Gray & Adams News SPRING 2020
In This Issue - Gray & Adams recognised with Queen’s Award for Enterprise - Interview with Andy Hutchinson of Greggs - Castell Howell livery backs NHS
ISSUE 10 | SPRING 2020
Contents Message from the directors
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Gray & Adams recognised with prestigious Queens Award for Enterprise
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Gray & Adams proudly builds Chiltern Distribution’s 100th Trailer
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Message from the directors
Gray & Adams deliver added value to South Wales based food supplier, Beacon Foods 7 PML Rollerbed
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Rea Distribution take multi-temp trailer for pharma distribution
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Gray & Adams deliver to Moran Logistics
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Case study: Blue Cube PCS
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Case study: Henry Colbeck
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Today we find ourselves in unprecedented territory as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic. We would like to take this opportunity to thank our people, customers, partners and suppliers for their continued support during these challenging times. We have always shown resilience, and we will overcome these challenges by working together and with the commitment and ethos our business is renowned for. Our hope for this newsletter, is that it will spread positivity as we showcase some of our business, customer and team highlights over the past few months.
Case study: Greggs rear compression buffer system 13 Case study: Williamson Foodservice
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Bidfood UK bring their second-generation fully electric vehicle to London
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Castell Howell backs NHS
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Staff spotlight: Tom Taylor
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Customer interview: Andy Hutchison, Group Fleet Manager, Greggs
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As our customer commitment remains a key focus, in this edition we are honoured to feature industry leader, Andy Hutchison, Group Fleet Manager at Greggs. Industry collaboration and learning from the expertise of others is important for the success of our sector. The insight offered in this customer interview is hugely valuable for all.
Apprenticeship schemes 20 Indoor Bowls Council World Junior Championships 21 Scottish Ex-forces in Business Awards
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Supplier spotlight: John Adams Supplies
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Delivering value in a new dimension
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Reducing emissions with LSTs
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We think now, more than ever, it is important to celebrate our employees and their achievements and, as such, wanted to congratulate Ian Smith for his win at the Scottish Ex-forces in Business Awards 2019 (pg.19) and Bradley Buchan who won bronze in the men’s singles at the International Indoor Bowls Council World Junior Championships (pg.19).
Recycling initiatives 24 Driven to deliver for our communities
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We have launched our new industry-leading Gray & Adams website which we would encourage all employees and customers to visit at gray-adams.com. With interactive features which bring our products to life online for the first time, we believe this will lead the way in terms of customer engagement, better inform our customer-base of our products and services and set us apart from others in our sector.
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www.gray-adams.com
Our apprenticeship scheme has seen our latest group of trainees achieve their MA and SVQ Level 3 certificates (full list included on pg.18). Well done to all of you and we wish you a long and prosperous career at Gray & Adams. We are a family business, first and foremost. With the current challenges surrounding COVID-19, our people and their safety remain of utmost importance and all business decisions will be driven with this at the forefront. Our people work incredibly hard and their dedication to staying innovative and always looking for a better way is integral to the considerable success and growth we have achieved together. We would like to thank each of our team for their unwavering commitment to Gray & Adams and to our customers. Please take care of yourselves, your families, and stay safe. JAMES AND PETER GRAY JOINT MANAGING DIRECTORS
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At the forefront of innovation: Gray & Adams recognised with prestigious Queens Award for Enterprise Following the Royal visit by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales in 2017, Gray & Adams has received further Royal recognition. The company’s outstanding achievement in temperature-controlled vehicle design and manufacture has been recognised with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation for its double deck trailer design. Conceived in 1965, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious awards in UK business. Previous winners include Dyson, Jaguar Landrover and JCB. This year, 220 UK businesses have been recognised by the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise including 66 for innovation. Founded in 1957 in Fraserburgh by Jim Gray and Jim Adams, Gray & Adams has grown from humble beginnings to become the UK market leader in temperature-controlled manufacturing, with an annual turnover in excess of 150 million pounds and employing over 700 people across the Group. The company dominates the UK cold chain from farm to fork, and supplies double deck trailers to most major supermarkets, including Aldi, Asda, Co-op, Iceland, Sainsbury’s and Tesco, as well as blue-chip household brands like DPD, John Lewis Waitrose, M&S and Warburtons. Whatever you can buy in a supermarket, from fresh, chilled produce to frozen products and pharmaceuticals, the chances are it will have travelled in a Gray & Adams semi-trailer or rigid. Over the years, the company has won several awards for its
innovative and bespoke products that are extensively used in the UK and exported around the world. With over 60 years’ experience in manufacturing and working from its now world-class facility in Fraserburgh, Gray & Adams has a unique understanding of its customer’s needs and recognises the real commercial pressures in the UK cold chain supply. Having pioneered temperature-controlled lifting deck trailer technology in the nineties, the company continues to be at the cutting edge of technology, delivering practical commercial solutions for its customers, as well as understanding the impact of its activities on the environment. As an ever-growing driver in its industry, Gray & Adams ensures all of its products consider the environment in order to remain at the forefront of sustainable innovation to reduce the carbon footprint of its products. Raising the bar with lifting deck trailers Originally developed in the 1990’s and continuously evolving, the lifting deck semi-trailer is the most important single
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step forward in trailer design in the last 20 years. It enables customers to move large volumes of goods cost effectively and efficiently and contributes significantly to reducing vehicle mileage and Co2 emissions. These trailers will typically move 44 pallets as opposed to 26 pallets in a standard 13.6m semi-trailer. Gray & Adams have consistently improved the design of these awardwinning trailers to include multitemperature and urban delivery variants, bringing the same carbon-busting benefits to the high street. Automated loading systems Working with NewCold Logistics in 2019, Gray & Adams engineered a solution to facilitate auto loading operations in a temperature-controlled environment to ensure best quality produce and optimised efficiency with reduced loading times. The innovation was a first for the UK and the design, known as the Pod, enables loading in just seven minutes with full unload and reload taking less than 30 minutes in total.
