Mercedes-Benz trucks cream of the crop for Pattemores

Environmental compatibility tops the agenda when dairy distribution specialist Pattemores Transport (Crewkerne) invests in a new truck these days – no surprise, then, that the family-owned company puts its trust in Mercedes-Benz.

Transport Director Alex Pattemore explains: “The major supermarkets are paying increasing attention to the impact of our operations upon the environment. Emissions have therefore become a major factor in our vehicle purchasing decisions, and I know I can rely on the clean-burning engine technology developed by Mercedes-Benz to provide our business with the ‘green’ credentials that our customers are looking for in a supplier.”

Pattemores operates 23 trucks, every one of which wears a three-pointed star; most are tractor units although the line-up also includes eight rigids, a combination of 18- and 26-tonners.

The latest addition to the fleet is a 6x2 Mercedes-Benz Axor 2533 tanker. It was supplied, like the three 44-tonne Actros 2546 Long Distance tractors which Pattemores bought last year, by Poole dealer Pentagon Commercials.

Pattemores Transport collects milk from farms throughout the south-west and brings it into its dairy at Crewkerne, close to the Somerset-Dorset border, where the family also runs a processing operation producing ingredients used in the manufacture of ice cream, yoghurts and desserts. It makes deliveries to customers across most of England, in anything from four-pint bottles to bulk loads.

The trucks are worked intensively – Pattemores is a seven-days-a-week operation and it keeps its vehicles for up to eight years. Its new 26-tonner, which is fitted with a 16,000-litre tank body, is being double-shifted and collecting four full loads of milk each day.

Mr Pattemore continues: “My father Geoff and uncle Steve, both of whom are still directors, bought our first five Mercedes-Benz trucks, all 1635 tractors, back in 1987. We have remained loyal to the brand ever since.

“The fact that our drivers like their vehicles is certainly a bonus. More importantly, though, we have always found our Mercedes-Benz trucks to be very reliable and fuel-efficient.

“The back-up from Pentagon in terms of parts deliveries to our workshop is first-rate too, and our vehicles invariably command good residual values when we finally stand them down, usually for export to Africa.”

Pattemores Transport was established by Alex Pattemore’s grandfather William in 1938. Today, Alex’s sister Nicola Hill also serves the company as Financial Director, while their cousin Shaun – the son of Steve – is Quality Assurance Manager.