The UK's national Cat® Lift Truck distributor and service provider has recently invested in a new fleet of seven customised trailer vans, plus drivers, as part of a five year contract hire agreement with Ryder to increase productivity and reduce costs.

Cannock-based Briggs Equipment had been looking for advanced specialist handling transport to enhance its distribution operation of Cat counterbalance and warehouse equipment to customers across the UK. According to Shaun Dennis, Transport Manager at Briggs, they needed a provider who could meet their bespoke specifications, and found that Ryder could do just the job.

We outsourced to Ryder because they were able to use their logistics operational experience to fulfil the criteria that was required, he explained. Ryder also allowed us to have direct input with regard to equipment specification allowing us to be involved with the driver selection.

Throughout the entire design and building process, Briggs and Ryder worked closely with Andover Trailers, developing two different types of trailer van. These were two wheel-box trailers FKWB36 and five step-frame trailers SFCL36FT.

"This is our first major order from Ryder, and these are very special trailers indeed for us as they have been in development for two years and is one of the most intricate designs Andover Trailers has produced for some time," said Ivan Collins, Sales Director at Andover Trailers.

The specification modifications include the step frames having a very shallow angle loading ramp, short neck and internal hydraulic floors to allow equipment to be driven onto the swan neck with ease. The tri-axles on the wheel box trailers have increased the distance between the wheel boxes to allow wider trucks to be driven through the wheel box area.