Atego tipper joins Undy Building & Timber Supplies

South Wales builders’ merchant Undy Building & Timber Supplies has added a new Mercedes-Benz Atego to its fleet.

The new truck has replaced a previous Atego supplied by the same dealer, Euro Commercials, some 20 years ago. Still going strong with a little over 250,000 km on the clock, it was snapped up by a buyer in Cardiff.

A 1321 model, the latest addition to the fleet is powered by a 210 bhp, 5.1-litre engine and has a ClassicSpace S day cab.

The chassis is equipped with an alloy tipper by Neath Bodybuilders, who also fitted a Hiab X-Duo 078 loader crane with Kinshofer grab rated at 7.4 tonnes/m and with a maximum outreach of 11.6 m.

Based in Undy, Monmouthshire, the company is run by couple Pam and Terry Wood. They sell a range of construction materials from their depot in the village, and also deliver to trade and DIY customers in surrounding towns including Caldicot, Chepstow and Newport.

“We’re approaching our 50^th year in business,” said Pam. “When we started, Terry was a builder and I ran the builders’ merchant side of the operation – which included driving the lorry for all our deliveries.

“I’m happy to have handed over those duties and prefer to spend my time in the office these days.”

Today, deliveries are undertaken using two smaller tippers and the new 13.5-tonne GVW Atego, which handles the largest consignments. The truck is now being driven by the Woods’ son, Michael – daughter Samantha works for the family business too, looking after administration.

“Given the fantastic performance and longevity of our previous Atego, we were never really going to consider anything else when we came to replace it,” said Pam Wood. “The old truck never let us down and still looked great.”

Driver Michael Wood added: “The previous Atego was a great little workhorse, always good on fuel and hardly ever needed anything other than routine maintenance.

“I’m sure the new one will be just as reliable and cost-effective to operate, while the comfort and quality of the cab interior is certainly a step up compared to what I’ve been used to.

“At 13.5 tonnes GVW this model combines a very useful payload of over five tonnes, while maintaining a relatively compact footprint and excellent manoeuvrability. It’s a lovely truck to drive.”