Whisky haulier orders a double from Mercedes

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Transport Engineer / August 3, 2015

Spirits haulage firm McPherson has taken delivery of its first Mercedes-Benz truck for more than five years, an Actros 2545 tractor, and this will be joined by another Actros in October.

Supplied by Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles Aberdeen, the 2545 has a StreamSpace cab and is powered by a 449bhp straight-six engine, with PowerShift 3 automated transmission. The second Actros will be a 2551 Bigspace, with 510bhp engine.

Based in Aberlour, Speyside, McPherson runs a 200-strong fleet of tractors, which pull polished steel tankers, hydraulic double-deckers and bulk tipping trailers.

Recently, its trucks have been acquired through two other manufacturers, but the determination of the dealership and the opening of a Mercedes workshop in Nairn swung the firm's decision: "We now have a dependable dealer that's within easy reach and that provides excellent back-up," says fleet engineering director Ian Jamieson.

"In its first three months on the road, the Actros has performed faultlessly in what is a demanding role, negotiating the narrow and undulating roads of Speyside and accessing distillery sites which can be very tight.

"The truck is also well liked by its driver and is showing improved fuel efficiency against our current fleet results."

McPherson's trucks are specified to ADR standards for the carriage of Class 3 flammable liquids. The operator has also fitted a catwalk and large grab handles to the rear of the cab, and a Brigade camera system giving the driver all-round views, including the fifth wheel.

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