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The temperature-controlled environment also means produce can be unloaded and left inside until loading is required, offering flexibility without compromising on quality. In 2020, working with global perishable cargo specialists, Perishable Movements Ltd (PML), Gray & Adams engineered another innovative first for the UK - a refrigerated trailer with an automated loading and unloading system. As PML’s cargo is held in air freight containers, the rollerbed method which transfers the cargo via a series of drive rollers that are built into the floor, is the only system available for use in this specialist area of the freight transport industry. With remote operation integral to the new and innovative design, the reefer trailer has been developed to allow safe and efficient operation where personnel are not able to access the interior of the
trailer throughout the loading process. Additionally, staff can accurately and safely control the speed of discharge from the control panel, and further engineering innovations have been built into the electronic and pneumatic controls to complement the refrigerated environment, ensuring maximum product performance and quality for years to come. Urban delivery In 2019, Gray and Adams worked in close partnership with both Reynolds and Electra Commercial Vehicles, to create an exciting new design for a zero carbon, electric urban trailer. The fully electric, sustainable trailer features a solar panel roof, nearside and offside doors, side scanning systems, Banksman lights and safety features such as hazard lights when deploying side steps. As this new vehicle is almost silent in operation, Reynolds
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can confidently deliver at night in built up areas with a much-reduced chance of disturbing the local communities they operate in. James and Peter Gray, Joint Managing Directors, commented, “In these challenging times, we very much hope the recognition this prestigious award brings will give a small amount of cheer and encouragement to our employees in the North East of Scotland, and across the UK. We are massively appreciative of our highly skilled engineering teams and our manufacturing operatives that allow us to produce our world-class products. We would also like to thank our very loyal customers and partners, without whose assistance and support we would be unable to enjoy such highly respected recognition.�
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Gray & Adams proudly builds Chiltern Distribution’s 100th trailer Having enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Chiltern since its inception in 1993, Gray & Adams was thrilled to be approached to build it’s 100th trailer. Chiltern Distribution specialises in innovative transport solutions for frozen, chilled and ambient distribution and has been providing expert logistics services to its customers for over 25 years. Chiltern Distribution’s Managing Director, Paul Jackson, said, “There was only ever going to be one trailer company to build our 100th trailer, and that’s Gray & Adams. As we’ve grown, Gray & Adams has always been there, consistently offering the best quality products in the business and a customer service that is second to none. In my experience, you absolutely get what you pay for in terms of quality and, at Chiltern Distribution we need that defined focus on quality, reliability and customer service excellence.
“Our partnership has been built on shared values, with quality being front and centre for both businesses. We’ve worked closely together on numerous rigids and trailers throughout the years and the Gray & Adams team always come up with innovation and added value solutions, whatever the product.”
Additionally, Chiltern’s ‘One Driver One Truck - One Trailer’ system (where possible) allows drivers to take pride in their fleet through their ownership of the trailer. The system gives them accountability and helps to ensure the care and condition of their vehicle for the duration of its service to the business.
This body builds on Chiltern’s exacting specifications for their fleet and adds several new features for their 100th trailer, including additional pallet protection, a newly designed rear buffer bar, aerodynamic features and cappings, a special 100th trailer livery, and many other additional aesthetic features to make this trailer extra special.
Paul continues, “With support from Peter Gray and many others at Gray & Adams, we are very proud to show off our 100th trailer. The driver who will take this trailer on, is absolutely delighted and can’t wait to get it on the road. We’re so pleased with our celebratory livery and, in fact, with every element of the process we’ve been through with Gray & Adams to ensure this trailer is a true celebration of the growth and success of our business.”
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Gray & Adams deliver added value to South Wales based food supplier, Beacon Foods Gray & Adams has delivered two 26-tonne and one 18-tonne truck to new customer, Beacon Foods in Brecon Beacons, South Wales via MAN trucks.
Beacon Foods supplies both raw, and prepared food ingredients to a varied customer base, spanning food manufacturers and food service providers across the UK and Europe. Supplying business-to-business foodservice companies, Beacon Foods require reliable, temperature-controlled vehicles to maintain the quality of the products it delivers. With requirements for multi-temperature dual compartments, Beacon Foods wanted strong boxes that could hold a high volume of product, whilst still being lightweight enough for efficient operations.
