DHL and Don-Bur deploy cost and carbon efficient trailers for Mothercare

DHL Supply Chain is deploying four new double deck trailers in its fleet for Mothercare, delivering significant carbon and cost savings for the customer. The new Don-Bur Double Deck trailers can carry up to 44 pallets, compared to a standard 13.5 meter trailer, equating to a 69% increase in space.

Following a six-week trial, DHL found it was able to service multiple stores using a single trailer, rather than using several vehicles.  The floating deck mechanism allows the deck to be raised or lowered without the need for any specialist equipment. With a huge reduction in miles driven, and fewer deliveries being made, it is expected that Mothercare will see an annual cost saving of 113k over five years and a reduction in carbon emission by 120 tonnes as a result of these additions to its fleet.

Featuring a host of innovations, including the award-winning 'Safe Suzie' ground level coupling system, the new trailers use the latest "Blade" paneling, providing improved panel integrity and allowing more pallets to be carried than a comparable trailer constructed from conventional GRP (glass reinforced plastic paneling).

The new trailers will be branded with the "Born to Care" livery to celebrate Mothercare's 50th birthday, taking place in September.  This highlights Mothercare's long service aligned to the Save the Children charity, which works to save children's lives and to eliminate child poverty in the UK.

David Weller, Head of UK Supply Chain, Mothercare said; "Mothercare is very excited about these new double deck trailers. DHL and Don Bur have worked together, pooling their expertise, to give us a first class solution that uses state of the art technology. These new trailers will enable us to consolidate our deliveries and run fewer miles demonstrating our ongoing commitment to efficiency and reducing carbon footprint. As a global business, we are also very pleased to be able to use the livery to celebrate the launch of our new partnership with Save the Children which helps children both in the UK and all over the world."

John Boulter, Managing Director, Non Food, DHL Supply Chain said; "The Don-Bur Double Deck trailer is a unique vehicle and a great example of DHL working in partnership with its customers and suppliers to deliver technical innovation, whilst reducing cost and carbon emissions."