The New Transport Year

The specific impacts of the pandemic and brexit on transport and distribution have seen business across the UK and Europe (and beyond) facing driver shortages, fuel crises and self-isolation requirements.

The Transport team at Robinson Manufacturing (RML), responsible for the company’s own in-house delivery fleet, has worked hard throughout the last two years to minimise the impact of these challenges on the business and its customers wherever possible.

Our HGV drivers have understood that a long-term position with a growing RML offers them job security for the future, and with flexibility from both the business and our team around covid related issues, we have come through the worst of the crisis in good shape. Transport Manager Chris Alldread commented: “It’s been a tough couple of years for anyone with transport responsibilities and I’d like to thank each and every one of our driving team for their ongoing professionalism and commitment which continues to enable us to deliver.”

Looking ahead to the new year, our transport team are prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. A number of new vehicles and trailers are on order; these will play a crucial part in deliveries to customer sites as demand continues to increase. The vehicles we have ordered are:

• Two new 26 tonne rigid vehicles, with a 9-meter bed with removable posts to secure trusses and joists. The rigid fleet is also useful for timber frame deliveries when the posts are removed.
• A new MAN TGX510 6×2 44 tonne tractor unit for hauling the company’s trailer fleet.
• Six new step-frame truss trailers, some of which are replacements for older equipment, others to allow our transport fleet to operate more effectively.

The new MAN tractor unit will be assigned to one of our seasoned drivers Ben Massey a.k.a. ‘Lofty’, and this is what he had to say:

“I am very pleased and excited about the new tractor unit. It’s going to be a much more comfortable drive as it will be more spacious than the lorry I drive now, so it’ll make improve my working life as I move between the different RML sites.”