Gray & Adams given Queen's Award for Enterprise in Innovation

Temperature-controlled trailer manufacturer Gray & Adams has been recognised with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation for its double deck design.

The Fraserburgh-based company pioneered temperature-controlled lifting deck trailer technology in the nineties and aims to provide practical commercial solutions while reducing the impact of its activities on the environment.

It claims the lifting deck semi-trailer is the most important single step forward in trailer design in the last 20 years, enabling customers to move large volumes of goods cost effectively and efficiently. It also contributes significantly to reducing vehicle mileage and Co2 emissions.

Working with NewCold Logistics in 2019, Gray & Adams engineered a solution to facilitate auto loading operations in a temperature-controlled environment to ensure best quality produce and optimised efficiency with reduced loading times.

The innovation was a first for the UK and the design, known as the Pod, enables loading in just seven minutes with full unload and reload taking less than 30 minutes. The temperature-controlled environment also means produce can be unloaded and left inside until loading is required.

Also last year, Gray and Adams worked in close partnership with both Reynolds and Electra Commercial Vehicles, to create a new design for a zero carbon, electric urban trailer. The fully electric, sustainable trailer features a solar panel roof, nearside and offside doors, side scanning systems, Banksman lights and safety features such as hazard lights when deploying side steps.

As this new vehicle is almost silent in operation, Reynolds can confidently deliver at night in built-up areas.

In 2020, working with global perishable cargo specialists, Perishable Movements Ltd (PML), Gray & Adams engineered another innovative first for the UK - a refrigerated trailer with an automated loading and unloading system.

Commented joint MDs James and Peter Gray: “In these challenging times, we very much hope the recognition this prestigious award brings will give a small amount of cheer and encouragement to our employees in the North East of Scotland, and across the UK.

"We are massively appreciative of our highly skilled engineering teams and our manufacturing operatives that allow us to produce our world-class products. We would also like to thank our very loyal customers and partners, without whose assistance and support we would be unable to enjoy such highly respected recognition.”

Previous winners of the prestigous award include Dyson, Jaguar Landrover and JCB.