MHW Magazine News and stories from the Materials Handling Industry
At this year’s TCS&D Exhibition, commercial vehicle bodybuilder Paneltex is exhibiting four quite distinct and innovative examples of refrigerated vehicle bodywork from its comprehensive 2011 product portfolio.
On the Paneltex stand, inside the exhibition hall, is a VW Crafter (Euro 5) panel van featuring a Somers refrigerated van conversion manufactured to full ATP specification, whilst outside the hall is a 13.6 m refrigerated Paneltex double deck trailer, in the striking new livery of online retailer Ocado.
Also displayed outside is one of the latest Paneltex designed highly manoeuvrable 9.2m single axle rear steer urban refrigerated trailers, in grocery retailer Londis livery. Completing the impressive Paneltex demonstration outside is the innovative Zeroed 6.2t electric vehicle, on an Isuzu chassis, and featuring a 14 ft Paneltex ATP certified single compartment insulated body for chilled applications.
Speaking at the opening of the show, Chris Berridge, Managing Director at Paneltex commented, "Temperature controlled vehicles form the backbone of the Paneltex operation and we are pleased to support this specialist industry show in its new and convenient location. We are using the exhibition as an opportunity to demonstrate the range and breadth of our refrigerated product range, from ATP Class C panel vans through to refrigerated rigid trucks and maximum length double deck reefer trailers."
The VW Crafter 3.5t panel van has been converted by Somers to a single compartment freezer specification and the vehicle features a unique fold back side door system, a patented direct air fridge cover and a GAH Rapier direct drive refrigeration system. The Somers refrigerated van conversion is manufactured to full ATP specification, and buyers also have the benefit of a Volkswagen Group LONO approval for the conversion.
On the outside display is the Paneltex designed 13.6m double deck, multi-compartment reefer trailer, built for Ocado and accommodating the Ocado roll cage distribution system. The twin compartment double deck trailer can hold enough products to supply over 300 home delivery customers, as the trailer transports the equivalent of 12 ‘van loads’ of product, with each home delivery van normally delivering to approximately 25 individual home customers. The 13.6m Paneltex double deckers are step frame trailers used for ambient product on the lower deck and chilled product on the insulated upper deck. Refrigeration for the upper deck is provided by a Thermo King SLX 200 refrigeration system that features a unique cooling system.
The 9.2 m Paneltex single axle rear steer multi-temperature urban reefer trailer on display features longitudinal modular lanes to create a 1/3rd and 2/3rd split within the body. Paneltex has incorporated the facility to slide the dividing internal wall in sections back to the outer wall to provide a full width interior for back loads/pallets if required. Trailer refrigeration is supplied by Carrier Transicold’s Vector 1850MT trailer refrigeration system with a Carrier Transicold DataCOLD 250T temperature recorder fitted as well as a Dhollandia rear column tail lift. This trailer is part of a 39 strong vehicle order received by Paneltex from Musgrave Retail Partners GB for operation on the Londis and Budgens retail networks.
The innovative Zeroed electric vehicle, also seen in action at the recent LCV 2011 Eco Show at Rockingham, is built on a 6.2t Isuzu chassis and features the Zeroed electric conversion, with lithium iron phosphate batteries and GAH electric refrigeration. Offering excellent payloads and a low body floor height, the 14 ft Paneltex ATP certified insulated body is ideal for chilled distribution applications and the vehicle has a three-year bumper-to-bumper warranty.
"Paneltex is unique within the industry in terms of being able to offer customers a truly comprehensive range of refrigerated bodywork, manufactured in house under both the Paneltex and Somers brands. 2011 is proving to be a successful year for the Paneltex group of companies and by exhibiting at this show we are offering customers a chance to see the very latest product offerings from the company," added Chris Berridge.
