Northern Platforms extends Mercedes transport

Mercedes-Benz Atego

Supplied by Mercedes-Benz supplier for the north of Scotland, BLS Truck & Van, the 7.5-tonne GVW Atego is the fourth that Peterhead-based Northern Platforms & Stagings has purchased from BLS Truck & Van since the dealer’s appointment in 2018.

Like its predecessors, the truck is an 816 variant with ClassicSpace S-cab and a 5.1 litre engine that produces 115 kW (156 hp) and is paired with a smooth and fuel-efficient Mercedes PowerShift 3 automated manual transmission. Its platform body, meanwhile, was built in Mirfield, near Huddersfield, UK, by Advance Commercial Bodies.

Acquired with funding support from Mercedes-Benz Finance, the Atego is now being inspected and maintained under a Mercedes-Benz Complete Service Contract at BLS Truck & Van’s workshop on the Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen.

John Johnston, Northern Platforms & Stagings

Northern Platforms & Stagings was established in 1984 by John Johnston, who remains at the helm as managing director, and has long experience in serving the petrochemical and marine engineering sectors in the Grampian region, as well as builders and construction firms.

The Atego range, from 7.5 to 16 tonnes GVW, is purpose-designed for light- and medium-duty distribution work, and construction applications. 

Johnston said, “We’ve been running Mercedes-Benz vehicles for well over 10 years and have never had any problems with them. The fact that they don’t let us down means they make a valuable contribution to the efficiency of our operation.”

In addition to the three trucks it currently relies upon to transport tubes, boards and other fixtures and fittings to and from sites, Northern Platforms & Stagings runs a small fleet of eight vans.

Johnston continued, “The Atego is entirely fit for purpose. It’s the right size and carries the weight well, while the guys like their trucks because they’re so comfortable.”