SPECIALISING IN GLASS TRANSPORT SYSTEMS
News/Exhibitions
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NEW GLASS STOP! – the Supertrucks load restraint system - 04/12/2008
To further enhance the security of glass, window frames, garage doors and the like carried on external racks, Supertrucks has introduced GLASS STOP! – a new, low-cost, simple load restraint system. GLASS STOP! can be specified as a £250 + VAT option on any new or existing exterior Supertrucks glass-carrying rack.
The GLASS STOP! package includes a special full-length track for the rack. This has specially designed slots cut in it to allow the GLASS STOP! load retention buffer unit to be fitted anywhere along its length. Once the load of sheet glass/window frames or garage doors is loaded on the rack, the GLASS STOP! buffer unit is slotted into the restraint track at the front edge of the load. This prevents the load moving forward in an emergency stop. The GLASS STOP! buffer unit is doubly secured both in the track and by a quick-action butterfly bolt which provides an additional mechanical location.
Peter Wright explains, “We already offer three types of proven load restraint system for our external racks. However, given the larger size items now carried by our customers, higher vehicle speeds and today’s heavily congested roads, we have introduced GLASS STOP! to further improve load retention and thus safety – even in wet weather. GLASS STOP! is the ideal load security device for today’s harsh economic conditions in that it is quick and simple to use and is inexpensive. Yet, it only has to restrain a load once in an emergency to pay for itself many times over.”
The GLASS STOP! package can be specified on any new Supertrucks glass-carrying rack and can be retrofitted to virtually any existing Supertrucks rack. From early next year, fitting can be carried out at Supertrucks’ St Helens works or any of its UK partners.
For further information please contact: - Peter Wright, Chairman, Supertrucks Ltd, tel: 01744 25348
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SUPERTRUCKS’ VW FIRST - 04/12/2008
Supertrucks Ltd has just completed its first glass carrying van conversion for VW UK Ltd. Though Supertrucks has converted several hundred VW vans, up to now all this work has been for customers in the glass and home improvements sectors.
Peter Wright, Supertrucks’ chairman remarks, “We are delighted to carry out our first glass-carrying van conversion directly for VW. Supertrucks has strong working relationships with many of the UK’s leading LCV suppliers and it is significant that we can now add VW, one of the UK’s most successful LCV suppliers, to this list.”
The first conversion for VW is on a medium-wheelbase Crafter 3.5 tonne gvw van and includes a Supertrucks external anodized aluminium rack, complete with System 2 load restraint and a full internal racking system. The new Supertrucks conversion will be part of VW’s demonstration fleet, and will make its debut at the Interbuild show at the NEC.
A key requirement for Supertrucks to work with VW was its BS 9001 certification and ability to match the standard VW warranty for its conversions. For further information please contact: - Peter Wright, Chairman, Supertrucks Ltd, tel: 01744 25348
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NEW YEAR & NEW EXPANSION FOR SUPERTRUCKS - 04/12/2008
As part of its ongoing programme of customer service improvement programme, Supertrucks enters 2009 with the opening of a new 4,000sq.ft (372sq.m) panel van glass rack installation facility. This new installation shop enables Supertrucks to further improve its popular ‘while you wait’ glass rack fitting service – and offer best value for money.
Peter Wright, Supertrucks chairman, explains, “We are committed to improving the service we offer to customers both in home and export markets. Earlier this year we introduced an industry-leading three year/100,000 mile warranty, which is unique in our market sector. Now, the new installation shop adds to this customer service improvement, as it enables us to provide an even better on-site while you wait service. This new facility also frees up space within our current workshops to allow for new product lines.”
New product introductions, such as the Supertrucks Lowloader van, Technitip suspension, Glass Stop! and other innovations have fuelled the company’s recent sales growth.
The new four-bay installation shop has been laid out in consultation with the Manufacturing Institute’s Smart Working initiative to combine greatest efficiency and optimum safety levels. As such, the new installation centre includes 1 tonne lift capacity overhead craneage, finished rack storage and optimally positioned tooling and other equipment.
The new installation facility can accommodate the largest panel vans and with its introduction, Supertrucks has been able to reduce while you wait fitting times to just 3.0 hours for a full-length external glass carrying rack/roof rack and only 2.0 hours for a full interior fixed racking or slide-out Glass Glide rack.
As part of its current modernisation programme, Supertrucks has also expanded its workforce with an additional three skilled metal fabricators. In addition, the company has also taken on two apprentices. This is the first time that the company has run an apprenticeship programme for a number of years.
“We have decided that the best way to tackle the current financial situation is by being proactive. We are investing in the future with our new apprentices and more skilled staff – and also expanding the range of products we offer. Our current investment programme is a major step for a company of our size. But, we believe that the improved efficiency that this will bring will further improve our already high standards of customer service and ensure the company’s future in our specialist field,” explains Peter Wright. For further information please contact: - Peter Wright, Chairman, Supertrucks Ltd, tel: 01744 25348
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Supertrucks - CNC Investment - 27/11/2008
Supertrucks, inventors of the light alloy glass carrying rack for panel vans and the UK’s largest manufacturer of specialist glass carrying vehicles and equipment, has just completed its largest single investment in new equipment. The major £300,000+ investment in new machinery has been made to raise productivity and quality standards to allow the company to remain competitive in both home and its growing export markets.
Peter Wright, Supertrucks’ chairman, explains, “To succeed as a manufacturing business in the UK requires a continuous effort to remain competitive. Recent massive increases in material and energy costs would have meant increasing our prices to levels which would have adversely affected our home and export business. Thus, the directors decided that major productivity gains had to be achieved to remain competitive and offer our customers even higher quality product.”
Fully in service since the beginning of March, the new machines are now delivering both the expected benefits of increased productivity, as well as many other, advantages. The expected benefits achieved included:-
- Reduced manufacturing time
- Shorter production lead times
- Greater manufacturing flexibility
- Even higher levels of quality
- Tighter production tolerances
- Faster supply of spare parts
In addition, there were other benefits, which included:-
- Less material wastage, through optimised material usage
- Weight reduction of finished racks
- Greater strength of finished product
- Even better finish
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Supertrucks Glaze-Away (1st June 2006) - 27/11/2008
Supertrucks Ltd, the UK’s largest, long established – designer and manufacturer of vehicles for the glazing industry is continually looking for new ways to increase the efficiency of its products. The latest productivity-boosting product launched by the St Helens based company is the Glaze-Away trailer which delivers significant efficiency and cost saving benefits.
The new Supertrucks Glaze-Away trailer can fill a dual role, in that it can be used to increase the capacity of a glazing van to carry extra material and tools for a large job. Or, it can be used to double productivity. In this role it allows two glazing teams to work using just one van.
Supertrucks intends to offer a range of Glaze-Away trailers, once glazing companies become familiar with the concept. Initially, the first Glaze-Away trailers are able to take sheet glass or frames up to 4.0m long and approaching 2.5m high. The initial Glaze-Away trailer model has a payload capacity of 1,040kg when used with a typical 3.5 tonne gvw van which has a 2,000kg braked trailer train weight capacity.
