Trucker gets 15% advantage by improving ‘balance’ on his rigs

CLIVE EMDON MAXIMISING THE potential payload on rigs by decreasing the weight of tri-axles and links and increasing the length of tri-axle trailers has added 15% to the profit margins of Kodiak Shipping Logistics, says CEO Colin Bowring. As a consequence he is able to offer better rates, with no increase in his base rates in the current year, he told FTW. A road transportation expert has described his rigs as “the most equally balanced on the road”, he said. “That is the balance between the weight and power of the horse against the weight of the trailer and its load.” Founded in 2001, Kodiak Shipping has a fleet of 15 vehicles for the transport of all dry and dry hazardous cargo. He saves 1 800kg using links built with lighter structure allowing for a heavier freight load, and by increasing the length of tri-axle trailers from 12 to 14 metres he can carry a load of up to 32½ tons against the regular loads of 30 tons. And careful management of the fleet ensures economic use of fuel. “Depending on the load and the route, our fuel usage is 1.95- 2.3 km/litre,” said Bowring, who believes one of his best decisions was to partner with Truckit, a road transport company with over 100 vehicles. “At times we don’t have enough capacity and at other times they don’t have capacity, so we use each other’s vehicles. It’s the sort of flexibility that is necessary in this field. They have been a good partner in assisting to expand mutually beneficial business.”