Gray & Adams Summer News 2019

Gray & Adams News SUMMER 2019

In This Issue > Delivering ‘The Pod’ > Interview with Caroline Milnes > Giving back: The 2019 challenge

ISSUE 8 | SUMMER 2019

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Contents

Driving excellence in 2019

Foreword: Driving excellence in 2019

2

Four in a row: Back to back TCS&D success

3

Blakemore Logistics invests in hybrid refrigeration

4/5

Staff spotlight: Bryan Easton

6

Supplier spotlight: BlueSeal by Brightec

7

Delivering ‘The Pod’ with NewCold Logistics

8

Giving back: The 2019 charity challenge

9

Case study: Staples Vegetables

10

Case study: DPD Group

10

Case study: Turners of Soham

11

Case study: GEO Amey

11

Interview with Caroline Milnes

12/13

SPAR turns to Gray & Adams for urban semi-trailer

14

Making tracks: Kirsten Fraser

15

20 years of the Dunfermline Golf Championship

16

At Gray & Adams, we take great pride in the degree to which our sales specialists and design engineers work with our customers to fully understand their requirements, and therefore we are able to provide them with bespoke services and products tailored to the very particular needs of individual businesses.

This commitment to personal service has facilitated our success and growth over the last 60 years.

To date, this year has been no exception and we have already had a hugely successful year in terms of delivery, customer feedback, showcasing our success and industry recognition. At this year’s Temperature Controlled Storage and Distribution Awards we were thrilled to win Trailer of the Year once more and to be recognised for our continued dedication to the pursuit of industry leading innovation, having won the Innovation Award for the second year running. Winning this accolade in particular, in front of a room full of our industry peers, was truly something to be proud of, both for our business and for our excellent team.

This edition of our newsletter highlights some of the women who are making tracks both in the industry and within Gray & Adams itself. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and are always looking for better ways to bring fresh talent through our doors.

These women are part of a growing trend in the industry, they are shaking up traditional industry career pathways and we’re proud to showcase some of their thoughts, opinions and achievements in this issue.

Putting a spotlight on Marks & Spencer at the TCS&D Show 16

Finally, the continued success of this business is (in no small part) down to our team. We would like to thank each of our hardworking and loyal staff for their unwavering commitment, technical prowess and industry leading service, which allows us to ensure our customers keep coming back to work with us, time and again.

JAMES AND PETER GRAY

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Four in a row: Back to back TCS&D success Gray & Adams’ position as the UK’s leading supplier of temperature-controlled semi-trailers and rigid vehicle bodywork has been proven for the fourth year running.

On 25 June 2019 at the East of England Arena in Peterborough, Gray & Adams won the Innovation Award for the second year running and Refrigerated Trailer of the Year Award for the fourth year in a row at the 2019 Temperature Controlled Storage and Distribution (TCS&D) Awards.

As a business, we have enjoyed many other occasions to celebrate in recent years, having reached our 60th anniversary, being included on The Sunday Times Top Track 250 League Table in 2017 and 2018 and having reached a turnover of £150 million in 2017.

Our business has a successful history at the awards, having won the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) of the Year and Refrigerated Trailer of the Year in 2016. Followed by Refrigerated Rigid of the Year and Refrigerated Trailer of the Year in both 2017 and 2018, with the addition of the Innovation Award in 2018.

The TCS&D Awards recognises companies and individuals who have made a difference in the temperature controlled storage and distribution industry, and Gray & Adams’ continued nomination and success at this event has recognised its achievements in providing best-in-class products and services that customers can trust.

This year Gray & Adams has won two industry awards, highlighting their on-going commitment to continuous improvement and engineering excellence. Building on last year’s success, the Innovation Award was won for our work on ‘The Pod’ with NewCold Logistics, who also took home the Lifetime Achievement Award for Tom Cassells. Also joining the celebrations, Castell Howell won Livery of the Year and Martin Jones accepted the award with a nod to Gray & Adams’ support in delivering their livery.

