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Refrigerated
transport operators are
constantly rethinking vehicle configuration possibilities to meet
changing market demands. |
As the demands on the refrigerated transporter change, so too does the equipment change in order to keep up with and meet the new demands and challenges. There's nothing static in refrigerated transport writes
Max Braun.
Rigid insulated vans are undergoing changes. Some are getting bigger as in 6x2 chassis to cope with bigger loads and some are getting smaller as in lighter 4x2 rigids for quicker turn around to make second and third trips.
Smaller articulated reefers are starting to emerge with 4x2 truck-tractors hauling nine and 12 metre semi-trailers. While the classical 28-pallet, 6x4 truck-tractors with tridem semi-trailers continue to dominate the big reefer market, 6x2 truck-tractors are becoming more prominent over medium distances and even some longer hauls. Most reports support fuel and tyre savings not to mention the capital cost and related fixed cost savings.
The demand for new insulated trailers has been steady throughout 2007 but it is not quite as good as 2006 say the major load box builders. Unitrans, the latest "newcomer" to refrigerated transport, has won a sizeable contract with Rainbow Chickens and will soon take delivery of 12 new Elite Fibre built reefers, the first of 40 it has commissioned. Unitrans will refurbish a further 40 reefers it takes over from Rainbow and the previous contractor.
Serco's Clinton Holcroft says while there is ongoing demand for lightweight trailers, there are issues around strengthening the floor and side panels, innovations his company will introduce in 2008. Serco say it is still early days to comment on the move to 6x2 vehicles.
"It undoubtedly reduces running costs but some operating conditions must be avoided," says Holcroft. Interest in an interlink set with the front-link equipped as a reefer and the rear-link as a volume van or curtain-sider is gaining ground. Super-single tyres are also gaining acceptance as part of an overall endeavor to conserve fuel usage.
Dairies are major buyers
According to Elite Fibre's Mark Watters, there have been few large orders for insulated boxes on rigid vehicles. However, he says the dairies almost across the board have been the major buyers this year. Where there is a need to transport any combination of ambient/fresh/frozen products, multi-temperature vehicles are preferred, especially when available with movable partitions or bulkheads.
Competition among body-builders often masks rising material costs such as steel, tyres and resins. Consequently they are not always fully reflected in the final price. Growing pressure on transporters to maintain higher cold chain standards prompts the ongoing search for better insulation at an affordable cost. Flexi-manufacturing, a division of Imperial Flexi-Fleet, has introduced a tough composite material that is said to reduce the tare mass of insulated boxes by as much as 15%. Due to the technology, the non-corrosive material is easy to repair and has an extended life, projected to be much longer than the economic life of the chassis.
Unitrans' decision to split its fridge order 50-50 between Thermo-King and Carrier Transicold for its 40 new trailers tends to confirm that it is still a two-horse race in the mobile fridge stakes. Newcomer, Kingtec, is still to make its mark beyond the Liebentrans stable. Like newcomers in other aspects of the trucking business, the market is likely to wait for the "fat lady to sing" before making up its mind.
Thermo-King managing director, Frans van Vianen, says the Rainbow contract is likely to finish up at around 100 units. The shortage of trailer axles is likely to force a carry over of this year's business into 2008 he says.
On the question of Kingtec, Thermo-King is not stressed. "The units are mainly third generation copies," says Van Vianen. "There's room for everyone." One trend he mentions as being significant is that the National Credit Act has had a negative impact on sales to smaller and relatively newcomers to refrigerated transport.
Four brands
There are now four fridge brands available in South Africa: Thermo-King (USA & Ireland); Carrier Transicold (USA & France); Kingtec (China); and Transfrig (South Africa). To assist transporters, FMCG manufacturers, body- and trailer builders, SARDA (South African Refrigerated Distribution Association) has published a comprehensive guide outlining crucial factors to consider when choosing a mobile fridge unit for particular operating conditions. The guide includes a wide range of fridge models offered by the four brands under the headings of;
The suggested factors to consider include:
Refrigeration capacity - includes heat load calculation for the application. Factors include vehicle body insulation, ageing and various operating aspects such as ambient temperature, operating hours, etc.
Performance factors - verification of rated capacity according to international standards. ATP standards are deemed to be a good benchmark.
Air volume and air throw - the volume of air circulated by the evaporator and the amount of air that reaches the rear of the box.
Mass of the unit.
Compressor drive - truck driven, diesel engine driven, belt drive, electric, etc.
Operating hours - between services.
Warranty.
Refrigerant - type used, environmentally friendly, compliance with Montreal Protocol or global warning legislation.
Estimated resale value.
Operating cost estimate.
Pricing of replacement parts - based on a basket comparing two makes.
The detail appeared in The Cold Link" (May/June 2007 issue) - email
jasac@iafrica.com
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Suppliers of refrigeration
units need to include comprehensive support and service guarantees
if they want to attract and keep customers.