J Richardson Transport Keeps Costs Down With Hard-Working Ekeri Trailer

This post is courtesy of Burntwood Services Limited.

Stranraer-based haulier J Richardson has singled out an “old-timer” Ekeri trailer for special praise, given its age and faultless service in the family-run firm for over 13 years.

“And it was already six years old when we bought it!” says Director Alan Richardson. “It’s a typical Ekeri trailer with the multiple side-opening doors but with a front-mounted fridge. Despite many years’ hard work, save for a couple of hinges, it has cost us nothing in terms of maintenance or repairs—it just keeps going and looks as good as the day it arrived.”

According to Richardson, the Ekeri trailer comes into its own on multidrops, carrying mixed loads such as cheese and sundry items, for various supermarkets in Scotland and England.

“We first got the trailer to help with return loads of 600-kilogram bags and have used it regularly for multidrops because the side opening doors allow us easy access to any part of the trailer for quick loading and delivery,” Richardson says. “It has the flexibility of a curtainsider but with the strength and security of a refrigerated box van and, considering it’s pushing 20 years of age, it really has proved to be a remarkable asset.”

Designed and built by Ekeri in Finland, ATP type approved FNA and FRC (+12 degrees to -20 degrees) bodies are available as standard with fully opening doors on both sides and are equipped for multitemperature purposes with various specifications of moveable, insulated bulkheads. The bodies fulfil all the strict quality requirements for the transportation of foodstuffs and have a relatively low unladen weight, while the insulation material is environmentally friendly and Freon-free.

Established in 1967, J Richardson Transport is a previous winner of the coveted Transport News Scottish Fleet of the Year award and operates a sizeable vehicle fleet comprising 100% Volvos and a mixture of ambient and temp-controlled trailers.

Richardson concludes, “We are thinking of adding another Ekeri to the fleet at some point and definitely recommend these trailers for any haulier who is looking to improve load flexibility and save on running costs.”