UK-based operator, Lockwood Group, has taken delivery of 50 new S.CS FIXED ROOF semi-trailers to support its growth strategy.
The curtainsiders – which were built at Schmitz Cargobull’s production facility in Manchester – will be used for general haulage duties across the UK.
Jason Lockwood, Group Operations Director at Lockwood Group, said the lightweight build of these curtainsiders will help payload.
“We are keen to try out the disc brakes on these new additions, too, which we had heard very good things about in comparison to the drum brakes that we have on our existing trailer fleet,” he said.
Supplied by Aaron Howarth, Area Sales Manager East Midlands at Schmitz Cargobull, the new S.CS FIXED ROOF semi-trailers are built on the manufacturer’s fully galvanised MODULOS chassis, which comes with a 10-year warranty against rust-through. They also have ROTOS axles that are covered by a 1,000,000km or six-year warranty, whichever comes first.
Each new trailer features an XL load securing side curtain with standard anti-theft protection and a Schmitz Cargobull aluminium roof, allowing a side loading height of up to 3,100mm. Load security is enhanced further, with each body complying with EN 12642-XL specification – the highest level of load protection available.
“The build quality is very impressive and the level of service we have received from the whole team at Schmitz Cargobull has been first-class from start to finish,” said Lockwood.
“The lead time was excellent and the fact that they are manufactured in the UK worked really well from a sustainability perspective. We do a lot of collections in Manchester, so we were able to send drivers up in an uncoupled tractor unit, collect a trailer and make a collection on the way back.”
Schmitz Cargobull’s TrailerConnect telematics is fitted to the S.CS FIXED ROOF as standard, providing 24/7 monitoring of the trailer’s exact location, plus other important data including tyre mileage, speed and axle load. An Electronic Brake Performance Monitoring System is included as part of the package, allowing the Lockwood Group to utilise permanent monitoring of the braking performance of both the truck and trailer.
This allows the user to identify potential problems early, helping to prevent accidents and reducing any downtime related costs. The technology also provides detailed brake performance reports that are available 24/7 via the TrailerConnect telematics portal.
Family-run Lockwood Haulage was established in 1965, by father and son Frank and Doug Lockwood. Today, the Lockwood Group is a multi-depot operation – with its headquarters in Ambergate, Derbyshire – comprising several different businesses, employing more than 200 people and operating a commercial vehicle fleet of 150 trucks and 350 trailers.
Meanwhile, Furgo-Trayler is adding 25 Schmitz Cargobull EcoDuo combinations to its fleet.
In other news, the trailer builder was awarded for sustainability.