Norbert is not looking for longer semi-trailer
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By Christopher Walton NORBERT DENTRESSANGLE says it is not “chomping at the bit” to order its irst 15.65m semi-trailer as the Department for Transport considers the indings of its consultation on adopting a total length of 18.3m for CVs on UK roads.
The haulage giant that – following its acquisition of TDG – has a total leet of 2,200 vehicles and 3,150 trailers in the UK, is not trialling any increased length semi-trailers despite its rivals Stobart Group and Wincanton being active proponents of increasing trailer lengths for some customers.
Speaking exclusively to CM, John Matthews, head of UK leet at Norbert Dentressangle Transport Services, says: “If people are shouting about this being a revolution for the industry, I disagree with that. We see it as an evolution rather than revolution.
“We have an operation where we max out on weight in some cases and where we max out on volume in some cases. Anything that would change that would have to be backed up by a signiicant amount of funding.”
Matthews does not believe that granting a trial of longer semi-trailers would give ND’s rivals a competitive advantage, simply because of its size as an operation, but con
cedes that there would be an impact on some smaller hauliers because of “natural commercial pressures” and the requirements for those subcontracting to adopt new assets.
“It would be a negative thing for the smaller end of the market,” he says. “The major players will have a big voice and the smaller players will want to have a big voice because they know they will suffer.” He adds that ND is focusing on improving the backload opportunities for its subcontractors to reduce empty running and improve eficiencies. Dave Rowland, technical services director at Wincanton (which has encouraged the adoption of longer semi-trailers based on increased productivity, a reduced carbon footprint and improved fuel economy), says the pressure on subcontractors will be similar to that of the increase in train weight from 40 tonnes to 44 tonnes.
“There is going to be commercial tension to optimise productivity,” he says.