Gray & Adams specialises in bespoke builds and their innovative approach to design ensures customers reap multiple benefits from products that are highly tailored to their operations. For Beacon Foods, this included cameras and satellite tracking to monitor door opening and fridge temperature. Though Gray & Adams are renowned for their excellent after-care and customer service, Beacon Foods was impressed with their professional and knowledgeable approach, as well as transparent customer service and on-time delivery.
but also how they look. All of the vehicles were liveried by Gray & Adams and the high quality finish adds value to our brand by enhancing our service.” Ryan Mazgaj, Sales Manager at Gray & Adams Doncaster, added, “We are delighted that Beacon Foods have selected Gray & Adams as a supplier of their new delivery vehicles. This new customer relationship has expanded our customer base in South Wales - a market we are committed to.”
Edward Gough, Chairman at Beacon Foods, said, “Gray & Adams has provided us with very smart delivery vehicles, not only in how they operate,
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A fresh approach to temperature-controlled automation in the freight industry Working in partnership with global perishable cargo specialists, Perishable Movements Ltd (PML), Gray & Adams has engineered another innovative first for the UK - a refrigerated trailer with an automated loading and unloading system which features a powered rollerbed floor. The new PML vehicle has been purchased by Farnborough Van and Truck Hire and contracted to PML. The first rollerbed floor system was introduced to the UK by Joloda, a premier designer and manufacturer of loading systems in the UK, 25 years ago. The manual rollerbed system used for air cargo transport, was developed by adding powered driven rollers, making this system fully automatic. There are currently over 200 vehicles using this system moving standard air cargo bins and pallets but this is the first one to be used in refrigeration vehicles. Gray & Adams supplied PML with air freight trailer manual loading equipment five years ago, which has proven that its products can last the hard-wearing durability required of their industry.
As PML’s cargo is held in air freight containers, the rollerbed method is the only system available for use in this specialist area of the freight transport industry. The innovative power rollerbed floor system enables the automated loading and unloading of containers via a series of drive rollers that are built into the floor surface of the trailer. With remote operation integral to the design, the trailer has been developed to allow safe and efficient operation where personnel are not able to access the interior of the trailer throughout the loading process. Additionally, staff can accurately and safely control the speed of discharge from the control panel, and further engineering innovations have been built into the electronic and
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pneumatic controls to complement the refrigerated environment, ensuring maximum product performance and quality for years to come. Although they have been previously used in factories, the new PML trailers denote the first time this technology has been applied to a refrigerated trailer. In addition, the new trucks include electronic and pneumatic controls to complement the refrigerated environment and the very latest refrigeration system which produces less carbon emissions.
www.gray-adams.com
Commenting on the investment in the new vehicles, Robert Haynes, Business Development Manager for PML said, “As the leading force in the transfer of perishable goods sector, PML is committed to introducing pioneering new technologies to further enhance the standard of service to its customers. Our relationship with Gray & Adams dates back to five years ago when they were first identified as the preferred supplier to fulfil our requirement for air freight trailer manual loading equipment. Their reputation for innovation and the delivery of ground-breaking technological advances in their field made them the first choice for this project. PML has a busy year ahead with a number of exciting initiatives planned, the investment in new trucks is just the start so watch this space!”
Andrew Brown, Sales Director (Doncaster) at Gray & Adams said “This project ideally suits the Gray & Adams development team, who are one of the few manufacturers in the UK to have the design skills and engineering expertise to develop this trailer to meet current operating guidelines whilst also considering potential future legislation developments and highlighting our continued focus on, and dedication to, industry-leading innovation.”
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Gray & Adams (Ireland) provide Rea Distribution with multi-temp trailer for pharma distribution With the current coronavirus pandemic, Rea Distribution expects to see an increase in operations as the demand for pharmaceuticals and other essential products inevitably rises. The team are well-versed in managing their service through fluctuating periods of demand, having worked with food and retail customers during the run up to Christmas, or pharmaceutical companies during the cold winter months. With this in mind, Rea Distribution are well-positioned to handle this uplift in business.
As one of the first haulage companies in Ireland to purchase a purpose-built refrigerated trailer, Rea Distribution (formally Rea Transport) have firm roots in the industry. Over the years the nature of its business changed and, with Rea Transport becoming Rea Distribution, there was less of a focus on temperature-controlled deliveries. However, with a growing pharmaceutical customer base bringing an increased demand for temperature-controlled vehicles, Rea Distribution selected Gray & Adams as its trusted supplier. The order was for a 13.6m multi-temperature trailer - its first temperaturecontrolled trailer in modern times. The trailer is also fitted with the latest seven telematics system, enabling real-time temperature monitoring.
As a family-run business since the early seventies, now in its third generation, the company has a rich heritage. Founder, John Rea Senior, sponsored long-term friend and motorcycle racer, Joey Dunlop. Through this, Rea Distribution became synonymous with racing. This continued through subsequent generations, with John’s son Johnny experiencing a successful racing career, including an Isle of Man TT win, whilst also working at Rea Distribution.
Richard Rea, Director at Rea Distribution said: “Right from the very beginning, Gray & Adams stood out from the rest. From having the initial call with the sales team, it wasn’t very long before they had a demonstrator trailer in our yard. The trailer specification was first-class and the team provided excellent recommendations. Gray & Adams (Ireland) is right on our doorstep and with the availability of service and parts from their Newtownabbey site, it will minimise downtime. We are over the moon with the customer service.
