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Tag: road transport

Preparing for the Mobility Package

Posted on by Keith McKinley

The new additions to the Mobility Package regulations will come into effect in February 2022, and a leading European digital trucking company, Girteka Logistics, says it is ready.

Even despite the pandemic-related challenges that have still not lost their relevance in the road freight transport industry, the new regulations are set to make very significant changes to how cargo travels on the road in Europe. The upcoming changes are part of the whole Mobility Package, which addresses several key areas in the European Union’s (EU) road transport system, not exclusive to road freight transport services.

With the deadline looming, and as logistics providers began to prepare for the enforcement of the Mobility Package, it was clear that the changes would make the industry better for its most crucial cog in the gears, namely the drivers, and more complicated for the industries’ representatives to organise road transport processes.

The biggest change will be the fact that drivers will now have the option to return to either their country of residence or the place where a road freight transport operated is based every four weeks, with the truck having to come back to the place where the operator is based every eight weeks.

Upcoming changes

As mentioned above, the key change is that drivers will now have the option to return to either their place of residence or their truck company‘s base, while the truck will have to return to the country of registration every eight weeks. The European Commission has also looked into the rules of cabotage operations, as well as working and employment conditions for those who are behind the wheel on Europe’s roads.

Cabotage operations would be restricted to three operations maximum per seven days, with a cool-off period of at least four days. The individual Member States would be able to shorten the cool-off period and to increase the period as to which maximums cabotage operations are allowed to happen.

In terms of rest and driving conditions and rules, while they have applied since August 2020, will only add to the complexity of the incoming shift in the EU‘s regulatory base. For one, drivers will now have to take their weekly rest periods of 45 hours in proper accommodation facilities, rather than the truck cabin.

While it is a definitive improvement to the working conditions of the drivers, the issue is the lack of accommodation facilities throughout Europe, as well as current facilities hardly being able to accommodate the number of drivers and semi-trailers themselves.

That is not the only criticism that the Mobility Package has received, as the EC itself concluded a study to determine how would “the compulsory return of the vehicle to the Member State of establishment every eight weeks and the application of cabotage quotas on international combined transport operations,“ affect the industry with a particular focus on emissions.

The study concluded that the new regulations would impact the environment negatively and would increase the emissions of the industry going forward.

“We are ready”

While uncertainty followed the industry for the past few years, mainly due to the pandemic, there were hopes that the newest regulations would be delayed – alas, they will go through in February 2022. Nevertheless, as companies prepared to adapt to the changes related to the package, some of the uncertainty was cleared up.

“Firstly, to be closer to our customers in Western Europe, we will open a base in Poznan, Poland, which should be fully operational by the end of 2022. The base has required a lot of investment in human and other resources, as we will have to refurbish it to satisfy our needs, and to ensure that the base will provide as much comfort for our drivers as possible,” commented Mindaugas Paulauskas, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Girteka Transport.

Secondly, according to the CEO of one of the Girteka Group companies, the requirement to return the trucks and drivers to their base of operations or country of residence every eight and four weeks, respectively, will require the company to hire more drivers, which is no easy feat considering the rampant shortage of drivers across Europe.

“We have worked for years to ensure that Girteka Logistics remains an attractive employer for our current and potential colleagues, as we look to proactively solve the driver issue and so far we have been successful in doing so, as none of our trucks are standing still at our base,” continued Paulauskas.

According to the executive, the newly-placed cabotage restrictions will also be challenging for carriers and shippers, as already, there was a widespread shortage of capacity throughout Europe due to the mentioned driver shortage, as well as manufacturers struggling with their own supply chain issues, resulting in a deficit of new trucks globally.

“We also have to consider that if trucks and drivers need to return to their bases after a certain number of weeks on the road, these processes have to be monitored closely in order to not only avoid fines but to also ensure that we keep our high standards of services, despite any changes to the regulations,” concluded Paulauskas.

However, according to another Girteka Group executive, prices for transport services will rise directly because of the Mobility Package.

Impacting the volatile pricing environment

Coming into the year, carriers faced a difficult operating environment, as prices for fuel, and other raw materials, have continued to climb, while other operating expenses increased as well. The Mobility Package will not ease the situation, and on the contrary, make it only worse.

“The Mobility Package, which will see the light of day in February 2022, will bring even more instability and a more volatile pricing environment, leading to even higher transport prices in Europe,” stated Pavel Kveten, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Girteka Logistics European Business Area.

