Hermes has strengthened its fleet of vehicles by acquiring 32 bespoke double-decker trailers that will provide extra capacity to reduce the number of miles Hermes drivers travel by up to 1.5 million a year.
The new trailers – tailored to Hermes’ exact requirements by Don-Bur – hold 33% more than a standard model and 12% more than the existing double-decker trailers currently used by the company.
The bespoke design incorporates an aluminum roof with LED lighting instead of a traditional plastic top panel, which can typically crack and lead to higher internal temperatures. Instead of being formed of plywood and thin plastic, which can be easily punctured, the new side panels are constructed from a high-density polythene (HDPE) foam core, a hot dipped galvanization steel skin, and polyester baked paint. Hermes has opted for this specification to guarantee the safe and secure transportation of parcels, while ensuring the durable panels maintain a fresh and new look for longer.
The trailers will be operating out of Hermes’ fully automated hubs in Warrington and Rugby in the UK and have also been designed to be ferry-safe, which means they don’t need to have a tractor unit attached to them on a ferry for stability.
Jon Ormond, operations director – hubs and depots at Hermes, said, “After extensive research exploring the best type of trailer for a number of our most traveled routes, we opted to modernize our fleet with a bespoke model from Don-Bur, the leader in this field. Our team worked closely with theirs in true partnership and the result is leading-edge designed trailers with unrivaled safety features, that look fantastic on the roads.
“This important investment highlights our commitment to operational efficiency, as well as prioritizing the security and safety of the parcels we carry.”
Hermes will be exhibiting at this year’s Parcel+Post Expo at booth 1455.