1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178 
DECK HANDS
Page 60
Page 61
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
0 ver the past 18 months Deker Trailers has developed as a specialist supplier of double-deck, curtain-sided trailers, predominantly to pallet network operators.
The Deker strategy is a classic piece of added-value niche marketing intended to help hauliers in this highly competitive sector obtain the trailer they need, either through purchase, lease, rental, contract or spot hire, with the specification and livery they want.
Deker's location at Fradley Park in Staffordshire couldn't be more fortunate— bang in the centre of England and close to four pallet hubs. Although the multi-deck business is relatively recent. Deker has been in the truck operating and sales business for 50 years and has a Renault service dealership as part of three associated firms —CV Rental,TruckCity and Allports Truck Centre — on the same site.
MD Mark Sanders says:"We looked to specialise in multi-decks, believing this was a growth sector and likely to further expand. For certain applications this configuration offers higher load capacity, better loading integrity (the curtainsiders are internally fitted with moveable decks for optimal loading without stacking) and potential fuel savings. We are not a trailer builder but a specialist supplier.
Deker customers can opt for capital purchase or, if they want to predict and fix revenue costs, decide on lease or contract-hire deals.There are also repair and maintenance (R&M) contracts, which again allow more accurate expenditure predictions. Sanders says: "Operators are growing more comfortable with the multi-decks. Many initially opted for rental but are now buying."
In 2006, the first year of operation, 60 units were either purchased or leased and another 30 have been supplied so far this year.The split is about 50/50 purchase/lease, but the proportion who choose to buy is growing. Deker also keeps a spot-hire fleet of 80 trailers Lo help customers cope with peaks in demand.
Base specification With its prime market the pallet networks, the Deker base specification is a triaxle, stepframe, double-deck eurtainsider. These articulated trailers are purpose-built by W Trailers of Keighley, West Yorks. Two recent innovations arethe Ecodek, designed to improve aerodynamics and save fuel, and a meshed upper deck enabling loaders to see what Freight is on each level in order to streamline the loading and unloading process and avoid damage to goods. Drum or disc brakes are available according to customer preference and decks can be fixed or moving.
Sanders says feedback from operators indicates the Eeodek can, depending on load, route, driver and weather, offer fuel consumption reductions of 3-12%. He is clear on the need to train hub staff and drivers in double-deck trailer working and recommends three-axle units for stability and axle weight. The average height of supplied trailers is 4,825mm , but Deker will work with customers to tailor running heights to particular routes.
Four Pall-Ex members have recently opted for the new fuel-saving trailers — Moody Express.Mainland,Miniclipper and PMB Pallet (two trailers, with a fiveyear maintenance contract). Sanders says: "In this age of the Working Time and Road Transport Directive, with volatile fuel prices and increasing competition, our Ecodek multi-deck trailer is proving very popular with operators seeking to achieve greater efficiency and lower costs. We're delighted so many of our trailers are now carrying the Pall-Ex name."
Spectrum of services
Deker also buys, sells and refurbishes trailers, and offers warranties, MoTs, repairs and 24/7 national breakdown backup using the resources of its in-house bodyshop and associated companies. Deker has a branch at Keighley and a finance arm to help with the funding of deals.
Deker targets pallet networks because Sanders once worked as a haulier in this sector before selling out to Business Post. It has given him invaluable experience of the needs of those operating in overnight pallet trunking. "We have a very good understanding of what pallet operators require," he says."We work with our customers to ensure the most costeffective solution for their particular operation —everyone is different and we have a lot of experience in finding what is right for each. It's a challenge we enjoy." •