Earl Transport has added 14 new SDC 4.2m curtain-sided trailers from TIP to its fleet.
All 14 trailers are working on a contract for Pets Choice which has been a customer of the East Lancashire haulier for nearly 40 years.
The new trailers come on a five-year leasing arrangement including full repair and maintenance cover and feature a range of striking liveries, each representing different brands in the Pets Choice portfolio.
The relationship between TIP and Earl Transport goes back to the Bell Trailers business, which became part of the TIP organisation in 2015.
TIP most recently supplied trailers for Pets Choice via Earl Transport in 2018 when an arrangement for 10 trailers commenced. As with those, the 14 new additions will be maintained by TIP’s local depot in Nelson.
The new trailers will be operating out of the main Pets Choice distribution centre in Blackburn, Lancashire and are expected to cover approximately 80,000 miles per annum over their five year working life.
Earl Transport MD Peter Hughes said: “As part of our ongoing long-term contract with Pets Choice, they approached us to add extra trailers to their distribution fleet to cope with the significant upturn in their business over the last 12 months.
"Without a shadow of doubt, and based on our successful long-term experience with them, TIP was the natural choice for us when it came to supplying us the new equipment.”
Added TIP UK&I MD Mike Furnival: “With over 20 years’ experience of their business, we are able to get closely involved with Earl Transport’s operation as they expand their business. These latest trailers, in really striking new liveries, reflect the strength of the three-party relationship between us, Earl Transport and Pets Choice, which has ensured that Pets Choice are able to operate their trailers in a manner that meets the needs of their specific operation. We look forward to continuing this relationship for a further five years, and more.”
Earl Transport runs 22 tractor units supporting a fleet of 60 all-curtain-sided trailers from its base in Clayton-Le-Moors, near Accrington, Lancashire.
