New Canter fleet is on the money for SHB Hire

Rugged reliability and market-leading payloads coupled with the easy availability of competitive Mercedes-Benz finance prompted leading vehicle rental group SHB Hire to make significant new investments in 7.5-tonne Mitsubishi Fuso Canter chassis.

The company, which has headquarters in Romsey, Hampshire, has bought 28 range-topping Canter 7C18s over recent months, most of which have been added to its self-drive rental fleet.

All were supplied by Mercedes-Benz dealer Pentagon Commercials – the German manufacturer’s UK dealers are also responsible for sales and servicing of the popular Mitsubishi Fuso light truck range.

The majority of SHB Hire’s new Canters have tipping bodies by Abba Commercials, of Dover. However, the line-up also includes 10 beavertail plant transporters, a handful of which are being used by SHB itself to undertake vehicle deliveries and collections – working with trailers, each can transport two heavy 4x4 cars.

Latest to arrive are SHB Hire’s first two Euro 5 Canters. They are currently being fitted by the company with its own dropside bodies, as well as DEL tail-lifts.

SHB Hire has additionally taken delivery from Pentagon in recent weeks of a pair of 6x4 Mercedes-Benz Axor 2633s with Abba tipping bodies. These have also joined the rental fleet, while the two 8x4 Mercedes-Benz Axor 3240s which it currently has on order will be assigned to a contract with a new waste management company.

Founded in 1968, SHB Hire is Europe’s leading four-wheel drive rental firm and a major force in specialist truck hire. It operates a mixed-marque fleet of some 5,000 vehicles, 1,000 of which are trucks ranging in size from 7.5 to 32 tonnes gvw and are available for spot hire or working on a contract basis for customers nationwide.

 “We had a difficult time in 2008 but last year was fantastic and 2010 is looking every bit as good,” said Managing Director Mike Street.

“The fact that competitive Mercedes-Benz finance is available through Pentagon is certainly a big plus from our point of view.

“The Canter is also a first-rate product, tough and durable with an outstanding payload and a reassuring three-year unlimited mileage manufacturer’s warranty. The 10 new beavertails replaced Canters that dated back to 2001-02 and they were very good indeed.”