Left to right: Tom Cassells, NewCold Logistics Ally Heron, Gray & Adams Martin Jones, Castell Howell James Gray, Gray & Adams

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Blakemore Logistics invests in hybrid refrigeration Blakemore Logistics has introduced hybrid refrigeration units to thirteen of its trailers to significantly reduce its vehicle emissions.

The business has collaborated with Thermo King to become one of the first companies in the UK to fit the new hybrid refrigeration technology to 13 of its Gray & Adams trailer units.

“The purchase of the hybrid technology together with the trailer re-design in collaboration with Gray & Adams further demonstrates Blakemore Logistics’ commitment to responsible business. The hybrid trailer units cut emissions by over 90% and will enable us to deliver into restricted emission zones with ease.

The Thermo King SLXi is the first hybrid unit on the market, offering the benefits of both diesel and electric power.

To ensure the units are as efficient as possible, the business worked in partnership with trailer manufacturers Gray & Adams to design and install BlueSeal air curtains; designed to improve temperature regulation during regular unloading, thus reducing food wastage.

“In addition, lower engine operating hours will mean less frequent maintenance, providing further cost savings and extending the life of the trailer units.”

The use of the new trailer units will positively impact on fleet efficiency with a much longer operating life and the ability to carry a greater weight of produce significantly reducing the carbon footprint of the fleet. Additionally, the tractor units used throughout the day can be reutilised at night to pull double deck trunkers, adding further fleet efficiency savings.

DAVE HIGGS BLAKEMORE LOGISTICS, COMPLIANCE MANAGER

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“For years we have been working with retail and distribution customers to address noise and engine emissions concerns during deliveries in urban areas and we developed a number of solutions that help them address these concerns.

“SLXi Hybrid is a trailer refrigeration unit combining technologies from Thermo King and Frigoblock, which allows it to operate in zero-emission electric mode and give Blakemore Logistics easier access to restricted, low-emission urban areas. The standard connectivity and geo-location feature automatically switches the power between the diesel and electric mode as required lowering their environmental footprint and operating costs at the same time.”

STEPHEN WILLIAMS THERMO KING, SALES MANAGER

“Gray & Adams is proud of the strong partnership we have with Blakemore Logistics and the new urban trailer and Mercedes Benz Econic are great additions to their fleet, which focus on improved sustainability and reduced environmental impact. We look forward to seeing them on the road and working with the Blakemore team to ensure we continue to deliver bespoke best-in-class products and services to their business.”

ANDREW BROWN GRAY & ADAMS, DONCASTER SALES DIRECTOR

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Staff spotlight

We asked Dunfermline’s General Manager, Bryan Easton, to give us some insight into his experience at Gray & Adams.

It is said, ‘there is nothing more constant than change’ and that has certainly been my view over nearly 30 years of working at Gray & Adams.

I have had the privilege of sharing many experiences with colleagues, past and present, as our facility in Dunfermline has evolved. Our most recent development is an essential investment to further expand our site footprint with an extended chassis parking area, re-routing of a local core path, extensive tarring and new perimeter fencing to manage our ever increasing workload.

To put this into perspective, 20 years ago we targeted five to six vehicle completions per week, equating to 1000–1100 direct labour hours.

Our current demand is such that we produce 12–13 vehicle completions per week, equating to 2200–2400 labour hours. Our high productivity is the result of a real team effort, streamlining our production processes and procedures, and striving to continually improve with every opportunity.

Performing well in business is not only about a rigid vehicle body or double deck semi-trailer, it is about the working conditions for our people, fairness and profit, all attributes I have found to be at the fore during my time with the company.

This is also evident in the increased number of young people who express an interest in working for our company.

Over recent months we have engaged an additional ten new employees, bringing our total workforce at Dunfermline to 85.

It brings great personal and professional satisfaction to be able to give these young people an opportunity to set their own foundations in a strong, wellestablished business. We effectively engage, train and develop them to ensure they are the new engineers and operators who will take the company forward with the same traditional commitment we expect at Gray & Adams, and the determination to be the best in the industry.

