Six years after supplying them with their first fridge trailers, TIP Trailer Services is now regarded as the preferred trailer supplier for logistics and supply chain specialists Gist Ltd. Recently, TIP has completed its latest deal with Gist for 50 reefer trailers, all based on Schmitz trailer chassis with Thermo King transport refrigeration systems.
The core fleet size at Gist is now significant in numbers and since 2014, they have added many replacement trailers through TIP, generally on long term agreements. The latest 50 trailer fleet additions means that TIP now has over 400 trailers on rent with Gist, representing the strength of this long-term relationship between the two companies.
Commenting on this latest deal, Mike Furnival, managing director, TIP Trailer Services, UK&I said, “When we first started working with Gist back in 2014, initially as a peak season reefer supplier, it was the start of what has now become a really strong partnership. In that time TIP and Gist have developed a very positive working relationship to the extent that TIP now supplies all Gist’s new trailers on various leasing agreements.”
The 50 new Schmitz 13.4 m trailers are all single compartment, refrigerated trailers with Thermo King SLXi-200 refrigeration systems that were fitted online at the Schmitz factory in Germany. TIP is supporting both the trailers and the TK fridge systems through long-term contract maintenance programmes, working alongside TK dealer Marshall Fleet Solutions on fridge maintenance for the duration of the Gist contract.
All the new Gist trailers were liveried by TIP at its north-west depot in Manchester.
“We currently use TIP for leasing new build trailers as well as for both short and long-term reefer rental for the Christmas peak times, with our trailer fleet covering single and double deck trailers for both fridge and ambient applications. The strength of TIP as a company is that they have been totally flexible in their dealings with us as a customer, always bringing new ideas to the table,” said Lee Costen, operations controller, Temperature Controlled Logistics, Gist Ltd.
One of the key things about this latest deal is that the Schmitz trailer specification includes many new safety features that have been adapted specifically for Gist’s dedicated operational requirements.
Lee continues, “Over the last six years, we have found that TIP’s business culture is totally aligned with ours at all levels. The way they deal with us as a customer has become increasingly important. At Gist, we have a strong cultural identity, and it is important that our suppliers match these ideals, and this is certainly the case with TIP. As a result, we have now developed a strong long-term, well-established partnership for the future, which is how we envisaged it going 6 years ago.”