Commercial fleet briefs: Latest news from Tiger Trailers, Webfleet, Asset Alliance, UPS, Welch’s Transport and Synetiq

Willmotts Transport takes delivery of 60 new trailers

Willmotts Transport has taken delivery of 60 new Tiger curtainsiders to support the continued expansion of the business.

The deal brings the company’s fleet to more than 250 trailers, 80% of which have been supplied by the Cheshire-based manufacturer over the last five years.

The securing of a new transport contract for a corrugated cardboard manufacturer meant that they required an additional 60 trailers within a short space of time, which Tiger facilitated as a long-standing supplier for Willmotts.

While half of this batch are standard-height curtainsiders, the others come in at 4.7 metres, to cater for the end user’s variable cargo sizes.

Willmotts’ MD, Dan Gray, said: “These new Tiger trailers are a high-specification addition to our portfolio, built and delivered by Tiger within the agreed timescales.”

The trailers’ specification includes Wabco's EBS braking system, Axcsend’s BPMS, a reversing camera, two LED reversing lamps, and a branch guard fitted to the header. The trailers were delivered from Cheshire to the West Country by Ambassador Motor Company.

Asset Alliance Group delivers trucks and trailers for Woody’s Express Parcels

Woody’s Express Parcels has taken delivery of eight new tractor units, rigid trucks and trailers that will help the business manage new contracts.

Building on several orders with Asset Alliance Group over the past year, the latest three-year contract hire deal includes three new Daf XG 530 trucks, one 26-tonne MAN curtainsider, an 18-tonne Daf curtainsider and three double-deck trailers.

Woody’s Express Parcels owner, David Wood, said: “They have been brilliant for our business over the years – and I’m very happy with this latest deal.”

Following its acquisition of another transport firm 18 months ago, the haulier will put the new arrivals into service on a series of different contracts, operating on the firm’s trunking routes between its depots in Glasgow, Inverness, Stornoway and Wick.

Featuring Woody’s Express Parcels new-look livery, they join a 140-strong mixed commercial vehicle fleet that provides parcel and palletised deliveries across the Highlands, and Islands, as well as nationally and internationally through a network of subcontractors.

Coomers boosts driver safety with fleet management solution  

Coomers has invested in an integrated Webfleet telematics and Mantis camera solution to improve driver safety.

Having used Webfleet for eight years, the Hampshire-based builders’ merchants recently integrated Mantis cameras into the solution across its delivery fleet of 11 HGVs.

Charlie Stuart, systems manager at Coomers, said the technology had improved driver safety, while saving the company time.

The front-facing Mantis cameras capture video evidence of any accidents or driving events, helping Coomers to refute false accident claims or unjustified complaints about poor driving. Drivers can share live video footage with office staff via an alert button in their cab.

Webfleet’s OptiDrive 360 feature, meanwhile is being used to give Coomers greater visibility on how its trucks are driven. 

UPS brings sustainable deliveries to Cambridge with cycle hub

UPS has established a micro hub in Cambridge to serve as a consolidation and dispatch point for packages bound for the city centre.

The hub will be home to three electric-assisted quad cycles, known as eQuads, to provide final-mile delivery to residential and commercial properties in the city with zero tailpipe emissions.

The eQuads, developed by UK-based company Fernhay, can use cycle lanes and dual-use pedestrianised zones, ensuring safe access to areas where cars and trucks are restricted.

The investment not only supports UPS’s global sustainability goals of network decarbonisation, it also aligns with Cambridge’s Clean Air initiative – a citywide effort to reduce emissions in the city centre by promoting more sustainable methods for local deliveries.

Artur Drenk, director of sustainability at UPS EMEAI, said: “As cities worldwide adopt eco-friendly transportation measures, such as low-emission and zero-emission zones, we are at the forefront, aligning our operations with more sustainable solutions.

”The Cambridge hub is evidence of our dedication to serving customers and communities while reducing our footprint on the ground.”

Fourth generation of family takes the reins at logistics company

Welch’s Transport, which is celebrating its 90th year, has announced that after 10 years with the company Chris Welch is to become managing director.

He will replace his father, Jim Welch, who will move across to focus specifically on the Group. This will be the fourth generation of the Welch family taking the reins.

Chris Welch said: “Welch’s Transport has always made a special effort to look after our customers, our staff, and the people in the community around us.

“Our mission is very simple: ‘Let’s make this part of the world as good as it can be,’ and that statement drives everything we do’.”

Gordon Welch founded the company back in 1934 in Foxton, near Cambridge. Welch’s Transport now runs 85 vehicles across three depots, plus cranes and support vehicles.

Chris’s brother David, who joined the company in 2021, will become group operations manager to continue his training to eventually run the company alongside his brother.

Over the past year, the company’s activities in carbon reduction saw them join the Government’s Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstration (ZEHID) programme, which aims to kickstart the uptake of zero emissions HGVs, the e-freight 2030 project is funded through Innovate UK.   

Read more about how Welch’s Transport has transformed its fleet operations here. 

Synetiq attains silver FORS accreditation

Synetiq has attained silver accreditation in the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS).

This achievement, earned at the vehicle salvage, dismantling and recycling company’s Winsford site, underscores its commitment to prioritising safety, efficiencies and environmental protection across its operations, it said.

Mike Griffiths, head of transport at Synetiq, said: "Since obtaining our bronze accreditation last year, we've been steadfast in our pursuit of silver, with our sights now set on gold.

“Our relentless dedication to achieving silver status has not only unlocked efficiencies across our fleet operations but also underscores our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement for the benefit of our customers and clients."

To become FORS accredited, the business undertook a combination of site-based audits and theory learning, documenting that it adheres to the very highest safety standards, carries out comprehensive risk assessments, records any incidents and carries out extensive driver safety training programmes.