A newly-accredited Renault Master closed deck beavertail conversion is sowing the seeds for one of the UK’s top grounds maintenance and landscaping companies to significantly grow the number of vehicles on its fleet that are produced by the French manufacturer.
idverde UK, a division of Europe’s largest provider of grounds maintenance services and landscape construction projects, has chosen the specialised conversion as part of its latest Renault Master order. The Renault Master closed deck beavertail conversion, which is based on the Renault Master FWD 3.5-tonne chassis cab (ML35) and is completed by Advanced KFS (AKFS) – the latest addition to the list of over 30 Renault Accredited converters – accounts for 20 per cent of the firm’s order of 40 Renault Masters. The order also consists of Renault Master panel vans and tippers, the latter being one of Renault’s popular off-the-shelf conversions that are available direct from the factory.
The Renault Master closed deck beavertails will be used by idverde UK to supply grounds maintenance services to the public sector, including its contracts with local authorities that see the firm taking responsibility for such green services as grass cutting, hedge trimming, planting area maintenance and tree surgery.
It is the first time that idverde UK has ordered a closed deck beavertail conversion based on a Renault Pro+ Commercial Vehicle. The specialised vehicles replace those from a mix of manufacturers, a key influence of idverde UK’s decision being that all its vehicular requirements can be met by Renault with the Master, whether it’s a panel van, tipper or bespoke conversion that is built to the manufacturer’s high standards. The new Renault conversion is of particular interest to idverde UK as the number of closed deck beavertail vehicles on its fleet is steadily growing, the body style being popular due to the ease of moving machinery and operatives being able to drive one without a special licence. The business expects to add up to another 40 in the year ahead.
Power is provided by the efficient 130 bhp dCi 2.3-litre turbodiesel engine, which is complemented by a six-speed manual transmission. All the vehicles are based on the Business level of trim, which provides Idverde’s operatives with such standard features as an alarm and electronic immobiliser, ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution), heated and electrically-adjustable door mirrors, central locking, ESC (Electronic Stability Control) with Grip Xtend, Hill Start Assist, DAB radio with Bluetooth and multi-function trip computer.
The closed deck beavertail conversion by AKFS, includes such features as an aluminium bulkhead, floor and both dropside and solid side panelling, spring assisted aluminium tailgate, high level LED lighting, LED compact light bar, strobe lights and side marker lights; and folding directional sign located on the rear tailgate.
idverde UK benefits from the standard Renault 100,000-mile/three-year warranty on the base Renault Masters, while the quality of the conversion is illustrated through AKFS matching the manufacturer’s cover.
Angus Lindsay, Group Head of Assets and Fleet, idverde UK, said: “The 3.5-tonne market is vast and, to be honest, the costs of available vehicles are very similar, but if we can stick with one manufacturer and one vehicle that already meets, or which can be converted to cater for our needs, then it’s a massive plus in terms of convenience. The Renault Master allows us to do this.
“The Master works well for us, our operatives like the cabin space and our older versions have proved to be both reliable and durable. It simply does everything it’s meant to. Having the Master beavertail conversion makes it considerably easier for us to move machinery, especially as our operatives can drive it on a normal car licence.”
Vincent Tourette, Managing Director, Groupe Renault UK, commented: “To have Europe’s largest provider of green services increase its reliance on Renault vehicles is testament to the many attributes of the Master and the versatility of the services that we strive to offer business users. We are exceptionally pleased that the benefits of the Renault Accredited Converter programme have provided them with a quality, bespoke vehicle that is tailored to their needs, yet which also comes with the ease-of-maintenance and aftersales support that is associated with a straightforward production LCV.”
The Renault Master is at the heart of the Renault Accredited Converter programme, which consists of over 30 approved converters who have been recognised to meet the demanding standards of Renault. Its variety and versatility enable it to form the basis of built-to-order specialised conversions that include welfare units, ambulances, temperature-controlled vans, horseboxes, transporters, ‘cherry pickers’ with cranes and platforms, minibuses, motorhomes and campers, and construction vehicles.
These bespoke vehicles complement a host of off-the-shelf Renault factory conversions that include Tipper, Dropside, Luton LoLoader and Box Van variants.
For further details on the Renault Accredited Converter programme and factory conversions, visit www.conversions.renault.co.uk. Renault also provides customers with a dedicated Converter Hotline on 0800 040 7343.
The award-winning Renault Pro+ Commercial Vehicle range is supported by Renault Pro+ Business Centres as part of the dealer network, which has been developed to meet the specific requirements of business customers. Benefits of the highly specialised network include finance products tailored for professional customers, extended opening hours and courtesy vehicles that are of the same category (wherever possible), to a dedicated after sales contact.
SOURCE: Renault
