Member Article

Grampian invests £300k for growth

Haulier Grampian Continental is investing £300k in refurbishment of its 120-strong fleet of trucks and trailers, which will bring two of the latest giant super cube trailers, designed to increase each load capacity by 30%, to North East roads.

The £15 million turnover firm, which has Bedlington operations, specialises in the oil, gas and green energy sector and services more than 500 clients across the UK, Europe and North Africa.

The move follows a £75k investment in a new 205sq m storage and warehouse facility in Bedlington earlier this year, a £400,000 investment in its Aberdeen base, and £20k in new route planning software.

Sales director Gavin Murray said: “We have brought out investment programme forward in response to the significant growth we have seen in recent months, as part of our commitment to providing world class service to our customers.

“As well as our ongoing refurbishment programme of the existing fleet we have bought three new vehicles, including two SDC super cube trailers, which mean fewer road trips and less congestion, plus lowered fuel costs and reduced carbon emissions.

“Although we handle anything from a 1kg parcel to palleted goods, we have seen a big increase in the size of some of the bigger loads we carry, such as wind turbines and large scale, 120-tonne pieces of machinery and equipment for oil and gas customers. Adding high capacity trailers capable of handling larger loads was the next logical step in our fleet improvement programme.

“Still a fairly rare sight on UK roads, the super cube trailers can easily fit a standard 20-foot container inside them. They give us an extra 30% capacity on each load as well as the ability to ship larger single loads, which gives us a real edge over our competitors.

“It has meant a big investment, but it is all part of creating a platform to achieve our growth plans and reach a £20m turnover by 2015.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Grampian Continental .