New Electric Vehicles For UK Commercial Vehicle Builder

The Cartwright Group, a commercial vehicle bodybuilder and trailer manufacturer, aims to improve production flow and safety at its plant in Altrincham, Cheshire, by investing in a new product from Bradshaw Electric Vehicles.

Established in 1952, The Cartwright Group is a UK-based, privately owned, family-run business that manufactures a wide range of commercial vehicle trailers, including curtainsided, box van, drawbar, skeletal and temperature-controlled trailers. Operating from a 38-acre site, the company claims one of the most efficient bodywork and trailer manufacturing plants in Europe.

In order to assist the smooth running of production and aid the increased level of manufacturing, Cartwright required a better solution for moving its large quantities of trailers, typically weighing up to 10 tonnes with specialist trailers weighing 13 tonnes, through the production process. With space in the busy production areas being relatively tight, often with only one metre between each trailer, the vehicle needed to be flexible to manoeuvre in and out of areas efficiently to ensure valuable production time was not wasted but to also ensure trailers were moved safely.

Having used other trailer mover systems on the market, Cartwright contacted Bradshaw, a UK-based manufacturer of specialist electric vehicles, who looked at the requirement and worked closely with the team at Cartwright to develop a solution.

The electric PT1500 is a compact pedestrian controlled vehicle, specifically designed for moving articulated lorry trailers of up to 15 tonnes through manufacturing processes and service centers. Due to its compact design of just 1060mm wide, 3350mm long, and 3 wheel configuration, the vehicle has exceptional maneuverability, making it easy to operate and move trailers in and out of tight spaces. The vehicle reduces the risk of manual handling, with its easy to operate raise and lower coupling system, which enables the operator to maneuver the tug under the trailer and electrically lift the trailer, then simply pull the trailer with very little effort and without risk of accidents or injuries to employees. The vehicle has safety features including an emergency stop button and body protection switch, which automatically stops the vehicle if it comes in to contact with the operator.

Since the beginning of 2015, Cartwright has purchased a total of seven PT1500 trailer movers from Bradshaw, which have now replaced the existing tugs that were in place.