Hotel, Restaurant and Catering Linen providers Johnsons Hotel Restaurant and Catering By Stalbridge, have just taken delivery of a fleet of New MAN TGE vans.
The 40 new vehicles, supporting the company’s striking corporate livery of ice white and sky blue, are all TGE 3.140, Front-wheel drive, Long Wheelbase, High Roof models.
Established in 1975 and headquartered in the Dorset town of Shaftsbury, Johnsons By Stalbridge provide specialist linen hire and industrial laundry service for caterers, hotels and restaurants throughout the UK.
With 11 advanced laundry sites located nationwide the Johnsons By Stalbridge MAN TGE’s will be used to deliver a high quality range of smart chefs’ wear, kitchen cloths, crisp white bed linen, fluffy towels and a wide selection of elegant white and coloured table linens to customers in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, London, Torquay and everywhere in between.
Philip Martin, Transport Manager Johnsons By Stalbridge, said: “To ensure that we continually offer our many customers an industry leading level of linen hire, it’s essential that we offer a comprehensive, reliable and trustworthy delivery service, and for this to happen we require a fleet of delivery vehicles that are turnkey ready at all times as well as safe and comfortable for the drivers.
“Across the Johnsons By Stalbridge business we operate a framework that underpins our approach to sustainability, so when looking at a new fleet, efficiency and environmental impact were key factors on our agenda. The fuel efficiency of the new vehicles is looking very encouraging and we’re already seeing positives when compared with our outgoing vehicles.”
Powered by the latest-generation efficient, reliable and robust MAN Euro6D 140 hp (103 kW) 2.0 litre 4 cylinder turbo diesel engines, all the new vehicles feature the optional eight-speed automatic transmission and the much acclaimed and award-winning, ergonomically designed well-appointed MAN TGE cabs.
Philip added, “We procure our vehicles through Seven Asset Management and with their help and guidance we’ve rapidly established a great working relationship with MAN Truck & Bus. These are the first MAN vans that we have operated and although we’ve only had the vehicles a short time, early indications are very good.”
To provide a safe environment for the drivers, all of the vehicles are fitted with ABS, EBA, ESC, ESP, Crosswind assist, Hill-start assist and Drivers airbags. Each of the vehicles is equipped with an audible warning reversing camera which is linked to the MAN Media Van 6.5-inch X TFT colour display. Ensuring driver comfort is maximised the vehicles feature ergonomically designed seats, spacious and practical storage solutions, cup holders, USB ports, multi-function steering wheels and advanced infotainment systems. Air conditioning is fitted across all 40 vehicles.
Helping improve the well-being of the drivers as they step in and out of the vehicles, while delivering and collecting bulky goods, each of the vehicles is fitted with a Hope Safe-T-Step. This self-cleaning anti-slip, 1400 mm wide, 26 mm deep, step also acts as the first line of defence should the vehicle collide with an unseen obstacle. To ensure a crisp appearance, like the rear doors, the step is painted in Johnsons By Stalbridge corporate sky blue. Each of the vehicles has been ply-lined and comes with a hard-wearing anti-slip, moisture-resistant floor that features load-securing lashing points.
Philip concluded, “As our vehicles travel across the country, covering circa 70,000 miles annually, it’s imperative that we have the support of mature, trusted and customer focussed partners, and with both Seven Asset Management and MAN we feel that we have exactly that. Both companies understand our business and offer support, assistance and advice as and when needed.”
Tom Dunnett, Managing Director of Seven Asset Management, added: “This is the eighth time that we have assisted Johnsons By Stalbridge with one of our bespoke fleet management and full R+M contract packages and once again I’d like to thank them for their repeat business. We care about the success of our customers so it’s important that we continually deliver them a level of service that offers outstanding value and peace of mind, ultimately a service that allows them to concentrate on running their core business.
“What has been invaluable to us and we know of equally high importance to Philip and the team at Johnsons By Stalbridge, is the constant communication that MAN has provided throughout. The process of ordering these vehicles, having them shipped directly into Felixstowe, PDI’d and prepared at Norfolk Trucks (Felixstowe) and delivered into Johnsons by Stalbridge has been incredibly smooth and hassle-free.”
“MAN’s partnering approach has enabled us to seamlessly manage the delivery of the vehicles while at the same time, manage the extraction of their existing vehicles. It couldn’t have gone any better.” Concluded Tom.
All 40 vehicles were PDI’d and prepared by MAN Truck & Bus franchised partner Norfolk Trucks of Felixstowe. Throughout their working lives these new vehicles will be serviced and maintained by the MAN Truck & Bus dealer network.
All MAN vehicles are supported by MAN Truck & Bus UK’s Nationwide Commercial Vehicle Dealer network, with many operating extended hours, including round-the-clock servicing and customer-tailored solution maintenance.
The entire MAN range benefits from MAN’s Mobile24 24-hour assistance service, which guarantees customers a professional roadside partner throughout Europe 365 days of the year.
SOURCE: MAN Truck & Bus
