The UK commercial vehicle body, trailer and conversion manufacturer aims to expand into this market further in the coming years. It plans to build 600 temperature controlled trailers and rigids a year by 2020.
The new plant at its 38-acre base in Altrincham, Cheshire, includes a number of purpose built vacuum presses, automated gluing machines, overhead cranes, along with an on-line panel routing machine.
Graham Usher, Cartwright sales and commercial director, says: “Customers want reduced fuel consumption and carbon footprints so we have produced a 13.6 metre trailer that is 800 kg lighter. We fit large-radiused cappings as standard, saving thousands of pounds for the operator over the life time of the trailer. Customers have also expressed the need for trailers that will withstand the constant dock loading. To meet this requirement we have incorporated a steel frames into the rear of the floors which offers greater impact resistance. We have also designed the rear frame and sidewall connection to allow for greater impact absorption when the trailer reverses onto the docks. These features ensure our trailers will have great endurance in today’s 24/7 transport operations.
“We have just built a number of 13.6 metre tri-axle, single and dual-temperature seed trailers for operators to trial.”
One of Cartwright’s innovations is the use of heavy-duty hydraulic rams, instead of a rope and pulley system, to lift the floors on the double-deck trailers. Cartwright’s direct hydraulic drive systems are said to deliver considerable savings on operating costs and require less downtime for maintenance than the traditional system.
All of Cartwright’s 44-pallet double deck fridge trailers are available in single, dual or tri compartment configuration; and options include moving bulkheads, recessed load track, insulated shutter door or double doors, temperature recorder, air ducting, compression buffers, tail lift, and chequer or grit floor covering.
The family-run company is celebrating 65 years in business and now employs more than 900 people across its four divisions, Cartwright Fleet Services, Cartwright Rentals, Cartwright Asset Finance and Cartwright Conversions.