Based on the Mercedes Sprinter, the vehicles have a VMS-supplied Alex Original direct-drive refrigeration system in dual temperature form, providing both deep freeze and chill compartments. This enables Iceland to deliver its traditional frozen products alongside a growing range of fresh food products.
Paneltex Somers designed a special insulated lining to optimise the van’s dual temperature capability and meet Iceland’s specification for a frozen compartment with sliding side door towards the front of the van, with larger chilled compartment to the rear.
By achieving this, the size of the two temperature zones matches Iceland’s product mix and the payload is better balanced on the front and rear axles.
The insulated conversion has also been independently tested by CRT in Cambridge against international ATP standards for refrigerated vehicles. Although not required for UK domestic journeys, the Paneltex Somers conversion achieved class ‘C’ for frozen and class ‘A’ for chilled, so it can be offered with ATP type approval.
Dave Evenett, Paneltex group sales director, says: “Being able to offer this conversion with ATP type approval, instead of just talking about it, is a great achievement and clearly demonstrates how efficient the Paneltex Somers insulation system really is.”
Alex McKinlay, commercial fleet manager at Iceland, adds: “I’m very pleased with Paneltex Somers’ approach to adapting their existing design to meet Iceland’s specific requirements.
“Achieving ATP class ‘C’ frozen and ATP class ‘A’ chilled standards with a sliding freezer side door assists Iceland to deliver our high quality products in fantastic quality to our customers.”