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GT comes in from the cold
Page 16
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• by Toby Clark General Trailers is investing ,g1m in a major refurbishment of its trailer-building plant at Dereham in Norfolk—but the factory is to stop producing temperaturecontrolled trailers.
The firm is introducing a "flowline" production system, with a faster line for standard trailers and another reserved for special models.
The Dereham factory will also become largely self-sufficient in trailer chassis production—at the moment half its chassis are sourced from other General Trailers plants.
Other new developments include chassis manipulators (for easier working) and a smooth resin floor which will allow assemblies to be moved on an air cushion.
While curtainsiders, box vans and tippers will be built at Dereham, the factory will cease production of refrigerated trailers; General Trailers says this is due to "the weak nature of the reefer market in the UK".
Managing director Rene Entken explains: "The market for reefers has become increasingly less attractive.
"Competition from abroad as a result of the strong pound has reduced margins to unsatisfac tory levels.''