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Tag: trailers

Belgian firm orders 50 curtainsiders from Tiger Trailers

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Fast-growing UK manufacturer Tiger Trailers has expanded its international customer base with the delivery of 50 mega trailer curtainsiders to ECS in Zeebrugge – an order in which product quality and open channels of communication played a key role.

ECS’ new EN 12642 XL curtainsider trailers operate with dual 5th wheel ride heights of 1050mm and 1200mm, reflecting the intermodal transport solutions firm’s explicit position as a trade gateway between the EU and UK and a specialist in trade with the latter, as outlined to the press by its co-CEO Pieter Balcaen last month.

Full chassis galvanisation with an 8-year corrosion warranty, five pairs of load-securing restraint straps to suit the roof tracks, and 385/55 premium brand tyres were integral to the solution designed and delivered by Tiger Trailers. Safety was also an important part of the specification, with yellow stripes identifying the 4m line, a reflective rear livery, a blind spot sticker and mega trailer warning decals.

“Following problems with other trailers in the past, relating to tyre sizes and especially quality and durability issues, we turned to Tiger Trailers and were impressed from the outset with their open and transparent style of business, the level of support provided throughout the briefing, production, delivery and aftercare stages, and the high quality of the finished product,” comments ECS’ Technical Fleet Manager, Jonas Van Den Broucke.

ECS operates an asset portfolio of more than 10,000 containers plus 600 dry and 200 refrigerated trailers, and its order from Tiger Trailers is the first in further planned batches over the next four years. The operator’s sizeable and specialised technical team will domestically maintain its new curtainsider assets, which were promptly commissioned into service at ECS’ harbour locations, linking the firm’s continental and UK warehouses with end customers including many leading supermarkets.

In May 2017, ECS acquired supply chain service provider 2XL, forming a one-stop shop European logistics group. Head of Immo Projects & Investments, Didier Moeneclaey, who was instrumental in the contract with Tiger Trailers, comments: “We are very happy with the quality and detail of our new mega trailers. Tiger’s team listened carefully to our brief and delivered a solution that contributes to ECS fulfilling our expansion strategies as we become even stronger as a post-Brexit trade gateway. Tiger’s dedication and timeliness give us confidence.”

Stephen Pollock, Tiger Trailers’ Business Development Director, says: “It was a pleasure to work closely with the ECS team in designing and delivering their first order from Tiger following us visiting their operations in Belgium to understand their requirements first hand.” He adds: “We are delighted that ECS are pleased with their new dual-height curtainsider mega trailers, the production of which wasn’t impeded despite the UK’s second lockdown, and it’s exciting to be supporting a company with strategies as ambitious as ours.”

Tiger Trailers experienced its best-ever set of financial results in the year to 31st December 2020, partly achieved through continuous innovation and increasingly efficient production methods enabling the firm to offer comparatively attractive industry lead times, along with the introduction of new services and products, from Finance and Rentals to temperature-controlled solutions.

McGregor meets heavy demand with Schmitz Cargobull reefers

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Long-standing Schmitz Cargobull customer McGregor Logistics has taken delivery of 10 new S.KO COOL reefers to meet increasing work volumes, with each asset offering increased durability and payload.

The new trailers, manufactured in Vreden, will run on multi-drop fresh and frozen work across the UK and internationally and are expected to cover up to 150,000 kilometres a year.

They join McGregor Logistics’ existing fleet of 40 multi-temp units and 70 fixed roof curtainsider trailers – more than 70% manufactured by Schmitz Cargobull.

McGregor Logistics’ Managing Director, Keith Law, says: “We have been lucky enough to have experienced an increase in customer demand recently, and had a need to extend our trailer fleet. We’ve been purchasing assets from Schmitz Cargobull for many years and knew we would be going back to them due to the robustness and exceptional build quality of all their trailers.

“The vehicles hit the mark each time, and we can always rely on them to do the job well. They’re also the lightest we’ve come across, which means an increase in payload on each journey. That easily makes them the best value trailers you can get.”