Johnny’s eldest son, Jonathan Rea, now holds five world superbike championships – making him the most successful World SBK rider in the history of the championships. Jonathan used to be actively involved in the business before his motorcycle career overtook. However, he has always kept an eye on the current progress of the family business and is a great ambassador for Rea Distribution.
He continued,
Stuart Martin, Sales Director at Gray & Adams (Ireland) said.
“We are the appointed distribution partner of MHRA licence holders Transbridge Freight Service, who offer a viable groupage solution that is fully licensed and GDP compliant. With their experience in the pharmaceutical market, they were able to provide insights which allowed us to tailor the build to industry requirements.”
“We are delighted to be bringing Rea Distribution to the forefront of temperature-controlled distribution with the delivery of this trailer. Our trailers are well-engineered for pharmaceutical deliveries, ensuring we support our customers in making safe and carefully monitored deliveries within a crucial sector.”
RICHARD REA DIRECTOR, REA DISTRIBUTION
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Gray & Adams deliver to Moran Logistics Moran Logistics is a leading UK logistics provider in chilled and ambient warehousing and distribution. In an ethos they share with Gray & Adams, they work in partnership with their customers ensuring they deliver a service that is second to none. A family run business operating since 2006, they now have three warehouse locations and six transportation locations across the UK, which supports over 8000 deliveries per week. Moran Logistics continues to enjoy a successful period of growth, and so when it comes to increasing its fleet of trailers and rigid vehicles, it turns to Gray & Adams. The vehicles it operates run 24/7 and so there is a requirement for the kit to be robust, including the tail lift and fridge, as well as the body and running gear. Gray & Adams is currently fulfilling an order for a number of vehicles for Moran Logistics that will comprise of 13.6m trailers, 10.4m urban trailers and some rigid vehicles.
Moran Logistics is a progressive company with a strong focus on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and they are committed to supporting military charities, such as Sapper Support. Sapper Support is a charity which helps veterans and emergency service personnel to recover from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Moran Logistics vehicles have Sapper Support liveries on their rear doors, raising awareness of the charity to thousands of UK road users, daily. Currently, Moran Logistics employs a number of former military personnel and does as much as it can to support those that are currently making the switch back to civilian life. For Managing Director and Founder, Harry Moran and many of his team, Sapper Support is a cause that will remain close to their hearts.
Operations Director, Lee Vickers, said of the partnership: “Moran Logistics delivers a high-quality service, which means we need tailored and reliable kit. The build quality from Gray & Adams and the ability to meet our bespoke needs, sets them apart as a market leader. The service has been outstanding, and Ryan Mazgaj has been part of our team for many years, supporting us with our ever-changing designs and needs in the kit we utilise. Gray & Adams supplies high quality kit, supporting both the needs of our business and the needs of our customers.�
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Blue Cube PCS
Henry Colbeck
Blue Cube is a rental supplier of portable, temperaturecontrolled storage, blast freezers, chillers and tempering units. It also provides technology-led solutions, from thermally efficient units to the latest generation fridges.
Henry Colbeck prides itself on being ‘more than just a supplier’ which means delivering and collecting high specification vehicles that customers can be proud of. By working with Gray & Adams to develop bespoke fleet designs, Henry Colbeck is able to promote and support the fish and chip service sector, through its high quality products.
Blue Cube has been purchasing its products from Gray & Adams for over seven years. With specialist requirements, Gray & Adams is one of very few suppliers who can provide Blue Cube with the required product specifications for its units.
With a fleet of vehicles operating in very different sectors, from supplying the fish & chip industry to used cooking oil collection, the business has varying requirements depending on the needs of the particular division. Henry Colbeck approached Gray & Adams five years ago seeking to make improvements to its existing bodies.
As Blue Cube provides a rental service, the continued supply of high-quality products from Gray & Adams enables Blue Cube to effectively maintain and grow its rental fleet. The business operates a programme of continuous investment in innovation that Gray & Adams facilitates through design reviews and product upgrades.
Both businesses worked closely together to explore numerous solutions, taking into consideration the varied nature of the business. It now has a number of new Gray & Adams vehicles, which have been developed and designed in close partnership.
Blue Cube’s products can be at a customer location for anything between a couple of months to 10 years or more and, as such, may have to be transported frequently between customer locations. Despite Blue Cube’s products being nominally larger and wider than the trailers Gray & Adams manufacture for haulage operations, they are still able to provide Blue Cube with strong and durable units that are structurally sound and capable of transportation.
As they regularly jet wash their vehicles, it is important that the design minimises slip and fall hazards. This is provided through the Gray & Adams flooring solution, as well as cantilever steps, which have further improved the safety of the vehicle for operators. As a company operating to Environmental ISO Standards 14001, Henry Colbeck recycles its bodies, replacing the chassis every six years. Opting to refurbish the bodies resulted in a 44% reduction in costs, whilst supporting their recycling targets. The aerodynamic design also allows for increased fuel efficiency, bringing further value and reducing its carbon footprint.
The Gray & Adams name is synonymous with quality and the value of this is passed onto Blue Cube’s customers, who rent and use the products.
