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Tag: trailers

Primark’s trailer fleet hits the road in record time

Posted on by David Priestman

When its previous 3PL partnership came to an end, leading international retailer, Primark, faced the challenge of specifying, procuring, and commissioning an all-new fleet of tractors and trailers on the road within just a few months to maintain the efficiency of its supply chain – and Tiger Trailers rose to this challenge in partnership with Wincanton, and wrapping support from Finch Signs.

As part of the tender process, the 3PL contract for Primark was won by Wincanton, the largest road transport provider in the UK, while Tiger Trailers was able to design, manufacture and release 40 articulated box van trailers for Primark within just three months – an impressive move against the current global backdrop of long lead times and supply chain challenges.

Primark’s Network Transport Manager, Ant Franks, lead the project and secured the mobilisation of the company’s all-new trailer fleet, working closely with Tiger Trailers’ Business Development Director, Stephen Pollock.

Franks comments: “We are pleased to partner with Tiger Trailers and Wincanton to support our significant UK logistics operation. Working together, we maintained service throughout our UK network while bringing in this new fleet in a timely manner, in difficult market conditions, to allow a seamless transition in providers. Thanks to everyone at Tiger, Wincanton and Finch who helped to make this happen.”

To enable Primark’s first batch of new trailers to get to work by February 2022, just a few months after its first contact with Tiger, the Cheshire-based manufacturer’s production teams and lines worked tirelessly, helped by its nightshift operation which has now been running for over a year. The livery was applied by Finch Signs, a business local to Primark’s Islip distribution centre.

Pollock says: “It’s been an absolute pleasure to work closely with Ant and the teams at Primark and Wincanton in delivering their expediently required assets in record time. We’re proud of the forty initial box vans Tiger has manufactured and we’re excited about continuing to support Primark for many years to come, starting with the next batches of trailers ordered for later this year and into 2023. Thanks again to Primark for choosing Tiger after recognising our customer-led ethos, efficient production capabilities, and attractive lead times.”

The international retailer’s new straight-frame box vans are comprised twin and tri-axle guises and are fitted with tail-lifts incorporating hinged rear and side ramps, various LED lights to enhance safety, and Michelin X Line Energy tyres with environmental, fuel efficiency and fleet management aims in mind.

Following Primark’s initial order of forty Tiger Trailers box vans, the retailer has placed orders for over forty additional trailers, scheduled for manufacture during Q4 2022 into Q1 2023, which include over a dozen retail moving deck double decks and a number of specialist trailers such as LSTs.

Primark currently serves its UK store network from two distribution centres and a number of out bases, with its newest depot based in Islip, Northamptonshire, which has 1.1 million sq ft of space and is where Primark’s new Tiger trailer fleet and tractors are a familiar sight, including the ten environmentally friendly Iveco Stralis NP 460 bio-liquified natural gas trucks it operates, with Primark Cares liveries.

 

TIP acquires Ryder‘s trailer business

Posted on by Keith McKinley

TIP Trailer Services, a portfolio company of I Squared Capital and one of the leading trailer leasing, rental, maintenance and repair providers across Europe and Canada, has signed a deal to acquire the trailer leasing and maintenance business of Ryder Ltd. Ryder Ltd is a leading provider of commercial vehicle rental, contract hire, maintenance, and dedicated delivery solutions in the UK.

TIP will integrate Ryder assets and contracts from its mobile maintenance services division into its existing business in the UK, enriching its fleet with around 3,550 additional trailers and expanding the number of workshops in the UK to 18, which will now include a site in Lichfield and two parking locations in Shepshed and Manchester. The completion of the transaction is expected to take place in June 2022.

Announcing details of this latest acquisition, Bob Fast, TIP President and CEO, said: “Acquiring the trailer leasing and maintenance business of Ryder Ltd is another key milestone in our growth path. It increases our UK & Ireland footprint, allowing us to improve service offering and infrastructure in areas where we have gaps today. It will increase our service offering to customers, expand and diversify our customer base in the UK.”