The box bodies are constructed using Schmitz Cargobull’s patented Ferroplast technology – a high-quality expanded, closed-cell, polyurethane foam housed between steel skins. This technology ensures a complete vapour diffusion-tight surface, meaning each S.KO COOL trailer is energy efficient, hygienic, age-resistant and easy to repair.

Each trailer is built upon a Modulos galvanised and bolted chassis which reduces weight without compromising on strength, and individual components can be easily replaced, ensuring inexpensive repairs in the event of damage.

When repairs are needed, McGregor Logistics relies on Schmitz Cargobull’s Parts and Services team to rapidly provide replacement components.

Law adds: “We’re very pleased with the level of service and support Schmitz Cargobull offers. If we ever have any problems, the team are always on hand and everything is turned around in lightning time.”

Established in 2004, McGregor Logistics works across mainland UK, Ireland and Europe, with depots in Doncaster, Cardiff and at Tilbury Docks. The team transports and stores a wide range of goods including full loads, part loads and pallet distribution.

Culina expands fleet with Schmitz Cargobull trailers

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Food and drink logistics specialist, Culina Group, has expanded its UK fleet with 127 new trailers from Schmitz Cargobull for use across three of its major brands.

The additions for Fowler Welch, Morgan McLernon and Warrens Group, join a 2,500-strong fleet and include a mix of box body semi-trailers and S.KO COOL mono-temperature reefers.

Mark Matkin, Group Fleet Director for Culina Group, says: “Our relationship with Schmitz Cargobull spans over 20 years and we can always rely on the outstanding build quality across each asset.

“We have to be sure that every piece of equipment we operate is up to the job and will be able to meet our busy schedule. Schmitz Cargobull trailers are some of the strongest and most robust we have come across, which is why we continue to specify them across our brands.”

All of the trailers, which were manufactured at Schmitz Cargobull’s production facility in Vreden, are high-quality and durable – meaning they can handle the demanding multi-drop work of Culina Group.

Built with Schmitz Cargobull’s FERROPLAST® panels, they are resistant to moisture, ensuring payloads are kept safe and insulation levels are maintained. If any damage does occur to the assets, the panels can be quickly and easily repaired rather than the trailer side requiring whole body repair.

Matkin adds: “The construction of the trailers means any downtime is minimised and when we do need maintenance, the process is simple and takes place in rapid time. Schmitz Cargobull always has our trailers back on the road as soon as possible.”

All the S.KO COOL trailers have been mounted with Thermo King SLX refrigeration units and come equipped with Schmitz Cargobull’s TrailerConnect® telematics system, providing Culina Group with real-time data of the location and temperature conditions of each asset.

Culina Group is a provider of high-quality logistics services for food and drink companies in the UK and Ireland. The group comprises of eight business units – CML, Culina Logistics, Fowler Welch, Great Bear, IPS, Morgan McLernon, MMiD and Warrens Group – and operates from 75 depots across the UK.

 

Thermo King offers “Money-Back Guarantee”

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Thermo King, a leader in transport temperature control solutions and a brand of Trane Technologies, has launched a campaign to showcase the fuel-saving capabilities of its Advancer A-Series trailer refrigeration unit. Thermo King now offers to pay back the difference if Advancer does not meet the 12-month fuel-saving target calculated with the customers.

Thermo King says its A-Series units are up to 30% more fuel-efficient than the market average and are the first in the industry to give complete transparency of fuel levels and fuel consumption. Customers can easily access the fuel consumption data of the unit – recorded, displayed, and made available remotely via telematics.

“The total savings with Advancer depend on our customers’ individual operations. Fortunately, we can make a detailed calculation at our dealership, tailored to our customers’ specific needs,” said Donal Cox, vice president of sales and commercial leader at Thermo King in Europe, Middle East and Africa. “By filling in key information in the TK SmartSaver application, our dealers can calculate the exact savings the customers will achieve by using the Advancer unit. If the fuel saving amount isn’t reached in the given period, Thermo King will pay back the difference.”

Transporters interested in the Advancer fuel-saving guarantee should contact their nearest Thermo King dealer, where they can calculate their individual fuel-saving target. The target is based on customer’s specific operating profile, taking into account running hours, the average ambient temperature or whether they transport mostly frozen or fresh goods.