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Having started as a Storeman in 1989, the opportunities, and indeed encouragement, for career progression presented within the organisation were inspiring. I recall vividly some early words of advice from our company founder, Mr. Jim Gray, who said, “Quality must be built in, it cannot be added on”. These words have stayed with me during my time with the company and we apply this wisdom to both the product and our people.

Gray & Adams profile is now higher than it has ever been, our industry knows and expects the high professional standards that are synonymous with the brand and I am confident it will remain this way for many more years to come.

“Quality must be built in, it cannot be added on”

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Supplier spotlight BlueSeal by Brightec

Who are Brightec?

We are a small family company in the Netherlands, made of physicists and energy-efficiency engineers, who create breakthrough technologies for temperature-controlled transport.

Our focus is on keeping the cold-chain intact through energy saving solutions. Based in Amsterdam, with manufacturing facilities in Holland, we have been designing and producing air curtains for vehicles for nearly 8 years with our product BlueSeal.

What products and services do you offer to customers?

Our flagship product is the BlueSeal air curtain which was developed to allow trucks with a new cold-storage system to stay on the road for longer with multiple stops. We identified that most of the energy lost was through door openings and came up with a preferred alternative to PVC strip curtains, which are easily damaged and obstructive to the driver. BlueSeal creates an effective, invisible airstream above door openings that maintains the climate inside a vehicle while significantly reducing the fuel consumption of refrigeration equipment. We design and manufacture these from our base in Holland and export to 22 countries worldwide.

How long have Brightec had a relationship with Gray & Adams?

Our relationship with Gray & Adams dates back to 2012 in the early days of Brightec, when Deli-XL (now Bidfood NL) were impressed with the concept and wanted Gray & Adams to install air curtains in their vehicles. Bidfood NL are still a great customer of ours in Holland that use BlueSeal in their vehicles to this day.

Gray & Adams were consequently the first bodybuilder to trial BlueSeal in the UK and have been a very welcome ambassador for the product.

What shared projects or customers have you worked on recently?

One of the most exciting projects for us recently was the Blakemore Logistics hybrid refrigeration trailer. It was inspiring to see Gray & Adams championing new technologies for a sustainable transport industry and a superb example of the direction modern refrigerated vehicles are going. As a company rooted in sustainability and energy-efficiency, we look forward to seeing more end-users embrace this technology as they look to upgrade their fleets to this latest generation of vehicle.

What are the key opportunities and challenges in the industry in 2019 from Brightec’s perspective?

For us the challenge will always be getting operators to welcome new technology such as air curtains, and take the step towards a more sustainable transport model. Fortunately for us, the market increasingly demands vehicles that go the extra mile on limited amounts of energy (e.g. electric, cryogenic, eutectic etc.).

BlueSeal helps to meet this demand by reducing the energy consumption required for refrigeration equipment by up to 30%.

We’re proud to have a product that works in unity with the latest innovations in refrigeration technology to achieve this.

What’s on the horizon for Brightec in the coming months?

We have recently introduced a companion module to the range – BlueControl, which displays the amount of time that has passed when the cargo door is open, motivating drivers to keep this time as short as possible. In the food and pharmaceutical industries in particular, this can be critical to ensure that product integrity is not compromised and we’ve found this a welcome addition from operators. BlueControl also significantly reduces installation time for bodybuilders with an integrated sensor that detects door openings, making air curtains a plug-and-play device.

At our heart, we are still a team of physics and energy scientists, so we are always looking for new ways to innovate and find the latest solutions in a fast-evolving industry. Our research never stops!

Finally, your thoughts about the overall experience of working with the Gray & Adams team?

Gray & Adams have been a true pleasure to work with since day one. Their faith and support in the product has been overwhelming and we’ve enjoyed working closely with teams in Dunfermline, Doncaster, and Fraserburgh over the years.

We look forward to continuing our relationship and seeing what exciting developments Gray & Adams have in store for the industry next.

