Construction industry leader, Lorne Stewart Engineering has upgraded its image while achieving valuable fuel savings and CO2 reductions after commissioning a new fleet of Mercedes-Benz vans.
The operator undertook a comprehensive tender exercise last year. Transflex Vehicle Hire beat off the challenge of several competitors to win its prestigious contract hire business.
In the single biggest ‘roll out’ of new vehicles ever conducted by the Lorne Stewart Group, Transflex has delivered 210 vans to its high-profile customer. Most are by Mercedes-Benz and arrived via North-East Dealer Bell Truck and Van, an established supplier to the fast-growing flexible rental specialist.
The line-up includes a number of Sprinter models but with more than 100 examples now in service, it is the small Citan which forms the backbone of the new-look fleet. All 109 CDI models with advanced 90 hp Euro 5 engines that return up to 65.7 mpg (combined cycle), the Citans have made a major contribution towards the 23% reduction in carbon emissions which Lorne Stewart has achieved since standing down its previous, ageing fleet.
The Lorne Stewart Group operates from headquarters in Harrow, Middlesex, and a network of locations across England and Wales. It designs, constructs and maintains buildings and developments of all sizes, combining a well-established technical and engineering pedigree – the company’s roots stretch back more than a century – with strong commitments to innovation, conservation and the environment.
Lorne Stewart has assigned its Long-bodied Citans to mobile mechanical and electrical engineers, the majority of 
whom are employed across its Engineering, Facilities and Rotary Building Services divisions. The vehicles have lined cargo areas with racking to carry tools and spares for air conditioning and refrigeration units, boilers and other installations. They are also fitted with roof bars for carrying ladders and pipe tubes.
Transflex already enjoyed a relationship with Lorne Stewart, having regularly supplied its customer with up to 50 vehicles at any one time on a short-term rental basis. Paul Booth, Lorne Stewart’s Group Support Services Director, confirmed: “Our experience has proved that whatever the issue, the Transflex team are always available and happy to help. Its proven service levels and customer-focused flexibility, coupled with a very competitively priced contract hire package, convinced us that Transflex was the provider we wanted to partner with.”
Lorne Stewart’s Mercedes-Benz vehicles are being maintained within the manufacturer’s official UK Dealer Network and are backed by three-year, unlimited mileage warranties, as well as MobiloVan cover, which includes emergency roadside assistance.
Mr Booth continued: “Our engineers are certainly enjoying their comfortable new vans, which look great – the three-pointed star can only help to reinforce our image as a quality business. Most importantly, though, their impressive fuel-efficiency has allowed us to achieve a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions, and the process of moving towards an even greener fleet will continue as we start to take on our first Euro 6 models.”
Transflex Director Nick Skillman added: “Lorne Stewart is a leader in its field and a business with an outstanding reputation, so we were delighted to win the tender for its fleet replacement programme.
“At Transflex we differentiate ourselves by developing bespoke solutions that meet the precise requirements of our customers. A flexible approach to maintenance, with prompt, efficient responses to breakdowns, and accurate invoicing and administration, are all hallmarks of our offer. We now look forward to supporting Lorne Stewart with our exemplary service over the years to come.”
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