Dennison launches fuel saving trailer at the Multimodal show

Leading trailer maker Dennison will be exhibiting a new, fuel saving gooseneck multi-function skeletal, specially designed for UK operators, at this year’s Multimodal 2012 show.
Designed to work at 1200mm to 1250mm fifth wheel height, it will carry a 40ft, high cube container while keeping under 4.1m (13ft 6ins) overall height.
This lower profile not only improves fuel consumption, it also allows access through low bridges.
And for complete flexibility of operation, the trailer splits so that it can carry two 20 ft boxes which can be unloaded at same time.  It will also carry a heavy 20 ft in the centre, a 30 ft or alternatively a 45 ft.
Dennison believes the newcomer will find favour with operators looking to cut their fuel bills while maintaining the capability to carry the maximum sized containers.

For nearly fifty years Dennison has been manufacturing high quality trailers designed to meet and even exceed the needs of the most demanding customers.  It is now the number one choice for UK rental fleets, as well as discerning operators looking for the very best in trailer design.

Today, Dennison Trailers, with its modern manufacturing facilities in Naas, Ireland and Lancaster in the UK, is acknowledged as one of the major players in commercial trailer manufacture.  The company offers a broad range of market leading, innovative and superbly engineered products, which are second to none.

Dennison has a passion for engineering excellence, continuous product development and simply unbeatable customer service – and it shows. Under pinning each and every trailer is the renowned Dennison chassis - the culmination of nearly five decades of design and manufacturing expertise and experience.

Dennison is on stand 854 at the Multimodal show, which is being held at the NEC in Birmingham from the 1-3 May. 

Leading Scottish haulier chooses Dennison – again!

One of Scotland’s largest family-owned haulage companies, John Mitchell Haulage and Warehousing, has just taken delivery of 52 Dennison sliding skeletal trailers.

They are replacements for existing Dennisons, maintaining the company’s skeletal fleet level at 160 and their purchase reaffirms John Mitchell’s satisfaction with Dennison products. 

Operating throughout Scotland and the North of England, John Mitchell works closely with a number of worldwide shipping companies and international freight forwarders, in addition to blue chip corporations and UK-based private businesses.

Commenting on the new acquisitions, Managing Director Iain Mitchell said:

“We’ve built our business on Dennison trailers for over 15 years now and we’re delighted to be replacing our original Dennison products, which have given sterling service, with this new batch of sliding skeletals.

“The engineering which goes into every Dennison trailer is superb and they have proved to be extremely reliable in service.   Over the years we have built an excellent relationship with Dennison too and their service and parts back-up is second to none.” 

The new trailers, which will be clocking up around 120,000km a year, are fitted with BPW Eco Plus axles with drum brakes and Bridgestone tyres. In addition they are equipped to full ADR specification which includes a fire extinguisher, wheel chocks, Hazchem plates, earth probe and ADR electrics.  

The paintwork and John Mitchell livery were applied on line by Dennison and the standard warranty includes five years for the paint.

John Mitchell Haulage and Warehousing was established in 1956 and has grown to become one of the leading road haulage companies in Scotland. It offers a full range of transport services from its fifteen acre Grangemouth headquarters which includes general haulage, container movements and bulk freight transport.  

The company’s on-site container store can hold up to 2,000 shipping containers at any given time and a modern 30,000 sq ft, high bay pallet rack warehouse offers secure storage for a vast range of goods.

NJS Traction

Owner-driver Nick Smith of NJS Traction, like every other operator, is painfully aware that the cost of diesel is far and away his biggest single operating expense.

And with the price of the ‘liquid gold’ rising inexorably, saving fuel has never been more important.

It’s no wonder then that Nick was delighted to discover his six year old Mercedes Actros 2546 gives him an extra quarter of a mile to the gallon when hitched to his new Dennison skeletal trailer.

Although this might seem a modest improvement, and it is early days yet, based on his annual mileage Nick reckons could save himself up to £1,800 at pump prices over a full year.
Nick is confident his calculations are accurate as he monitored his fuel consumption carefully during the months of July and August last year, when he was still using his old trailer, and did the same again this year with the new one.

He points out that he was the only driver both times and that he was doing exactly the same type of work, on virtually identical journeys.

And when it comes to meticulous monitoring, Nick’s credentials are impeccable.   In a former life, while he was serving in the army, he was involved with the stringent testing of the Challenger Main Battle tank (MBT) at the Chobham proving ground.

