It’s a matter of all things Mercedes-Benz at German family business Maier, where this customised, V8-powered 2555 livestock transporter takes pride of place on the fleet.
Daniela Winkler laughs, looks over towards the Mercedes-Benz Actros belonging to her partner, Erwin Maier, and remarks: “Had someone told me nine years ago that I would be sitting behind the wheel of an animal transporter, I would have thought they were crazy!”
She had, then, only just met Erwin and she believed livestock transportation constituted a form of cruelty to animals, having gained such an impression from media reports about mishandling and cruelty in the animal transport business.
However, after she had accompanied him on his trips through Germany, carrying livestock and cattle for slaughter, she changed her opinion. Whenever her job in the retail trade allows her, she now likes to sit behind the wheel. She completed her C+E licence three years ago.
Change of heart
Daniela still sees herself as an animal rights campaigner and has some convincing arguments. “As long as meat is eaten, animals must be fattened and taken to abattoirs. We do this in accordance with animal welfare regulations for transporting live animals and with a real sense of responsibility. We have nothing to hide – just because there are still a few black sheep in the industry!”
Daniela adds emphatically: “When I see animals being badly treated, I will speak out about it!”
This self-confidence is also reflected in the presentation of Mercedes itself, which stands in the company yard of Erwin’s father, Karl Anton Maier in Krauchenwies, southern Germany.
Diehard V8 fan
Esta historia es de la edición November 2017 de Truck & Driver.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición November 2017 de Truck & Driver.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Well forked Daf
Remember, we like to cover all sorts of different trucks here at T&D – like this impressive new CF rigid complete with Moffett Mounty forklift
King of the hill
Moving heavy equipment off road calls for a truck with plenty of power and traction, which is why M&J Plant chose a mighty 6x4 FH16 750
Time Machine 2015-2019
It’s the final part of our series on the history of UK haulage. Let’s look back at those innocent times before that pesky virus turned up
Original and best
There are few trucks which have been customised to the level of the Scania 143, but let’s not forget that the standard product was pretty awesome just as it left the factory, like this rare 420
GOING ALL THE WAY
Simon Rogers got behind the wheel as soon as he was able to, and nearly 30 years later, his company is going from strength to strength, with a striking all-black, top-spec Iveco S-Way 570 the latest addition to the fleet
Abnormal loads
In the distant past, when dinosaurs roamed the planet, truck drivers were a very different breed, made from sterner stuff than us mere mortals
Range change
After a gap of 13 years, Renault trucks have reappeared in the unique colours of MacRitchie Highland Distribution. T&D takes the high road to Inverness to meet owners, Donald and Catriona MacRitchie
Cutting a dash
Freshly showered and munching a healthy egg and cress sarnie in Gloucester North services, Chris has a Foden update
Air we go!
On Saturday 29 May at 6pm, 240 drivers gathered with their trucks at South Mimms Services for a parade to raise vital money for Essex & Hertfordshire Air Ambulance
A Cutt Above
From coal to turf to fencing and loads more, there’s not much the Calcutt fleet hasn’t transported over the years