As Kveten expressed, the new regulations will come into effect in a difficult environment for carriers, as in addition to the past year’s difficulties continuing into 2022, a new COVID-19 variant could provide even more instability in the next coming months.

Still, the source of the potential price increases “is the fact that trucks and drivers, on separate timelines, will have to return to their locations of registration and/or residence, possibly imbalancing trade lanes across the continents. Certainly, fuel, planning, and other operating expenses will once again grow, which will proportionately increase the prices for services in the EU,” continued the COO.

“I have full confidence that our preparation work will enable us to continue offering the highest quality of services to our customers, despite the possible uneasiness we had expected for the upcoming months,” assured Kveten.

CILT Ghana supports Transaid programme

Posted on by Keith McKinley

International development organisation Transaid has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Ghana, aimed at promoting mutual cooperation in the area of road safety.

The agreement follows less than a year after Transaid began developing a professional driver training programme in the country’s capital, Accra; its first project of this kind to be launched in West Africa.

With funding secured from Puma Energy Foundation, Transaid has set out to raise training standards and expand training capacity for heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers.

The MOU was signed by Engr. Mark Amoamah, National President of CILT Ghana, and Caroline Barber, Transaid Chief Executive.

Barber says: “We have a long and rich history of collaborating with CILT Ghana and I am delighted to be partnering with them again to deliver this life saving work. They have already played a key role to support us in setting up this project, and it’s fantastic to see the relationship formalised.”

The signing of the MOU coincides with Transaid delivering the first ‘Training of Trainers’ module, designed to build training capability in Ghana, following a format used successfully by Transaid on similar projects in Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda and Malawi.

It follows a busy period gathering and analysing training material currently used in Ghana, establishing a national technical standards group and collaboratively assembling both a theory and practical training curricula, plus an instructor’s manual, to ensure the project got off to a successful start.

Barber says: “The provision of quality professional driver training will be expanded to increase access to training and ensure that drivers are trained to the highest standards. Our initial involvement is for three and a half years, and within this time we want to work with partners to ensure strong foundations are in place to facilitate sustainable and lasting change in Ghana.”

On signing the MOU, Engr. Amoamah announced that he planned to further support the initiative by offering free CILT Affiliate Membership to all those training as trainers.

Transaid is planning to put the first cohort of HGV driver trainers through both the theory and practical training within the next three to four months.

Collett delivers 57-metre wind farm blades

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Collett & Sons has  completed all wind turbine component deliveries to Twentyshilling Wind Farm, located approximately 4.8km south of Sanquhar, in Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland.

Appointed to undertake all planning and deliveries for the nine Vestas V117 turbines, Collett began transporting the components from King George V Dock in June 2021. Each of the components for each complete turbine, the three towers sections, three blades, nacelle, drive train and hub, would require specialist transport logistics for the 170-mile journey to site.

With Collett Consulting having already surveyed the route in detail, including undertaking a test drive of the journey from the port simulating the loaded blade components, Collett identified several necessary route modifications. Most importantly, this highlighted the access to the wind farm site itself.

Two miles from the construction site, on approach to the wind farm, the 57-metre loaded blades would be unable to facilitate the necessary left turn to access. It was proposed that the construction of a turning head at this location would provide the required clearance to allow the all 27 of the blades to safely navigate the turn.

Identifying this pinch point during the test drive allowed for the construction of a turning head at Eliock Bridge ahead of the component deliveries, this would ensure that the vehicles could safely turn around off the main road and complete the right turn on the approach to site.

Working to a two-day delivery schedule, with three deliveries per convoy, Collett called upon its specialist fleet to deliver the 81 individual components.

The Collett team employed super wing carriers to transport the blades, each of which weighed 14.9 tonnes. In addition, the use of these specialist super wing carriers allowed Collett to overcome issues of the vertical alignment from the main road to Eliock Bridge, avoiding the need for works to be undertaken on the listed structure.

For other components – such as the 25m-long bottom and 26m middle towers, with weights of 67t and 44.5t – Collett utilised specialist clamp trailers, whilst the remaining components – the top towers, nacelle, drive trains and hubs – were transported using Collett’s five- and six-axle step-frame trailers.

Working to a detailed delivery schedule, produced in line with the site construction needs, over a period of 14 weeks the Collett Team delivered each of the components from King George V Dock to the Dumfries & Galloway construction site. All components travelled under Collett escort, with police escorts in attendance for the blades, tower sections, nacelles and drive trains.

