SAF-Holland axles add to lifespan of WH Malcolm trailers
WH Malcolm, one of Scotland’s leading transport and logistics companies, is furthering its commitment to reducing environmental impact by extending the life of its semi-trailer fleet through a reconditioning scheme, which includes the integration of SAF-Holland’s heavy-duty Intradrum axles.
Traditionally, many transport operators retire trailers after a decade of service. But WH Malcolm, with an initiative led by chief fleet engineer Gavin Summers, has taken a different route, aligning fleet operations with its sustainability goals.
For the past two years, the company has been reconditioning trailers after 10-12 years on the road, giving them a new lease of life. This practice is not just about reducing waste – it’s delivering significant financial savings for the company as well.
“We’ve reconditioned around 160 trailers so far, and they’re performing just as well now as they did when we first put them into service,” said Summers.
“When the trailers come in, we strip them down completely, blast, repaint, and rigorously test every component. The SAF Intradrum axles have been particularly impressive. With routine maintenance, these axles are ready for another decade of heavy-duty work.”
This decision to double the lifespan of their trailers is driven by WH Malcolm’s growing concern for environmental issues. Extending the operational life of a trailer by an additional ten years reduces the demand for new builds and cuts down on resource use – a significant step towards sustainability.
With SAF-Holland axles playing a significant role within this strategy, the company says it is confident in both the performance and longevity of its reconditioned trailers.
“The fact that we’re able to run these trailers for twenty years is a testament to the quality of SAF-Holland components,” Summers added. “It speaks highly of SAF’s product durability.”
Said SAF-Holland: “By choosing to refurbish rather than retire, WH Malcolm is not only saving costs but also reinforcing its position as a responsible, forward-thinking operator in the transport industry.
“The company’s approach serves as a model for others, showing that sustainability and cost-efficiency can go hand in hand.
“For fleet managers, transport operators, and logistics professionals, the example set by WH Malcolm is clear: reliable components like SAF-Holland’s Intradrum axles are key to extending the life of trailers, reducing overall costs, and improving sustainability efforts.”
