Stiller ’ s record investment in new trucks and trailers sets company up for success
STILLER ’ S LONGEVITY
Stiller Warehousing and Distribution has invested £ 3.3m in a fleet of extra-long trailers .
Stiller ’ s record investment in new trucks and trailers sets company up for success
BY SARAH WALKER
As the managing director of a third generation , award-winning family business , Matthew Stiller knows that when it comes to remaining competitive and enjoying continued success , reinvestment is key .
That ’ s why Stiller , specialists in the storage and distribution of palletised goods , has made a significant investment in new trucks and trailers since February this year .
The investment of more than £ 3.3m in new equipment has seen Stiller take advantage of a change in the law , which means trailers can now be more than two metres longer than the standard long vehicles we ’ re used to seeing on our roads .
In addition , Stiller is also benefiting from the latest driveline technology from Swedish truck manufacturer Scania , which has improved the fuel efficiency of its trucks .
“ We have bought 25 lorries and 13 trailers , costing more than £ 3.3m . This is a big investment for us ,” said Matthew .
These include the longer semi-trailers that are more than two metres longer than a conventional heavy goods vehicle trailer , that were only regulated into UK law at the beginning of June .
Matthew says : “ We ordered them nearly a year ago speculatively , knowing that the law might change this year .
“ The trailers will help us to be more efficient and more competitive , as they allow you to carry an additional 15 per cent of cargo .
“ They are able to achieve the same turning radiuses as conventional trailers , even though they are longer , by fitting a steering system to the rearmost axle .
“ This steering system adds cost and maintenance complexity but that is vastly outweighed by the benefit of increased cargo volume they are able to carry .”
The recent orders to add to the firm ’ s fleet also include 20 new Scania trucks , with the latest driveline technology , which enables haulage companies using them to achieve up to an eight per cent fuel saving – a figure which is “ pretty significant ” for a business such as Stiller .
Matthew explains : “ The full investment was conveniently timed and made in order to take advantage of the law change to allow for longer semi-trailers , which will allow us to transport at least 15 per cent more cargo when compared to the standard trailer , as well as benefiting from the savings in fuel that could be made using the new version of Scania ’ s trucks .
“ It will allow us to benefit from operating efficiencies and increased productivity .”
22 | Aycliffe Business