Family-owned firm Buffaload Logistics has 15 years’ experience in the temperature-controlled sector and has been pursuing ambitious growth plans. It has tripled in size over the last two years and intends to double the size of the business in the next 30 months.

Plans include a new six-bay vehicle workshop at its 16-acre Huntingdon site and further expansion of the vehicle fleet. Already this year, 31 refrigerated double-deckers have been ordered and will be delivered before the year end. Each carries the new Buffaload livery, which reflects the familiar black and red Buffaload theme.

In addition, the company has also recently added three new cross-docking terminals at its Cambridgeshire headquarters to provide an additional 50% pallet handling capacity. Furthermore, Buffaload has branched out into double-deck and urban trailer hire, including repair and maintenance.

Currently, Buffaload operates over 60 double-deck trailers and is renowned in the cool chain for its imaginative use of this type of temperature-controlled trailer.

Buffaload’s Business Development Director Ian Perks said: “Although we provide a diverse range of transport and storage services, our particular logistics ability lies in the provision of temperature controlled 44-pallet double-deck trailers.

“These high-cube trailers are equipped with moving floors which provide a combination of loading flexibility and increased pallet capacity. This, for our customers equates to reduced handling costs, fewer road miles and increased fleet efficiency.”

For customers whose loading bays cannot accommodate double deck trailers, Buffaload’s dedicated engineering team will provide the necessary technical support to make modifications as needed.

Ongoing technical support for double-deckers along with general fleet service requirements is provided on a round-the-clock basis from Buffaload’s own workshops. In addition, fully equipped mobile service vans are ready to provide routine maintenance and emergency support when required throughout the UK and from all three of Buffaload’s key depots in Huntingdon, Avonmouth and Wigan.

Significant investment in pallet-handling software, new trailers and additional cross-docking bays has significantly enhanced turnaround time and further enabled Buffaload to provide an end-to-end and diverse service to retailers, food producers and handlers in the cold chain. Moreover, the new trailer and vehicle rental operation, coupled with the company’s on-site frozen and chilled pallet storage facility, has added even greater flexibility to the national operation.