The Portadown-based business, which opened a state-of-the-art warehouse facility at Belfast Harbour last year and works with major retailers and food manufacturers, is into its third decade of purchasing Schmitz Cargobull products.
Chris Slowey, Managing Director of Manfreight, says: “A key reason we return to Schmitz Cargobull time and again is that the trailers are manufactured as a complete package in house.
“Schmitz Cargobull has full control of its supply chain, which ensures quality and robustness. It allows them to fully integrate their excellent telematics from the get-go, and to tightly manage their environmental impact, which as a customer is important to us.”
Based on the strength of the relationship, Manfreight was the first UK operator to put Schmitz Cargobull’s fully electric S.KOe COOL semi-trailer into operation in 2023, delivering emission free deliveries.
The refrigerated box-body trailers in the latest order feature both single and multi-temperature variants of the high-performance S.CU V2.0 cooling unit. The order comprises 60 standard semi-trailers (split equally between single and multi-temperature) and 40 ‘high cube’ reefers with single-temperature refrigeration units. The latter have an internal sidewall height of 3.2m and are equipped with interior decking beams to facilitate double pallet-stacking.
The trailers all feature ferry specification, which includes reinforced landing legs, underrun guards with ferry skids and reinforced Suzie brackets. As well as uprated lighting, the trailers utilise electronic ramp approach control. They also have dynamic ramp protection and additional buffer protection.
Manfreight makes extensive use of Schmitz Cargobull’s class-leading TrailerConnect® telematics system. The system provides the business’s customers with full transparency of where their goods are via the TrailerConnect® Data Management Center. The trailers have a TL4 electronic door locking system that uses Geofencing to automatically unlock at configured locations. Also included is an LED tank display on the bulkhead and sensor to remotely monitor the cooling unit’s fuel status; brake wear indicator+ system and tyre pressure monitoring function.
The deal was facilitated by Kevin Wynd, Regional Sales Manager at Schmitz Cargobull, with support from the manufacturer’s Head of Sales, Stephen Mallett.
“I know I can pick up the phone at any time of the night and speak with them. It’s not just about making the sale for them: they ensure that everything’s right and working as it should be once in service,” says Slowey.
Manfreight has subsequently placed an order for 30 more S.KO COOL semi-trailers and 15 Manchester-made S.CS FIXED ROOF curtainsider trailers that will join the fleet in the coming months.
The latest S.KO COOL trailers will feature a factory-fitted Electronic Brake Performance Monitoring System, which integrates seamlessly with TrailerConnect® and enables hauliers to enhance road safety and reduce vehicle downtime.
