of Sangers (NI) Ltd, one of the province’s top 100 companies, with a turnover of more than £180 million.

Part of the United Drug Group, Sangers delivers to every pharmacy in Northern Ireland at least twice a day from its distribution depots in Belfast and Omagh. On an average day, the company will distribute 70,000 items.

“We have to maintain a delivery schedule so that customers know exactly when ours vans are going to arrive,” declares Head of Operations Edwin Bleakley.

“The Mercedes Sprinter has a reputation for reliability and fuel economy, so we’ve acquired these three on a trial basis. We’ve been delighted with them so far – early indications show they are at least as economical, and possibly more so, than our other vans.

“Our drivers are also very impressed,” he continues. “They find the Sprinter comfortable and easy to drive, with a cab that is well laid out and easily accessed – something that’s particularly important when you’re doing 50-60 ‘drops’ a day.”

Prior to ordering Sangers’ new Sprinters, Mr Bleakley was a guest of dealer Mercedes-Benz Truck & Van (NI) at a Van Experience event, staged at the Warwickshire test facility of race and rally specialist Prodrive. There, together with hundreds of other light commercial vehicle operators, he was able to put various Mercedes vans through their paces.

He was particularly impressed by the Sprinter’s arsenal of active and passive safety features, designed to offer the highest possible degree of protection to vehicle occupants and other road users. These include the latest Adaptive version of the ESP® anti-skid system, which dynamically monitors the vehicle’s load status while it is on the move.

Sangers’ new vans are each expected to average 40,000 miles annually and are the subject of a four-year lease deal with Fleet Financial (NI) Ltd.

“Mercedes-Benz Truck & Van (NI) have been excellent to deal with,” adds Mr Bleakley. “They kept us well informed and delivered our vehicles on time.”