LondonWaste, an integrated waste management company, is now running a new fleet of Mercedes-Benz eight-wheelers.

Fitted with Hyva hook-loading equipment, LondonWaste’s seven Arocs 3240Ks are based at the Edmonton EcoPark and serve a network of Household Reuse and Recycling Centres.
 
LondonWaste is wholly-owned and contracted by North London Waste Authority (NLWA) to provide efficient and environmentally responsible solutions that divert rubbish from landfill. Each vehicle collects and delivers up to 15 tonnes of materials, including cardboard, wood, hardcore, plastics, paper and green waste, as well as furniture and other items for recycling or reuse.
 
The new 32-tonners arrived via the Heathrow branch of Rygor, Britain’s largest Mercedes-Benz dealer, which took back seven previous vehicles in part-exchange. The subject of a Mercedes-Benz Financial Services operating lease, the Arocs are powered by 290 kW (394 hp) straight-six engines, driving through Mercedes PowerShift automated transmissions, and are now being inspected and serviced under repair and maintenance contracts.
 
As a publicly-owned body, LondonWaste put the new fleet out to tender, with Rygor winning the business on the basis of the technical, quality and service elements of its bid, as well as pricing. The dealer also supplied a demonstration unit, which the operator trialled for a fortnight before placing its first order for Mercedes-Benz trucks.

 
“We foster a culture of commitment to health and safety which includes working with employees and other parties to reduce risk and increase safe working practices,” said Julian Appleby, head of operations at LondonWaste. “The trial allowed the team to get fully involved in the decision-making process and the driver feedback has been entirely positive.
 
“Serving the capital city, we work in some tight spaces so access is essential to our efficient and responsible operation, and compared to our previous trucks these Mercedes-Benz vehicles offer a vast improvement in terms of their manoeuvrability and control. They provide a secure and smooth drive, seating is much better, as is the design of the dashboard, which wraps around the driver.
 
“The high cab offers excellent visibility, while we have enhanced safety by adding blind spot warning sensors and our usual camera safety systems, which record from both sides as well as the front and rear, and together help to increase driver awareness of pedestrians, cyclists and other obstacles.
 
“The automated gearbox enables the driver to keep both hands on the steering wheel, and the engine brake is another great safety feature that slows the vehicle on descents, again assisting our drivers to reduce risk and increase safety.”
 
LondonWaste has also specified its new trucks with Mercedes-Benz FleetBoard telematics systems.

“This allows us to collect vehicle-use data, track fuel consumption and review driver performance against a range of criteria such as speed, engine revving and harsh braking,” said Appleby. “With this information we are able to identify trends and training requirements, and reward excellence.”
 
He added: “First impressions of Rygor are positive. Its sales executive Rish Channa has sorted minor teething issues and has already popped in a couple of times to check the vehicles are running as they should, and that we are happy with them. This demonstrates a commitment to customer service on the part of the dealer and reinforces confidence that with the support of our new partners Mercedes-Benz and Rygor, we have selected the right trucks to serve the capital city.”