Expect Distribution takes 18 trailers from Ryder

Expect Distribution is to take delivery of 18 more trailers from Ryder.

The trailers bring the Bradford-based firm's contract hire fleet with Ryder to 115 and follows the delivery of 31 vehicles - a mix of tractor units, trailers, and trucks - during 2016.

The new triaxle curtainsiders, manufactured by SDC, include eight bespoke double-decker step-frame trailers.

These are being built specially to service one of Expect’s furniture customers, where there are height restrictions at the delivery location. The other eight curtainsiders are all straight-frame trailers, two of them with tail-lifts.

Neil Rushworth, MD of Expect Distribution, said: "We have partnered with Ryder for 15 years, starting with just a single trailer, and have steadily increased the fleet size to more than 100 vehicles today.

"Their service has supported our expansion into a nationwide operation, and we are currently growing organically at around 10% a year. We are targeting contract-based new business, which is ideally suited to Ryder’s contract hire offering.

In its most recent results, Expect Distribution blamed a profit drop on its now closed two-man delivery service.