Intercounty Truck & Van has formally opened the latest addition to the Mercedes-Benz 24-hour Commercial Vehicle Dealer Network, a magnificent new facility on the outskirts of Boston, Lincolnshire.
The multi-million pound investment underlines the company’s determination to provide customers with an industry-leading level of service, as well as its long-term commitment to the brand it represents.
Intercounty sells and supports the award-winning Mercedes-Benz truck and van ranges, along with FUSO Canter light trucks. The new dealership is ideally located on a three-acre site at Old Station Yard, Sutterton, on the junction of the busy A16 and A17.
At its heart is a comprehensively equipped workshop which is open around-the-clock, seven days a week, and supported by a fully stocked parts department. An Authorised Testing Facility is now being used by inspectors from the Driver & Vehicle Services Agency to carry out truck MoT tests, while other after sales services offered include van MoTs, tachograph and speed limiter installations and calibrations, and chassis pressure washing.
Visitors are greeted in a smart reception area, with sales and administration staff working from comfortable office accommodation above. The new facility is also the base for Intercounty’s first dedicated Used Truck Centre – pre-owned vehicles offered for sale are on display at the entrance to the site, so highly visible to passing traffic.
The dealership’s opening marks the fulfilment of a long-held dream for Depot Manager Paul Slater and his 30-strong team, who were struggling for space at their previous home in the town. Intercounty Truck & Van is now looking to recruit additional members of staff to handle the anticipated increase in business volumes at Boston.
Scores of established and prospective customers attended a launch event last week (8th July), along with senior representatives of the manufacturer. “We had a fantastic day and the feedback from operators was hugely encouraging,” declared Dealer Principal Steve Shakespeare.
“This development represents a massive shot in the arm for locally-based truck and van operators, as well as for members of the company team who were selling record numbers of labour hours in the run-up to the move, despite having to work in challenging conditions.”
Mercedes-Benz Trucks Managing Director Mike Belk confirmed: “In terms of visibility and presence, as well as capability, this is exactly the kind of landmark facility that we are encouraging our Dealer partners to develop. It’s a very impressive building but importantly the site also has plenty of space in which to park and move vehicles in and out.”
Mike added: “Many Mercedes-Benz customers operate on a nationwide basis and we’re committed to ensuring they receive a consistently high level of service, wherever their vehicles may end up. First class facilities are crucial but so, too, are people, and in this respect Intercounty is also up there with the best when it comes to supporting our apprenticeship and other staff development programmes.”
High-profile grower Staples Vegetables, of Boston, took delivery this week of six new Actros 2545 BigSpace tractor units – 28 Actros are already in service and this latest order completes the company’s transition to an all Mercedes-Benz operation. Transport Manager Dave Baker said: “We wouldn’t be making these investments if we weren’t confident we were going to get the back-up from Intercounty. Its new dealership is outstanding.”
Local haulier Benton Brothers runs a fleet of 42 Actros. Its Workshop Manager Benny Ashton observed: “The area’s been waiting for this development for a long time and I’m delighted for Intercounty’s lads. The new ATF and tachograph facilities will be perfect for us.”
Meanwhile, Andrew and Helen Wrisdale, proprietors of Ludborough-based Louth Potato Co, have just purchased two new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans to work alongside their three trucks – two 18-tonners and a 27-year-old 7.5-tonner – which also wear three-pointed stars. “We’ve been using a local independent to maintain our vehicles but I’m now looking for an improved service and this impressive new dealership ticks all the boxes,” enthused Mr Wrisdale.
Part of the Ballyvesey Holdings Group, Intercounty Truck & Van has served Mercedes-Benz and FUSO customers from headquarters in Wellingborough and other dealerships in Milton Keynes and Peterborough, since its appointment by the manufacturer in 2003. The company opened a workshop in Toddington, Bedfordshire, in 2009, and was awarded its Lincolnshire franchise in 2012.
The focus now switches to Lincoln, where Intercounty is proposing to move to new, larger premises with six workshop bays – twice the number at its current base in the city – before the end of the year.