“Having visited the Fraserburgh factory it is clear to see the build quality of all the major components used on our products; it’s such an impressive setup. We are continually working together as a partnership and whether it is design changes or more general support required, the team at Gray & Adams is experienced, responsive and happy to help. Gray & Adams is a significant partner in the Blue Cube supply chain.”
“Gray & Adams are the future of how the HGV industry should look with the innovation, design and productivity they are bringing to the sector. Their designs are robust, but still lightweight, and the customer service is fantastic. They are very transparent on their production schedule and follow through on delivery commitments. We have used several other body manufacturers, but none come close on the quality which Gray & Adams provides.”
STEVE BLAKEMORE, MANAGING DIRECTOR
HUGH O’ BRIEN, OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
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Greggs
Williamson Foodservice
Historically, and up to the early 2000s, Greggs delivery trucks were smaller seven-tonne payload vehicles with a refrigerated body and a column tail lift. These were lightweight and, in most operating sites, loaded from docks. Some damage was sustained during the life of the vehicle, mainly around the tail lift columns, increasing operating costs and down time. At this time, the life policy of the fleet was seven years.
Established in 1957, Williamson Foodservice is a family owned business based in Inverness with depots in Stornoway and Glasgow. Specialising in fresh and chilled food and drink, they operate a temperature-controlled fleet that services the hospitality and retail industries throughout the North of Scotland and Western Isles. Back in 2017, Williamson Foodservice decided it was time to add some new vehicles to its fleet. Approaching Gray & Adams for a new design, Williamson Foodservice was looking for a robust and efficient body, which would work well on the Highland roads.
The demands of the business changed and efficiency of delivery routes became a KPI, Greggs started to purchase heavier 13 and 15-tonne rigid trucks, with a similar configuration of lift and body. Due to the increased volume of operations, damage to the floor and rear of the vehicles became apparent.
Having previously bought non-bespoke bodies, Williamson Foodservice had a long list of features to incorporate into the design. Although they had not bought from Gray & Adams for some time, there was still a good relationship in place, with both parties eager to work together on developing new specifications.
In 2008, Greggs agreed to the suggestion from Gray & Adams to trial a supermarket type buffer system which would protect the rear of the truck from dock damage. In 2011, both parties came up with a new and improved bespoke buffer system which used tried and tested component parts to a standard Gray & Adams design. The concept was to divert the energy absorption point away from the body, where the damage was occurring, and channel the impact stress solely into the chassis. On achieving this, the vehicle life expectancy would be greatly improved and the whole life cost, vastly reduced.
Williamson Foodservice now have a number of high-spec vehicles operating in their fleet, all Gray & Adams since 2017, with further innovations being built-in year on year. Their recent specification included triple doors (as opposed to barn doors) to improve access for drivers and reduce temperature loss.
The annual audit conducted by Greggs was then initiated in 2011, and this continues each year, to review issues and general wear and tear. The audits confirmed that the rear buffer system was performing successfully, and subsequently, Greggs extended the policy of their fleet to the current ten years, which also aligned with purchasing more substantial chassis.
Williamson Foodservice has received excellent feedback from its drivers in regard to the high quality of Gray & Adams products. As the primary user of the equipment, the drivers had an input into discussions surrounding the specifications of the vehicles, which have then been incorporated into the design.
“The service received from Gray & Adams is excellent. They are extremely responsive and the fact that we can call whenever we need any advice or support is something we find extremely valuable. They are completely open to our ideas and always up for a conversation on new designs. If we need anything, the Gray & Adams team are always on hand to help, or if we need to have any work done to our vehicles, we can get it done here in Scotland.”
“The rear buffer system is a great success story and evidence that the partnership between operator and manufacturer working together can achieve some really positive results.” ANDY HUTCHISON, NATIONAL TRANSPORT MANAGER, GREGGS
GARY WILLIAMSON, MANAGING DIRECTOR
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Bidfood UK bring their second-generation fully electric vehicle to London Bidfood UK is an industry-leading foodservice wholesaler who has been providing multitemperature deliveries to customers across a wide range of sectors for over 20 years. With a fleet size of more than 800 rigid trucks over 7.5 tonnes, currently only one is electric. Throughout the UK, demand for alternatively fueled vehicles is on the rise and councils have started introducing daily charges for fossil fueled vehicles driving in city centres. In London, Bidfood UK has a customer base with high environmental standards that are seeking ‘emission-free’ deliveries. With that, a brief for Bidfood UK’s second-generation, fully electric vehicle was put forward to Gray & Adams to build a bespoke insulated body with two separate temperature zones. In the Netherlands, Bidfood NL has successfully been operating a dual-temperature, fully electric vehicle with a Gray & Adams insulated body.
Unlike most refrigerated vehicles, where refrigeration is powered by a diesel engine, the Frigoblock eutectic system is charged at the same time as the vehicle batteries and the stored “cold” refrigerates the vehicle whilst operating without any impact on the vehicle’s range. The vehicle is also equipped with a chill fan system, supplied and installed by PSR, which facilitates dual temperature operations. The use of electric vehicles is on the rise, and the industry is likely to see a massive switchover in the next 10 years. The addition of a second-generation fully electric vehicle to its fleet will see a boost to Bidfood UK’s sustainability credentials.