Thermo King Advancer A-Series is available in three different versions, the A-360, A-400, and A-500, and includes unique features that comprehensively address a wide range of operational and financial challenges, including:

Up to 40% quicker pull down and up to 30% better fuel-efficiency than the market average

Fully variable airflow that can be regulated for each journey and cargo, and is independent from unit engine speed

Unrivalled electrical and fuel efficiency contributing to lower CO2 footprint and engines with 50% less emissions than the maximum allowed by latest NRMM Stage V emission standards

Electronic engine speed control on the A-400 and A-500 units

Lower maintenance costs and enhanced serviceability compared to the predecessor, thanks to sensors offering more insight into the engine, fuel, battery and the performance of other key components

Future-ready power agnostic capabilities that can utilise diesel, axle generator, or shore power sources with ease

Fleet intelligence as standard, with Advancer being the first-ever unit to offer 2 years of full telematics connectivity in the purchase price

Don-Bur Develops Apprenticeship Scheme

Posted on by David Priestman

Working together with NSEG Training Association, Don-Bur has developed an apprenticeship scheme to take on 15 engineering apprentices in 2021. The scheme is part of a long-term commitment to develop and retain critical skills at the large commercial trailer manufacturing plant in Stoke-on-Trent.

The successful firm has already adopted 8 hand-picked apprentices this year who demonstrated the willingness and potential to grow within the business, but Don-Bur is keen to take this further.

Apprenticeships, from initial training up to and including Technician level 3 and Graduate level 4 schemes, are vitally important to offer career stability and planned, structured growth for a wide variety of individuals seeking self-improvement. The Don-Bur Apprenticeship scheme provides a valuable platform to provide a long-term partnership which will benefit both us and apprentices alike.

Lisa Blake, human resources manager at Don-Bur comments, “Engineering and manufacture relies on skilled associates who may not be readily available without training. The new apprenticeship partnership with NSEG gives us a unique, tailored apprenticeship programme that not only identifies high potential candidates but encourages an excellent retention rate after graduation.”

Paul Williams, leader at NSEG agrees. “As a prime provider to Don-Bur, we pride ourselves on our abilities to tailor individual learning plans, highlight opportunities and support the apprentices throughout the scheme.”

Apprentices completing each level will acquire a recognised qualification as well as having developed valued skills which will generate greater career prospects and remain with them throughout their working life.

Solar Panels on Refrigerated Trailers offer Benefits

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Solar panels have been installed on 76 new refrigerated trailers of ECS, a leading European logistics supplier of intermodal transport and integrated supply chain services. The solar panels will contribute to ECS’ vision of Creating Sustainable and Reliable logistics significantly reducing the refrigeration units’ fuel consumption and carbon footprint.

“Thermo King ThermoLite™ solar panels provide a sustainable power management solution for reefer units, increasing the battery life while reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions,” said Samer Hawat, area sales and service manager Belgium and Luxembourg at Thermo King.  “Equipped with solar panels, ECS’ refrigeration units will have a source of sustainable power on the road, which will increase the company’s operational efficiency, reduce their environmental footprint and contribute to the strategic sustainability goals.”

“As a Logistics service provider, ECS recognizes the environmental impact of our business and takes the responsibility to reduce this impact as much as possible. Focus and improvement in environmental sustainability has always been part of our daily operations and business decisions,” said Jonas Van Den Broucke, technical fleet manager at ECS. “Our relationship with Thermo King goes back over 20 years and they have always excelled in providing us with reliable, cost efficient products and experienced service. When they advised us to consider the solar panels for our refrigerated trailer fleet, we had to give it a try.”

Before committing, ECS performed a six months field test, monitoring four Thermo King refrigerated trailers with ThermoLite™ solar panels on four different routes across Europe. The Thermo King TracKing system allowed for remote tracking of battery charge levels and fuel consumption. ECS compared the results with the performance of four other units in their fleet, on similar routes but without the solar panel. The field trial proved that the installation of ThermoLite™ solar panels can allow ECS to save even 1 000 liters of fuel per year, on one trailer unit.

