Initially, TranScan 2 data loggers and Cool Track remote tracking were retrofitted to eight of the fleet. The remaining 11 vehicles have been progressively replaced this year by new vehicles, all fitted with TranScan 2 and Cool Track.
“We require that samples are transported below 8°C and we decided that, by specifying Seven Telematics exclusively, this would give us the best, and most reliable, temperature monitoring and tracking systems currently on the market,” said Steve Nicol, transport manager at National Milk Laboratories.
NML operates a 100% Mercedes Sprinter 3.5-tonne refrigerated panel van fleet consisting mainly of dual compartment, ambient/chilled bodied vehicles, although the latest addition to the fleet is a standard Mercedes Sprinter panel van with a 300-litre chiller cabinet installed.
As part of the NMR Group, National Milk Laboratories provides quality testing for all major milk buyers in the UK, such as Dairy Crest, Arla Foods, Wiseman and First Milk, receiving bulk milk samples from 98% of UK dairy farms for every collection of milk made by the milk buyer. Also NML runs national statutory testing programmes on behalf of DEFRA and the Food Standards Agency.