UB predicts major gains from longer semi-trailers

Biscuit and cake manufacturer United Biscuits has estimated it will save 450,000 truck miles and reduce carbon emissions by 618 tonnes a year after extending the number of longer semi-trailers it runs from 20 to 62.

The firm, which took receipt of the last of 42 additional longer semi-trailers in June, says the 15.65m insulated curtainsiders will be of “significant benefit”, given its relatively lightweight product range.

UB head of distribution Rob Wright told Motortransport.co.uk the trailers, which are based at its Leicestershire NDC and have all been supplied by Cheshire-based trailer maker Cartwright Group, allowed the company to transport 60 double-stacked pallets in each vehicle rather than 52 – a 15% increase in payload – without any fuel consumption penalty. “It makes virtually no difference to fuel consumption,” he confirmed.

The longer semis, which include some refrigerated units and account for 18% of UB’s total trailer fleet, will be used on selected routes to deliver to retailer DCs around the country and collect from UB’s seven UK production sites on return journeys, helping to minimise empty running, said Wright.

Further investment in longer semi-trailers, however, is only likely if the government confirms they will be permitted beyond the current 10 year trial, admitted Wright. “If the trial continues to be successful – and the first two years' report was pretty encouraging – and if the government changed the legislation, then we would definitely order more,” he said.