Mercedes-Benz Atego crew cab cuts a dash for McGimpsey

Apr 18 | 2016

Size is not everything for Northern Ireland’s McGimpsey Removals – at 7.5-tonnes gvw the company’s new Mercedes-Benz is one of its smallest trucks, but has quickly established itself as a big favourite.

McGimpsey operates from headquarters in Bangor, Co. Down, and the Atego 818 was supplied by Newtownabbey Dealer Mercedes-Benz Truck & Van (NI). The truck has a factory-built six-seater crew cab and is fitted with a bespoke body with doors to both sides as well as the rear, by SBR Specialist Coachbuilders, of Preston.  

It has joined a mixed-marque fleet of 20 trucks of varying sizes and was chosen largely on the basis of a hugely impressive performance by its predecessor, a 10-year-old  
Mercedes-Benz Atego 815 that has just been stood down after clocking-up some 750,000 trouble-free miles. 
 

“That truck was simply perfect,” recalled Managing Director Paul McGimpsey. “The body was looking tired and it was a little worn, of course, but it still started every day. We had it from new and it never gave us any problems at all.”  

Mr McGimpsey continued: “We had a look around at what the competition has to offer but the quality of the Atego is undeniable, while the fact that we could order the truck with a crew cab direct from the factory, rather than having to rely on an after-market conversion, was another big plus-point. We know it’s built to the same high standard as the rest of the vehicle, and fully covered by the same warranty.”  

Many of McGimpsey’s trucks spend their days travelling to and from England or the Republic of Ireland, but the Atego is typically used for more local work. It also serves as a highly visible mobile advertisement for the company.   

“Image is very important in this business and the new Mercedes-Benz looks really smart in our colours,” said Mr McGimpsey. “We keep it parked at the front of our premises and it’s the first thing I see when I arrive in the morning – it still makes me smile every day.”  

Photo:  Paul McGimpsey with the new Atego 818