Having learned from these operations, along with their own electric vehicle operating in London since 2011, Bidfood UK was better positioned to advise Gray & Adams on the necessary design amendments which would ensure this second-generation electric vehicle would perform with even greater efficiency. This involved altering the internal layout of the body, fitting a eutectic refrigeration system from Frigoblock and mounting the body to a 7.5t FUSO eCanter chassis.
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With a longstanding relationship between Gray & Adams and Bidfood, Director of Fleet Support, Craig Hogg shared:
“The service from Gray & Adams is a benchmark for all of the suppliers along our vehicle production supply chain. It really is second to none and we’ve built a strong relationship over the years. Most of our vehicles, which are produced by Gray & Adams, replicate previous orders. However, when we need something bespoke, this is where they really excel at capturing our requirements.”
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Castell Howell backs NHS with latest livery on Gray & Adams rigids
During these challenging times for businesses across the country, Welsh business Castell Howell has found a way to support UK Government and Local Council communication of key messages to communities across the UK. Through new impactful livery on their rigid vehicles, built by Gray & Adams, Castell Howell are championing the ‘Stay home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives campaign’, driving the message home as they operate to support their customers in the care sector and NHS. From rural beginnings in 1988, Castell Howell are Wales’ leading independent food service wholesaler, servicing the length and breadth of Wales, the Border Counties and the South West of England. Castell Howell has always been passionate about supporting the community and engaging with the younger generation, having launched a livery initiative a few years ago as a new way of engaging schools, young people and local communities. The initiative was a competition for schools to enter, with pupils designing the livery for several Castell Howell vehicles, one of these won ‘Livery of the Year’ at the Temperature Controlled Storage and Distribution (TCS&D) Awards in 2018.
Though the country-wide schools competition had been set to run in 2020, the COVID-19 crisis meant that this was placed on hold. In searching for something that they could do to support communities throughout the crisis, Martin Jones, Director of Transport Operations, hit upon the idea of sharing the current Government advice and messaging on COVID-19 on the livery of some key vehicles in their fleet. He explained, “At Castell Howell, we feel that we still have a responsibility and a role to play as a business in what’s happening across the UK at the moment. Though we’re facing many challenges in our own business, we are doing what we can to make a difference, no matter how small, in spreading these vitally important messages to communities.
gesture, we wanted to make sure that anyone out on the roads gets a subtle reminder to stay at home and help to support our NHS.” Having worked together for over 15 years, Gray & Adams is delighted to be the supplier of choice to Castell Howell. Their engagement with the community throughout this challenging period for many across the UK, is one we are proud to be a small part of.
He went on,“The message from Central Government and Councils is stay home, protect the NHS and save lives. We wanted to support this 3-pronged approach and take those three messages to local communities, through our reduced fleet. Our vehicles are still active in supplying essential support to customers in nursing and care homes, as well as the NHS. Though it’s a small
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Staff spotlight Tom Taylor
How long have you been working for Gray & Adams and what is your role
How do you ensure customer service excellence for our customers
I started with Gray & Adams in 1991 and have held many roles in the business. With 29 years of service under my belt, I am currently Managing Director at our Doncaster site.
Only by working together, being part of a strong team with the same work ethic and commitment. For me, it really is that simple.
What attracted you to the company initially?
If you could do someone else’s job (at Gray & Adams) for the day, whose would it be and why?
I’ve always worked in the trailer manufacturing industry from leaving school at the age of 16. So, when Gray & Adams opened up in Doncaster in 1990 I thought I’d apply for the welding vacancy. I started work in April 1991, making stainless steel rear frames.
Now that’s a very hard question! I’ve worked on the shop floor, then as repairs manager, then moved over to sales, then back as shop floor manager and finally, to Managing Director at Doncaster. I would say I’ve covered a lot of ground over the years!
Tell us about your greatest achievements whilst working for Gray & Adams
What is the best thing about working for Gray & Adams?
For me, getting the role as MD in Doncaster was a great honour. However, I’ve not forgotten where I’ve come from and would be more than willing to put my welding gear back on to help out anyone.
We all come to work to provide for our families and working at Gray & Adams for the past 29 years has had its challenges. That said, being part of the Gray & Adams family, you are never alone. There is always someone to call on for help and support when you need it the most. Gray & Adams are a very loyal and respectful company to work for and that’s what makes it for me.
What current industry innovation impresses you the most and why? It’s got to be the design and manufacture of the first Gray & Adams refrigerated 40 pallet lifting floor trailer, back in late 90’s. A total game changer for our industry. What current trends do you see making the biggest impact on the Industry Electric trucks and electric refrigeration units are most definitely the future. I would also say however, that it’s sometime away before we see full E.V vehicles in our cities, or up and down the motorways.
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Customer interview: Andy Hutchison, Group Fleet Manager, Greggs
How long has Greggs been working with Gray & Adams?
What challenges do you see the industry facing at the moment?
What value does Gray & Adams add to Greggs customers?
I started in 2002 and we already had some existing Gray & Adams products then, so I would say around 20 years. Since 2013 we have purchased almost 100% of our boxes and rigids from Gray & Adams.
