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Taz Mania
Actros
Discover how a newly qualified ‘Class 1’ driver is running the show and inspiring future generations on both the road and YouTube.
Getting a head start in an evolving driving career.
Born in Scotland and raised in Suffolk, Craig, or ‘Taz’ as he prefers to be known, has loved life behind the wheel since he gained his first driving licence 17 years ago. His professional driving career began shortly afterwards at his father’s logistics firm, where he undertook deliveries all over the UK and Europe, driving both a van and a 7t truck.
Taz recently took the next big step in his career – obtaining both a ‘Class 2’ licence in 2020 and a ‘Class 1’ licence in August 2021, meaning that at the time of writing, Taz is one of the newest Class 1 drivers on the roads, qualified to tow 44t trailers.
Taz said: “I just love driving, but with a growing young family, I wanted to improve my career prospects and abilities. After passing my ‘Class 2’ test, and working for another firm, I decided I would upscale my driving qualifications again. ‘Class 1’ trucks are even more of a pleasure to drive, mainly because they’re just easier to manoeuvre, as they bend on corners.”
Working for Sorrelle.
Last year, Taz began working for haulage firm Sorrelle, based in Sudbury, Suffolk. He collects European trailers from the ports at Felixstowe, Suffolk and Kilingholme, Lincolnshire and transports the goods around the Midlands, frequently stopping in Birmingham, Coventry, Leicester and Coalville.
Taz added: “Sorrelle is a great company to work for – it’s family-owned, so the staff are well looked-after and it’s a unique business too. Not only does the company operate truck haulage and truck sales, it also provides garage services for car and van motorists too.
“The trailers I collect from Felixstowe and Kilingholme, come over from Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. They contain anything from car parts, plastics, PPE for hospitals, beer kegs, to glass bottles. Essentially, I’m one of the many truckers helping keep Britain mobile, equipping our medical professionals with the equipment they need to keep us all well, as well as helping to ensure millions of us can enjoy products from the hospitality industry at the weekend!”
Actros 2548.
Sorrelle operates around 11 trucks, one of which is Taz’s 2015 Mercedes-Benz Actros 2548.
“My Actros is a dependable workhorse. It’s been in constant use for seven years and covered over 800,000 miles. If that doesn’t demonstrate how dependable Mercedes-Benz Trucks are, then I don’t know what does! If you hadn’t told me the mileage when I began driving this, I wouldn’t be able to tell because it’s been brilliant – it still drives like a new truck. It’s enjoyable to drive, reliable, performs strongly and provides excellent accommodation for the night!” Taz added.
"It still drives like a new truck."
- Craig Anderson (Taz)
Bringing the world of trucking to all your devices.
Taz is currently growing his presence on YouTube and Instagram. He proudly describes himself as ‘just a driver loving life’ and a ‘YouTube vlogger filming his days as a Class 1 trucker.’
“It’s something I always wanted to do; I want to bring something unique and different to audiences across the world of social media.
“When I began working with Sorrelle, I realised many truckers like me collect trailers, but most of them only do it within the UK. There is less visibility of truckers who collect trailers that have arrived from Europe and other truckers pointed this out to me.”
Reaffirming life as a truck driver.
There’s no doubt Taz loves his job, his Mercedes-Benz Actros, and his social media following. Asked if he was one of the first on the scene, Taz explained:
“Trucker vloggers have burst onto social media platforms in recent years, with great success. Of these, the most recognised are five truck drivers that make up the ‘Road Legends.’ A few of the five each have over 40,000 subscribers on YouTube. Trucker Jenko will be familiar to readers – he’s already featured on RoadStars.”
“I’d like to grow my ‘Trucker Taz’ presence across platforms and improve awareness of how vital truck drivers are to every home around the UK. Like my father always said: Without truckers, we would all be naked, homeless and hungry!”
“I’m also motivated by doing a job that I love. Being a truck driver doesn’t mean you can’t have a good work-life balance – I do – proving it’s entirely possible to drive trucks and be home most nights. We have all heard about the driver shortages during the pandemic; I hope I can inspire others to join this essential and rewarding profession.”
Are you a Mercedes-Benz truck driver? Does your company have an incredible story? Tell your story in the comments below and you could be the star of our next RoadStars article!
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