ARH Group is a Shrewsbury-based facilities management, building services and process engineering specialist. Plumbing Trade’s Editor Victoria Galligan spoke to ARH about how the company has evolved over the years…
Tell us about the history of ARH Group and what you do…
The company started life in 1990, when Managing Director Tony Holton established ARH Electrical Services. Over the past 28 years its portfolio has steadily expanded, so that it now offers an integrated service covering electrical, mechanical and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) maintenance and installation works. ARH now boasts an annual turnover of some £25 million.
Who are your biggest customers?
ARH Group serves numerous ‘blue chip’ clients in the retail, leisure, commercial and healthcare industries. The biggest of these is a ‘top four’ supermarket, with which it has had a relationship since the early 1990s – ARH’s directly employed, regionally-based engineers have supported the retailer’s expansion while also serving other local businesses. ARH recently secured a new, multi-million-pound electrical services contract with this supermarket.
Why are the Mercedes-Benz Vito vans ideal for plumbers and other tradespeople?
Tradespeople need a vehicle which is reliable, practical, cost-effective to run, and safe. The Mercedes-Benz Vito ticks all of these boxes. In Panel Van versions the cargo area is easily accessed via sliding doors on both sides, as well as from the rear, while the vehicle’s impressive safety armoury includes Adaptive ESP, Adaptive Brake Lights, Crosswind Assist, driver and co-driver airbags, Hill-Start Assist, daytime running lights, Rescue Assist QR codes and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. The Vito is also comfortable and enjoyable to drive, and – like all Mercedes-Benz vans – commands strong residual values. Finally, as a by-word for quality and durability, the three-pointed star helps to convey a reassuringly professional image when the tradesperson arrives on site.
What sizes/specs are the vans available in? 
The Mercedes-Benz Vito has set the benchmark for performance, efficiency, safety and all-round quality in the mid-sized van segment. It comes in three lengths and at three gross weights, and is available as a Panel Van, a Crew Van with second row of seats, or a Tourer with three rows of seats, which accommodates up to nine people including the driver. There is also an Urban variant which is optimised for use in towns and cities, and a dynamic Sport model. Power comes from a range of advanced engines with outputs from 88 to 190 hp. Customers can choose from variants with either front- or rear-wheel wheel drive configurations, and opt for the smooth-shifting 7G-Tronic Plus seven-speed automatic transmission.
Are Mercedes-Benz Vito vans fuel-efficient?
Most definitely. ARH Group’s new vans are Long-bodied 111 CDI models with advanced, 1.6-litre engines that offer outstanding economy of 45.6 mpg (combined cycle). For other variants, the fuel-efficiency figure is as high as 47.1 mpg.
What aftercare is offered with the vans?
Like all Mercedes-Benz vans, the Vito comes with a three-year, unlimited mileage manufacturer’s warranty, and MobiloVan cover, which includes free, emergency roadside assistance, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. What’s more, because they are commercial vehicle specialists Mercedes-Benz Vans Dealers understand the importance of keeping their customers’ businesses moving. To minimise vehicle downtime, Mercedes-Benz workshops offer out-of-hours servicing, and many remain open through the night. For ARH Group, this means that an engineer can drop his van off at the end of the day, go home in a courtesy vehicle, then pick up his own again first thing next morning, ready to go. In terms of convenience and efficiency, this is a major advantage, as is the fixed-cost Mercedes-Benz ServiceCare Plan to which ARH has signed-up.
Why is it so important for tradespeople to invest in the right van?
Whether you’re a major enterprise with a sizeable fleet, like ARH Group, or a ‘one-man band’ with a single vehicle, a van will always be an important investment for a tradesperson. After all, without a vehicle to carry your tools and materials, you can’t reach job sites, so can’t earn any money. It’s crucial, therefore, that you choose the right van, one that won’t let you down. ARH Group is confident that in the Mercedes-Benz Vito, it has done just that.
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