Sustainability challenges are gaining worldwide coverage at the moment – not only in regard to fuel, but also everything to do with the design and build, and how this affects emissions. In my opinion, one of the biggest concerns in the refrigerated vehicle industry is the level of understanding surrounding the gases that are used, not only in the refrigerants but also in the insulation of the vehicles and the impact that they could have on the environment.
It would be an unseen value, but the Gray & Adams quality is industry-leading, and you can really trust the products. The dovetail design and good quality fridges mean we can deliver our products efficiently and in the best possible condition for our customers.
How do you feel the Greggs business aligns to the Gray & Adams business? I think we align from a values point of view. Gray & Adams is a family business that cares for the wellbeing of its employees, which fits well with the Greggs business where we also invest a lot into our people. I also think our approach to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is aligned – we both care about the sustainability of our operations. What are the key innovations in the industry in 2020 from your perspective? The current innovations making an impact in 2020 would have to be alternative fuels. Although the design of our fleet is continually changing, the main innovations are in the sources of fuel such as electric and hydrogen.
How does the fleet at Greggs benefit the company out with the obvious logistical requirements? As the products we get from Gray & Adams are of a very good quality and highly reliable, it is easier for us to maintain the vehicles we have on the road than we would with a lesser quality product. We can therefore have a smaller fleet on the road as a result of lower vehicle downtime, and this ultimately gives us cost savings.
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How does Greggs ensure it always stays at the forefront of industry innovation? We attend a lot of conferences and shows, both in the UK and in Europe, which help us to stay aware of the latest challenges and innovations. The fact we are always out on the road enables us to keep an eye on other haulage operations and current trends. I also attend a lot of auctions and pay attention to any design weaknesses or failures in the older vehicles, that I can then highlight when we are working on our own design. I work very closely with David Purvis to look at our own Gray & Adams vehicles in various stages of their lifecycle and how we can do things better. Back in 2011, we worked together to develop a very bespoke rear compression buffer system, which we now use as standard, and this has led to us increasing the life policy of our fleet from seven to ten years.
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How important is sustainability when considering the specifications of your fleet? Extremely important. Although we regularly trial different designs, we are careful to minimise any potential risks that there could be to the environment. Are there any other key drivers that will impact how your fleet evolves moving forwards? We’ve reached a significant point in our business due to changes in production, which has afforded us to spend a lot of
time with Gray & Adams looking at the design of our trailers. Having invested £100 million in our supply chain, the availability of our products has increased and, as a result, we have ordered our first double deck trailer. Finally, your thoughts about the overall service and aftercare received from the Gray & Adams team?
query to the most suitable person on the Gray & Adams team and manages everything seamlessly, which works very well for us. Gray & Adams are very supportive – even when we have had issues with some of our older vehicles, they are still happy to help. With Gray & Adams, it’s more like a partnership, with contact continuing long after the purchase.
Very strong; we deal with one contact, David Purvis, who takes any of our requests, whether it’s for a rigid, a new design or a double deck. He diverts any
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Our modern apprentices Gray & Adams prides itself on its apprenticeship scheme which employs around 40 local young people every year. We are delighted to announce the following have completed their modern apprenticeship and were presented with their MA certificate and SVQ Level 3 certificate on Thursday 5th March at the awards ceremony at North East Scotland College, Fraserburgh.
From left to right: Edvinas Mickevicius (Maintenance Department), Michael Finnie (Chassis Manufacture), Connor McBeath (Twin Member Completion), Ross Gray (Lifting Floor Department), Shaun Cowie (Maintenance Department), Owen Bruce (Repairs Department) and Marc Busby (Twin Deck Completion Department).
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Bowls champion! Congratulations to Bradley Buchan who won bronze medal in the men’s singles at the International Indoor Bowls Council World Junior Championships back in December. With both Bradley and his dad being a part of the Gray & Adams team, we’re extremely proud of Bradley’s performance in this tournament and look forward to following his sporting career in the years to come.
Well done, Ian Smith! We are very proud of our Group Engineering Manager, Ian Smith who won the Engineering Excellence award at the Scottish Ex-forces in Business Awards 2019. The awards strive to highlight the skill sets of ex-military employees and their applicability to high-level roles in the business world. Congratulations Ian, on your very well-deserved award!
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Supplier spotlight Graeme Reid at John Adams Supplies Who is John Adams Supplies?
What are the key opportunities and challenges in the industry in 2020 from a John Adam’s perspective?
John Adams Supplies is a family run business that was started in 1946 by John Adams. Starting out from a shed, he soon moved to a small warehouse and then eventually to our base in Glasgow. We now also have depots in Huddersfield, Banbridge in Northern Ireland and have a sister company, DWM Ltd based in Peterlee near Newcastle.
Brexit. We are monitoring potential challenges around import tariffs for some of our materials, which come from Europe. On the other hand, there could be a shift to buying more from within the UK, which could be an opportunity for us to grow. We still don’t know what will happen with the greater economy though so there is definitely uncertainty about what lies ahead.
What products and services do you offer to Gray & Adams?
How can Gray & Adams ensure even closer integration of their supply chain in the future?
We mainly supply Gray & Adams with its aluminium extrusions and internal sections. Our long lengths of aluminium are used internally for protection and strength, whilst the external edges and corners of their products are capped off with white powder coated aluminium.
