The Gray & Adams home-delivery van, based on a 3.5-tonne Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis
THE HOME delivery market has grown fast during the past few years and continues to expand. And it’s not just supermarkets – small businesses are also homing in on the sector.
The current size of the UK home delivery fleet is reckoned to be about 7500 vans – and based on an average five-year replacement cycle, the potential demand for replacement vehicles is around 1500 new vans a year.
So Gray & Adams, a leading manufacturer of temperature-controlled semi-trailers and bodywork, has introduced its own purpose-designed home-delivery van.
The first demonstration unit, based on a 3.5-tonne Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, is described as ‘more aerodynamic and futuristic in appearance’ than competitors’ products, an important consideration in a sector where brand image is a major factor.
The Sprinter is equipped with a dual-temperature GAH van refrigeration unit and is able to carry an extra tote (crate) – accommodating 105 totes in all. Gray & Adams designed out the wheelarch intrusion to create additional space for the extra tote.
Door handles and locks are of a high standard – important given the heavy use they get in home deliveries
Other new features include wide-radius cappings to smooth airflow and high-gloss Kemlite floor skins used externally and internally to help prevent dirt and debris accumulating beneath the vehicle and reducing payload capacity.
To protect the vehicle from accidents, high impact-resistant rear light plates, proximity sensors and reversing cameras have been fitted.
“We’ve shown our new vehicle to a number of major retailers,” Steve Rose, managing director at Gray & Adams’ Doncaster works, told Business Vans. “The feedback has been resoundingly positive and we’re already in detailed negotiations regarding the first volume orders.”
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