TNT builds in colours to cut costs
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111 TNT UK is making significant savings in time and money on Its new rigid vehicle preparation following a change to its corporate livery programme. And Its trailers are expected to benefit from the new system too.
By getting its truck cabs
painted on line and using colour impregnated side panels and decals on the bodies, TNT engineering director Alan Parker reports that the company has shaved a day off the delivery time for its new rigids and Is saving up to 25% off the end-cost, "Typically it's now taking us three days to get a vehicle liveried whereas before it took four," Parker explains. "By getting the rigid cab painted in our colour at the factory we're not having to paint it again. We've no masking, or prepping and painting, and the quality is better too.''
Time has also been saved by using large decals on the bodywork of the new TNT rigids, instead of painting on the livery.
Parker adds: "The body panels are our own special white so we don't have to paint them—they're just part of the livery. We also use colour-impregnated CRP side valances and front bulkheads which match the colour of the decals."
Colour-impregnated panels also offer advantages in the event of a minor accident, says Parker, as any scratches simply show the same colour underneath.
TNT has completed its first semi-trailer using the same technique and Parker will be q.e.ms kg the new system, which could be used by other companies throughout TNT's worldwide organisation.