Co-operative Retail Logistics, the distribution arm of the Co-operative Group, and Gray & Adams have recently worked together to produce a bespoke product that not only increases productivity but also helps the environment.

With the specialist knowledge and help of Gray & Adams, CRL now operates four temperature-controlled double deck trailers specifically designed for transport to the Isle of Man. The island has 10 Co-operative stores and it is the responsibility of CRL to transport all ambient, chilled and frozen goods to the island on a regular basis.

With height limitations in place, the freight transport industry is limited with the type of vehicles that can be used for goods movement to the island. Until recently CRL had used six single deck temperature controlled trailers on this operation. The capacity and flexible layout of the new trailers means CRL is able to use two, instead of three tractor units per night. This results in a saving of 360 tonnes of CO2 per annum on this operation alone.

Each of the new trailers are 4.57 metres high with the ability to hold 72 roll cages, which is an increase of 50 per cent over the volume of cages that are carried on a standard single deck trailer. The cages are transported in variable configurations giving frozen, chilled and ambient compartments with the use of evaporators and insulated bulkheads on both decks.

“Gray & Adams has the knowledge, experience and capability to create bespoke products for its clients,” said Ken Thompson, transport manager for operations at CRL. “They are specialists in their field and I would recommend them to anyone in the industry.”

In total, CRL operates more than 70 double deck trailers for trucking of both refrigerated and ambient products. The combined use not only saves 30,000 litres of diesel every year but also saves an estimated 6,750t of CO2 per annum thereby greatly reducing the organisation’s carbon footprint.