Logistics firm Brit European has installed a weighbridge at its Vita Nova Centre in Middlewich to ensure its vehicles stay within legal weight limits.

The new Axtec Series 5000 Dynamic Axle weighbridge is also allowing the company to configure a new vehicle transporter design, to optimise loading positions and maximise payload potential.

The investment in the weighbridge was made primarily for Brit European’s own compliance requirements. However the company is now certified to offer the equipment as a public weighbridge, and is expecting to attract interest from both local and national truck operators. Brit European is also considering installing a second dynamic weighbridge at another of its sites.

Axtec’s dynamic weighbridge provides axle and total weights for a six-axle tractor and trailer in 40-seconds to an accuracy of +/- 0.25% - which Axtec claims is the most accurate dynamic weighbridge in the world.

Trucks are driven across the flush mounted platform at a constant speed of up to 2.5 mph before instant weight figures are shown on a large digital display.

Axtec said the installation of its weighbridge required the construction of a perfectly flat 35-metre concrete slab, built to precise tolerances to ensure highly accurate weight analysis for all vehicle types.

The company's own specialist construction team designed and built the slab before installing the dynamic weighing equipment.

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The new weighbridge is installed at Brit European’s new Vita Nova Centre, which is the company's new distribution hub and headquarters in Middlewich, located close to junction 18 of the M6.

The Vita Nova Centre, which is 100% carbon neutral in its build and operation and completely off grid, has space for 75 vehicles and includes a head office for 50 staff.

The site boasts several carbon cutting technologies, including vertical axis wind turbines, solar panels and the capture of rain-water which is filtered and used for truck washing and toilet flushing.

Fleet optimisation manager, Andy Evans, said: “The new Axtec weighbridge has already proved to be an excellent compliance benefit for us. It’s very quick, it’s very simple and it’s very accurate, and I can see it delivering significant efficiencies across the fleet.

“Locally, there are few weighbridges of this type and quality outside of DVSA enforcement sites, so we are delighted to be offering the new weighbridge to other hauliers at just a small operational fee.

"There will be an online booking option for customers. I can see the new Axtec weighbridge making a hugely positive impact on productivity for us and other operators.”

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