Long-term Tiger Trailers customer AO has invested more than £2 million in improving the capacity of its fleet, while reducing carbon emissions, with the addition of 20 further moving double deck trailers, this time LSTs, along with 10 compressed natural gas IVECO tractor units.
This batch of 20 moving double deck LSTs supplied to the UK’s most trusted major electricals retailer takes the total number of Tiger-built vehicles in AO’s fleet, operate under the Expert Logistics name, to over 300 units, including rigid truck bodywork solutions.
The LSTs are 2.05 metres longer than the standard trailers used by AO, allowing for a 10% increase in capacity, as appliances can be double stacked on both lower and upper decks, as well as loaded four products wide if desired.
David Ashwell, group logistics director at AO, said: “We are proud to be continuing our move to a more sustainable future that will hopefully see 90% of our fleet running on CNG by 2030. These tractor units and the new LSTs allow us to reduce our carbon footprint and save on costs. Crucially it significantly increases our capacity, which enables us to deliver even better service to our customers.”
The LSTs are the sixth generation of design supplied by Tiger over a nine-year period. They are powered by Tiger Trailer’s in-house hydraulic ram lifting deck solution. Operational ruggedness has been engineered into their trailers’ specification, from recessed and protected lights sunk into the rear bearer, and galvanisation applied to various parts of the chassis, to the rear under-run being positioned to avoid loading bay damage. Finished in AO’s striking green vinyl livery, they will carry large appliances between the company’s warehouse in Crewe and its delivery outbases across the UK.
Darren Holland, Sales Director of Tiger Trailers, said: “It’s great to work with the entire AO team and we look forward to enhancing the current builds into the next generation at each enquiry stage. The evolution from the original trailers supplied in 2015 that gave an increase of 14% in load capacity back then to the new trailers which are gaining a further 10% is great to see.”
AO has also announced that it is transitioning its fleet of tractor units from diesel to more environmentally friendly compressed natural gas (CNG) with a goal to have 90% of its vehicles running on CNG by 2030.
AO originally purchased 10 CNG tractor units in 2022 and the Bolton-based company has now brought 10 more into its fleet. The switch will enable a reduction of up to 85% in CO2 emissions, compared to the existing diesel fleet.
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About Tiger Trailers:
Tiger Trailers is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of articulated HGV semi-trailers and rigid truck bodywork, from curtainside, box trailers and flatbeds, to double decks, refrigerated trailers and rigid truck bodywork from 3.5t to 28t. The company’s ethos is to provide customers with innovative design solutions, outstanding build quality and a collaborative, personal service.
The innovative company’s service divisions include Tiger Finance, Tiger Parts, and Tiger Rentals. Increasingly known in the sector for its CSR activities, Tiger works with The Prince’s Trust, Veterans Into Logistics and various other charities, promotes Women in Transport as a member, and teaches road safety in schools. Discover more at tigertrailers.co.uk
About AO:
AO World plc, headquartered in Bolton and listed on the London Stock Exchange, is an online electrical retailer, with a mission to be the global destination for electricals. Our strategy is to create value by focussing on being brilliant for our customers to make AO the destination for everything they need, in the simplest and easiest way, when buying electricals.
We sell major and small domestic appliances and a growing range of electrical products in the UK, delivering them via our in-house logistics business and carefully selected third parties. We also provide ancillary services such as the installation of new and collection of old products and offer product protection plans and customer finance.
In the UK, AO operates in five main categories (Major Domestic Appliances “MDA”, Small Domestic Appliances “SDA”, Audio Visual “AV” and Consumer Electronics “CE”). Following the acquisition of Mobile Phones Direct Limited in December 2018, AO has significantly broadened its mobile phone category.
In September 2020, AO was named the headline sponsor of the AO Arena in a five-year deal.
AO also has a majority equity stake in AO Recycling, a WEEE processing facility, allowing AO to ensure its customers’ electricals waste is dealt with responsibly in the UK.
AO, is green in more ways than one. Find out more about its sustainability initiatives here: https://ao.com/sustainability
