TNT goes longer with Cartwright trailers05 July 2012

TNT is to be the first express delivery company to trial new longer trailers on UK roads as part of its daily operations.

The 15.65m trailers – two metres longer than the standard semi trailers currently in use – will allow TNT to carry a 15% greater payload, improving its efficiency and capabilities for customers.

The trailers were supplied by The Cartwright Group, Altringham, who also recently furnished ASDA with 45 dual temperature longer semi-trailers. The TNT products will be introduced on the company's route between its main UK hub at Kingsbury, in Staffordshire, and the Llantrisant depot in Mid-Glamorgan, Wales. The trial is part of a Government initiative within the transport and logistics industry launched by transport minister Mike Penning, which authorises the use of longer trailers for the next 10 years.

"In days of high fuel prices, these innovative, modern trailers offer exceptional loading capacity and space utilisation to keep freight costs down to a minimum," says Simon Harper, director of operations TNT Express Services UK & Ireland. While increasing load volumes the new trailers will also help TNT drive down carbon emissions.

"It stands to reason that, with bigger loads on each vehicle, we will cover fewer miles per volume of parcels which will help with fuel consumption and reduce our C02 emissions," adds Harper.

The trailers incorporate other innovative features to further reduce tyre wear and fuel usage such as the ability to raise the centre axle which only deploys if the load weight on either of the other two axles exceeds 90% of the permitted axle load of 9 tonnes.

"Additionally, a project has commenced to identify the viability of Double Deck Trailers within our Express Network," reveals Harper. "The adoption of this equipment will increase the full capacity by 42% over a standard 13.6m trailer."

Author
John Challen

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