Bibby Distribution is investing more than £8 million in its vehicle fleet this year, replacing life-expired equipment as well as transforming vehicles to its new livery across all network trailers.
Investment in 2012 will include more than 133 high-volume trailers (10 SDC, 70 Cartwright and 53 Don-Bur), 12 teardrop trailers (all Don-Bur), three 15.65m extended length trailers (all SDC), and 30 skeletal trailers and a combination of three standard and 36 intermodal tankers (still under negotiation).
While some vehicles are already in place, it is anticipated that all will be running in the Bibby fleet by September of this year.
"Every customer is different, and it is important to us, as part of our continuous improvement ethos, that our fleet mirrors the diversity of activities we undertake on their behalf," says John Finn, fleet and procurement director for Bibby Distribution.
"The equipment we use also represents our brand values out on the road," he adds.
Finn also reveals that the operator is reviewing its longer semi-trailer strategy and "looking to implement them where it fits with the customer's operational profile."
All trailers in the Bibby fleet – totalling more than 1,500 – have also been fitted with trailer tracking and fleet management systems from Masternaught.
The company claims that since this began to be rolled-out into the fleet during March this year, improvements have been made in both fleet utilisation and trailer visibility.
"Bibby has never been a company to rest on its laurels; we have taken this opportunity to consult customers and look in detail at where we think improvements can be made," comments Finn.
"This has not been restricted to long-standing customers, such as First Milk – which will have three new farm collection tankers and a new concept tractor and tank combination on the road in the next few weeks – but also to customers with whom we have won new business this year," he adds.