Following the test, ECS decided to install ThermoLite™ solar panels on their 76 new refrigerated trailers. ECS expects the solar panels to improve uptime of their new fleet and estimates to save 76 000 liters of diesel per year. ECS also calculated that the installation of the solar panels will reduce their CO2 emissions by 2 000 tons in 10 years.

ThermoLite solar panels ensure that the refrigeration unit’s battery remains continuously charged, extending the battery life and preventing its deterioration. By reducing the operation hours of the unit’s engine the solar panels also contribute to extending the maintenance intervals. Paired with telematics, they allow the fleet managers to be in constant contact with their trailers and access critical unit data at any time to ensure that the load is protected and the unit is running efficiently.

Thermo King ThermoLIte™ solar panels contribute to Trane Technologies 2030 sustainability aspirations, and the commitment to reduce customers’ carbon emissions by one gigaton – equivalent to the annual emissions of Italy, France and the United Kingdom combine

Height-adjustable Trailer Order

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Manchester, UK-based logistics specialist Polaris Logistics & Distribution, a division of the Polaris Group, has returned to Schmitz Cargobull with the delivery of five new S.CS MEGA curtainside trailers featuring VARIOS Top Technology, praising the versatility of the company’s range.

The tri-axle trailers replace older assets from a rival manufacturer and have been carefully specified to make the most efficient use of the interior load space on each job.

Schmitz Cargobull’s VARIOS Top Technology allows the driver to easily adjust the trailer’s roof height in 50 mm increments – with hook and loop fasteners on the curtains enabling easy adjustment for different body heights.

This means the roof can be raised when extra load space is required; or lowered to make the trailer as aerodynamic as possible when carrying compact loads, helping to optimise fuel efficiency. The new trailers also offer all of the advantages of a regular curtainsider, combined with a lifting roof which can be raised on one or both sides for forklift loading, or slid open for time-saving crane loading through the roof.

Adam Barry, Managing Director at Polaris, says: “We weren’t completely happy with our previous supplier so when we needed to upgrade the fleet, we looked carefully at our options. We’ve operated Schmitz Cargobull trailers in the past and have always been impressed with how robust they are; when I approached the team again, they worked closely with us to achieve the perfect specification.

“Our work varies day to day, so the added versatility these trailers bring is fantastic. By adjusting the roof height to suit the load, we are seeing instant fuel savings of up to £150 a week – reducing our running costs and improving our sustainability. Plus, being height-adjustable helps to set us apart from our competitors and gives us the opportunity to work on a far wider range of jobs.”

Built on Schmitz Cargobull’s high-tech modular chassis, which features a mix of galvanised steel and aluminium, each trailer offers excellent corrosion protection and is provided with a 10-year warranty against rust-through.

Barry adds: “The fully galvanised chassis was a really strong selling point for us. It gives us the confidence we’ll get a long life out of the trailers; plus they’ll continue to look good even after clocking up hundreds of thousands of kilometres.”

The trailers will be in use five-days-a-week, travelling UK-wide on general haulage work. For all maintenance requirements, Polaris will benefit from the aftersales support provided by Schmitz Cargobull’s authorised network of 1,700 workshops located across the UK and in Europe.

Vaccine Transport Protection

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Temperature-controlled transport specialist Thermo King is ready to meet the challenge of storing COVID-19 vaccines, which are likely to require extreme conditions beyond anything previously needed in the industry. Paul Hamblin hears about the plans.

Pharmaceutical companies in final-stage clinical trials for COVID vaccines anticipate they will require strict temperature controls to safeguard their products – indeed, down to temperatures as low as -70 degrees Celsius. That requirement caught a lot of people in the industry off guard, says Jessica Poliner, VP Marine, Rail and Air for Thermo King, by Trane Technologies. “It’s because it’s about maintaining the temperature the vaccines need to be transported and stored at,” she explains from her office in Brussels. “It’s different than more usual vaccines, which are usually kept at 2-8 degrees Celsius. The stability profile of the potential COVID vaccines is much more uncertain, and so that certainly leaves more room for degrading, whether through human error or storage problems. It is maintaining that set point that is essential for the vaccine profile.”

