As world leaders in loading solutions, Joloda Hydraroll has been supporting global logistics since 1962. Marketing Manager Gary Warner outlined how the focus on sustainability is driving growth at the company. Report by Phil Nicholls.
From reduced journeys to pro moting circular economy practices, the logistics solutions from Joloda Hydraroll help clients generate savings in efficiency, carbon and costs.
“For example, our loading solutions reduce the number of forklift trucks customers require by an average of 20 per cent,” explained Marketing Manager Gary Warner “This is achieved by installing our automated loading systems in clients’ warehouses, which removes the need for forklift trucks in the loading areas altogether.”
The company was founded as Joloda Transport in 1962 by Mr GB Johnstone, following his development of the skate and track trailer system. Since then, the company has been on an extraordinary journey, bringing innovative loading solutions to customers around the world. After several name changes, the company rebranded as Joloda Hydraroll in 2021.
Today, the company has nearly 250 employees, with offices strategically positioned across the UK, Europe, North America, South America and Asia. Joloda Hydraroll is headquartered in Liverpool, has its production facility in Anglesey, North Wales, and works with more than 30 distributors across five continents.
Over the years, Joloda Hydraroll has installed more than half a million loading systems worldwide and is currently ranke d 32 in the UK Fast Growth 50 Index for the North of England.
Loading options
The team of experts at Joloda Hydraroll work as partners to find each client’s loading and unloading requirements. The team is on hand to automate, innovate and make every manual solution more effective.
Every product from Joloda Hydraroll is made to exacting standards, delivering solutions that are expertly designed and engineered to suit specific needs. The team works closely with each client to create the ideal solution to any loading problem, then helps the customer manage and maintain them too.
The company can develop customised solutions for automatic or manual loading options, or even a combination of the two. Joloda Hydraroll has experience in developing everything from production lines and warehouse solutions to truck loading and handling air cargo. Expert
engineers offer a full bespoke service to clients, including the design, manufacture, installation and service of innovative loading solutions.
With projects across many industries, from the automotive to FMCG sectors, Joloda Hydraroll provides loading solutions for all kinds of problems.
Helping logistics turn green
Loading solutions from Joloda Hydraroll help customers limit their carbon footprint, and maximise the efficiency of clients’ delivery operations – meaning improved deliveries and fewer trucks on the road.
“Our loading system and delivery optimisation also allow clients to increase efficiency and output using the same number of HGVs,” said Mr Warner. “On average, an automated system reduces loading time from 35 minutes to five minutes. This means a decrease in the number
of vehicles that our clients need to purchase, as well as a smaller fleet required to perform their operations.
“We have seen a reduction of more than half in the number of HGVs required by our clients to fulfil their quotas. Based on ou r estimated carbon savings and the average cost of diesel HGVs, we expect that for every HGV purchase avoided, our clients will save approximately 44.2t CO2e.”
Joloda Hydraroll embeds environmental stewardship in everything it does. For example, the company procures 100% of its electricity from renewable sources in Europe and at its UK Liverpool site. Joloda Europe’s carbon-neutral forklifts are powered by 100% renewable electricity and 40% of its UK models are electric.
The company procures sustainable materials such as those from Hydro Aluminium UK, that use 78% recycled aluminium, while Joloda’s batten blocks are
made from 95% recycled plastic. In 2022, Joloda Hydraroll attained carbon-negative status for the second year in a row, by investing in global sustainability projects.
“We are established as global leaders in loading solutions due to our 60-year heritage, proven engineering prowess and dedication to innovation,” Mr Warner continued. “Our commitment to tackling the climate crisis is another core pillar of Joloda Hydraroll’s business culture. We firmly believe we have a duty to society and the planet to provide efficient, carbon-lean solutions that meet the business demands of our clients, without compromising the needs of the natural world.
“Increasingly, we are seeing partners and clients ask for our support to reduce their emissions, and we are able to quantify for them how our systems and products can help achieve their reduction targets.
“Companies in the materials handling and intralogistics industry are making environmental changes, but the research we conducted showed that many felt external pressures to do so. We want to let companies know that with the right strategies, sustainable goals can be hit at the same time as achieving the essential improvements in performance needed to meet financial growth.”
Rolling growth
Growth continues at Joloda Hydraroll with the new modular Powered Cargo Roller (PCR) system for the air cargo industry. The system is the first of its kind that can be retrofitted to any standard trailer due to its unique, low-profile design. With a PCR system, the loading and unloading of air cargo can be completely automated.
The new PCR unit is now available as part of Joloda Hydraroll’s range of Modular Rollerbed Systems (MRS). The MRS concept transforms any standard trailer into a rollerbed vehicle for handling all types of air cargo equipment, including PMC pallets and ULDs. Rollers are activated pneumatically so that air cargo can be rolled in and out of the trailer without the use of forklifts, helping road feeder service companies load and unload their vehicles more efficiently, sustainably and safely.
Modularity is a major advantage of all Joloda Hydraroll rollerbed systems, allowing for both easy installation and removal. The system is simply mounted on top of the existing floor of new-tobuild or existing vehicles, without the
need for civil works. MRS modules or MRS with PCR modules are delivered pre-assembled and ready for quick installation in workshops (or by trusted bodybuilders) within a matter of days. Additionally, this modularity ensures the system can be removed and reinstalled into another vehicle during fleet renewal, maximising the module’s longevity and value.
Joloda Hydraroll grew at the start of 2024 with the acquisition of Actiw Oy. Based in Finland, Actiw is a leading provider of automated loading solutions for the unmodified trailer market. This acquisition is an important milestone in Joloda’s Hydraroll’s growth strategy to increase global market presence by expanding its suite of loading and unloading solutions.
As growth and innovation continue at Joloda Hydraroll, the company remains dedicated to being a sustainable operation.
“We’re continuously looking at new ways to reduce our carbon impact across the business – from switching to renewable energy, to further decarbonising our fleet, ” Mr Warner said, in conclusion. “We have committed to formalising our net-zero strategy by March 2024.
“At Joloda Hydraroll, we strive to help lighten the load for businesses around the world, and regularly review how to solve our clients' problems. The company is continually optimising our existing portfolio and thinking of ways to innovate solutions. Additionally, the company is always looking to develop our presence in other, new global markets and we have exciting acquisitions in the pipeline that will help strengthen our portfolio and service offerings.
“We expect these to lead to many interesting projects for customers to and contribute further to our growth targets.” n
