WIREDGOV

With fuel costs continuing to rise, the logistics’ industry has some welcome news – two new innovative trailers have been designed that are set to cut the number of trucks needed by nearly a third, thanks to two research and development grants from Yorkshire Forward.

 

The new trailers, designed by Scunthorpe based SOMI Trailers, will reduce road traffic congestion, CO2 emissions and increase profitability per trip. And they carry 31% extra, all this without being higher or longer as they fit conventional trucks and loading bays, hence the name SOMI - Same Outside More Inside.

 

“Our trailers are a world first, using the 4 metre long space normally left empty underneath the trailer between the king pin and rear axles.

 

“The new trailers enable four standard HGV journeys to be replaced with just three which saves £120,000 per truck per year with a corresponding reduction in CO2 of 400 tonnes and a return on investment in under 18 months” said founder and Managing Director of SOMI Trailers, Pauline Dawes.

 

With a grant from Yorkshire Forward two trailers were developed; the SOMI Stage Loading Trailer which uses load bars to put an extra layer of pallets above those lowered into the space below.

 

The second, the SOMI Auto Lifting Trailer, can be loaded without a fork-lift truck. The core technology behind this trailer involves an environmentally friendly air bag which can raise 8 tonnes per deck.

 

A self levelling system that evenly lifts up to 8 tonnes, despite unequal weight distribution, was developed and patented, as was the air bag, with a total of 17 patents been granted for the whole project to date.

 

Using the principles applied to formula one cars, including transferring forces from one part to another and aerodynamic efficiency, the SOMI trailer was designed for production. Another Yorkshire Forward grant was used to build a pre-production prototype and after nine months of finite element analysis, a substantive body worthy of a quality reputation was ready.

 

Before embarking on the SOMI Trailers project Pauline worked at a logistics firm for 20 years. The idea for the project arose when sat in traffic sandwiched between two trailers Pauline questioned why the space underneath trailers was not used.

 

“The assistance, advice and financial support from Yorkshire Forward has been excellent. It has speeded up the development process and opened doors in a way that otherwise would never have happened. I recommend that every company with an innovative idea approaches Yorkshire Forward” continued Pauline.

 

Alex McWhirter, Assistant Director of Business at Yorkshire Forward said: “Yorkshire Forward is delighted to be supporting SOMI Trailers in this innovative project. These trailers can be used for international transport so the potential to export to markets in Europe, USA and Asia is huge. The trailers are manufactured in the region using local suppliers so already other businesses in the region are benefiting.

 

“Yorkshire Forward’s research and development grants allow for the successful introduction of new products, which can open up a range of new markets for the region’s businesses”.

 

Notes to editors:

 

Yorkshire Forward

 

Yorkshire Forward is the Regional Development Agency behind the economic regeneration of Yorkshire and Humber. It aims to make a positive difference by investing in jobs, improving towns and cities, and in supporting businesses throughout the region.

 

Over the past year, Yorkshire Forward has created and safeguarded more than 22,254 jobs, assisted 60,005 people in skills, created 1,067 businesses and attracted £467m in investment.

 

Yorkshire Forward’s investment across the region is maximised by attracting European Regional Development Funding from the Objectives One and Two programmes and the 2007-2013 Regional Competitiveness and Employment Programmes.

 

For further information, images or to arrange an interview, please contact Laura Scholey, Press Executive on 0113 3949540 or email laura.scholey@yorkshire-forward.com