Mercedes-Benz Trucks customer Elddis Transport is marking two major milestones this September, as the family-run haulier celebrates its 55th anniversary alongside Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ 30 year anniversary since the introduction of the iconic Actros model. Having first introduced Mercedes-Benz trucks to its fleet in 1979, Elddis has now operated more than 500 Actros vehicles since becoming one of the UK's earliest customers of the model in 1998, and has continued to invest in every generation of the flagship truck.

The County Durham-based haulier took delivery of its first Mercedes-Benz trucks, a fleet of 1619 tractor units, in 1979, just eight years after the company was established. Less than two decades later, it became one of the UK's earliest adopters of the revolutionary Actros, placing an order for 106 Actros 2540 tractor units in September 1998. Since then, every generation of the flagship model has played a role in the company's nationwide operation, with more than 500 Actros vehicles passing through the fleet.

Today, Elddis operates a fleet of more than 160 commercial vehicles serving customers across the UK through an operation that has transformed significantly over the last five decades. It began as a steel haulage operation working to monthly delivery schedules, and has become a 24-hour logistics business, where customers increasingly expect next-day deliveries within tightly defined time windows. As operating demands have intensified, fuel efficiency, aerodynamics, reliability and fleet uptime have become critical considerations when investing in new vehicles.

Nigel Cook, Executive Chairman at Elddis Transport Ltd, said: "This is a particularly special year for Elddis as we celebrate 55 years of the business, while Mercedes-Benz Trucks marks 30 years since the introduction of the Actros. We've been running Mercedes-Benz trucks since 1979, so we've seen first-hand how both the vehicles and our own operation have evolved over that time.

"Over the last 30 years we've seen every generation of the Actros, and each one has brought improvements in efficiency, reliability and driver comfort. Today's Actros ProCabin offers drivers far more space, more home comforts and a much quieter driving environment, while also being considerably more efficient and environmentally friendly. Looking back, it's remarkable to think that those original vehicles didn't even have air conditioning.

"When we invested in our first Actros fleet back in 1998, the truck ticked every box we were looking for as a fleet operator. Equally important was the opportunity to have the majority of our maintenance carried out on-site through Bell Truck & Van. That close relationship with both Bell and Mercedes-Benz Trucks has kept us coming back ever since."

Aerodynamic performance and fuel economy now play a much greater role in purchasing decisions than they did three decades ago, and at the same time, the increased utilisation of vehicles means dependable dealer support and minimal downtime have become a main priority influencing fleet investment.

That support has been delivered through a long-standing partnership with North East’s Mercedes-Benz Truck dealer, Bell Truck & Van. Since 1998, Bell Truck & Van has operated a dedicated on-site Vehicle Maintenance Unit (VMU) at Elddis' headquarters in Consett, with factory-trained Mercedes-Benz technicians embedded within the business to maintain and service the company's fleet. The arrangement has enabled maintenance to be carried out alongside daily operations, helping maximise vehicle availability while supporting one of the UK's longest-standing customer and dealer partnerships.

Carl Belch from Bell Truck & Van said: "Working alongside Elddis for almost three decades has allowed us to build far more than a traditional customer-supplier relationship. Our technicians have become part of the operation, helping to keep vehicles on the road and supporting the business as both the fleet and the Actros have evolved.

"Few customer relationships span as many milestones as ours with Elddis. From the arrival of their first Actros fleet in 1998 to today's latest generation Actros ProCabin, we've worked together to help their business adapt to an industry that has changed massively over the past 30 years. Celebrating the Actros anniversary alongside a customer that has operated every generation of the truck over its 55-year history is something we're incredibly proud of."

As Elddis celebrates 55 years in business and Mercedes-Benz Trucks marks 30 years of Actros, its relationship with the brand continues almost five decades after the first Mercedes-Benz trucks joined its fleet, with a partnership built on shared commitment, reliability, and innovation.

About Elddis

Elddis Transport in its present form has been a well-known name in UK haulage since the 1970s but the family’s roots in the industry stretch back much further. Mr Cook’s great-grandfather Thomas Cook set up in business with a single horse and cart in the late 1800s, while his son Siddle C. Cook famously ran one of the country’s best-known heavy haulage firms in the 1950s and ’60s. Nigel Cook’s father Geoffrey established the current business.

Elddis has built on its family ethos and retains a high level of loyalty from customers and long-serving staff. Today, while working across a broad range of sectors, it is highly regarded for its expertise in the demanding FMCG market, providing transport, warehousing and distribution services across the UK.

www.elddis.net