Reefers in Rotterdam
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• Last week's first European Temperature-Controlled Storage and Distribution (TCS&D) exhibition, held in Rotterdam attracted key visitors and exhibitors from the UK and the Continent.
New temperaturecontrolled vehicles to catch the eye included Fruehauf's new 13.6m Iceliner reefer. A high quality standard specification semi-trailer with a wide range of pre-engineered options.
Crane Fruehauf's contribution is to build the chassis at Dereham while Ackermann Fruehauf, Germany, produces the bodywork. Based on AF airspring tri-axled running gear with ABS and load sensing the North European Iceliner couples at 1.17m, has a 2.5m high interior and weighs in at under 8.9 tonnes in basic form.
With its K insulation factor of under 0.29 the glossy, prepainted one-piece aluminiumskinned bodywork's panels and seals are easily repaired or replaced.
Body corners have anodised aluminium profiles and the stainless steel rear frame has recessed hinges. It is built to carry a full 33 Euro or 26 metric pallet load and empties are stored in a secure waterproof cabinet. Retractable tail lift (Dhollandia) and rear steps are standard.
OPTIONS
Along with its wide range of options the Iceliner offers a choice of fridge systems, temperature control and ozone generator equipment.
Chereau SA also had a new reefer on show, the 285 addition to its European reefer range. This couples at 1.17m and offers a 2.6m high interior within an overall four metre EC limit. It also measures 2.85m from the fifth wheel to the roof line.
Any continental reservations about refrigerated curtainsiders should have been dispelled by Boalloy's top-spec 3-star Insuliner complete with Super Bosa fridge unit up front and Swingpost side supports.
The one exhibited is the first of 15 for CTR's contract work on Lionpart's European operation, There are already about 80 operating in Northern Europe as well as another 200 in Spain, 60 in Chili and around 300 in Australasia.
Another UK-built reefer, a 13.5m multi-temperature semi from GRP Massey featured Transfrig's Futura undermount fridge system.
Transfrig also exhibited versions of its eutectic equipment for multitemperature work.
Hubbard had a selection of its engine-driven compressor and hydraulic units on show. for panel vans to 7.5 tormers.
It also launched the Model 125, a lightweight 12 volt DC one-piece unit designed to meet the growing demand for the refrigeration of micro and car-derived vans.
Hubbard also demonstrated its latest tandem hydraulic pump system, aimed at increasing refrigeration capacity at low engine speeds in multi-drop/dense traffic conditions.
With over 300 of the Whiting Tempsaver 50 insulated roller shutters in service with the Sainsbury fleet, UK supplier JR Supplies took the opportunity to show the product to European large fleet operators. The shutter is made from extruded aluminium section with polyurethane insulation, foamed in situ at JR's Cardiff plant. Panel joints are double sealed with a full-width thermal break at the bottom channel. JR Supplies achieved BS5750 last January.
Smit of Oud-Beijerland exhibited a close-coupled drawbar combination with twin underfloor refrigerators that offers 110m3 capacity for palletised deep-frozen goods.
GARMENTS
In addition, the GRP bodies have anodised aluminium inner linings, recessed to accommodate hanging garments on return journeys.
The company presently supplies Short of Bedford with its aluminium Snap Lok sections under a trading agreement, a version of which is slotted for the location of garment poles.
Smit produces a wide range of trailers, bodywork and roll containers. In addition it has recently bought the manufacturing rights from Atlas for its range of tail lifts and expects to begin making them soon, and may well market them in the UK.
Stoke-based Unitrans Panels made the journey to Rotterdam to show off its three-element panel on which it is pinning its faith. UP makes panels up to 13.7x 3m and with a wide choice of materials, but says its GRP/ RIM Styrofoam sandwich panel is becoming more popular.
NO CONNECTION
One customer, happy with its performance and weight saving over five-element build has now taken 17 body kits. British visitors, familiar with UP were no doubt curious about the Unitrans GRP 60CVR meat carrying body on Jan Van Eck's reefer trailer. UP's md John Therley assures Bodybuilder that there is absolutely no connection with the Italian bodybuilder.
Another UK-based company, Lampro had a range of laminates and fixings on show including its latest Lampro system which comprises GRP sheet, fixings and sealant. This is an integrated package for cladding/lining applications.
Panels and profiles arc also the forte of Pecocar Holland BV which manufactures a wide range, including an SMK quick-fit insulated body kit. It exhibited from a range that can be built up to 7.0m long, 3.0m high with stainless steel fittings and of frameless construction.
Instrumentation plays a great part in the movement of perishables and several companies showed their wares at Rotterdam.
Woodley Electronics offers a full data logging and alarm facility to help monitor temperature throughout the fleet. It has eight analogue or digital imputs and information can be stored or downloaded.
Reefer operators not wishing to invest in expensive systems might be interested in Ryan Instruments' time/ temperature recorders such as its UTI/Export unit or its Tripmentor. These are available for one-trip rental and have time spans of between four and 75 days.