David Hunt, Vice President & Managing Director – FMS Europe, Ryder Ltd, adds: “With TIP we have found a great partner to guarantee a successful future for the mobile maintenance services part of our business. The acquisition will ensure continuation of the business, no disruption to customers and business partners along with providing 133 Ryder UK employees with continuity of employment.”

“Over the next months, both companies will work on the fleet integration to manage a smooth transition with customers and suppliers,” says Michael Furnival, TIP Vice President UK and Ireland Region. “A significant portion of the Ryder Ltd mobile maintenance services employee base are mobile technicians which will be a great addition to TIP’s maintenance and repair business. We are delighted to welcome the mobile maintenance services staff of Ryder UK into the TIP family.”

Mulgrew orders bespoke curtainsiders from Tiger

Posted on by David Priestman

One of Ireland’s leading operators, Mulgrew Haulage, has switched to Tiger Trailers for its latest curtainsider fleet order in a procurement move influenced heavily by the manufacturer’s ability to build bespoke trailers to exacting specifications.

Mulgrew, known for its specialism in the drinks industry, has so far welcomed over 50 of its 200-strong order of Tiger-built curtainsiders which will, once delivered, take the operator’s already sizeable fleet to around 1,000 trailers, with the latest curtainsiders therefore representing around one-fifth. The trailers are operated by a fleet of over 200 truck tractor units, predominantly Scania, and Mulgrew offers its customers over 150,000 sq ft of warehousing space. Its sites include two in County Down – the Holm Factory, Dromore, and Culcavy – along with Dublin, Deeside and Heysham.

Tiger Trailers has always had, since its formation in 2014, a strong customer-focussed ethos, and prides itself on manufacturing a full product range of trailers and rigid bodywork to the precise requirements of its diverse end users. Tiger’s sales and engineering teams collaborated closely with Paul Mulgrew to build an initial prototype trailer before its production lines turned into a sea of the customer’s equally distinctive orange livery.

Director, Paul Mulgrew, comments: “Darren and his colleagues certainly lived up to Tiger’s customer-first way of building trailers and his repeated visits to see our operations and understand our requirements first hand have resulted in new trailers that we are very happy with. It’s refreshing to work with a manufacturer that goes the extra mile in tailoring its products for each customer like this.”

Mulgrew Haulage’s new Tiger Trailers curtainsiders were designed with the customer’s operational restraints of 4650mm at the core and equip them with the maximum side aperture possible for multi-user movements, along with a very specific load restraint setup.

Ferry use comprises a significant percentage of Mulgrew’s operations and Tiger reflected this in several ways throughout its custom EN 12642 XL-rated curtainsider trailer design, from recessed and protected lighting, underrun positioning, and D-buffers to protect from damage, to heavy-duty and removeable roof cappings and tapered and plated bottoms to the corner pillars to reduce coupling impact.

Darren Holland, Sales Director of Tiger Trailers, says: “It has been a pleasure to work closely with Paul to produce a trailer to suit Mulgrew’s individual needs and the environments they operate in. Visiting the customer in Ireland multiple times enabled us to understand their requirements and ensure that Tiger met their specification 100%, building the one-off protype up front to iron out any challenges before commending building the remainder of the 200 ordered.”

Tiger Trailers is rapidly welcoming a growing number of hauliers from across the island of Ireland to its customer base and offers the full product range, from curtainsiders and box vans to double decks, temperature controlled, demounts, and rigid bodywork, along with a portfolio of services including finance, parts, and rentals.

 

New container leg takes the strain

Posted on by David Priestman

ConFoot Ltd is introducing a new container leg model to its successful portfolio of container handling solutions. ConFoot, an attractive low-cost option in a range of logistics scenarios, now has a 20t capacity CFU container lifting unit.

The CFU model has the maximum capacity of 20t (the weight of the container plus the content) and can lift the container up from the trailer, freeing the truck to drive away.

The container can then be lowered all the way to the ground using the manually operated hydraulic bottle jacks incorporated into the leg structure. Reversing the procedure, the container can be lifted up and back onto the trailer. ConFoot can provide a transport box to be fitted under the trailer, allowing for the driver to have the ConFoot container handling unit with them at all times in all operations.

