Kilmarnock-based catering supplier Braehead Foods has ordered a second pair of fridge-bodied Mercedes chassis cabs following a trial of two vehicles last year.

Like their predecessors the new Sprinter 313 CDIs were supplied by dealer Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles Ayr. Their aerodynamic slipstream insulated bodies are by Solomon Commercials, of Rossendale, Lancashire, and fitted with Thermo King refrigeration units.

Braehead Foods had previously relied exclusively on Sprinter panel vans – it runs a fleet of 22, which deliver to customers across Scotland and beyond. However, the new vehicles offer significantly more volume. Not only does this allow more foods to be carried, but it also means the load area can be divided into two practical compartments.

Warren Costello, Braehead Foods transport manager, said: “Demand for our fine food and game is growing, and as well as our traditional fresh items we’re also generating increased sales of frozen products.

“The move to box-bodied vans has allowed us to introduce freezer compartments, without losing too much capacity in the chilled sections we use to carry fresh food.

“The first two Sprinters we trialled with this configuration have been a great success. Each carries 20 crates more than a standard van, an increase of approximately 20%, which makes planning our delivery runs much easier.”