Safe vaccine storage is an area that’s vital to get right, because according to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 20 percent of temperature sensitive health care products are damaged during transport, and 25 percent of vaccines reach their destination in a degraded state due to breaks in the cold chain.

Jessica Poliner says that she and her team have spent a lot of time talking to their customers, whether pharma companies, logistics firms, or forwarders, to look at potential solutions for something the whole world is waiting for. It is from these discussions that the temperature requirements became clear. “Everybody’s trying to put together their blueprints of what this will look like. With the Thermo King brand, we have the ability to transport, from road transportation to air cargo. What we’ve added to the mix is a storage solution as well, so that we can offer both transport and storage for vaccines at a very wide range from -70 degrees Celsius to +30 degrees Celsius.”

The requirement for ultra-low temperature isn’t new. “The neat piece with the -70 is that it’s actually a product we’ve used in the marine industry for over 20 years, originally developed to transport a premium grade sashimi tuna along some of the routes from the Mediterranean Sea to Japan and elsewhere. In the past few months we’ve worked to re-purpose that proven product into a solution for vaccine storage at that ultra low temperature of -70 degrees Celsius. So it’s really an exciting time for us to be able to tell a story about a product that we’ve sold a lot of in the past and
have a good experience with, but that’s not in essence being used for that purpose.”

Modifications to it have been relatively minor. “We make a refrigeration system and then put it into the container,” she explains. “We’re recommending a 10 or 20 foot container that has more insulation and some additional safety measures. Obviously if you are going into something at -70 degrees Celsius then safety and PPE are front of mind. But there really isn’t that much difference
to the product itself, which is partly the beauty of it.”

Of course it’s not clear when the solution will be required or in what volume, but Thermo King will be ready to support. “There’s so much uncertainty. Everybody’s been asked to scale, everybody’s been asked to move fast, and there’s still so much uncertainty with when, where and what storage temperature will be needed. Despite a few RFQs out (Request for Quotation), there are still a lot of question marks.”

So her team are having to think on their feet? “The key for us from a manufacturer standpoint is to make sure we have the product available. So, our cold storage product that goes to -70 degrees Celsius can be produced in 10 times the normal volume. That gives you a feel for how quickly we are trying to ramp up our supply.” The alternative used today for ultra-low transport is CO2 in the form of dry ice. This works well when in smaller volumes. “It requires manual intervention and control, so in essence, it’s a band-aid solution. Now volumes of vaccines to be transported and
stored are much higher, and that ‘market’ will look for solutions that are proven and safe, so this is where the Thermo King SuperFreezer makes the difference.”

Digital Load Monitoring

Posted on by Keith McKinley

A sensor-based on-board system aims to enable faster, efficient and safer load monitoring to meet the requirements of a new EU Directive.

Continental has developed an On Board Weighing System (OBWS) that records and displays the weight of commercial vehicles, including trailers and semitrailers. “It is quick, easy, and independent from a stationary scale – before starting a trip,” says the company.

Further functions make it possible to increase efficiency far beyond the specifications of EU Directive 2015/719, which will go into effect in May 2021. The directive requires EU Member States to measure the gross vehicle weight of commercial vehicles more frequently. In order to plan accordingly and prevent sanctions, drivers and fleet operators must already know the load condition of a vehicle before starting a trip. So far, this has been almost impossible and poses particular challenges for vehicles for which the semitrailer is usually provided by the forwarder.

Constant load overview

In order to meet the new requirements, most EU countries are looking to rely primarily on a comprehensive, stationary solution. Continental says the On Board Weighing System offers added value that goes beyond the regulatory stipulations. “Even if the load is measured by sensors in the road in the future, the integrated solution will remain interesting for forwarding agents, fleet managers and drivers,” says Marc Leinemann, a technical project manager at Continental involved in the development of the On Board Weighing System.

“Even before a truck drives off, fleet operators and drivers can check whether the weight of the vehicle is within a safe range,” he added. “Systems that determine the vehicle weight only after the start of the trip do not offer this advantage. If the weight can be determined before a trip, vehicles can be loaded more efficiently and safely as well. This reduces empty runs.” The data provided also makes preventive maintenance possible. In addition, it can serve as a basis for new business models, for example with load-dependent transport tariffs.