Keeping in line with all ConFoot products, the ConFoot CFU model is light-weight, long-lasting and low cost.

The individual leg consists of four parts: the upper and lower tubes, the climber unit with the bottle jacks, and the support legs plus base plate. Lightweight enough for one person to use, the CFU model follows the ConFoot mission of providing the only portable container handling methods in the world.

Being a lifting/lowering device, the CFU model holds a CE marking.

Robust versatility

The introduction of the new model follows continued requests for this type of solution from numerous fields of industry from all over the world.

The CFU model addresses and solves several operational problems, including lack of space to use a sideloader or other container handling systems, the non-availability of such container handling systems, and the lack of infrastructure in general in the operational area.

These are much needed solutions in Europe which has traditionally been the main market area for ConFoot products, but are of extraordinary significance and importance in South America and Africa, where the ConFoot solution will be a de facto portable infrastructure in itself.

This means that the ConFoot CFU model will provide a vital tool for various aid and humanitarian organisations, doing work of utmost importance in very difficult and demanding circumstances all around the world.

ConFoot has ongoing discussions about the use of the new model in several demanding locations, both with direct clients and as co-operational projects with different service and product providers.

ConFoot Ltd is a Finnish company currently based in Espoo, Finland, with a distributor network in over 20 countries. Its products are all portable, reliable and affordable, and reflect the company’s core mission: creating value by reducing costs and streamlining the supply chain.

The other ConFoot products are the 34t capacity CF for general use, the 30t capacity CFP for loading bays and pockets, and the 34t capacity CFL models ( CFL28 for 45’ containers with an outward bulge in the container wall and the CFL55 for swap tank containers).

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.

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.

Falcon upgrades refrigerated trailer fleet

Posted on by Keith McKinley

UK commercial vehicle hire company, Falcon Vehicle Solutions, has taken delivery of 15 new Carrier Transicold Vector HE 19 MT (multi-temperature) refrigeration units, in a move to deliver improved sustainability and reduced costs for its rental customers.

Aligned with Carrier’s 2030 ESG goals to reduce customers’ carbon footprint by more than one gigaton, these fuel efficient units will reduce the emissions of Falcon Vehicle Solutions’ rental fleet. Carrier Transicold is a part of Carrier Global Corporation, a leading global provider of healthy, safe, sustainable and intelligent building and cold chain solutions.

Mounted to new 13.6m Chereau trailers, this is the first time Falcon Vehicle Solutions has specified Carrier Transicold’s flagship Vector HE 19 unit, previously opting for the legacy Vector 1950 MT system for its 250-strong fleet of temperature-controlled trailers and vehicles, which is now 97% Carrier-cooled.

“We’ve been a Carrier Transicold customer for more than a decade, during which they have continually impressed us with outstanding products and aftersales support,” said Darren Moore, Senior UK Key Accounts Manager, Falcon Vehicle Solutions. “When we were shown the environmental and cost benefits of the Vector HE 19 unit, we knew they would be the ideal choice. Being more efficient and much quieter, all 15 additional trailers were immediately snapped up by our customers and we’re getting excellent feedback.”

Combining Carrier Transicold’s E-Drive all-electric technology with an all-new multi-speed engine design, the Vector HE 19 MT unit can cut fuel consumption by up to 30% while operating 3 dB(A) quieter – which to the human ear equates to 50% less noise – when compared to the previous generation Vector 1950 MT unit.

Additionally, the unit’s fully hermetic scroll compressor and economiser provide a 40% increase in refrigeration capacity during pull-down, reduces the chance of refrigerant escape by 50% and, when plugged into the electrical grid on standby, is 19% more efficient.

Collectively, these factors reduce diesel, maintenance and electricity costs, making the Vector HE 19 MT unit an extremely attractive proposition for end-users.

“As a vehicle hire business, we don’t experience the fuel savings first-hand, but the new units allow us to drive down fuel costs for our customers, while cutting emissions and increasing their fleet sustainability – precisely what customers want from a trusted supplier,” added Moore. “This experience with the Vector HE 19 has reminded us why Carrier Transicold remains our number one choice for transport refrigeration equipment.”

