Supermarket chain WM Morrison Supermarkets plc has ordered 150 trailers from Tiger Trailers that, it is hoped, can deliver efficiency gains of up to 70%.
Morrisons has historically utilised temperature-controlled box van trailers to undertake most of its deliveries to its circa 500 stores throughout the UK, but the supermarket’s team, echoed by Tiger Trailers’ design engineers, identified that ambient moving double deck trailers would increase efficiency and versatility.
The trailers can transport 44 pallets as opposed to 26 previously, and can also carry cages, which translates into 50% more real-world scope for store deliveries.
“We’re very pleased with our new ambient double deck trailers from Tiger, which are the result of our teams working closely together to achieve a new solution for our fleet,” said Keith Boulton, Morrisons’ head of transport. “The trailers’ extra capacity and versatility signify an innovative step forwards and we’re delighted that they carry our new branding elements and messaging, 2020 having galvanised the customer relationship in an unprecedented way.”
Critical within Morrisons’ brief was a trailer that would be closer to a tall curtainsider in height rather than a conventional double deck, to be able to operate within the more restricted environments of Morrisons’ urban and rural stores.
Tiger’s ambient moving double deck curtainsider trailers feature an internal gate rated to 10 tonnes, the manufacturer’s proven in-house 4-ram deck-lifting system, an aerodynamic roof design, EN 12642-XL rated components, plus Tiger’s ‘Captive Rave’ load securing and restraint system that boosts efficiency and operator safety and enables the dual cage and pallet capability.
“Our team always embrace a challenge and it’s been a privilege to work alongside Morrisons’ people in designing and manufacturing a trailer that fulfils their very specific brief and ultimately helps keep supermarket shelves stocked and people fed,” says Darren Holland, Tiger Trailers’ sales director.
Alongside Morrisons’ order of 125 Tiger Trailers tri-axle stepframe curtainsided double decks, it has also received 25 lightweight moving double deck trailers for Rathbones bakery, which is part of the supermarket’s group. The Rathbones trailers have a 1,322-basket capacity, which 22.4% more than the operator’s previous bread trailers.
“These multi-deck trailers have also provided us with an opportunity to roll out our latest Morrisons branding that is being introduced across our logistics, fuel and home delivery fleet,” added Justine Manley, Morrisons’ brand and formats design director.