We are fully integrated into the Gray & Adams supply chain. They provide us with production schedules and give us advanced notification of what they are quoting for. We also do factory visits every couple of months, visiting their sites in Dunfermline and Northern Ireland, whilst our Huddersfield branch deal with Gray & Adams in Doncaster.
How long have you been working with Gray & Adams and what’s your experience of working as part of their supply chain?
Finally, your thoughts about the overall experience of working with the Gray & Adams team?
We have been working with Gray & Adams for around 35 years and since then, our business has grown year on year.
It really is fantastic – they are very understanding of any issues we may have with supply. Gray & Adams are a great company to work with, and long may the relationship continue.
I think they like the fact we have dealt with them for a long time and we know the Gray & Adams business inside out. When I go for a site visit, I always get a very warm welcome. They go above and beyond in the manufacturing of their products. Even the components, which are not visible to the customer, are of the highest quality so that the vehicles stand the test of time and can be on the road for 10-15 years.
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Delivering value in a new dimension.
We pride ourselves on industry-leading technology and quality, which does not stop at our trailers and products but is echoed throughout our business. Our new website is testament to this, with new features and innovative functionality set to deliver further value for our customers. We have developed a new website experience with our customers in mind, aiming to engage, educate and inform customers of the innovation that is engineered into our products. Our new website puts our products in your hands with 3D functionality and video demos enabling our customers to explore our products in a brand-new way. As well as our interactive products, we have designed a ‘Timeline of Innovation’, outlining our key milestones and highlights from throughout our history of engineering excellence. We are immensely proud of how far we have come in the last 60+ years. From developing the first double deck in the nineties to developing electric, urban, automated and increasingly sustainable solutions, Gray & Adams has always been at the forefront of innovation and works hard to ensure its products and services are industry leading. During these challenging times, where face-to-face communication is restricted, we hope that our customers will feel informed and up to date on our news and shared successes, whilst experiencing the quality Gray & Adams is renowned for and the knowledge that we’re delivering value, in a new dimension. Visit our new site at gray-adams.com
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Driven to deliver for our communities In the current, extremely challenging business climate in the UK, sharing positive news with our staff and customers is more important than ever. As a family business, Gray & Adams is focused on ensuring that, throughout this time, we continue to make a difference to the local communities in which we operate. As the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the closure of our sites, we have found that the innovation and kindness of our people, remains the key to our continued success, with the positive actions of our team showcasing what it means to work for Gray & Adams.
Reducing emissions with LSTs
Recently, Joint Managing Director, James Gray, took a call from Fraserburgh Hospital asking for any essential PPE supplies Gray & Adams may have. On hearing that the NHS Grampian staff were short of necessities, he took the decision to donate PPE from our stock at Fraserburgh to help.
The UK Department for Transport began a trial of longer semi-trailers (LSTs) for articulated vehicles in 2012. The trial, which was initially scheduled to run for 10 years, was set up to reduce CO2 emissions, congestion and collision risk, with overall economic benefits estimated at ÂŁ33 million. In 2017 the Government agreed to increase the number of LSTs by an additional 1,000 and to extend the trial by five years to 2027. Participation in the trial is voluntary.
Additionally, several team members from Gray & Adams in Fraserburgh have begun cooking and delivering meals, both from our on-site canteen and from their homes. These meals are being delivered to local care homes, sheltered housing and other vulnerable people in the community, as well as to the local hospital for the NHS staff. Our thanks go to Brenda Neish and the team for their commitment to making a difference.
Gray & Adams also operate trailers to carry goods and materials required for manufacturing. In 2017, we realised the benefits of utilising increased length trailers for our operations, for the safer movement of our panels, floors and roofs. We therefore invested in the maximum six trailers allowed as part of the trial. These 15.65m LSTs provided space for four extra standard UK pallets compared to 13.6m. Gray & Adams opted for curtain-sided trailers which offer improved ease of access, loading and protection whilst in transit.
Recycling initiatives Gray & Adams has been striving to reduce its carbon footprint as global concerns surrounding climate change continue to intensify. In our previous newsletter, we highlighted how we have installed solar PV at our site in Doncaster which is now fully operational. We also have stringent recycling initiatives in place to ensure we are reducing waste wherever possible. From cardboard and polythene through to bumpers and car lights, we have various recycling points and external partners who collect and recycle our materials.
When the Government provided an opportunity for businesses to increase their LST fleet size in 2019, Gray & Adams was able to add a further two trailers to the fleet giving a total of eight LSTs. As part of the trial, Gray & Adams made a commitment to track and provide all trailer usage data. From the data gathered to date, it is apparent that we are seeing, not only the aforementioned benefits, but also our contribution to reducing emissions. Analysis shows that on a yearly basis we have (on average) reduced our journeys by 26% and are saving on fuel consumption by almost 2700 litres of diesel, which equates to approximately seven tonnes of CO2. The introduction of LSTs to our fleet is a truly welcome addition that continues to maximise on the safe, secure and environmentally conscious delivery of our products, across the group.
The response from the team to our recycling initiatives has been impressive, and we would like to thank the entire team at Gray & Adams for adhering to our procedures and contributing to our overall carbon reduction.
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