UK biscuit manufacturer United Biscuits (UB) is adding 62 new longer trailers to its fleet in a move it hopes will reduce its carbon emissions and improve operation efficiency.
The new trailers are 15.65 m long – 2 m longer than standard existing trailers – and can carry 60 pallets of biscuits instead of the previous 52 pallets. By carrying larger loads, the trailers are expected to save 450,000 truck miles on UK roads each year, and reduce carbon emissions by 618 tonnes over the same period.
UB will operate the trailers under a special licence as part of a 10-year Department for Transport trial.
The trailers are based at the biscuit firm’s National Distribution Centre in Leicestershire. They will regularly depart with 60 pallets of biscuit varieties to be delivered to customers, and return fully loaded with biscuits and cake from one of UB’s factories – reducing empty miles.
“These liveried trailers will make our company more efficient and more sustainable, and in a way that supports our major marketing campaign,” said Kevin McGurk, UB’s group supply chain director.
