Chilled transport fleet availability and low lifecycle costs are being cited as reasons for Tesco's 400-plus order of refrigeration systems from Carrier Transicold.
The order is for a mix of 306 Vector 1850 all-electric technology trailer units and 105 Supra 750 and Supra 850 multi-temperature units for short urban trailers and rigid trucks.
Richard Ash, buying manager for Tesco, expects the new units to deliver efficiencies and savings, and to help the supermarket chain achieve environmental targets.
He says that vehicles fitted with Carrier Transicold equipment across Tesco's refrigerated fleet achieved 99.7% availability last year – up from 99.4% in 2009.
"When fridges need repairing, response times are critical as vehicles are likely to be carrying loads," says Ash. "Fleet availability and temperature integrity are not areas where we are prepared to compromise, and with Carrier we don't have to."
Tesco is taking delivery of 32 new triple-compartment double-deck Gray & Adams trailers equipped with Vector 1850 temperature controlled systems, as well as 274 new triple-compartment single-deck trailers, also equipped with Vector 1850s.
The order also includes 39 Supra 850 multi-temperature units mounted on short urban trailers – marking Tesco's first volume order from trailer manufacturer Lawrence David. Further Supra 750 multi-temperature units will be fitted to 66 new 16- and 18-tonne rigid trucks, with bodywork built by Solomons.
