Bibby Distribution is beefing up its tanker division with a £1.2 million investment in 18 new tanker trailers which will support its extensive operations in food ingredient logistics.
The new tankers, manufactured by Vanhool in response to a custom brief from Bibby Distribution’s fleet technical team, will initially be used to deliver glucose and starches to major confectionary brands. The trailers replace existing assets and have been designed with maximum flexibility in mind, to provide a firm foundation for future operations.
Gayle Daubney, General Manager – Tankers, Bibby Distribution, says: “When we looked to take on new tankers, we wanted to make sure that what we got was the latest technology with the highest levels of flexibility and performance. Our custom specification means that not only can we serve our existing customers, but also transport almost any liquid food product across the country, quickly, safely and economically.”
Each tanker incorporates both heating coils and refrigeration to allow maximum flexibility, and can potentially carry up to 34,000 litres of products, including juice, milk or chocolate – enough to make more than half a million standard-sized chocolate bars.
Uniquely on the market, the tank has been designed so that the barrel wall of the lower third is thicker, increasing strength and durability, particularly important around the leg and axle mounting points.
The design also includes a variety of cost-conscious features, such as high quality Johnson cargo pumps, a stainless steel chassis and advanced insulation – all of which mean each tanker will reduce its fuel consumption and have lower maintenance requirements, offering cost-effective food ingredient transportation.
Daubney says: “We believe it’s vital to keep costs as low as possible, whilst matching that with the highest level of reliability. We’ve several major national customers which have placed their trust in our capabilities for many years and we aim to not only maintain that level of service, but also provide other suppliers with a cost-effective and quality ingredient delivery service.”
Bibby Distribution has also specified a number of additional features designed to keep staff safe when operating the tankers. A series of brake interlocks prevent the tanker being driven away when venting or when the handrails are raised. Meanwhile, the top of the tank is protected by a full-width walkway and fully enclosed handrails for safe topside operations, such as maintenance and cleaning.
Bibby Distribution’s tanker division operates a fleet of 200 assets providing national delivery of food grade liquids, including chocolate, oil, juice and milk.
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Notes to editors:
As one of the top ten logistics providers in the UK, Bibby Distribution exists to enable other companies to drive value from their supply chain activities. The company specialises in providing contract logistics, warehousing, distribution, systems integration and added value services to a wide range of customers.
Bibby Distribution operates from 90 locations across the UK, employs 2,500 people and manages 2million ft² of warehousing space.
The majority of Bibby Distribution’s business is based on long-term partnerships. Its diverse capability also means it can share best practice across the various industry sectors it operates in, from Automotive to FMCG.
Bibby Distribution is part of Bibby Line Group (BLG), a diverse and forward-looking family business with over 200 years’ experience of providing personal, responsive and flexible customer solutions. BLG is a £1.7bn business, operating in more than 20 countries, employing 6,500 people in industries including retail, offshore, finance, distribution, shipping, marine based businesses, plant hire and woodland burials.
Bibby Distribution, Head office, 105 Duke Street, Liverpool, L1 5JQ.
