The Rentals Division at the Cartwright Group is enjoying record growth.
Cartwright Rentals Sales Director Paul Burn revealed that year on year the division had seen a 12 per cent increase in utilisation with the fleet growing by about 10 per cent.
"It has been absolutely fantastic. Rental interest is absolutely flying and we are hitting record levels in all aspects of the business," he said.
The specialist division of Cartwright Rentals has been particularly successful with increased business in double deck and urban trailers in addition to standard curtainsiders.
Paul Burn continued: "There has been a major trend moving towards renting urban trailers to replace rigids. There are obvious advantages including flexibility and versatility - getting better utilisation from your tractor units. The benefits both in terms of reducing the carbon footprint and costs through less vehicles and drivers are additional bonuses.
"The trend towards urban trailers has been growing for about 18 months and we are fortunate to have a large fleet to meet the demand.
"Indeed our range of trailer products is probably the most diverse in the UK. It is a true one stop shop and one source solution, whether you require a trailer rental for just a day or for the longer term - we can accommodate the peaks and troughs of any customer," he said.
Many operators decide to rent trailers before they take the decision to go to the build option. Paul Burn commented: "Rental is a quick way into Cartwright product. A lot of customers then take the route to full build and some have a mix of both build and rental to manage their business fluctuations. We believe we are the only manufacturer who can provide that service."
The Cartwright Rentals Fleet will expand in the first quarter of the New Year when 300 trailers are added to its total rental trailer offering which currently numbers about 3500 trailers. This will include refrigerated equipment, double deck trailers and a mix of other trailer products including specialist trailers with dual compartments.
Paul Burn continued: "We have seen a big increase in the demand for double deck equipment which has gone hand in hand with increasing fuel prices. People are becoming smarter about the way they operate their trailer kit.
"It has been driven by the big supermarkets and the big retailers with everyone following their lead."
The Cartwright Rentals chief predicted that the growing trend towards urban trailers would continue into 2011. "That is clear by the increasing number of enquiries and the feedback we are getting from the customers."
Cartwright has recently opened a new Rental site at Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire and Phil Rodman Operations Director of Cartwright Rentals says the new site "has hit the ground running and is already very successful."
He disclosed that Cartwright is now actively looking at new sites to expand the Rentals business, in the south near London and also in the North - East.
"We are in growth mode and no other trailer rental company is expanding faster. This year will almost certainly be a record year for Cartwright Rentals," he said.
Paul Burn added: "There is a Cartwright difference in that we are a true one source supplier of manufacturing, design, development, build, rental, finance and innovative solutions. No other trailer manufacturer can match that.
"Customers are definitely buying into our business model of a Rentals operation within a manufacturing company and the flexibility and versatility that offer gives you," he said.