Primark’s trailer fleet hits the road in record time
8th June 2022
When its previous 3PL partnership came to an end, leading international retailer, Primark, faced the challenge of specifying, procuring, and commissioning an all-new fleet of tractors and trailers on the road within just a few months to maintain the efficiency of its supply chain – and Tiger Trailers rose to this challenge in partnership with Wincanton, and wrapping support from Finch Signs.
As part of the tender process, the 3PL contract for Primark was won by Wincanton, the largest road transport provider in the UK, while Tiger Trailers was able to design, manufacture and release 40 articulated box van trailers for Primark within just three months – an impressive move against the current global backdrop of long lead times and supply chain challenges.
Primark’s Network Transport Manager, Ant Franks, lead the project and secured the mobilisation of the company’s all-new trailer fleet, working closely with Tiger Trailers’ Business Development Director, Stephen Pollock.
Franks comments: “We are pleased to partner with Tiger Trailers and Wincanton to support our significant UK logistics operation. Working together, we maintained service throughout our UK network while bringing in this new fleet in a timely manner, in difficult market conditions, to allow a seamless transition in providers. Thanks to everyone at Tiger, Wincanton and Finch who helped to make this happen.”
To enable Primark’s first batch of new trailers to get to work by February 2022, just a few months after its first contact with Tiger, the Cheshire-based manufacturer’s production teams and lines worked tirelessly, helped by its nightshift operation which has now been running for over a year. The livery was applied by Finch Signs, a business local to Primark’s Islip distribution centre.
Pollock says: “It’s been an absolute pleasure to work closely with Ant and the teams at Primark and Wincanton in delivering their expediently required assets in record time. We’re proud of the forty initial box vans Tiger has manufactured and we’re excited about continuing to support Primark for many years to come, starting with the next batches of trailers ordered for later this year and into 2023. Thanks again to Primark for choosing Tiger after recognising our customer-led ethos, efficient production capabilities, and attractive lead times.”
The international retailer’s new straight-frame box vans are comprised twin and tri-axle guises and are fitted with tail-lifts incorporating hinged rear and side ramps, various LED lights to enhance safety, and Michelin X Line Energy tyres with environmental, fuel efficiency and fleet management aims in mind.
Following Primark’s initial order of forty Tiger Trailers box vans, the retailer has placed orders for over forty additional trailers, scheduled for manufacture during Q4 2022 into Q1 2023, which include over a dozen retail moving deck double decks and a number of specialist trailers such as LSTs.
Primark currently serves its UK store network from two distribution centres and a number of out bases, with its newest depot based in Islip, Northamptonshire, which has 1.1 million sq ft of space and is where Primark’s new Tiger trailer fleet and tractors are a familiar sight, including the ten environmentally friendly Iveco Stralis NP 460 bio-liquified natural gas trucks it operates, with Primark Cares liveries.