The landmark vehicle – a striking Arocs in a celebratory blue livery – was supplied by Mercedes-Benz Trucks dealer Northside Truck & Van in Leeds. It features the latest Spargo gritter body, developed by Econ Engineering, and joins the company’s hire fleet of more than 1,000 winter maintenance vehicles.

Econ Engineering, the UK’s largest manufacturer of gritters and specialist winter maintenance equipment, has been working with Mercedes-Benz Trucks for more than 22 years.

Together, they’ve built the country’s largest own-brand hire fleet – a fleet that covered more than 247,800 miles of gritter routes last year alone, ensuring communities could keep moving safely when conditions were at their toughest.

Jonathan Lupton, Managing Director at Econ Engineering, said: “Reaching our 1,000th Mercedes-Benz hire gritter is a proud moment for everyone at Econ. It’s a testament to the strength of our partnership with Mercedes-Benz Trucks and Northside Truck & Van. Mercedes-Benz trucks deliver the reliability, flexibility and aftersales support that our customers demand from vehicles that have to perform in the toughest of conditions.

“Our hire customers rely on the quality and condition of our fleet, and this latest milestone underlines our continued investment in innovation and performance. We’re proud to keep pushing boundaries to help keep Britain’s roads safe every winter.”

At the heart of Econ’s success is the Mercedes-Benz Arocs, a truck engineered to take on the harshest environments. With high ground clearance, all-wheel drive chassis from 4x4 to 8x8, and the latest OM 471 engine paired with PowerShift Advanced transmission control, the Arocs delivers unrivalled traction, precision and dependability.

Drivers also benefit from the Multimedia Cockpit Interactive 2 that features a 12-inch instrument display, touchscreen controls, voice activation and advanced safety systems – combining comfort with capability.

“Econ are a company that exemplifies excellence in engineering and innovation. A commitment to quality and a forward-thinking approach has consistently set them apart in the industry,” said Heiko Selzam, Managing Director of Daimler Truck UK.

“Reaching the milestone of 1,000 chassis supplied is not only a significant achievement but also a reflection of the strong and collaborative relationship we’ve built over the last 22+ years and I am looking forward to continuing this valued partnership and supporting Econ with many more chassis in the years ahead. These vehicles are built to perform in the harshest conditions and play a vital role in keeping Britain’s roads open, safe, and connected.”

Martin Tordoff, Truck Sales Executive, Northside Truck & Van commented: “At Northside, we are extremely proud to be one of Econ’s suppliers. Our long-standing relationship has been built on excellent aftersales support – not only from us but also through the wider Daimler Truck network. It has been a real pleasure working with Jonathan and his colleagues, and reaching the historic milestone of 1,000 chassis supplied is a testament to the strength of our partnership. We look forward to supplying more chassis in the future, and to continuing this great relationship for many years to come.”

Econ Engineering’s fleet, supported by Mercedes-Benz Trucks – spearheaded by Municipal and Special Applications Key Account Manager Bob Holt – and its dealer partners like Northside Truck & Van, stands ready to respond whenever the weather takes a turn. Whether tackling snow, ice or treacherous winter storms, these Arocs gritters ensure that businesses, emergency services, and communities can keep moving.

As the 1,000th Arocs joins the fleet, it’s more than just a number: it represents a proven partnership, a shared commitment to innovation, and a dedication to keeping Britain safe on the roads, no matter what the winter brings. The truck will be on show during the RWM Resources and Waste Management Expo at the Birmingham NEC on September 17-18th.