All deliveries to the 38MW Twentyshilling Wind Farm are now complete with the nine Vestas V117 140-metre tip turbines expected to be fully operational in 2022.

SNAP: automation could address staff shortages

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Around one million Britons are currently isolating with COVID-19, causing a staffing headache across many industries, including haulage and logistics. SNAP, one of Europe’s leading smart payment solutions provider for lorry drivers and fleet operators, has revealed the potentially game-changing automated technologies that could help to overcome the challenges of a diminished workforce.

Getting under the bonnet of an automated future, SNAP has conceptualised Truck Park 2049 – illustrating how new capabilities and efficiencies could be created in haulage to ease the demand on drivers.

Emma Westwood, Commercial Manager for SNAP, said: “Without knowing when the pandemic will end, or how much longer businesses will have to endure the current shortages, automation and digitisation have a bigger role to play than ever before. Doing more with less could be an ongoing battle for businesses, so by highlighting some of the exciting and progressive technologies that are being developed, we’re helping to paint a picture of how this could be achieved within the haulage industry; a sector at the heart of the British economy.”

Self-driving trucks

SNAP predicts that advances in automation will make it much easier to multitask at truck parks. Upon arrival, drivers will be able to leave their self-driving trucks. Artificial intelligence will then guide the trucks through services before parking in a designated spot, ready for the drivers to collect. This will free up drivers to eat, rest or perform other jobs, allowing them to use their time more efficiently.

With the rise in automated vehicles, SNAP expects the human driver’s role to increasingly focus on maintenance. Diagnostic machines will become an important feature of new era truck parks, providing drivers with the information and support they need to conduct minor repairs, perform upgrades and optimise their vehicles for maximum efficiency.

Recognition of needs technology

Smarter still, automatic recognition of needs technology – combining analytics and data tracking – will notify truck parks of the services required for each driver; for example, charging, engine maintenance, cleaning, or driver rest. This will create a tailored experience for each driver that streamlines each visit.

Westwood continued: “We are already witnessing the rapid acceleration of automation technologies. Rather than replacing human jobs, we believe that these developments will assist in the efficient delivery of work and reduce the time and resources required for operational tasks, thus allowing staff members to optimise their workloads. This will help to ease the pressure caused by staff shortages. In the haulage industry specifically, this will assist in securing and speeding up supply chains and aiding the smooth running of all the businesses we serve.”

SNAP Account’s smart payment system for truck parks is just one example of automated technology that is already making a difference to the haulage industry by allowing fleet operators to digitally manage their businesses more efficiently, safely and effectively.

Westwood added: “Now is the perfect time to look ahead and see how automated technologies can be harnessed to assist businesses in their day-to-day operations and with their long-term growth plans. Truck Park 2049 encapsulates what an automated future could look like and how it could benefit fleets and drivers.”

Tiger Trailers appoints new MD

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Tiger Trailers has promoted Ed Booth from Finance Director to Managing Director of the Tiger Trailers group of businesses, with immediate effect.

The articulated trailer manufacturer, founded in 2014, says experienced an extremely successful year during 2021, growing significantly in line with the firm’s targets. Booth joined Tiger Trailers in June 2021 as Finance Director and quickly made a positive impact on improving the company’s financial and business processes.

“Joining Tiger Trailers last summer was an exciting step for me, and I have immensely enjoyed working with supportive, passionate and skilled colleagues across all areas of the business as Finance Director,” says Booth. “It’s a privilege to have been appointed as Managing Director of a fast-growing firm that not only produces high quality products after listening to its customers, but also one that cares for its people, supports charities, and proactively helps to keep people safe. I greatly look forward to working alongside Steven and John, David, and everyone within the company, to deliver further growth and benefit other groups over the next stages of our journey.”

Booth’s appointment as Managing Director sees Tiger Trailers’ founders, John and Steven Cartwright, move from their positions as Joint Managing Directors to sit as Executive Directors on the board alongside David Williams. The three founders will actively work with Booth on numerous strategic opportunities to support the ambitious plans the Cheshire firm has for the coming years.

Steven Cartwright, founder and now executive director of Tiger Trailers, commented: “John and I are delighted that Ed has been appointed as Managing Director at a time when the business we founded continues to experience unparalleled growth, entering new markets, launching new services and products, and increasingly working in the local community, which we are both very proud of.”

