Mercedes-Benz Dealer eStar Truck & Van won back the business of Manchester-based Hadfields Transport, thanks to the combined efforts of ‘dynamic duo’ Amanda Sivori and Tom Aitken.
Aftersales Business Development Manager Amanda and Truck Sales Consultant Tom worked together to put in place all the assurances the operator needed, and convince Managing Director Scott Langridge to invest in his first Mercedes-Benz vehicles for seven years.
The trucks are 18-tonne Actros 1827 rigids, with 7.7-litre engines, rated at 200 kW (272 hp), and 2.3-metre StreamSpace sleeper cabs. Both are fitted with box bodies by PPS Commercials, and 2.7-tonne Dhollandia cantilever tail lifts. They are also the first in Hadfields’ 40-strong fleet to wear its new-design livery.
They have joined an operation that specialises in the transport of loads including commercial refrigerated display units for shops and supermarkets, gaming and leisure equipment and other large bulky items. Deliveries are made nationwide and the work frequently entails trucks being sent out with a driver and porter.
Hadfields Transport’s new vehicles arrived from eStar’s Trafford Park site but, recalled Scott Langridge, the dealership was under different ownership when he bought his last Mercedes-Benz trucks.
“We had always been fans of the Mercedes-Benz brand but were increasingly unhappy with the service from the previous franchisee in our area,” he said.
“So we started to buy vehicles from other manufacturers. While we still had Mercedes-Benz trucks on the fleet, though, we continued to have them serviced at Trafford Park. Since then eStar have invested in their people and facilities and in the last 12-18 months they’ve really turned things around and restored our confidence.
“A lot of that is down to the recruitment of Amanda Sivori to the team. She has a very ‘old school’ approach, there’s no nonsense, she’s honest and genuine and she convinced us that eStar would provide the level of back-up that we need. She also introduced us to Sales Consultant Tom Aitken, who was very attentive and obviously knew his stuff, so we were very happy to hand this order to eStar and Mercedes-Benz.”
Amanda added: “I joined eStar a year ago as Aftersales Business Development Manager – a position that didn’t exist previously. My role is to sell our services to customers like Hadfields but also to make sure we back up our promise, by putting into place the systems required.
“I’ve been in the industry for more than 20 years and have worked for transport operators as well as vehicle and service providers, so I understand what people like Scott are looking for. I firmly believe that this is still a ‘people business’ and good communication is key, making sure our customers have a named person not just to answer any questions but to proactively maintain contact and solve any issues before they turn into problems.”
Meanwhile Tom Aitken is a product of eStar’s policy of ‘growing its own’ – promoting from within staff ranks and rewarding ambition. Previously working in van sales, he completed the manufacturer’s FASTRACK intensive training course for Truck Sales Consultants in March this year.
“I started knocking on Hadfields’ door pretty much from day one,” he said. “I was already well aware, but my training reinforced, that ongoing support is just as important to customers as the quality of the vehicles supplied. So it was great to be able to join forces with Amanda and provide Scott and his team with the total package.”
eStar Truck & Van sells and supports the award-winning Mercedes-Benz truck range, as well as FUSO Canter light trucks and Mercedes-Benz vans, across the North West of England and North Wales, from sites in Deeside, Knowsley, Stoke on Trent and Trafford Park – all of which offer services from factory trained technical teams including electric vehicle specialists.
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