A growing market

Spalding-based distributor FreshLinc has taken delivery of 11 new Schmitz Cargobull dual temperature trailers. The trailers will be used on UK routes delivering a range of chilled produce to RDCs operated by a leading supermarket chain.

FreshLinc acts as a distribution partner for a host of growers and packers operating nationwide and the addition of the new trailers, which were supplied by Hill Hire, is part of an ongoing trailer replacement programme among the companys 300-strong vehicle and trailer fleet.

The new trailers, which feature fridge systems supplied by Carrier, were manufactured at Schmitz Cargobulls UK production plant in the North East  of England using the trailer companys pioneering and patented bolted and galvanized production technique.

Essentially, the bolted and galvanized system removes the need for any welding and, therefore, results in consistently high product quality and greater production flexibility. The galvanizing process all parts of the chassis are galvanized before the build process takes place ensures that there is no corrosion within the joint when two parts of the trailer are brought together. Schmitz Cargobull offers a 10 year anti-corrosion warranty on the Galvanized chassis as standard.

The  refrigerated trailer box units themselves are constructed using Schmitz Cargobulls well established and proven Ferroplast modular steel-skinned panels to keep loads at the desired temperature.

Ferroplast panels are filled with high quality expanded polyurethane foam and, importantly, their closed cell structure means that even if the steel skin gets pierced, water will not be absorbed. This is a big advantage over Styrofoam, which is commonly used in other reefers.

For FreshLinc, one of the attractions of the Schmitz Cargobull trailer was the products semi chassis design.

The semi-chassis design allows more volume to be stored in less overall trailer height and provides a cleaner more open space for the tractor unit, explains Schmitz Cargobulls Ryan Mazgaj.

He continues: Tractors are getting longer and the dimensions and clever design of our semi-trailer products means more clearance space and, therefore, less chance of a tractor being damaged during operation on uneven surfaces.

Furthermore, because of the overall box height advantages that they offer, the semi-chassis design is also easier to sell into the mainland European market once it has reached the end of its life in the UK which makes its resale value is significantly higher than full chassis models, he adds.

Andy Marchant, fleet engineer at FreshLinc, commented: We make a lot of demands on our trailers so they have to feature high build quality. The Schmitz Cargobull product has always performed well and the new trailers will allow us to continue to ensure that our products and those that we deliver on behalf of other growers arrive in the very best condition.