Since relocating from its original factory less than a mile away, to a purpose-built, 20-acre site in Winsford in 2019, Tiger Trailers has rapidly established itself as one of the UK’s leading semi-trailer and rigid bodywork manufacturers, producing heavy commercial vehicles for a sizeable portfolio of household names along with other road transport operators. The company employs around 250 staff and has recently introduced a night shift to facilitate ever-increasing demand for its products.

The Tiger Trailers group of businesses includes Tiger Finance, the manufacturer’s own in-house and independent finance division, Tiger Rentals providing and managing trailers on short- to long-term hire, Tiger Parts with its new online store, and more recently the Tiger Safety Team, which visits schools to teach children road safety through its ‘STOP LOOK BE SEEN’ programme with the help of a branded truck, trailer and mascot called Tiger Ted.

Corporate social responsibility, supporting the local community, encouraging women into manufacturing and trucking, and maintaining engaged and supportive internal communications are close to Tiger Trailers’ heart and are areas that Booth has worked closely with from the outset and shall continue to do so.

Tiger Trailers posted record profits for 2020 and its financial performance for 2021 will be released shortly.

Teletrac Navman signs telematics deal with ASCO

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Teletrac Navman, a global market leader in telematics technology, has secured a contract with logistics and materials management company, ASCO, to supply its mobile asset and fleet management technology for the optimisation of a 350-strong fleet of vehicles in the UK.

Headquartered in Dyce, Aberdeen, ASCO provides logistics and materials management services, operating across markets including new energy, decommissioning and oil and gas. The company required a telematics solution for its fleet, that would increase business compliance through tachograph downloads, increase safety with driver behaviour monitoring and reduce fuel speed and CO2 output.

ASCO selected Teletrac Navman’s TN360 AI-powered vehicle tracking software due to its ability to deliver telematics functionalities in real-time and provide simplified, smart, predictive, and actionable insights. Included within the platform is an ‘Insights’ tool, which provides platform users with visibility into business and fleet operations, to make meaningful and critical business decisions. It can be voice activated – using natural language search terms – so that users can ask a question and receive visuals results in response, enabling teams to share data and identify anomalies and patterns in their data, to make fast, efficient business decisions.

Rebecca Ogg, Buyer at ASCO, said: “We operate a large-scale and fast-paced business and needed to find a holistic telematics solution that would accommodate varied assets needs, from trucks, vans, trailers and fuel tankers. We really valued the fact that Teletrac Navman’s TN360 solution provides a much greater level of visibility into the data we capture from our fleet. And as a result, we believe this technology will provide us with a more transparent way of working with our customers and will allow both parties to be more informed, so that we can turn data into decisions that benefit both our business and our customers.”

The package includes the Pre-Trip checklist app, which simplifies the capture of maintenance and compliance information. Drivers can complete digital checklists via the app, such as vehicle pre-trip inspections and driver fit-for-duty assessments and data is automatically captured within the telematics platform. In addition, the EasyDocs app enables businesses to upload, store and share important documents across entire fleets and mobile workforces. This cloud-based filing system is specifically designed for fleets and enables staff to save time looking for documents.

Peter Millichap, Marketing Director at Teletrac Navman UK, said: “Our primary aim is to ensure that our customers can access the most relevant and accurate telematics data from their fleets, without the complexity and inefficiency of paper or spreadsheets. As the world advances across all areas to become more digital, and the transport and logistics industry pushes towards a safer and more sustainable future, it’s imperative that fleet managers can access data and make decisions for the betterment of their business and the industry as a whole. We are thrilled to have been awarded the contract with ASCO and look forward to working with them.”

ASCO has approximately 90 drivers in the UK – split between Scotland and England – and 60 personnel who will require access to the solution, ranging from admin to IT and operations to managers. All of whom will receive virtual training on the telematics solution with Teletrac Navman, which is scheduled to go live on the 1st November.

Ogg added: “As we look ahead to meeting our Net Zero Green House Gas emissions by 2040 target and make the switch to electric vans, we also see Teletrac Navman’s EV Readiness Tool being a very useful addition to our platform.”