The trailers will operate for six years, primarily delivering frozen and chilled food to the hospitality and retail sectors for a range of customers. They will clock up approximately 120,000km per year and be on the road seven days a week.

Falcon Vehicle Solutions was founded more than 30 years ago and, since 2017, has been part of the Ballyvesey Holdings Group of Companies. It has two branches in Somerset, plus an HGV operation based in Bridgwater, with a complete fleet size of approximately 700 vehicles and trailers hired to both corporate and private customers across the UK.

GSM takes delivery of new trailers

Posted on by David Priestman

Scottish haulier GSM Transport has taken delivery of two new refrigerated trailers, each specified with a Carrier Transicold Vector 1550 unit. Designed to distribute milk across the UK for one of the company’s dairy customers, the new assets join a 24-strong refrigerated trailer fleet that has been Carrier-cooled for more than 20 years.

The two new mono-temperature Vector 1550 units are mounted to 13.6-metre Gray & Adams refrigerated trailers and are new additions to GSM Transport’s fleet, which features both Carrier Transicold Vector 1550 and Vector 1950 MT (multi-temperature) units.

“We started using Carrier for our trailers in the 1990s, and they have consistently delivered everything we need,” said Jim Morrison, Owner, GSM Transport. “The Vector range allows us to pick the most suitable model for our specific requirements, with the power and fuel efficiency of the Vector 1550 proving ideal for our work with McQueens Dairies. When you add in the outstanding maintenance and aftersales support, it’s fair to say we’ve been a consistently happy customer.”

The Vector 1550 unit is well suited to GSM Transport’s needs, delivering a unique combination of power and efficiency. The system’s ability to provide exceptional pull-down speeds and accurate set-point control is essential for transporting milk and dairy produce. The Vector 1550 features Carrier Transicold’s E-Drive™ all-electric technology, which removes mechanical transmissions found in belt-driven truck and trailer refrigeration systems. The E-Drive transforms engine power into electricity via a generator, helping to reduce refrigerant leak rates by up to 55% while also cutting carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

“The beauty of the Vector unit is the all-electric technology at its heart, which makes them easier and more affordable to run,” added Morrison.

The new trailers will operate for eight to 10 years, travelling approximately 130,000km per year. They will deliver milk seven days a week from its headquarters in Annan to customers as far north as Aberdeen and as far south as Northampton.

Founded in 1996, GSM Transport has built a solid reputation for delivering chilled produce to businesses across Scotland, England and mainland Europe. Since 2016, the haulage company has been supplying McQueens Dairies with transport to their depots, with an expanding number of its trailers sporting the dairy’s livery.

Carrier Transicold creates refrigeration solutions to handle precise temperature-controlled cargo, like food and beverages, as part of its Healthy, Safe, Sustainable Cold Chain Programme. Products and services are designed to ensure the safe delivery and consumption of consumer perishable goods.

 

Bridgestone signs agreement with Collease

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Bridgestone’s flexibility, attention to detail and long-term approach to fleet management has worked together to secure a huge commercial partnership with Collease. The vehicle rental giant, with around 2,000 vehicles operating from the east of England, has agreed a two-year agreement with Bridgestone, incorporating all types of trailers and motorised equipment.

Bridgestone’s National Fleet Executive Neil Collison (pictured right), who played a key role in communicating the company’s holistic package of support, said: “We’re thrilled to be forging a partnership with Collease, which is a company very close to our hearts having worked with them in recent years. We have worked hard across the business to provide a bespoke package of solutions to meet their needs.

“From a product perspective, we have identified our R179+ as an ideal solution for the nature of the Collease operation. It offers a mix of longevity and reliability more suited for this rental fleet contract and made sense to opt for this premium product.

“In addition, our most advanced fleet management system (FLEETBRIDGE) automates the tailor made workflows between Collease, our Bridgestone Partner network and our fleet administration team.

“We were able to demonstrate savings in both cost and time, and to see the Bridgestone logo on the tyres that are turning for Collease will be a sight to make us extremely proud. It’s a partnership we value hugely.”