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Delivering ‘The Pod’ with NewCold Logistics NewCold Logistics is the fastest growing specialist in automated cold storage. With innovation as one of its key business principals, saving on cold storage costs is knowing how to keep things cold while being as efficient as possible with optimal use of people, time, energy and other resources. Innovation through sustainability isn’t just a clever concept to NewCold, but a crucial component to stay on top of its game.

The customer problem:

Our innovation:

NewCold’s Logistics Advisor, Tom Cassells, was impressed with loading automation innovations in Germany and wanted to bring this to the UK for use with double decks. However, most loading bays lack the space required to facilitate auto-loading equipment.

‘The Pod’ is an auto loading freezer pod, built inside a 15.6m refrigerated body with 60-pallet capacity that holds produce at -25 degrees Celsius.

Previously the customer had no storage facility for products, meaning that trailers were often used to hold products whilst available for distribution. This involved running fridge engines, creating carbon and noise. The Pod not only ensures full and secure cold chain integrity but it is also more environmentally friendly because it utilises electric refrigeration to hold the product at temperature.

The, often lengthy, process of loading and unloading refrigerated vehicles not only costs time and money but can also affect the quality of refrigerated produce which can deteriorate if exposed to higher temperatures. The challenge to Gray & Adams then, was clear: Engineer 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 system not only introduces new technologies to the UK, it also takes the human element out of loading, removing long term costs and dealing with the labour shortages currently facing the industry.

“Having worked with Gray & Adams on our fleet over the last few years, we knew that their engineering expertise and innovative approach would be the perfect fit for our auto loading pod ambitions. It’s transportable, can be built in either outdoor or indoor spaces and has an impressive effect on loading times and efficiencies, as well as ensuring the quality of the produce. It’s a first for the UK and we couldn’t be more proud of the result.”

The pod works in conjunction with auto loading fix double deck semi trailers and includes satellite based remote monitoring, a full buffer protection installation frame with an auto loading door and three Carrier TRS Iceland refrigeration units.

The innovation is a first for the UK and the pod enables loading in just seven minutes with full unload and reload taking less than 30 minutes in total. The temperature controlled environment also means produce can be unloaded and left inside until loading is required, offering flexibility without compromising on quality.

TOM CASSELLS LOGISTICS ADVISOR, NEWCOLD LOGISTICS

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Giving back: The 2019 charity challenge Gray & Adams Dunfermline have embarked on yet another mammoth charity challenge for the third year running, with the team this year consisting of Andy Weir, Chris Skene, Connor Hunter, Graham Carribine, Kevin Ireland, Kyle Morrice and Mike Leverington.

In 2017 and 2018, the intrepid team completed the National Three Peaks Challenge, collectively raising over £16k for three charities; Cancer Research UK, Diabetes UK and Crohn’s & Colitis UK. This year they take on an even more strenuous challenge; walking The West Highland Way followed by paddling The Great Glen Canoe Trail, all in eight days, or less, for Crohn’s & Colitis UK. The West Highland Way stretches 96 miles (154 km) from Milngavie to Fort William, getting harder as the trail winds North. The Great Glen Canoe Trail is Scotland’s first formal canoe trail which spans 79 miles (127 km) between Fort William and Inverness.

To undertake this double whammy of a challenge, the team faced blistering sunshine, driving rain, unbelievable humidity, midges and seven days of relentless hiking and paddling to finally reach the end a day early!

It’s safe to say, we are massively proud of their amazing achievement, with the whole Gray & Adams team cheering them on every step of the way. They have already raised over £13,000 this year but if you’d like to donate, please visit their Just Giving page: justgiving.com/fundraising/gray-adams-dunfermline

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Staples Vegetables

DPD Group

Staples Vegetables is the largest individual producer of brassicas in the UK with an aim of being first to market with new products and varieties. The company’s integrated crop production system delivers real benefits in quality, service, value and innovation and allows it to control and manage risk in the supply chain.

