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AS Watson, parent company of Superdrug and Savers, is set to switch its entire fleet of 101 trucks to Mercedes-Benz.
The majority of the new vehicles will be 4×2 Axor 1840LS tractor units with high-roofed sleep cabs and Mercedes PowerShift 12 automated transmissions.
The order also includes 18 box-bodied rigids, 17 Axor 18-tonners and a single ten tonne Atego.
Supplying dealer Intercounty Truck & Van has also taken on the running of the vehicle maintenance units at AS Watson’s two principal distribution centres in Dunstable and Pontefract, where it is looking after 180 trailers as well.
The first 71 Mercedes trucks are already in service, with the remainder scheduled to arrive by autumn.
The fleet will make some 2,500 deliveries a week, to some 900 Superdrug stores across the UK and Ireland, and a further 200 Savers outlets.
Most of Superdrug’s new tractors are being plated at 38 tonnes gcw and will be used for trunking as well as store deliveries. Others will be assigned solely to distribution duties, along with the rigids, and will be plated at 31.5 tonnes gcw.
