News from Schmitz Cargobull: A Scottish scallop fishery has taken delivery of its first ever Schmitz Cargobull rigid reefer, after finding the German manufacturer could supply a custom-built body, assembled by West Midlands-based Bevan Group, within just eight weeks.
Robert Scott, Transport Manager at Kirkcudbright-based West Coast Sea Products, says, “We asked our usual supplier for a build slot, but they told us that there would be a delay in getting a new vehicle and we didn’t want to wait.
“We then found out that Schmitz Cargobull also manufactures rigid reefers – and they were able to build the body and have it fitted here in the UK in ultra-quick time. It was exactly what we were looking for, and at a competitive price.”
The Schmitz Cargobull M.KO COOL body is mounted to a 26-tonne DAF 6×2 rigid, replacing a vehicle which has been on the fleet for a decade. Fully customisable, it features a movable bulkhead with expanding seals and gas strut assistance. This allows the load space to be divided into two compartments, giving West Coast Sea Products the ability to transport both fresh and frozen scallops at the same time, across the UK.
The body was assembled at Bevan’s production facility in Oldbury using designs, components and materials supplied by Schmitz Cargobull. The body benefits from a bolted and galvanised sub-frame and comes equipped with two drains and taps to quickly and easily clear water from the body.
In common with Schmitz Cargobull refrigerated trailers, the M.KO benefits from high-performance Ferroplast panels, featuring a quality expanded, closed cell, polyurethane foam which is housed between steel skins – ensuring completely vapour diffusion-tight surfaces which are energy efficient, hygienic and age-resistant.
West Coast Sea Products operates a transport fleet of two artics and one rigid, plus a fishing fleet of four boats. The firm catches King and Queen scallops from around the UK, primarily fishing in the Irish Sea but also from locations as far afield as the waters off Cornwall. West Coast Sea Products handles its own direct distribution in the UK and also transports goods to depots in Glasgow for international export.
Whilst Schmitz Cargobull is best known in the UK for its refrigerated trailers, Bevan’s expertise is in the manufacture of dry freight bodywork.
