1,000th Bremen for Parceline
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• Parceline, the Australianowned parcels carrier, has taken delivery of its 1,000th Mercedes-Benz 3.5-tonne 307D "Bremen" van from the factory in Dusseldorf.
The van is part of a Parceline option to buy 160 307Ds by the end of this year. The company has around 500 Bremen vans in service, as well as six LN2 vans, 50 1625 tractive units and 17 1617s. Parceline has chosen the 307D for its delivery operation against strong competition, especially from the Ford Transit.
In spite of the decision, the vans have not been without their problems, including broken gear levers and difficulties in setting up the load limiting valve to comply with UK legislation and parcel delivery operation. Parceline is conducting field trials for MercedesBenz's extended servicing arrangements in conjunction with BP. The German company wants to extend its service intervals by about 50%, and an announcement of this is expected soon.
Parceline's transport manager Chris Ogg has several engaging views on running his fleet, which he has proved in trials. These include going against the industry trend towards contract hiring, by buying vehicles and using outside servicing arrangements. He also spurns the current trend towards winter diesel fuels by using a 10% to 20% kerosene mix for three months of the year — with Inland Revenue approval, The 1, 000th van was handed over to Ogg and Parceline's Parceline's Barry Ellis (left) and Chris Ogg (right) receive their 1,000th Mercedes 307D at the end of the Mercedes-Benz production line.
chief executive Barry Ellis by Dusseldorf factory director Dr Gartner. The ceremony was held at the end of the Ti van production line, with assembly workers gathered round.
The Parceline party met their liveried van just as it rolled off the production line, and a symbolic key was presented to Ellis, who said: "It's quite an occasion, but we'll be back soon to pick up the 2,000th."