Bridgestone’s Total Tyre Care offering means the company will regularly audit all five sites in Norwich, Felixstowe, London, Southampton and Manchester in an attempt to get maximum life out of each tyre.

Collease Director Martin Drewery (pictured left) said: “Bridgestone come with a great reputation and we were already aware of a number of their solutions. But we could see that they have evolved as a business, underpinned by a diligent, hard-working team. They grasped what we wanted and displayed a level of flexibility to meet our needs, which was great to see.

“Neil’s knowledge and attention to detail was another impressive factor. It is nice to work with a business which speaks the same language as us and understands our needs.”

AxlePower helps achieve zero-emission trailer refrigeration

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Thermo King, a leader in transport temperature control solutions and a brand of Trane Technologies, in partnership with BPW, a leader in running gears and mobility services for transport businesses, revealed new AxlePower technology at the recent Solutrans exhibition in Lyon, France.

The AxlePower technology with BPW’s ePower axle is a highly innovative energy recovery system for trailer refrigeration units, which delivers immediate and long-term sustainability benefits while also helping cut day-to-day operating costs.

Francesco Incalza, president of Thermo King in Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “Sustainability is undoubtfully front and centre for the transport industry. For decades, Thermo King has considered it our responsibility to advance transport refrigeration, designing and manufacturing products for our customers that reflect our environmental awareness and answer ever-new challenges.

“Thermo King was the first to offer true hybrid and non-diesel truck and trailer refrigeration solutions. Today, combining our expertise, research and development with BPW, we’re introducing new technology that turns the energy typically lost by a trailer during transit into clean, sustainable power for trailer refrigeration units.”

Thore Bakker, General Manager Trailer Solutions & Mobility Services at BPW, added: “We are proud to present a climate-efficient solution for refrigerated transport that implements our strategy of system and mobility partnership just perfectly: Vehicle operators can rely on operational safety, mobility and service around the clock with the European service networks of Thermo King and BPW.

“Additional benefit is that the customised cooling solutions fit seamlessly in vehicle manufacturers processes. Whether air suspension, spring centres, wheel ends or interfaces – nothing changes, nothing has to be redesigned. In this way, we are making a joint contribution to the breakthrough of emission-free refrigerated transport.”

Across global cold chains, trailer vehicles routinely dissipate energy due to constant braking and deaccelerating in traffic and in downhill routes. At the same time, transport companies are seeking the most sustainable energy sources, both in terms of CO2 emissions and noise, to power their refrigerated trailers.

The new AxlePower technology results from a partnership of two technology leaders for freight transport solutions that combined their competences to answer these needs and deliver a solution, which will drastically reduce the environmental impact of refrigerated trailers.

The AxlePower technology is a fully integrated system that combines Thermo King hybrid or fully electric trailer refrigeration units, BPW’s ePower axle energy recovery system, and battery storage technologies developed to create an efficient, autonomously powered trailer refrigeration solution.

The system stores the energy generated while the vehicle is rolling or braking in a high voltage battery and reuses it to power the refrigeration unit and keep the cargo at optimal temperature.

The AxlePower system is tractor-independent, which makes it easy to deploy across the customer’s fleet. The technology also offers immediate compatibility with all Thermo King and Frigoblock trailer refrigeration units.

Ideal option for sustainable operations

The possibility to recover and reuse energy makes the AxlePower system an ideal solution to increase the sustainability of all types of trailer journeys. With silent running and no CO2 emissions when operating from the battery-pack, this technology allows customers to easily run inner-city deliveries, including in Ultra-low Emission Zones (ULEZs).

Laurent Debias of Thermo King concluded: “The AxlePower technology represents a significant advancement in both operational flexibility and long-term sustainability of refrigerated trailer fleets. Enabling this form of electric power supply recovering energy that would typically be lost, allows for significant emissions and cost gains during every single journey. This is especially important in a price competitive industry like commercial transport.”

Providing electric solutions for refrigerated transportation is part of Thermo King’s and Trane Technologies’ overall approach to reducing carbon emissions in the industries and markets it serves. It helps advance the 2030 Sustainability Commitments, including the Gigaton Challenge to reduce customer greenhouse gas emissions by 1 billion tonnes.

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