Gray & Adams has worked with key customer, Waitrose on a long-term basis to provide trailers and rigid bodies to their fleet.
Waitrose approached Gray & Adams to supply them with 18 gas-powered rigid body vehicles as new additions to their fleet.
Waitrose currently operate a mixed fleet of refrigerated trailers and rigid bodies, mostly built by Gray & Adams to service their stores and customers. With central London mostly accommodating smaller stores and traffic restrictions, 18T rigid bodies are the most appropriate vehicle option for deliveries in these locations.
Due to Waitrose’s deep commitment to sustainability and reducing CO2 throughout their business, the requirement was for the rigids to be built incorporating gas-powered trucks from Scania and electric fridges.
Using a collaborative approach, Gray & Adams worked with suppliers and Waitrose to create a specification that met their needs. The combination of gas-powered trucks and electric fridges means that the vehicles are much quieter and produce 80% less CO2 than a standard diesel rigid with a diesel-powered fridge. This reduction in CO2 and noise pollution has meant that the Gray & Adams rigids are popular with the general public as well as the drivers.
Over the life of the vehicles, Waitrose expect to see some significant cost savings compared to fuelling and maintaining a traditional diesel-powered option which will provide ongoing commercial benefits.
