Green trailers - the environmentally friendly solution from DFDS Logistics

DFDS Logistics is expanding its refrigerated trailer fleet and, as part of this process, has taken delivery of a number of new environmentally friendly trailers from with Schmitz Cargobull.

The trailers work out of DFDS Logistics' Belfast facility and are used to service several large food retail customers on routes throughout the UK and Ireland.

With environmental concerns a key consideration for DFDS Logistics and its clients, the company approached Schmitz Cargobull to produce a trailer that could increase load capacity and reduce environmental impact.

By increasing the trailer's height to 4.65 metres (with an interior floor to roof height of 3.3 metres) and incorporating a double deck storage system, Schmitz Cargobull has allowed DFDS Logistics to carry a higher volume of palletized loads within the same overall vehicle footprint.

As a result, DFDS Logistics has been able to reduce the number of journeys that it makes while still providing the highest levels of service to its customers.

The trailers (which feature the latest Thermoking SLX fridge unit) have been built at Schmitz Cargobull's UK production facility at Harelaw, close to Newcastle upon Tyne using their pioneering and patented bolted and galvanized production technique.

The bolting process removes the need for any welding and therefore results in consistently high product quality and greater production flexibility. The galvanizing operation, meanwhile, ensures that there is no corrosion within the joint when two parts of the trailer are brought together.

The refrigerated trailer box units themselves are constructed using Schmitz Cargobull’s Ferroplast™ modular steel-skinned panels to keep loads at the desired temperature. The easy to clean box unit makes the trailer particularly suited for the transport of foodstuffs.

99 per cent of the materials used in the production process is recyclable which was another important environmental consideration which influenced DFDS Logistics purchasing decision.