New Scope for Specialized Haulage
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SINCE the end of the war, the quick-freeze method of processing perishable foodstuffs has made progress, but whether a transport undertaking would be justified in going out for this business is a matter for debate. If one may judge by the number of retailers dealing in quick-freeze foodstuffs, it would certainly seem to indicate possibilities for the future.
At the moment, the high price of quick frozen goods, with the possible exception of peas, puts them in the category of luxuries or semi-luxuries. There is not yet a mass demand. At the same time, it is possible to envisage a future for the frozen-food industry, and with the inevitable reduction in retail prices consequent upon its continuous growth, there should be marked possibilities for specialized means for transport. From the point of view of the quick-freeze trade, the weak link in the chain is to be found in the transport facilities at present available between the source of supply of the frozen foodstuffs and the consumer. The railways are said to be making a contribution by providing insulated vans and cooling by dry ice, and where fairly long distances are involved insulated vans are employed for road transport.
Mr. E. S. Green. commenting on the subject of transport at a recent meeting of the Institution of Engineers-in-Charge, said that in the majority of cases a product carried in an insulated van would, if it were in a well-frozen condition, withstand a journey of a day at least without an undue rise in temperature. Thus, whilst elaborate vans with in-built refrigerating plant might be‘ considered essential, the case can usually be met by an insulated body cooled by a simple form of cooling medium, such as solid CO,.
Although the perfect type of vehicle for quick-frozen foodstuffs has yet to be found, the transport of certain kinds of food in unrefrigerated vans will eventually cease, because of the deterioration which takes place in the food under such conditions.
The railways are using vans insulated with cork 4 ins. to 8 ins. thick. The cooling medium is dry ice. In the case of road transport, small insulated containers, holding from 10 to 20 packets at a time, are used.
For the trade concerned in quickfrozen foods, this may be regarded as representing progress in the right direction, but from the haulier's viewpoint, is it a commercial proposition? This will depend on the rate of development of the industry, but at the present stage it is felt that the cost is high.
Traffic Transferred As insulated containers become more generally available, the position should measurably improve. So far as the shipping side of the problem is concerned, this is considered satisfactory, as goods arrive at the quayside in excellent condition.
In America, the quick-frozen food business has made great strides, and it is to be noted that during the past two years road transport has, extracted considerable freight from the railways. One is tempted to ask whether this in an indication of what will happen in this country? The nationalization of long-distance road
haulage and the consequent integration of road and rail, will have an important bearing on future development.
A recent issue of "Quick Frozen Foods," published in America, states that several large shippers report that, whereas in 1946 they used the railways for 75 per cent. of their frozen foods, to-day the reverse is the case, and in some instances road transport is responsible for 70 per cent. of the traffic.
The reasons given for this changeover are interesting. They are set down as (1) the greater manceuvrability of the road vehicle; (2) lower temperatures and faster service; (3) more convenient handling of " drop. off" deliveries: and (4) with the increased freight charges by rail, road . transport rates are more competitive.