Melbourne-based Cold Xpress this week unveiled its first B-double combinations.
Embracing the cost-effective outcomes afforded by the bigger units in moving freight back and forth, Cold Xpress has purchased four new Mercedes-Benz Actros 2653 prime movers, two of which will pull the B-doubles.
One is designated the prolific Melbourne to Sydney leg while the other will move goods between Melbourne and Adelaide.
The cold chain specialist known for warehousing and last mile logistics has, in response to demand from customers, made significant investments in its refrigerated fleet this year alone.
“We have spent $2.75 million in in the last four months on additional trucks and trailers to the fleet,” Chief Operating Officer Jack Di Losa told Prime Mover.
The B-doubles, manufactured by Freighter Group, are carrying chilled and frozen goods as well as smallgoods, produce, poultry, juice and grocery items.
Cold Xpress also added 26- and 22-pallet refrigerated trailers, a 22-pallet curtainsider, two 18-pallet dual zone trailers for retail, three 10-palleters and a 6-pallet unit.
The investments have been prompted by additional business the company is generating in a strong market segment.
Earlier this year Cold Xpress opened its second warehouse, a state-of-the-art 8000m² cold storage facility in Rowville with a 10,000-pallet capacity.
“With this additional site we have needed more trucks, and as we have just opened it, we can see our fleet increasing over the next 12 months by 20 to 30 per cent,” said Di Losa.
“We have plans to launch a linehaul service for our existing customers and we are also increasing our regional coverage later in the year.”
In keeping with the current trajectory, Di Losa expects the business will likely add even more trucks over the next six months.
“That’s the plan,” he said.
The fleet currently runs 130 trucks, the majority of which are light rigids, using Telematica along with its fatigue management system.
A custom-made transportation system manages tasks like daily pre-starts, drug and alcohol testing and other safety and risk management compliance tasks.
Cold Xpress, moreover, has recently appointed a dedicated Safety and Compliance Officer Steven McCabe to maintain the highest level of safety achievable.
“At Cold Xpress we like to go over and above all standard requirements,” said Di Losa.
Established in 1998, Cold Xpress services over 600 customers across 48,000 delivery points including all the major supermarkets across three states and the ACT.
The B-doubles are a realisation of an efficiency mindset more relevant than ever at the growing family-owned company.
“In a climate of rising costs and customers wanting rate reductions you have to be able to save money by being efficient, whether that’s through tech and streamlining systems, or tightening down on policies and procedures,” said Di Losa.