Having worked together since 2006, DPD Group has built a strong partnership with Gray & Adams. With honesty and integrity at the forefront of the relationship, Gray & Adams are always proactive in customer communication. If a problem is identified, they immediately notify the relevant team and work tirelessly to resolve it as quickly as possible, with minimal impact on customer operations.

Having worked with Gray & Adams for over 20 years, the trailer specification throughout this time has largely remained the same, though there is a drive for innovation that is integral to Gray & Adams’ service, which supports Staples’ growth ambitions.

For DPD Group, Gray & Adams schedules regular reviews to assess issues with previous builds, engineers solutions to solve new customer challenges and discuss new technology that can enhance their specifications or improve upon existing service.

The most recent order from Gray & Adams was for a batch of 15.6m semi trailers with specifications including Carrier Vector 1950 Refrigeration, 30-pallet capacity and a 27 degree selftracking rear steer axle in order to ensure the 30 pallet trailers remain within European turning circle regulations.

Although the products technically belong to DPD Group, Gray & Adams take ownership of them for the duration of their lifecycle, proactively delivering service and tailored aftersales care throughout. Gray & Adams have customer support managers within Group, to ensure full product support but also assistance in staff training and health and safety as part of their commercial remit.

Staples Vegetables’ Fleet Manager, Dave Baker, said of the relationship, “Gray & Adams’ products are brilliant. The quality is as good, as solid and reliable as you can possibly get and, in terms of longevity, they are hardwearing and exceptionally long lasting.

We refurbish and maintain our fleet knowing that our trailers can run for 15 years or more, if we look after them. We have recently ordered a new batch of semi-trailers mainly because they are extremely durable and very bespoke. We also appreciated the added value brought by the quality of their consultative sales approach, which is quick, simple and hassle free.”

As part of their planned approach, Gray & Adams are able to maintain continuity throughout the build period so that DPD’s operators are comfortable with the new products and experience fewer unplanned events, all of which enhances their service.

As a result, DPD Group has complete confidence in the product, the team and in the quality of the customer service they receive from Gray & Adams.

Our customer says:

“There are other good manufacturers on the road but our close working relationship is highly valued by our team. The customer service is second to none with any issues or challenges (though infrequent) being resolved immediately. We feel valued, well looked after and we can trust that we’re getting the best possible price and the best customer service in the business.”

“For us, working with Gray & Adams is more than a collaboration, it’s definitely a partnership. The team we work with at Gray & Adams is extremely amenable, approachable and professional in what they do. They operate with an honesty and transparency that means we know we’re getting best quality, and what’s being delivered is trusted.”

DAVE BAKER FLEET MANAGER, STAPLES VEGETABLES

IAN DAVEY FLEET SERVICES MANAGER, DPD GROUP

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Turners of Soham

GEO Amey

Having worked together for many years, and as family firms, Turners (Soham) Ltd. and Gray & Adams have a synergy across their values and the way they approach business together with a strong partnership built on integrity and trust.

Leading UK secure prisoner transportation and custody service provider, GEO Amey, have been providing support to the Ministry of Justice since 2011. Some of the Geo Amey team has worked with Gray & Adams for over 20 years, resulting from a visit in 1999 to both our Belfast and Fraserburgh sites to experience Gray & Adams’ capabilities first hand.

Gray & Adams’ industry leading expertise and professional approach to customer service combine to ensure an in-depth understanding of each individual customer and their unique business needs and challenges.

The nature of GEO Amey’s business is often procured through frameworks, which are renewed, tendered and awarded on a cyclical basis. It’s crucial that Gray & Adams and GEO Amey work collaboratively in order to meet the evolving requirements of the UK Government with regard to current legislation for safe and efficient transportation of those using their service. This requires building excellent communication and trust in order to ensure we continue to develop and innovate to effectively and efficiently meet GEO Amey’s exact specifications.

This has led to the production of a complete set of vehicle specifications across their diverse fleet, which is both aerodynamic and inclusive of the key features which helps Turners of Soham to run its business efficiently.

