UK Hose, the UK’s largest independent hydraulic hose breakdown service, chooses MAN TGE to strengthen its nationwide customer care network.
Fluid Power Professionals, UK Hose, has recently taken delivery of 12 new MAN TGE vans. These vehicles, operated by the UK Hose Field Service Engineers, join the company's nationwide hydraulic breakdown fleet and will traverse the country, from Land's End to John O'Groats, servicing, supporting, and repairing customers' vehicles, plant and equipment. Headquartered in Ipswich the UK Hose Hydraulic Breakdown Service network provides businesses with access to a comprehensive support system that operates around the clock, seven days a week, 365 days of the year.
Strategically positioned around the country and able to react at the turn of a key, UK Hose's Field Service Engineers deliver customers the highest standards of hydraulic hose engineering and fluid power repairs. The 12 new vehicles, based on the MAN TGE 3.180, standard wheelbase,front-wheel drive models, are all powered by the latest generation 180 bhp, 4-cylinder, BiTurbo EU6e, 2.0-litre diesel engines, matched to the optional 8-speed automatic transmission. Fitted transversely into the robust TGE van chassis, these innovative engines will deliver UK Hose outstanding performance, high efficiency and a long service life, together with impressively low consumption and exceptional reliability.
All of the vehicles are TGE LION XC models which means that they ooze quality and deliver high levels of driver comfort. Of the new vehicles Matt Gissing, CEO UK Hose, said; "To guarantee we supply our customers with an unparalleled level of service we need to ensure our highly skilled field service engineers have a working environment that is not only safe and secure, but also comfortable and relaxing. Our engineers spend their working days in their vehicles, so it is paramount that they are ready to move at all times.
"When we first met MAN's Contract Hire Account Manager, John Seddon, it was immediately apparent that MAN places a focused emphasis on vehicle up-time, high levels of service, and customer support, this approach instantly caught our attention as it very much mirrors our customer service promise here at UK Hose." Built to TGE XC specification and enhanced to help maximise driver comfort, each of the vehicles comes equipped with; ergonomic Multi-function steering wheel with rake and reach adjustment, 10.4-inch touchscreen sat-nav, DAB, USB and Bluetooth connection, Wireless charging, Electronic parking brake, Overhead storage compartments, Comfort driver's seat including 2-way lumbar support, armrest and height adjustment, Climatic air conditioning and Electrically heated and adjusted mirrors. Driver safety, a top priority for UK Hose, is met in the form of all vehicles being equipped with Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Anti-Lock braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Cross Wind Assist, Hill start assist, Active lane keeping system, Driver alert, Driver and passenger airbag, Engine immobiliser, Engine start-stop, Remote central locking and Cruise control.
To further help maximise both visibility and security, the vehicles were all specified with rear view cameras. To surpass customer expectations and deliver upon promise UK Hose offers a genuine 60 to 90-minute nationwide call-out service. Their breakdown vehicles are equipped to handle any hydraulic emergency with efficiency and precision.
Each of their vehicles is stocked with professional tooling, high-quality hydraulic products, including Dunlop Hiflex hoses and fittings, as well as Stucchi couplings, ensuring they provide a first-time fix, on time, every time. In addition, their vehicles carry all relevant spill control equipment and a variety of hydraulic oils, enabling their engineers to address issues promptly, minimising plant and customer vehicle downtime. Matt added, "As our vehicles travel across the country, covering circa 30,000 miles annually, it's imperative that we have the support of mature, trusted and customer focussed partners, and with MAN, MAN FinancialServices and our local MAN dealership we feel that we have exactly that.
"All the aforementioned understand our business and throughout the order, inspection and delivery processes have amicably offered support, assistance and advice as and when needed." Concluded Matt. John Seddon, TGE Leasing and Contract Hire Account Manager, MAN Truck & Bus UK Ltd, commented: "Working with UK Hose, with Matt and the team has been an utter joy. The entire process, from initial consultation through vehicle arrivals, preparation and delivery couldn't have gone any smoother.
"Having seen the first vehicles enter operation and having the pleasure of listening to Matt's valued feedback, we know that these vehicles will serve UK Hose and their field service engineers well, and we very much look forward to continuing this relationship." All 12 of the new vehicles were PDI'd and prepared by MAN Truck & Bus UK Ltd.'s franchised partner Norfolk Trucks Felixstowe, IP11 3HZ. Throughout their working lives these new vehicles will be serviced and maintained by the MAN Truck & Bus dealer network.
All MAN vehicles are supported by MAN Truck & Bus UK's Nationwide Commercial Vehicle Dealer network, with many operating extended hours, including round-the-clock servicing and customer-tailored solution maintenance.
The entire MAN range benefits from MAN's Mobile24 24-hour assistance service, which guarantees customers a professional roadside partner throughout Europe 365 days of the year.