The trailers, custom designed by SDC, are used primarily for trunking runs. Each can carry up to 20 additional pallets – a 28% increase in load.
Rick Moglia, Unipart’s transport logistics manager, says the business needed to trunk at night to meet increase demand: “Bibby Distribution quickly found a way we could increase the capacity of our trailers, which predominantly carry non-stackable or ‘ugly’ freight, without significantly increasing costs.”
The trailers have interior lighting to aid loading and unloading during the hours of darkness. The lighting system has its own power source, so does not need to be connected to the tractor unit.
The triple deck system has been manufactured using steel mesh, making it easier to see the loaded items.
Further benefits include a safer coupling system, improved curtain restraint points and newly developed anti-roll technology.
Other kit to join the Unipart Rail fleet recently includes tractor units adapted to run on LPG and urban flatbed trailers for transporting rail bogies to less accessible delivery points.