Heathrow-based logistics firm Perishable Movements Ltd is investing around £500,000 in theUK’s first refrigerated trucks to feature a powered roller bed floor system.
The six trailers, commissioned by PML, are being built and designed by Gray & Adams, a family-run business that specialises in bespoke vehicles.
The new fleet will be built at Gray & Adams’ Fraserburgh site, while the Joloda power roller bed floor system will be manufactured in Anglesey, Wales.
The innovative system was first developed 10 years ago and enables the automated loading and unloading of containers via a series of drive rollers that are built into the floor surface of the trailer.
The benefits of this system are that cargo can be loaded and unloaded without personnel, making it easier to accurately control the speed of discharge, thus improving safety.
In addition, the new trucks include electronic and pneumatic controls and a fridge unit system that produces less carbon emissions.
PML business development manager Robert Haynessaid: “Our relationship with Gray & Adams dates back to five years ago when they were first identified as the preferred supplier to fulfil our requirement for air freight trailer manual loading equipment.
“Their reputation for innovation and the delivery of ground-breaking technological advances in their field made them the first choice for this project.”
Although they have been previously used in factories, the new PML trucks are the first time the technology has been applied to a refrigerated trailer.
The trailers will be used by PML to carry air freight containers containing fresh produce, dairy, meat and fish, flowers, plants and pharmaceuticals under strict temperature-controlled conditions.
It is estimated the trucks will be ready by the end of January 2020.