So just how does Nick’s new trailer reduce consumption? The sliding bogie gooseneck skelly is basically one Dennison designed for European operation to keep below 4m height limits.  Nick realised that with a few subtle modifications it would be ideal for his UK-only container work and by reducing the overall height he was sure it would save him money.

Nick liaised closely with Dennison’s to ensure the new trailer would fit his requirements exactly.   The result is a flexible and versatile unit which can carry one 40ft HC (High Cube) Tunnel container, one 40ft non-tunnel, one 20ft centrally mounted with rear discharge or two 20ft containers.  It also allows him to get under a 13ft 7in bridge with a high cube box on.

The trailer is equipped with BPW 22.5 disc brakes and has automatic front and rear lift to save tyre wear.   It also has Knorr Bremse EBS with roll stability and 385/55R22.5 low profile tyres.
Variable twist-lock positioning allows for differing heights depending on the length and type of container carried.

Nick says that the height could be reduced by a further 90mm if he modified his tractor with a lowered fifth wheel and cut-away mud guards.

Although he doesn’t think this will lead to any further substantial fuel consumption improvements he believes it can do nothing but help.

Dennison block carrier proves a winner for Besblock on payload
and maneuverability

When James Dennison, md of Dennison Trailers, dropped in on Telford building block manufacturers Besblock, little did he know he would come away with an order for a bespoke trailer.

James was visiting a customer nearby and decided to pay a visit to Besblock on the off chance to see if they needed any new trailers.  By coincidence the company was looking for an additional block carrier and thought James had called to discuss their requirements!
The result was an order for a tailor-made, rear steer, tri-axle trailer, designed to meet Besblock’s specific needs.

“We thought James was responding to our enquiry,” says Besblock Director Andrew Huxley.  “We had called a number of trailer makers but none seemed interested.  One even told us it wasn’t worth their while to design and build a one off for us!  James however listened to us and promised to come up with a trailer which would fit the bill, so we placed the order there and then.”

That decision has proved to be a winner for Besblock, as the new trailer allows the company to carry an extra pack of 90 blocks per load.  And when you are making and delivering 60,000 blocks a day this extra payload gain is very important.

Despite carrying 20 packs of blocks each weighing around 1.4 tonnes, compared with 19 on a normal block trailer, and being fitted with a crane, the new Dennison still has a quarter tonne of spare capacity.

Besblock’s plant and equipment manager, Toby Johnson, is delighted with the newcomer, as is driver John Lote.

“We operate six eight wheelers and six tractor units with five block carrier and four tipping semi-trailers,” says Toby. “The new trailer not only carries more, it can get into places which the eight leggers often struggle to access. The Dennison with its twin Tridec steer system fitted to the rear two axles, along with its front lifting axle, dramatically improves maneuverability”
John Lote agrees: “I often arrive on site to be told ‘you won’t get that in there’, but the Dennison set-up makes short shrift of virtually every situation.”

Besblock, which was founded in 1972 by Andrew’s father John, has gone from strength to strength and now has two manufacturing sites on the Heslop Halesfield Industrial Estate near Telford.  These plants between them produce a staggering 20 million blocks each year which have to be distributed throughout the Midlands, the South and parts of London.
To maintain its punishing delivery schedule, Besblock naturally relies on its vehicles and the new Dennison is more than proving its worth.

“We have had no problems whatsoever with the trailer,” says Andrew Huxley.  “It does all and more that we demand from it and is proving to be totally reliable.  We monitor fuel consumption as part of the Volvo Dynafleet programme and although it is early days yet, we believe the Volvo FH 480 tractor unit/Dennison combination is achieving better results already.”

The Volvo and ERF tractor units in the Besblock fleet, along with their trailers, clock up around 100,000 miles a year, and often have to contend with some tough terrain on site.  The new Dennison block carrier takes it all in its stride and is proving to be an excellent investment, all thanks to a chance meeting!

Goldstar fleet expands with Dennison

Fast-growing container haulier Goldstar is taking delivery of 156 Dennison slidingbogie skeletal semi-trailers to augment its fleet and replace a number of its older trailers.

Since it was set up in 1998 with just four vehicles, the Felixstowe-based company has really taken off and now boasts a fleet of 260 tractor units and 300 trailers.

Goldstar’s impressive growth has been largely organic, but the acquisition of Leggett’s Transport a year ago boosted the fleet by around 40 trucks and 60 trailers. It also gave the company another operating base at Woolpit near Bury St Edmunds.