These are reviewed regularly with a view to ensuring commitment to continuous improvement and a dynamic opportunity for Turners of Soham to access the very latest innovations, which will suit and complement their business.

These are complex vehicles, which feature insulated bodies and include on-board heating and air-conditioning units designed to conform to Leytech test requirements. They are also equipped with a host of safety features including an elaborate vehicle status system, which is designed to protect both the passengers as well as the supporting personnel.

Key service features: - The guarantee of the right high-quality product, built bespoke to our exact requirements - A partnership approach, which is collaborative, inclusive and honest

Our customer says: “The added value GEO Amey receives from Gray & Adams is through the exceptional build quality – with so few issues, our uptime and lifespan on these vehicles is increased. With inferior products, you may pay less initially, but ultimately you can spend a lot more money on crucial repairs that directly affect our service level agreement with our customers. Gray & Adams provide us with premium product which more than pays for itself over the lifespan of the vehicle – you absolutely get what you pay for.”

- Industry leading aftersales care and support, throughout the lifespan of the product - Regular performance review to ensure continuous improvement

“Gray & Adams provide us with the best-in-class innovation and high quality products at the right price. If we have questions or ideas, the team provides answers. They consistently provide a flexible and friendly approach to customer care and aftersales care that we haven’t experienced anywhere else.”

“We have had first class service from Gray & Adams and their service really exemplifies that people are at the core of what they do. With a relationship spanning 20 years, we certainly believe that they are industry leaders providing best-in-class products and services.”

KEVIN RAMPLEY FLEET REFRIGERATION MANAGER, TURNERS (SOHAM) LTD

PHIL BOZILOVIC, HEAD OF FLEET, GEO AMEY

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Interview with Caroline Milnes

Head of Fleet and MHE (manual handling equipment) at Tesco PLC How long has Tesco been working with Gray & Adams?

“I joined Tesco in 2012 and started working in distribution in 2013, so have been working with Gray & Adams since then. However, Tesco and Gray & Adams have been working together for over 25 years. The fact that it is such a long-standing partnership is testament to the level of service they provide and the quality of the trailers that they build.”

How do you feel the Tesco business aligns to the Gray & Adams business?

“When we buy assets of this type, we want to buy quality at the best value that will last the 10 years or more we expect it to. Gray & Adams’ products meet that standard and more. They deliver great products that last the pace and I think they have a really good ethos as a business. Sometimes there are issues but what we’re looking for from a supplier is that we are able to work with them to put things right, if they don’t go right first time.

Gray & Adams have done this as long as we have worked with them. They also do what they say they are going to do and will even turn down orders if they can’t promise to deliver to the timelines we need. For a fast-moving business like ours, that element of integrity and trust brings a lot of value to the partnership.”

What are the key innovations in the industry in 2019 from your perspective?

“Ensuring maximum efficiency and improved sustainability across our fleet is something I see as a growing industry challenge and one which requires engineering excellence to solve.

For example, one really exciting project we began trialling with Gray & Adams earlier this year, was a moving floor double deck trailer, specially developed to facilitate our needs and allowing us to move a larger volume of stock more efficiently and reducing the number of deliveries required. It’s been going really well and we have been hugely impressed with the results so far.”

What challenges do you see the industry facing at the moment?

“There is a growing scrutiny on the environmental impact of transport operations, which is driving the need to find innovative solutions to reduce environmental impact. Refrigeration units consume a lot of diesel and there are a growing number of low emissions zones in our cities and towns. With increasing focus on reducing carbon emissions globally, this looks like a trend that will stay at the forefront of industry developments for the foreseeable future.”

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What value does Gray & Adams add to Tesco customers?

“UK Food retail is one of the most intensely competitive markets in the world. Changes in customer lifestyle mean that there is an increasing reliance on convenience stores. This involves delivering large volumes of food into urban environments, where congestion and pollution become key factors.

