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FLEET MANAGEMENT

14th April 2011, Page 37
14th April 2011
Page 37
Page 37, 14th April 2011 — FLEET MANAGEMENT
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A new fleet management service launched by Cartwright Group looking after fleets of trailers already has two contracts under its belt; one deal handles 48 double-deck trailers for a food delivery company and another with an unnamed high street retailer for 150 trailers.

Steven Cartwright says the latter deal is with a new customer, and believes the fleet management service will be a major growth area in 2011.

The bespoke service is offered through a web portal via Cartwright Rental, and provides details including maintenance schedules and information, documentation, KPI’s, servicing, MoT and compliance.

“The new fleet management service is a major step forward for our rentals operation in terms of adding value to our customers,” he says. “We currently have more than 50 customers on our web portal and we are keen to have all customers using this facility.” Potential kerbweight increases will reduce the body/ payload potential for 7.5-tonne trucks and Cartwright anticipates doing more van bodywork as a result. “Customers are saying that because Euro-6 engines are going to be heavier, 7.5-tonners aren’t going to work (for them) as it will reduce the payload,” he says.

“If you can get more than a tonne of payload from a 3.5-tonne vehicle with a tail-lift for urban delivery, it suits a lot of people.”

Access issues

Parcel companies and home delivery businesses are already showing more of an interest in 3.5-tonners, and with supermarkets moving towards smaller shops, larger delivery vehicles can’t always it through the narrower streets or ind enough room to park and deliver.

Cartwright says the 7.5-tonne sector, one of the biggest selling weight categories in the UK, also has other issues. You can only drive a 7.5-tonner on a car licence if you passed your test before 1 October 1977, and speed restrictions introduced in January 2008 mean all new 7.5-tonners join heavier trucks restricted to 56mph.

To meet the growing trend towards smaller vehicles Cartwright Group has launched its Cheetah Cub, a lightweight home delivery body for 3.5-tonne vans with a ramp/door traditionally used for ambulances. It developed the idea following a deal to add an ambulance-body product range from manufacturer Taurus Bodies last year.

He says the design removes health and safety and maintenance issues associated with operating tail-lifts in urban areas, improves security and offers a 1.1-tonne payload.

“A home-delivery customer we are talking to says it needs a door for deliveries eight times out of 10. You can put a step on it, and with the ramp, roll cages and a pallet up and down it,” he adds. “It’s quick and easy to use.” ■

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