Bevan delivers first rigid reefers supported by Schmitz Cargobull

Kent-based CVME Truck Rental is running the first two rigid reefers to be built by Bevan Group in co-operation with Schmitz Cargobull.

The 18-tonne chassis cabs have temperature-controlled 7.5-metre bodies and are now working for one of CVME Truck Rental’s leading customers, a national high-street department store chain.

The bodies were assembled at Bevan’s production facility in Oldbury, West Midlands, using designs, components and materials supplied by Schmitz Cargobull – these include unique features such as bolted and galvanised sub-frames and high-performance FERROPLAST® panels.

The bodies are fitted with single-temperature refrigeration units but have moving bulkheads with thermostatic fans, which allow for dual-temperature operation. The trucks are also equipped with temperature recorders and 1.5-tonne tuckaway tail lifts.

Schmitz Cargobull is best known in the UK for its refrigerated semi-trailer product line, while Bevan’s expertise is in the manufacture and marketing of all types of dry freight bodywork. The co-operation between the two companies offers operators of temperature-controlled distribution fleets the guarantee of high quality rigid reefer bodies backed-up industry leading aftercare.

The proven Schmitz Cargobull design attributes, coupled with Bevan’s attention to detail, premium build quality and rapid turnaround times, mean customers are guaranteed a first-rate service.

Philip Browning is a Director at CVME Truck Rental, which has a head office in Canterbury. He says: "I’ve had Schmitz Cargobull products in the past so I know they’re designed and engineered to a very high standard, and offer long-term reliability.

"I had read about Schmitz Cargobull working with Bevan Group in the trade press and when our client approached us with a requirement for refrigerated rigid trucks, I decided to take a closer look. The dimensions, specification and high payload allowance offered a good ‘fit’ for my client’s needs and the pricing was competitive too, so I had no hesitation in choosing these bodies."

He continues: "This was my first experience of working with Bevan Group but I’ve been very pleased with the highly professional service I’ve received. I visited its plant during the assembly of these vehicles and was impressed by the team’s quality of workmanship and attention to detail.

"The whole build, including fitment of the internal partitions and ancillaries, was completed well within the six week ‘window’ that our client demanded and the trucks were delivered in perfect condition.

"I’ve seen enough to be happy recommending these bodies to other clients and have already ordered another rigid refrigerated truck from Bevan and Cargobull, to add to our general rental fleet."

Both trucks are now undertaking deliveries of ambient and refrigerated cargoes to stores across Europe, from a distribution hub in Kent. They were supplied to CVME Truck Rental via Cargobull Finance, Schmitz Cargobull’s in-house financial services division.

Bevan Group Managing Director Anthony Bevan says: "The partnership between ourselves and Schmitz Cargobull is a very exciting one and brings something genuinely new and different to the temperature-controlled distribution sector. We were delighted to secure this first order and even happier to hear that the trucks we supplied have impressed CVME Truck Rental so much that they have already placed an order for another one."

Schmitz Cargobull Technical Director Derek Skinner adds: "We are taking our respective strengths in the manufacture and assembly of refrigerated trailers and rigid bodies, and combining them to enhance our offering to UK customers. While our rigid reefers are a relatively new proposition over here, we manufacture thousands every year for operators in mainland Europe.

"Importantly, our rigid bodies benefit from the same insulation concept used for our range of refrigerated trailers. FERROPLAST® is made up of high-quality expanded, closed cell, polyurethane foam which is housed between steel skins, ensuring completely vapour diffusion-tight surfaces which are energy efficient, hygienic and age-resistant."