Ocado Selects Marshall Fleet Solutions and Paneltex Refrigeration Solution

Fourth follow-on contract confirms confidence in pioneering cooling solution

Cambridge 18th January 2011; One of the UK’s leading distributors of groceries to the consumer, Ocado (www.ocado.com), has placed a follow-on contract for the supply of specialised refrigerated trailers with a Marshall Fleet Solutions and Paneltex team.

This new contract, the fourth that Ocado has placed, brings the total number of trailers which have been fitted with the team’s unique cooling system to 28.

“This is a real vote of confidence in our ability to work with our customers to deliver what they want, when they need it,” said Peter Callaghan, Chief Executive of parent company Marshall Land Systems. He added “The ability of our engineering team to think in an agile way and together with Paneltex to come up with the quality solution the customer needs is something we are very proud of.”

During the development phase Paneltex, which specialises in the production of customised insulated vehicles and container bodies, and Marshall Fleet Solutions created an innovative blueprint based around the Thermo King SLX 200 refrigeration unit keeping the trailer’s top deck at the required temperature.

“We have been very impressed by the work of both Marshall Fleet Solutions and Paneltex; both companies were really focused on finding a solution to our very specific requirements and not only provided an excellent technical response but one which was also thoroughly practical,” said Stuart Skingsley, Head of Fleet at Ocado.

Traditionally, cooling in double-deck trailers applies to the whole unit. In a typical trailer unit refrigerated air goes along the top from the front and then is circulated along the floor back to the front of the unit. However, Ocado trailers only require cooling for the upper deck, which itself is only the height of a standard cage.

A different system has been developed for Ocado, because of the restricted space and the need to keep only the upper deck cool. Refrigerated air is pumped through ducting fixed to the floor of the upper level where it is then pushed back to the front by series of fans. A thin, specially customised upper deck floor panel was developed by Paneltex to provide very high levels of insulation and maximum load-bearing strength. Proven during extensive testing, this unique panel combination completely eliminates any condensation in the lower deck compartment.

The Marshall Fleet Solutions and Paneltex team model enables Ocado groceries (and other goods) not needing refrigeration to be transported on the trailer’s lower deck whilst items on the upper level are kept at the optimum temperature to ensure they arrive at Ocado’s regional distribution spokes in prime condition. The online supermarket can then deliver high quality orders by van to customers’ doorsteps. This refrigeration model reduces costs and environmental impact, whilst boosting delivery standards.

*Photograph Caption: Ocado has shown its confidence in a Marshall Fleet Solutions and Paneltex team by placing a follow-on order for refrigerated trailers. The Ocado trailers are a bespoke design where the top half, shown on the right above, is refrigerated and the bottom part is at ambient temperature allowing all types of groceries and other goods to be carried at the same time.

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