11 Jun Delivering ‘The Pod’ with NewCold Logistics

The Customer Problem

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, 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 and 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.

Our Innovation

‘The Pod’ is an auto loading freezer pod, built inside a 15.6m refrigerated body with 60 pallet capacity that holds produce at minus 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 is also more environmentally friendly because it uses electric refrigeration to hold the product at temperature.

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.

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 3 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.

What Our Customer Says

“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.” – Tom Cassells, Logistics Advisor, NewCold Logistics