Some of Britain’s favourite pies and pasties are reaching retailers and wholesalers nationwide aboard a pair of distinctly upper crust trucks.
The two Mercedes – a 12-tonne Atego 1218 and a 26-tonne Actros 2532L – are recent additions to the fleet of Pukka Pies and wear striking liveries that feature examples of its delicious savoury products.
The Leicester-based company produces some 50 million pies and pasties a year at Europe’s most modern pie production facility. Its fleet of 26 rigid trucks of various sizes from 7.5 to 26 tonnes gvw is dominated by a rival brand.
First of the Mercedes to enter service, at the turn of the year, was the six-wheeled Actros; the Atego followed in March. Supplied by Leicester dealer Mertrux, both are fitted with insulated bodies by Jackson Coachworks, of Loughborough, and Frigoblock refrigeration units.
Pukka Pies also runs several 3.5-tonne vans, including a handful of Mercedes Sprinters, but it has not previously operated Mercedes trucks.
Managing Director Andrew Storer is the son of Trevor Storer, who founded Pukka Pies in 1963 – it remains a privately-owned family business, with Mr Storer senior now Chairman.
Explains Andrew Storer: “We took a strategic decision last year to try and source our vehicles from two suppliers in the future, rather than sticking to a single marque. So we sought quotations from three manufacturers – Mertrux came back with some competitive prices for vehicles that matched our specification.
“Given the reputation that Mercedes-Benz trucks also enjoy for quality and reliability, we decided to give them a try. And while these are still early days, our experience so far suggests that we made a wise decision.”
The Actros has been particularly quick to impress, thanks partly to its 12-speed Mercedes PowerShift automated transmission. This truck, which also sports alloy wheels and has a steering rear axle, for extra manoeuvrability, is delivering to larger customers such as Booker and Brakes, as well as independents, across London and the south-east.
“It is proving very economical to run,” confirms Mr Storer. “We’re certainly not putting as much fuel in the Actros as we are in our other 26-tonners and I suspect that’s because the PowerShift system is ensuring that gear shifts are made at the most efficient times.”
He adds: “We’re very pleased with our new Mercedes. They look really smart on the road and the driver feedback has been positive. Mertrux, who are servicing both vehicles, also seem to be very professional; their truck sales executive Steve Lovett certainly did a good job of helping us to specify the vehicles and ensuring they were delivered on time.”
Pukka Pies grew from a regional business to one that covers the entire country and now exports its products throughout Europe. The company’s best-sellers are its large round single portion steak and kidney pies, closely followed by chicken and mushroom, and then beef and onion, all of which are topped with its light puff pastry, but its range also includes pasties, savoury slices and sausage rolls.
