Strong trials lead to more Schmitz Cargobulls for Yeardley
Eighteen months after trialling its first Schmitz Cargobull trailer, West Yorkshire-based Brian Yeardley Continental has taken delivery of an additional three trailers from the German manufacturer.
Kevin Hopper, managing director, previously operated a single supplier-sourced trailer fleet, but has changed his policy following successful trials of the Schmitz Cargobull product.
“There are obvious benefits to dual-sourcing and in Schmitz Cargobull we’ve found a range of trailers which suit our business down to the ground,” said Hopper. “Our drivers and warehouse staff find them very good to work with as well.”
Hopper visited Schmitz Cargobull’s plants in Altenberge and Vreden – where the majority of Schmitz Cargobull’s trailer production for the UK is built – to inspect the manufacturing process personally.
“We run a demanding operation and ensuring every load reaches its destination on time and in perfect condition is an absolute priority. Having full confidence in every supplier we do business with is critical – there’s no time for problems when you have a fleet as busy as ours operating across the continent.”
Commenting on the two plant visits, Hopper adds: “I travelled to Germany to see the curtainsider and box bodied trailers being built and I came away immensely impressed. The scale of production is remarkable, but what I really liked was the attention to detail which goes into every chassis coming down the line.”
The most recent deliveries include two S.CS Mega curtainsiders with Varios Top Technology and an S.KO Mega dry freight box body trailer. In addition to the extra volume afforded by the lowered chassis on the Mega trailers, the Varios Top Technology enables the internal trailer height to be quickly and easily adjusted by the driver, to offer load heights between 2,750mm to 3,050mm at the front bulkhead, and 2,850mm to 3,050mm on the rear doors.
The trailers are each used for international groupage work transporting chemicals on pallets and in IBCs from the UK to mainland Europe, with backloads of high-value goods. They also support the firm’s growing events and exhibitions division.
All Schmitz Cargobull trailers supplied to Brian Yeardley Continental meet DIN EN 12642 Code XL certification for load security and are fitted with Schmitz Cargobull’s own Rotos running gear, in place of the customer’s usual preference for BPW axles.
Brian Yeardley Continental historically kept its trailers in service for ten years, but these latest additions will be replaced after five to six years – in keeping with the company’s new commitment to operating one of the most modern fleets in its sector.
