Geodis Calberson, part of global logistics group Geodis, has invested in 13 double deck trailers from German manufacturer Krone for use on its European and domestic runs from the UK.
Equipped with cutting edge technology, each trailer can carry up to 66 pallets of goods over two floors and has an internal mechanism that creates the second floor when required.
The second floor allows the cost-saving benefits of double-deck transportation to be extended to customers wanting to transport more delicate items that are at risk of damage if stacked too high.
The substantial investment represents the final stage of Geodis Calberson's conversion of its 34-strong fleet of double deckers to Krone vehicles. The first Krone double-deck arrived four years ago.
"We were the first to introduce this mechanism in the UK for specific clients," said Ray Cook, Traffic Director of Geodis Calberson. "There is a huge reduction in costs of transportation for our clients.
"This is the third set of trailers we have had from Krone, we are very happy with them and they have had a good reception from clients. We use them for two or three clients on European business and national business.
"A lot of their product is double spec and because it is crushable, normally only 33 pallets can be loaded, but with these trailers you can drop beams into place, which allows you to load 66 pallets safely."
The delicate loads includes such items as pharmaceuticals and radio-active sources for medical equipment which require high security and all of the trailers have locks and satellite-tracking devices, in addition to the satellite tracking devices fitted to the cabs.
With destinations including Scandinavia, Italy, Poland, Germany, France and Spain, all of the trailers are compliant to European standards. In particular, they meet the tougher European height restrictions, being under 4 metres tall.
On top of the impressive cost savings and environmental benefits produced by the efficient transport of double-sized loads, the trailers all have air-ride suspension that creates further fuel economies. The trailers are triaxle, leading to excellent weight distribution.
The trailers are all being operated by the Specialised Transport Services division of Geodis Calberson from its depots at High Wycombe and Leeds.