The installation of a Transdek double deck lift at their Belfast DC has helped Tesco save 50,000 road miles and reduced the environmental impact of deliveries to Northern Ireland.
Transdek began working with Tesco in response to the retail giant’s wish to use double deck trailers for deliveries to their Belfast DC from the mainland, with the aim to reduce transport costs and, at the same time, cut CO2 emissions.
Up until that point, Tesco had been relying on single-deck trailers and the limited use of powered double deck trailers on this delivery run. The heavy weight of the powered double deck trailers restricted their payload by 5 tonnes, making them unsuited for mixed grocery deliveries.
In response to this, Transdek installed a 12-cage double deck lift at the Tesco distribution hub in Belfast which enabled Tesco’s fleet of fixed double-deck trailers to begin making deliveries. Tesco’s fixed double deckers carry up to 26 tonnes payload, compared to the average 16 tonnes transported by single deck vehicles.
Transdek’s lift took just one day to install, no civil engineering works were required and there was minimal disruption to the ongoing operations on site. The extended lift stroke on Transdek’s units, which can reach from ground level to 3 metres, was of particular benefit to Tesco. This enables the Belfast depot to accept deliveries from any type of double deck trailer, including Tesco’s powered double deck trailers and Continental-style double deckers, with lower floor heights of 400mm and 200mm respectively.
Transdek lifts feature internal floodlighting, traffic lights, dock seals, a hydraulic bridging plate and vehicle buffers as standard. In addition to all this and in response to Tesco’s specific requirements, wheel guides with adjustable wheel stops were also specially designed to prevent standard trailers from colliding with the lift house due to their longer rear overhang.
The end result of this highly successful project is that Tesco can now use fixed double deck trailers to deliver all product mixes to Northern Ireland and there has been a significant cost benefit as a result.
Following the installation of the double deck lift, one less delivery is required every day which results in an estimated saving of 50,000 road miles and a cut in CO2 emissions of around 61,000 kg each year.
Cost savings on this run not only include the reduced mileage and vehicle usage, but also the ferry tickets each way.
Transdek UK
James Adams
Tel: 01777 705958
E: james.adams@transdek.com
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