Spire Healthcare recently updated its delivery fleet with seven Mercedes-Benz Atego models. The new vehicles are replace its previous Atego models, which the 37-hospital network, had used for the past eight years.

The seven Atego 816 models are based at Spire Healthcare’s National Distribution Centre in Droitwich, Worcestershire, England. Supplied by Kidderminster dealer Rygor Commercials, they are the subject of a CharterWay contract hire agreement with Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, under which each will cover some 115,000 miles per year.

The trucks are powered by fuel-efficient 150hp, 4.25L engines. Like all Atego models with manual transmissions they also came fitted as standard with the motor stop-start (MSS) system. This further boosts economy and cuts emissions, simply by switching off the engine whenever the vehicle is in neutral and stationary for three seconds – for example in heavy traffic or at lights – then switching it back on again automatically as soon as the driver depresses the clutch.

The trucks’ box bodies, meanwhile, are by Fred Smith & Son, of West Bromwich, which also fitted their Dhollandia 1,000kg tail-lifts with "auto-erect" side gates and applied the vehicle wraps.

Spire Healthcare was formed in 2007 from the sale of BUPA hospitals, to which were added Thames Valley Hospital and 10 former Classic hospitals in 2008, according to the healthcare network.