Unlike the company’s tractor units, which are sourced from a number of manufacturers, all the trailers in the fleet are Dennisons.

Goldstar Director Simon Day explained why:

“Over the years we have forged a great partnership with Dennison and have found the company to be very responsive to all our needs. In today’s highly competitive environment being able to rely on your suppliers is crucial.

“As far as we are concerned Dennison trailers are perfect for the work we do. They are tough, reliable and the back-up support is terrific, which makes our job so much easier. We know that with Dennison, trailers are one less thing that we have to worry about.”

The new trailers are fitted out to Goldstar’s specification with BPW ECO Plus 2 axles
with drum brakes.

The chassis, which are finished in hard-wearing PPG Paint two pack epoxy primer and top coat, come with Knorr Bremse EBS and raise and lower facility. There is a push pull valve for air operated chassis locking pins and a valve that raises the suspension when reverse is selected to avoid damage to mudflaps and mudguards.

The unladen weight of the trailers is a competitive 4,800 kgs.

Dennison unveils state-of-the-art parts website

Leading trailer maker Dennison has launched a parts ordering website which it believes marks a first for the trailer industry. 
This unique site, www.trailerfastparts.com, allows operators to access a huge range of components and equipment for Dennison trailers as well as for other makes of trailer.
Using a minimum of clicks and by means of accurate descriptions, images and exploded diagrams, visitors to the site can quickly identify the parts they need and reserve them online.
The site has been specially constructed to make it extremely user friendly and it contains every part Dennison holds in stock or is able to supply.
Navigation is simplicity itself and a search box allows visitors to check for availability even if they don’t know the correct name or the precise part required.
For example, typing in ‘axles’ brings up a list of all the axle suppliers used by Dennison and the user can then identify the specific axle in question.   Illustrations and exploded diagrams then allow the exact part to be selected.
“We are very conscious that our customers have been experiencing some of the toughest trading conditions in living memory”, said Dennison’s managing director, James Dennison.
 “Trailerfastparts.com has been designed to give operators quick and easy access to parts and equipment to keep their trailers where they should be – on the road, earning revenue.”
“We are determined to help these  hard pressed operators get through these uncertain times by continuing to offer the very best quality products at the keenest prices, all backed by a level of service which is second to none.
For 45 years Dennison has been manufacturing high quality trailers designed to meet and even exceed the needs of the most demanding operators.
Today, Dennison Trailers is acknowledged as being one of the major players in commercial trailer manufacture, offering a wide range of market leading, innovative and superbly engineered products.
And trailerfastparts.com further reinforces Dennison’s commitment to providing operators with the best possible back-up service.

Dennison launches new double decker

Dennison Trailers has introduced a brand new double deck curtainsider trailer complete with a fuel-efficient sloping roof. The newcomer has an overall height of 4.820mm and the top deck has 1435mm access through the side while the lower deck has 2140mm.

Incorporating a secondary deck allows an extra 18 pallets to be loaded. The lower fixed deck is solid while the upper deck comes with a galvanised mesh floor to aid visibility from the ground.
To the rear barn doors are fitted with double locking gear.
The trailer features ROR axles and suspension fitted with Goodyear 245/70 x 19.5 tyres, Haldex EBS and a Colas raise and lower valve The trailer tips the scales at a very competitive 9180 kgs unladen.



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Ten new Dennison trailers for Toner

Rathcoole, Co Dublin-based Toner Transport and Logistics has taken delivery of 10 new Dennison pillarless curtainsider trailers to service its Smurfit Kappa contract.

The new trailers are being used to deliver packaging material throughout the 32 counties of Ireland from Cork and Dublin and each is expected to clock up well over 100,000km a year.

Toner is no stranger to Dennison; over the last 10 years the company has bought over 100 Dennison trailers and has been very satisfied with their performance.

“We have built up an excellent working relationship with Dennison over the years,” says Managing Director Jim Toner. “They understand our needs and couldn’t be more helpful, whether we are buying new trailers or just need parts.

“The new trailers are all pillarless curtainsiders.  We opted for this design primarily for safety and operational reasons. The lack of spring-loaded pillars makes loading and unloading simpler and less hazardous and also speeds up turnaround times. And equally importantly, our customers like them too,” says Jim.

Among other things, the new 4.4m high trailers feature BPW big drum brakes, Rubbolite lights and Dunlop Tyres.

