Gray & Adams plays the long game with Tesco trailers 20 December 2012

As part of the 10-year Department for Transport-backed longer trailer trials, Tesco has been furnished with 25 15.65m refrigerated semi-trailers, courtesy of Gray & Adams.

Recent winner of the 'Private Sector Fleet of the Year' prize at the Green Fleet Awards, Tesco is a long-standing Gray & Adams trailer user and operates a substantial fleet of its temperature-controlled single- and double-deck 13.6m and short, urban vehicles.

"Once we'd resolved to use our permits for refrigerated trailers, Gray & Adams was the obvious supplier," states Tesco fleet engineering manager Cliff Smith.

"It was best-placed, in terms of the development work it had already done on these longer trailers, while experience has also proved that its products are well designed and fit for purpose," he adds.

The trailers have been equipped with Carrier Transicold Vector 1850 multi-temperature refrigeration units, and 1,500kg capacity Dhollandia retractable tail-lifts. Tridec command steer axles were also specified, allowing these long semi-trailers to meet statutory turning circle rules.

Operating from regional distribution centres in Avonmouth, Livingston and Peterborough, they are now delivering to Tesco stores and can each carry 51 cages, six more than a standard 13.6m trailer.

"That represents an increase in productivity of more than 13%, so the potential benefits, in terms of reduced vehicle movements and lower emissions are obvious," comments Smith.

"But we've only just set these trailers on the road, so we still have a fair bit of work to do, in terms of driver-training and risk assessment at the delivery points before we come to any firm conclusions."

Author
John Challen

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