The deal, which represents a £250,000 investment by SW Group, aims to improve cost efficiencies and contribute to a reduction in CO2 emissions, aligning with the long-term sustainability goals of both companies.
The triple deck trailers, designed to transport solar panels and other renewables equipment, will operate from Segen's distribution warehouse in Medway, Kent, managed by Wincanton. Offering 60% more capacity than conventional double deck models, the new trailers will significantly reduce the number of trips needed for deliveries each year, resulting in an annual reduction in CO2 emissions of 280 tonnes.
Solar panels have a large pallet footprint of up to 2.4m x 1.1m, but due to the fact that only eight panels are typically needed per home, the depth of each pallet is just 0.4m. Since the pallets cannot be stacked without risk of damage to the fragile panels, this results in wasted cubic space in conventional double deck trailers. Adding a third deck utilises this space, allowing the new trailers to accommodate up to 74 pallets—28 more than a 13.8m double deck trailer and 48 more than a single deck trailer.
The triple deck trailers, which were custom built by Lawrence David in Peterborough, also feature a central "crucifix" support structure for the lower decks, ensuring easy access and efficient loading of the solar panel pallets.
“Today’s announcement underscores SW Group’s continued commitment to optimising cost efficiencies and reducing carbon emissions—not just within our own operations but also for our valued customers,” says Clive Oakley, Managing Director of SW Group. “Our long-standing partnership with Segen has always been centred on delivering high-efficiency, sustainable logistics solutions, and this new initiative takes our collaboration to the next level.”
Mike Eaton, Operations Director – Warehouse and Logistics, Segen UK & Ireland, adds: “Segen is committed to improving distribution costs and efficiencies while moving towards a net-zero business model. Central to this is our focus on reducing the environmental footprint of our entire distribution network, from manufacturer to consumer, and working closely with like-minded partners who share our sustainability goals. This investment by SW Group is a clear demonstration of how our enduring partnership continues to deliver value for both companies.”