Ten years ago there were only a small number of convenience stores but this is now a growth area for Tesco, which places importance on efficiency, as well as quality, safety and environmental impact. In terms of the value added to customers through Gray & Adams, there is quality and durability built into their products that enables us to reliably get deliveries to store, wherever our customers need it.”

How does Tesco ensure it always stays at the forefront of industry innovation?

“Being one of the largest fleets in the UK, lots of people come to us with bright ideas for how we can do things better. We have a partnership approach with the suppliers we work with, and work together on trials and concepts to ensure we get exactly what we want.

It’s hugely important for me, and my team, to have trusted relationships with our suppliers to ensure we get best value from the relationship, can learn from one another and develop better products and assets to help the business maintain momentum and growth.”

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“The fact that it is such a long-standing partnership is testament to the level of service they provide and the quality of the trailers that they build.”

CAROLINE MILNES HEAD OF FLEET AND MHE, TESCO PLC

How important is sustainability when considering the specifications of your fleet?

“From aerodynamic features to increased fuel efficiency, we are looking for continual improvements across our fleet to minimise carbon emissions and reduce environmental impact.

Sustainability is massively important to us is therefore something we consider at all times. We know that this is also something which Gray & Adams are focused on and this synergy is yet another reason why our partnership works so well.”

Finally, your thoughts about the overall service and aftercare received from the Gray & Adams team?

“It is testament to their quality of service that they would turn down an order rather than not be able to deliver to our timeframes. They always work hard to solve any problems or challenges we come across and I can’t think of anything we want them to do that they don’t do already.”

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SPAR distributor turns to Gray & Adams for urban semi-trailer The latest addition to family-owned James Hall & Co’s refrigerated transport fleet is supplied by Gray & Adams and features an electric rear shutter door, which it now specifies as standard.

The Preston-based operator is a primary wholesaler to SPAR retailers throughout the north of England and distributes to more than 600 stores. Its new 11.4m urban double-deck trailer is built on a tandem-axle ‘wheel box’ chassis, employs a Thermo King Spectrum multitemperature refrigeration system, and is fitted with a hydraulically tilting, 1,500kg Dhollandia column tail-lift.

Using a key fob, the driver can open and close its JR Industries’ electric shutter door simply and quickly during deliveries.

Not only does this solution enhance load security, but it also contributes to increased health and safety by eliminating risks of strains or other injuries.

A Gray & Adams customer for more than 20 years, James Hall & Co runs approximately 70 vehicles built by the UK’s leading manufacturer of temperature-controlled road transport equipment – as well as other 11.4m urban double-deck trailers, the line-up includes 13.6m single-deck and double-deck trailers, rigid trucks, and dry freight trailers.

Gray & Adams presented one of James Hall & Co’s laned, 26-pallet single-deck trailers with Carrier Transicold Vector 1950 multi-temperature refrigeration unit and electric shutter door outside the National Exhibition Centre at this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show.

James Hall & Co Fleet Engineering Manager Ian Farnworth explains: “By delivering fresh food to store six days a week, we allow our retailers to improve product availability and maximise product life, order hundreds of fresh items in small volumes, control waste and react to changes in demand.

“We maintain an excellent distribution service level of 99%, and that is only possible because we use the finest transport equipment. Crucially, while other manufacturers struggle to provide anything beyond an ‘off the peg’ product, Gray & Adams will design and build bespoke trailers and truck bodies which are perfectly tailored to our needs.

“To underline this point,” he continues, “our latest trailer is based on one that Gray & Adams first produced for us

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back in 2012, but it’s been revamped to incorporate a number of refinements.

These include the electric shutter door, which is still a relatively new concept for us, but has proved very popular with our drivers from a practicality point of view.

Our primary motivation in introducing this system was to improve health and safety, by relieving colleagues of the hassle of having to bend down to open the doors manually. But there’s an additional benefit in the form of enhanced security, because it restricts the amount of time the door remains open during deliveries.”