Sensors measure axle loads

Fleet requirements vary, as they often comprise vehicles with different suspensions. The experts at Continental have therefore developed various OBW solutions that take the respective customer requirements into consideration. Chassis with air suspension are great for constantly determining the load condition of all individual axles. Continental also offers tailor-made solutions for chassis with steel suspension.

For example, the technology company has developed a sensor for vehicles with air suspension, which uses ultrasound to measure the height and pressure of air springs in order to determine the axle’s load condition. On the same basis, a height sensor has been developed for shock absorbers for vehicles without air suspension. The suspension travel of the shock absorber provides information on the load condition of the respective axle. The strain sensor from Continental is also suitable for both steel and airsprung axles. It measures the strain of the axle body and thus enables the load to be calculated. The sum of the axle loads results in the vehicle weight including the load.

Complete system from single source

In all four cases, the data gathered is collected, forwarded and evaluated, and the results are finally displayed via the app on the driver’s smartphone or on a display in the driver’s cab. Fleet
managers can also retrieve the data and optimise the utilisation of their fleets. Continental offers all products and services as a complete system from a single source – from the air spring to the sensor through to data processing and software applications.

Refrigeration Unit on Double-Deck Trailers

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Bute-based haulier, John Mackirdy Limited, has taken delivery of a new Carrier Transicold Vector® HE 19 MT (multi-temperature) refrigeration unit, mounted to the company’s first ever double-deck trailer. The new asset is designed to increase fleet efficiency and improve sustainability across the business. Carrier Transicold is a part of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), a leading global provider of healthy, safe and sustainable building and cold chain solutions.

The new 13.6-metre double deck – manufactured by Gray & Adams – joins John Mackirdy’s 10-strong mixed commercial vehicle fleet, which includes two standard refrigerated trailers mounted with Vector 1950 MT units and one 12-tonne rigid with a Carrier Transicold Supra® 450 unit.

“All of our refrigerated vehicles are Carrier-cooled; when it comes to new trailers, we always specify the latest Vector, and they’ve never let us down,” said John Mackirdy, managing director, John Mackirdy Limited. “As a business, we’re now looking at ways to reduce our carbon footprint and future proof our fleet; the new double deck will play a major role in this. We’ll be able to combine substantial fuel savings from the Vector with almost double the load space, meaning we make far fewer journeys.”

The new Vector HE 19 MT combines Carrier Transicold’s all-electric E-Drive™ technology with a new ultra-modern multi-speed engine design that can cut fuel consumption by up to 30%. The unit also offers a 10% saving in weight and a noise reduction of 3 dB(A) – which to the human ear equates to 50% less noise. The system also delivers up to 15% savings on maintenance costs.
The fully hermetic scroll compressor and economiser helps increase refrigeration capacity during pull-down by 40%, while cutting the chance of refrigerant escape by 50%. When plugged into the electrical grid on standby, the Vector HE 19 MT is also 19% more efficient, meaning it delivers reduced diesel, maintenance and electricity bills.

“The list of benefits we get from the new Vector HE 19 MT are fantastic. Not only do they help us deliver on the environmental front, but they also drive down operating and running costs – which in the current climate is extremely important,” said Mackirdy.

John Mackirdy has also opted for Carrier Transicold’s advanced telematics package for the first time. Using two-way communication, the system offers the ability to remotely alter set points or operation modes, as well as initiate defrosts, pre-trip checks, and clear alarms from any connected device. The new Vector HE 19 MT also features Carrier Transicold’s DataCOLD™ 600 temperature recorder, which provides easy access to a wealth of information on unit performance.

The new unit is also covered by everCOLD™, Carrier Transicold’s fixed cost, full-service maintenance package that includes annual temperature control testing and certification, full regulatory checks and access to Carrier Transicold’s oneCALL™ 24/7 incident management service. These innovative service and technology enhancements ensure the safe transport of perishables, which aligns with Carrier’s Healthy, Safe, Sustainable Cold Chain Programme. Expected to stay in operation for 10 years, the new trailer will transport goods for a variety of customers. However, it will primarily be used for the distribution of food products from a local producer into mainland Scotland.

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