Carrymaster opens Carcroft factory
Page 21
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
by Bryan Jarvis
CARRYMASTER'S new 4,550sqm (49,000sqft) extension to its Carcroft, Doncaster factory has been officially opened by the Junior Transport Minister David Mitchell.
It brings the company's total manufacturing capacity to 6,038sqrn (65,000sqft).
The new facility will enable Carrymaster to build more efficiently up to an expected 1,500 units of all body types annually. It claims to be the second largest dry freight semi-trailer manufacturer in Britain.
Prominent among the 90strong display of articulated and rigid bodies at the opening ceremony was one of the latest versions of its thinwalled refrigerated box van semi-trailers, and destined for Northern Foods.
Using Cargovan grp body panels on a Carrymaster chassis and a Petters 6500 refrigerator unit with its recessed evaporator, the slim-walled 12.2m (40ft) reefer van is expected to meet the ATP Class C insulation requirement.
Side wall panels are 30rnm (1.2in) thick, which enables two rows of metric pallets to be carried side by side. Floor and roof sections arc 127mm (5in) deep, while the bulkhead and rear doors are 102min (4in) thick.
The rear frame and door fittings are of stainless steel.
Weweler's latest air suspension system on the tandem axled artic unit included a lifting front axle, which is designed to operate automatically at eight tonnes.
A separate valve arrangement with a rear end control regulates the pressure across the system for dock levelling and can reduce the tail height by up to 110mm (4.3in). All pneumatic valves and switches can be located in a separate lockable box on the side of the chassis. This latest patented arrangement is waterproofed to protect them from road grime and corrosion.
Together with the I lenderson shutter and Zepro cantilever tail lift, the unit weighs between 6,500 and 7,000kg (6.4 to 6.9 tons) unladen and costs about £3 1,00 0 depending on the specification.
Carrymaster is the sole UK agent for Weweller air suspension systems and currently fits over 500 units annually.