E.J. Gumery & Son has taken delivery of the UK’s first new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Polaris hearse, supplied by Superior UK Automotive and built by Italian specialist Pilato.
Based on the current (W214) E-Class, the stunning new Polaris marks the UK arrival of Pilato’s latest-generation hearse and becomes the flagship vehicle of the Worcester-based funeral director’s fleet. The delivery makes E.J. Gumery & Son the first funeral director in the UK to put the new Polaris hearse into service.
Established in 1870, the Worcester-based funeral director remains independently owned and family-managed by Lawson and Sam Edgerton, alongside their 22-year-old son, Theo.
The Polaris replaces the company’s 10-year-old Binz 212 E-Class, while a matching Pilato Lyra limousine has also been commissioned and is due to be delivered shortly.
The delivery of these new vehicles continues a fleet supply relationship with Superior UK spanning 20 years.
Theo Edgerton travelled to Pilato’s factory in Italy to see the Polaris being built, meet members of the Pilato family and board, and even personally sign the interior bodywork.
Theo commented, “I really enjoyed my visit to Italy, where I saw our hearse in production and met the board of directors at the family-owned factory. The factory is very impressive, with an exceptionally skilled team of designers. The vehicles are beautifully crafted, down to the very last detail, and to the highest standards.”
Theo added, “The new Polaris is exceptional and is a step ahead of anything else we’ve seen. We’ve also had many positive comments from the public and from our colleagues in the industry.”
Superior has also recently completed a bespoke removal conversion for Gumery’s, fitting a Volkswagen Caddy with a Superior removal deck.
“We supplied a VW Caddy and had a brilliantly designed Superior deck fitted for removals,” explained Theo. “The entrance to Gumery’s is quite tight. So although Superior are known for their Vitos, we opted for a more compact Caddy.”
Theo said Superior’s service, and MD Kevin Smith, had been as important as its vehicles. “We have been buying from Superior for many years and cannot fault the vehicles or the service.”
He added: “Kevin is professional, upfront and honest; you know where you stand, as he is transparent and very easy to work with. We look forward to continuing to work with Superior for our fleet vehicles for many years to come.”
The delivery marks an important milestone for Superior UK and Pilato as the new E-Class-based Polaris enters the British funeral market.
For E.J. Gumery & Son, the new hearse provides a UK-first distinctive flagship vehicle while extending a trusted supplier relationship involving the next generation of the family business.