Mr Farnworth adds: “We know that we can rely on our Gray & Adams equipment to give us at least 10 years trouble-free service. The manufacturer has consistently met our delivery deadlines and, although it’s only seldom that we’ve needed anything, provides reassuringly efficient back up. It is a partnership that we value very highly indeed.”

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Making tracks: Kirsten Fraser What is your position at Gray & Adams and what does your role entail?

I am a Junior Engineer and my role is mostly writing technical documents (including procedures, manufacturing design changes and technical bulletins) and sometimes leading or carrying out projects and developing reports on the results.

What attracted you to a career in this industry?

I chose Craft & Design as a subject in school (a subject I was told not to take as it was considered to be a ‘boys’ subject), which led me to consider it as a career.

I then studied my HNC in Mechanical Engineering at college (prior to starting at Gray & Adams), which I thoroughly enjoyed, confirming that it was what I wanted to take further and do as a job!

What would you say are the top technical skills required by someone in a role like yours?

Having an eye for detail is important, and being able to look and see how something works and the process that allows it to function as it does. Having logical fault finding or troubleshooting skills are also important.

What are the 3 best things about working at Gray & Adams?

1. Variety in work/projects.

2. My colleagues, in the office and in the workshop.

3. Support for my continuing professional development – I was put to college to study my HND, and will be starting University in September to study BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering, along with other courses and networking opportunities wherever possible.

What advice would you give to a young person considering a career like yours?

If it is something you enjoy, and you feel you are good at it then I would absolutely recommend it. It’s a challenging, but very interesting and fulfilling job.

What benefits are there to being a female engineer in a predominantly male industry?

I actually don’t think there are any - my colleagues treat me as an equal, and we all bring different ideas and skills to the table, regardless of gender.

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20 years of the Dunfermline Golf Championship

Putting a spotlight on Marks & Spencer at the TCS&D Show

Since 1999, Gray & Adam’s Dunfermline employees have played annually for a chance to have their name etched in history, and on the trophy, having topped a stableford-style points table.

Gray & Adams was delighted to showcase its quality with a Marks & Spencer double deck trailer at this year’s exciting Temperature Controlled Storage and Distribution Show in Peterborough.

The trophy was first won by former Managing Director, Bob Smith, and has since been won by thirteen other members of staff. This year, on the 20th anniversary of the challenge, Alex Leverington earned the top spot for the second time.

The M&S double deck trailer at this year’s TCS&D Show has been specially designed by Gray & Adams to serve M&S stores in the Republic of Ireland. It was first developed and manufactured in 2015 to meet the Republic of Ireland’s overall running height of 4650mm.

There were ten participants in this year’s competition and the prize pot was exceptional and included golf bags, vouchers and even a putter, thanks to the generous donations from our suppliers.

In order to minimise the loss of volume caused by the reduction in height, Gray & Adams has cleverly converted the neck of the trailer to take additional M&S dollies. The design has been so successful that it is to be rolled out across their fleet, where height restrictions had previously precluded the use of double deck trailers for M&S.

Next year the silverware will be played for on the day following the Texas scramble round of our other annual golf competition, the 3rd annual G&A Tour.

The trailer also highlighted the latest eye-catching ‘Not just…’ M&S campaign livery, with this batch of trailers having been ordered alongside an urban double deck trailer.

Long service club

Joint Managing Director of Gray & Adams, Peter Gray, commented,

Ally Heron, General Manager of Fraserburgh’s Panel Manufacture Department, has retired after an amazing 32 years’ service.

“We were delighted to showcase this Marks & Spencer double deck trailer at the 2019 TCS&D Show, which was another brilliant event which highlighted the quality that we bring to our customers. As a family business with more than 60 years in the industry, we are hugely proud of our expert teams from design engineers to sales specialists - they are one of the reasons that our customers come back to work with us, time and again.”

David Mair reached 40 years service working as an Assistant Line Manager.

Kenny Milne, Forklift Operative, has achieved 25 years service.

Alyn Falconer, Panel Manufacturing Manager, has reached 25 years service.

Caroline Melvin achieved 25 years service as Payroll Supervisor.

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