Five new Krone Cool Liner dual-temperature refrigerated semi-trailers are playing a role in a £5.5 million expansion into port logistics by Perishable Movements Ltd (PML). The logistics and supply chain solutions provider has transported air freight perishable goods from Heathrow Airport since the early 2000s. Last December, the family-owned company opened a new satellite operation and logistics hub with a temperature-controlled warehouse in Lympne in Kent, where it’s moving perishable goods to from Dover for last-mile distribution. Before acquiring the Cool Liners, PML was subcontracting transport.
“Our owners recognised that the new red tape from Brexit would create opportunities for freight specialists like us,” says PML Transport Manager Martin Kopicki. “We have decades of experience in air freight, so it made sense for us to offer the same high level of service for port logistics. Having the right trailers is therefore vital to our business model.”
The Krone Cool Liner
Based in Werlte, Germany, Krone manufactures Cool Liner and Dry Liner semi-trailers at its Lübtheen, Germany, facility. Krone UK handles sales, parts, and product support across the UK. Last year marked the Cool Liner’s 25th anniversary. The trailer can transport vegetables, meats, frozen goods, and other products. Krone Telematics provides users with position, status, and temperature data; a tyre-pressure monitoring system, ramp-approach assistance, and security systems such as Krone Door Protect are included.
The trailer features a continuous chassis design that absorbs forces during coupling, uncoupling, and docking. It has a horizontal delta-shaped fender and two impact buffers at the rear, plus a stainless-steel rear gantry designed for docks and ramps and recessed door hinges that provide an ideal door-opening angle. Flexible ceiling-mounted air ducts evenly distribute cold air, and water-tight aluminium kick strips are bonded to the side walls and welded to a one-piece, leak-proof floor plate. Additionally, the trailer’s hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP)-compliant bolted evaporator guard is removable for easier cleaning. The trailer has an allowable gross weight of 39,000 kilograms (85,980 pounds).
A Match For IVECO
PML is also acquiring 18 IVECO tractor trucks for use with its expanding trailer fleet. The company has an O-licence to operate up to 20 heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) from its Lympne depot.
“We are running some single-temperature trailers from Heathrow, as the loads are typically one product such as blueberries or blackberries,” Kopicki says. “We needed more flexibility for our port operations, and the Krone dual-temperature trailers enable us to split loads, optimising our efficiency. The drivers like them because they are not as heavy as other trailers, which they prefer for return journeys, and the Krone trailers are also very easy to use.”
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Source: Krone