MHW Magazine News and stories from the Materials Handling Industry
Leading commercial vehicle bodybuilder Paneltex is celebrating its 21st anniversary in 2012, returning to the CV Show for the first time in 3 years, with an impressive line-up of products from the various long established individual operations within the Group.
With an unrivalled pedigree of manufacturing skills within the UK CV body building industry, Paneltex is using this year’s exhibition to showcase the proven expertise that has enabled the company to develop into one of the country’s leading bodybuilders since it first opened its doors 21 years ago.
Representing the Somers Refrigeration Division will be two vehicles; both featuring refrigerated van conversions built to ATP Class C specification.
A medium wheelbase, high roof Euro5 VW Crafter, converted by Somers for dual temperature applications, will feature the Somers’ patented direct air system and a movable bulkhead. Refrigeration is provided by a GAH Super Rapier SR351F direct drive system and the Somers body conversion achieves a ‘K’ factor of 0.3 W/M²/°C. Other unique body features include the Somers Superfreeze fold back sliding load door on the nearside, as well as Superfreeze modular rear doors.
The second Somers’ conversion on the stand is a Mercedes Vito, in long wheelbase specification, with a single compartment body converted by Somers to ATP Class C standards and featuring a GAH Rapier R300 F refrigeration system and the Somers’ sliding freezer side door.
From the Paneltex stable will also be two products as follows:
Featuring a brand-new livery for the company’s long-term customer Ocado, will be a Mercedes Sprinter chassis cab specified with a dual compartment Paneltex refrigerated body. With a GAH direct drive refrigeration system as standard, the Paneltex insulated body has been custom built for Ocado’s home delivery operation, with access doors on both sides of the body for ease of unloading at customer drops, as well as full width rear doors to facilitate the loading of goods onto the vehicle prior to the delivery journey.
Alongside this vehicle will be an 18tonne DAF LF55 chassis cab specified with an 8.4m Paneltex dual compartment temperature controlled body. In the colours of customer Palmer & Harvey, the Paneltex body features a Frigoblok FK24 diesel overcab refrigeration system as standard as well as a three-piece movable internal bulkhead, an insulated rear shutter door and taillift.
Completing the five-vehicle line up for Paneltex at this year’s CV Show will be a 7.5tonne all electric vehicle from the company’s Zeroed division. The 7.5tonne Isuzu 4×2 rigid chassis cab is specified with a 6.5m single compartment Paneltex refrigerated body, featuring a side access door on the nearside and double rear doors. This all-electric vehicle will have an electric refrigeration system, as well as lithium iron phosphate batteries and a 50 mph speed limiter.
Announcing details of their show plans, Chris Berridge, managing director at Paneltex said, "2012 is a big year for the Paneltex group of companies, a significant milestone in the company’s history and confirming our status as one of the U.K.’s leading specialist bodybuilders for the commercial vehicle industry. The product line-up chosen for the show gives visitors to the stand an interesting selection of vehicles from our group of companies, clearly showing our diverse manufacturing capabilities, as well as our specialist bodybuilding expertise."
