Mercedes-Benz vans catch on with fish sales company

Outstanding reliability and customer-focused, round-the-clock support from United Kingdom-based dealer Rossetts Commercials meant that when Brighton & Newhaven Fish Sales needed a new van, it was always going to be another Mercedes-Benz.
Operating from a quayside wholesale base and retail outlet at Shoreham Harbour, next to Hove Lagoon, the company sells quality, day-caught local fish and shellfish.
Brighton & Newhaven Fish Sales now runs seven Mercedes-Benz Sprinters supplied by Rossetts, all of which have refrigerated conversions. The latest, a medium-length 313 CDI model with fuel-efficient 129-hp engine, represents an extension to the fleet and was commissioned to help the firm meet increasing demand from hotels, restaurants, caterers, and other trade customers.
Underlining the growing popularity of fish as a healthy alternative to meat, Brighton & Newhaven Fish Sales will also shortly be adding a fourth inshore day boat to the three it already owns.
The company has been trading from its current location for more than 25 years and is co-owned by Bill Brock and Matt Leach, whose father founded the business. Charlie Brock is Bill’s son and, as wholesale manager, responsible for the day-to-day operation of the van fleet.
“Having landed the fish, we load our vans and get them out on the road by 6 am each day,” he said. “It’s a multi-drop regime—we send one vehicle into London every day and make other deliveries throughout the southeast.
“We tell our customers that we’ll be there when they want us to be there, and we get the same level of service from Rossetts Commercials,” he said. “We’re not a nine-to-five business so as far as routine maintenance and any running repairs are concerned; we need to get the work done at times that suit us.
“We like people who deliver on their promises, and Rossetts’ 24-hour workshop team provide a brilliant service. We can drop our vehicles off in the afternoon and get them worked on during the night, so they’re always available for use when we need them,” said Brock.
“The Sprinter is comfortable and popular with our drivers. It’s also the safest van on the market, while the Mercedes-Benz badge is a byword for quality and can only enhance our own reputation for freshness and service,” he said.
“When you’re carrying a product like wet fish, though, reliability is the single most important attribute in a vehicle and that’s certainly what we get from our Sprinters,” said Brock. “On the rare occasion that we have had a problem, the dealer’s response has been very good. If Rossetts had not been able to fix it in time for use the next day, then they’ve arranged a replacement refrigerated vehicle—a standard van is no good to us—so there’s been no impact on our operation.”
Access www.brighton-fish-sales.co.uk to learn more.