Third generation Toner Transport and Logistics, which will celebrate its 75th anniversary next year, employs 60 staff and operates 50 mainly Volvo and Scania trucks as well as 120 trailers.  And although, like every other haulier, business has been tough for Toner as a result of the worldwide recession, Jim Toner is up-beat about the future.

“We’ve been around a long time now and our customers have come to appreciate the quality of service we offer.  Our company fleet is equipped throughout with satellite tracking and mobile phones, allowing continuous updates on driver progress and precise delivery times. We also provide our customers with proof of delivery by e-mail using the El Trax scanning system. 

“These innovations, along with our Dennison trailers, help us to consistently deliver the highest possible level of service which our customers rightly expect.” 
 

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Master quilt and pillow maker Fogarty has taken delivery of three Dennison curtainsider trailers

Each covering around 100,000 km year, the trailers work delivering into Fogarty customers’ DCs in the Midlands and Scotland and back loading raw materials to its site in Boston. Fogarty also operates a twice weekly service into Northern Ireland then reloading in Southern Ireland with polyester fibre used to make its duvets.

“We started using Dennison from other haulier’s recommendations and then found the staff very helpful to deal with; nothing has been too much trouble.” says Fogarty’s Paul Painton.

“We also bought a sliding skeletal trailer recently and have another one on order.

“The curtainside trailers are standard and we specified the height of 4.5m to give us an internal loading height of 3m. We have operated higher trailers before but found the extra height internally not usable and the running height proved difficult on the road, especially in Ireland.

“Overall the trailers are well built and really good quality and the curtains, which were designed with our product range printed on, came out really well. “The trailers are performing well, they were put straight to work and we have had absolutely no problems to date.” 

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Deben Transport orders 100 new trailers

Felixstowe & Southampton based Deben Transport has placed an order with Dennison Trailers for 100 new trailers.  The mix of trailers is comprised of 80 Sliding Bogie Skeletals & 20 Gooseneck 40’ Fixed Skeletal.

The trailers have been specified with ROR Running Gear, Jost Landing
Legs, Haldex Generation 2 EBS, Aspcok Lighting & Bridgestone Tryes.

Having dealt with Deben Transport for 15 years Dennison Trailers was delighted  to win the order which underscores Dennison’s dominant strength within the container Transport sector.

Delivery of the new trailers will commence in February through to end of March 2009.

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Dennison Trailers Certified ISO 9001

Dennison Trailers gained ISO 9001:2000 accreditation in July 2008 in design, manufacturing, sales and distribution of heavy commercial trailers.

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Seeing the wood and the trees

On the demanding forest tracks of southern Scotland and northern England, Dumfries timber haulier John Miller Transport relies on Dennison skeletal semi-trailers to deliver the goods.
Its 55 strong complement of tractor units pulls a fleet of around 70 trailers and in a normal day’s work around 20 own account operators are usually called upon to help with work volumes.
John Miller has no complaints at all about its decision to purchase Dennison trailers and feedback suggests they’re performing very well indeed, coping the rigours of this tough and demanding industry sector which operates in all weathers.
“Dennison trailer chassis are well known for their strength and durability and they have certainly proved themselves on our kind or work. We use them in some of the harshest conditions around – muddy, rutted, unmade tracks and some of the worst weather in the UK,” said John Miller Transport Director John Hunter.
“We get first rate service from the Dennison timber skellies and their light weight means they have an excellent payload capacity.”
The rear sliding bolster helps keep the on-board Loglift crane working well within its safe limits, when loading or unloading and this moving unit also assists when full of logs, by closing the gaps between the ‘bunks’ (round timber bunches) before they are secured by retaining straps.
John Miller specifies BPW axles with drum brakes for their robust, top quality Dennison chassis, which are additionally fitted with Exte bolsters and Loadmaster on-board weighers.
Dennison Trailers is the UK’s leading skeletal trailer maker by far, with a range of models available to suit every application, each one designed to meet the exacting demands of operators.
And Dennison’s FastParts spares operation helps reduce downtime thus keeping all Dennison trailers on the road, where they belong

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Staff News

Congratulations to Aiden Kinsella in being appointed Chief executive for the group from the 1st week in January, taking over from Shay O'Connor who has retired at the end off 2009 after 10 loyal years with the company, and who has given the company great service in his time at Dennison's as Chief Executive. We would like to thank Shay for all his efforts over the last
ten years and wish him and his family all the best for the future.