Teletrac Navman’s EV Readiness Tool analyses all telematics data to provide operators with detailed recommendations of where electric vehicles could be adopted into their operation. Moreover, the smart algorithms behind the tool not only tell you the feasibility of switching, they also calculate the total cost of ownership of an EV switch versus the existing fleet (purchase price, residual value, taxes, insurance, maintenance, electricity costs), as well as the total CO2 and fuel savings the business would make.

Tesco rolls out electric articulated HGVs

Posted on by David Priestman

Tesco is launching the UK’s first commercially used fully electric heavy freight articulated trucks. Two new 37 tonne DAF electric vehicles will transport food and other products from Wentloog rail terminal outside Cardiff to Tesco’s distribution centre in Magor, Wales, in partnership with logistics and international freight forwarding company FSEW.

Heavy goods vehicles make up around 16% of the UK’s domestic transport emissions and addressing this can play a significant role in delivering the UK’s net zero ambitions. Despite significant advances in battery technology and charging infrastructure for smaller vehicles, there hasn’t been a commercially viable solution for electric haulage and distribution until now.

These first two lorries will replace around 65,000 diesel-fuelled road miles with clean green energy, removing 87.4 tonnes of CO2e per year. To power the new service FSEW has installed charging points at its site in South Wales that provide enough energy to power these large vehicles for 100 miles before needing to charge again. At around 30 miles each way the Wentloog-Magor journey is an ideal location to understand the potential and range of these lorries for use throughout the UK and elsewhere in Tesco’s fleet.

By demonstrating that electric HGV transportation is commercially viable, this service will contribute to encouraging wider investment in technology and innovation that will support the haulage sector’s efforts to reduce emissions and air pollution. It will also contribute to Tesco’s efforts to achieve net zero emissions in its own operations by 2035, and FSEW’s work to replace more than 40 diesel vehicles with low-carbon alternatives and switch to fleet-wide zero-emissions transport operations by 2025.

Jason Tarry, Tesco UK and ROI CEO said: “Tesco’s distribution network is one of the largest in the UK and plays an important role in our efforts to become net zero in our own operations by 2035. We’ve already made progress by starting our switch to electric home delivery vans and rolling out electric vehicles charging points for our customers. I’m excited that Tesco can also lead the way in electric haulage innovation, helping to tackle this last source of road transport emissions with the support of FSEW.”

Jason Watts, Distribution Centre Manager, Tesco Distribution Centre Magor, said: “We all want to do what we can for the environment so we’re proud that Magor and Wales was chosen to be the first location to use these zero emissions lorries. It’s always exciting to get new kit and we can’t wait to try these lorries out in our busy operation.”

Geoff Tomlinson, FSEW Managing Director, said: “This is a landmark day for us here at FSEW, representing a major step forward in our commitment to providing zero emissions transport freight services. Together we are working to create a cleaner and greener logistics experience. This is transformational for the UK’s commercial and retail industries and is just the start of our work to supply electric heavy freight vehicles to customers such as Tesco.

“Setting the industry standard is important to us which is why we also have plans underway to create an eFreight hub in Cardiff which will include a low carbon fuel facility for the use of all freight providers and commercial and municipal operators and are also launching this month two further trucks running on 100% renewable biomethane fuel for freight transport use.”

RHA chief executive Richard Burnett resigns

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Richard Burnett, the chief executive of the Road Haulage Association (RHA), has resigned having spent seven years in the job.

Although the RHA hasn’t released a statement on Burnett’s departure, the story was broken last month by transport magazine Motor Transport. RHA national chairperson Moreton Cullimore is reported to have said: “The RHA’s membership has grown significantly and our profile as an association has increased considerably.

“On behalf of the RHA board of directors and all the RHA employees I would like to thank him for everything he has achieved and wish him the very best for his future endeavours.”

Burnett said: “After seven unforgettable years as the RHA’s chief exec I have decided it is time for me to step down. It’s been a challenging time for so many reasons and I have given all my energy to representing our members and the industry as a whole, but now feel ready for a new challenge. I’m incredibly proud to have led the transformation of the RHA during my time here, creating the strong and diverse association we see today.

“None of this would have been possible without the dedication of the RHA staff and support of our members. Thank you.”

Burnett joined the RHA in 2014 from Samworth Brothers Supply Chain, where he’d been the MD, and prior to that he’d spent more than 10 years at Wincanton.

Burnett left the RHA on 31 December 2021

BYD launches full range of eTrucks in Hungary

Posted on by Keith McKinley

BYD, the world’s leading New Energy Vehicle (NEV) manufacturer, has entered the eTruck market for the first time in Hungary with its full-range of pure-electric, zero-emission eTrucks.

