Tiger fashions fresh trailer fleet for Primark
Tiger Trailers has supplied 40 articulated box van trailers for Primark, which are now in service as part of the international retailer’s new 3PL contract with Wincanton.
When its previous 3PL partnership came to an end, Primark faced the challenge of specifying, procuring, and commissioning an all-new fleet of tractors and trailers within just a few months to maintain the efficiency of its supply chain – and Tiger Trailers rose to the challenge in partnership with Wincanton, and wrapping support from Finch Signs.
Tiger Trailers was able to design, manufacture and release the trailers for Primark within just three months. The new straight-frame box vans, in twin and tri-axle guises, are fitted with tail-lifts incorporating hinged rear and side ramps, various LED lights to enhance safety, and Michelin X Line Energy tyres with environmental, fuel efficiency and fleet management aims in mind.
Primark’s network transport manager, Ant Franks, led the project and secured the mobilisation of the company’s all-new trailer fleet, working closely with Tiger Trailers’ business development director, Stephen Pollock.
“We are pleased to partner with Tiger Trailers and Wincanton to support our significant UK logistics operation,” said Ant Franks.
“Working together, we maintained service throughout our UK network while bringing in this new fleet in a timely manner, in difficult market conditions, to allow a seamless transition in providers. Thanks to everyone at Tiger, Wincanton and Finch who helped to make this happen.”
To enable Primark’s first batch of new trailers to get to work by February 2022, the Cheshire-based manufacturer’s production teams and lines worked tirelessly, helped by its nightshift operation which has now been running for over a year. The livery was applied by Finch Signs, a business local to Primark’s Islip, Northamptonshire distribution centre.
Tiger’s Steve Pollock added: “It’s been an absolute pleasure to work closely with Ant and the teams at Primark and Wincanton in delivering their expediently required assets in record time.
“We’re proud of the 40 initial box vans Tiger has manufactured and we’re excited about continuing to support Primark for many years to come, starting with the next batches of trailers ordered for later this year and into 2023. Thanks again to Primark for choosing Tiger after recognising our customer-led ethos, efficient production capabilities, and attractive lead times.”
Following Primark’s initial order of 40 Tiger Trailers box vans, the retailer has placed orders for over 40 additional trailers, scheduled for manufacture during Q4 2022 into Q1 2023, which include over a dozen retail moving deck double-decks and a number of specialist trailers such as LSTs.
Primark currently serves its UK store network from two distribution centres and a number of out bases, with its newest depot based in Islip. Primark’s new fleet additions are a familiar sight at the depot, including the Tiger trailers and ten environmentally friendly Iveco Stralis NP 460 bio-liquified natural gas trucks with Primark Cares liveries.
