Aggregate Industries has been gradually switching to non-tipping, walking floor trailers over the past 18 months for reasons of productivity and reduced environmental impact. It also considers them to be operationally less hazardous.
This month sees completion of a delivery of an 11-unit order by Paneltex Martrans. The trailers are going into service for Aggregate Industries construction franchisees.
The switch to Paneltex Martrans for these non-tipping trailers came after using a demonstrator trailer from the Gainsborough manufacturer in July 2013. During trials inthe Sheffield area, Aggregate Industries found that the Paneltex Martrans’ walking floor trailer could carry more payload.
“The massive 28-tonne payload from these trailers enables us to carry at least 35 to 40% more product than we would get by using a typical eight-wheel rigid,” said Jeff Stobbart, national logistics manager at Aggregate Industries.
Through its construction division, Aggregate Industries works with more than 300 franchisees that are running in excess of 700 insulated tipper vehicles. With the new Paneltex Martrans’ walking floor trailers, the company anticipates a minimum 10-year working life, in comparison with the average five-year life of a 26-tonne rigid tipper, with each trailer covering approximately 90,000km a year on average.
This type of trailer can also work where tippers cannot, as demonstrated in a recent resurfacing project inside the Mersey Tunnel.
Mr Stobbart added: “Not only are we convinced about the proven environmental and operational benefits of these trailers, but also that the financial appeal of the non-tipping trailers represents a very attractive argument for this capital investment, making it a far better long-term business plan for our franchisees.”
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