These include the compact, very manoeuvrable ETP3 panel van and the versatile ETM6 cargo truck. The ETM6 is suited to a wide variety of logistical operations and offers the longest driving range of its class in the market.

This coincides with BYD appointing Eurotrade as its first eTruck dealer in Hungary. Eurotrade has a long and respected 30-year heritage in the commercial truck business, and now takes on the responsibility for sales and aftersales services in Hungary, offering the full range of BYD eTrucks in key weight sectors. Through its three key facilities in Szombathely, Mass; Kisigmánd, Esztergom and Kistarcsa, customers have the reassurance of a comprehensive aftersales and parts service within Hungary.

BYD is very much ‘at home’ in Hungary, having chosen Komárom as the location to open its first manufacturing eBus facility in Europe back in 2017. BYD Electric Bus & Truck Hungary Kft. is primarily involved with eBus assembly operations and associated new energy products. BYD strongly believes in meaningful partnerships, supporting local economies through employment opportunities, and continues to invest in such initiatives, embracing its philosophy ‘made in Europe for Europe’.

BYD’s expertise in pioneering battery and electric vehicle technology delivers a longer driving range and battery life, with convenient rapid charging for optimal productivity. BYD is the first and only automotive manufacturer to produce its own powertrain system, batteries and motor control system, as part of integrated technology for increased reliability and ease of use.

Fully electric, these features combined have the added benefit of low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) compared with traditional trucks and provide a practical zero-emission solution to commercial carriers looking to reduce their carbon footprint.

Isbrand Ho, Managing Director, BYD Europe B.V., said: “We are delighted to see our BYD eTruck business make its debut in Hungary, a country that we are already very familiar with. There is exciting market potential in Hungary for our pure-electric, zero-emissions BYD eTrucks, at a time when the world is coming together to address climate change. BYD is committed to playing an active role in helping commercial transportation make the smooth transition to clean, pure-electric trucks that are safe, reliable and practical to operate.”

Orders for BYD eTrucks are already being taken by Eurotrade in preparation for delivery to customers in Hungary in 2022.

Randon develops innovative semi-trailer concept

Posted on by Keith McKinley

A new concept in semi-trailers is arriving on the highways of Brazil, equipped with the latest technology and on-board electronics. The new “Concept Trailer” is a dump truck developed by the engineers at Randon Implementos, a leading company in the Brazilian semi-trailer market, together with Volvo Trucks Brazil and other partner suppliers.

It will be tested for real during the country’s grain harvest on routes connecting the farming regions to the main ports. It is equipped with automated features and sensors and built to a design that reduces the total weight of the trailer. The new product is intended to optimise performance and reduce the operating costs of the transporter.

One of the main innovations of the Concept Trailer by Randon Implementos is the reduced weight of the road train dumper. It has fewer welded seams, uses high-strength aluminium and steel, which results in a product that is a ton lighter than current similar models and it uses manufacturing processes that are unprecedented in this sector.

The other difference is the design. The aerodynamic drag is reduced thanks to the lack of vertical struts on the body of the trailer and the inclusion of deflectors. It has an anti-tip system that helps to correct it in hazardous conditions.

In addition, the Concept Trailer has a set of electronics that improves operational efficiency and safety, such as a rear sensor and camera that is interlinked to the braking system, which trigger it automatically if there are obstacles in the way.

Coupling and decoupling has also been optimised. Sensors on the fifth wheel and an electric lifting device make this procedure safer and ergonomically easier. The cargo can be covered by a fully automated tarp, activated by remote control, which saves time and means that the driver does not need climb onto the trailer. In addition, the system identifies when the trailer is not loaded and automatically raises the axles, reducing tyre wear and fuel consumption.

“This new product has a special design, is a tonne lighter and is fully connected to the tractor and the driver – it brings the future to the present, as a new concept in transporting cargo,” explained the superintendent director of the Assembly division of the Randon Companies, Sandro Trentin. “The company’s next step is to apply the technology from this concept we are launching now, to the next generation of products that are already part of the company’s portfolio.”

The Concept Trailer is part of an innovative project in Brazil to develop a concept bulk transporter, in partnership with Volvo Trucks, and with the involvement of other important partners, such as Hyva and Continental, to help to introduce innovation to the hydraulic systems and tyres.

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