Specialist Vehicles

Over the past thirty years, the UK economy has significantly expanded and changed. New sectors in retail and supply have emerged which subsequently require a plethora of specialist vehicles. Investing in specialist vehicles can be costly for haulage operators, but a diversified fleet can open up a variety of new opportunities.

Articulated HGV’s are primarily used by the majority of haulage operators in the UK to transport dry consumer goods, Goods can range from non-perishable foods to dog toys. Vehicles of this nature must not exceed a gross weight of 44 tonnes.

However, articulated HGV’s are unsuitable for delivering perishable goods that need to be chilled. As such, refrigerated HGV’s are used to transport a range of goods in a temperature controlled environment to ensure that they do not spoil.

Flatbed HGV’s are primarily used by the construction industry to move bulky loads. Goods are usually strapped to an exposed bed and the gross weight of these vehicles must not exceed 4 tonnes.

The above remain the primary means of transport for goods in the United Kingdom, but a number of specialist HGV’s have been developed for a variety of roles. For example, recovery trucks - available in the HGV and LGV categories - can move vehicles ranging from small cars to other HGV’s following an accident or breakdown. Similarly, car transporters can be used to collect and deliver a significant number of small vehicles for either sale or disposal. HGVS have been further modified to serve as emergency response vehicles and livestock transports to name just a few examples. As we have observed, HGV’s have evolved and changed to reflect the needs of an ever changing society.

The development of specialist HGV’s allows haulage operators to diversify their fleets and subsequently expand into previously unexplored markets. For example, a haulage operator that had previously primarily used articulated HGV’s to move non-perishable goods for a supermarket could invest in both a recovery truck in the LGV category - such as a modified Isuzu Daily - and in the HGV category - such as a modified Mercedes Atego. This would allow the operator to offer roadside recovery for both smaller vehicles and HGV’s. Whilst this would initially incur a considerable amount of investment in terms of the cost of the assets itself, the provision of new staff members and relevant insurance, it would allow the operator to tend for business outside of their usual market. In the event that the assets were underused or not required for a period, these could be hired on a daily or weekly basis to other recovery operators. Evidence from a report composed by EMR illustrates that the rental market in the UK for specialist vehicles is considerably expanding and weekly rates for these vehicles can be significant. A diversified fleet means a diversified business comparatively insulated from changing consumer demand and contract changes.

A number of specialist heavy goods vehicles have been developed to reflect society's changing needs. This presents a haulage operator with the opportunity to expand their fleet with specialist vehicles that do not serve their primary needs, but could allow them expand into new markets and insulate their business from changing consumer demand.