The tri-axle curtainsider trailers refurbished over the next 10 months, extending their working life for a further 10 years. This project involves stripping each trailer, shotblasting the chassis and superstructure before repainting and mechanical refitting. To finish, there is a need for the fitment of new strapping, new curtains, and Tip’s telematics system, Tip Insight.
With regards to the latter, it will mean that Howdens have an electronic braking performance monitoring system for their trailer fleet, enabling them to comply with the Driver and Vehicles Standards Agency guidelines regarding brake efficiency testing as set out in their ‘Guide To Maintaining Roadworthiness’ publication. The addition of Tip’s BrakePlus system is expected to increase Howdens’s operational efficiencies while enhancing the safety of their fleet on the road.
According to Tip Group, purchasing new trailers for the whole fleet would not only have involved a large capital outlay for Howdens but would have seen a tonnage of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions generated as part of the manufacturing process. The refurbishment option available to Howdens provides a more sustainable solution, and it has been calculated that there will be an approximate saving of 3.9 tonnes of CO2 emissions per trailer by avoiding the emissions generated from the manufacturing process if purchased from new.
Markus Pretzl, head of ESG at Tip, said: “Using the expected lifetime mileage and scope of refurbishment of each trailer across the Howdens fleet, we are able to calculate the carbon dioxide savings for the business in taking the refurbishment route, as opposed to purchasing from new.”
Further environmental benefits are being made by recycling all 400 sets of trailer curtains. Buckles and poles are being salvaged for the metal, whilst the curtains and straps are being cleaned, recycled and ultimately made into bags and accessories, avoiding approximately 60 tonnes of landfill.
Tip manages not only Howdens’ fleet of trailers but its trucks too within Howdens VMU’s at their two main distribution centres in Goole and Northamptonshire.
Gareth Sterland, head of transport at Howdens, said: “It is our responsibility to future proof the transport side of our business in the most efficient and safe way we can, and this is a fantastic method of doing so. The support we are receiving from TIP makes this project possible and we look forward to completion of the programme and to continuing our partnership.”
