MBR SEPTEMBER ALL LR

Malta Business Review
TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS
TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS
Malta Business Review
Express
Trailers
Builds First
Of Its Kind
Side-Loader
In The World
Express Trailers has just delivered its latest
re-conditioned side-loader, an ADR-approved
Hammar 195 HC which is radio-controlled
and equipped with automatic steering,
parking sensors, reverse sensors and many
other features, making this model the first
of its kind in the world. This side-loader has
now been shipped to its client in the Canary
Islands.
This is the eleventh commissioned sideloader
since Express Trailers’ appointment as
HAMMAR's European base for the re-building
and customization of HAMMAR side-loaders
for the global market a year and a half ago.
Express Trailers in fact has already delivered
rebuilt and re-conditioned side-loaders to
clients in the UK, Turkey, Spain, Portugal, the
United States and the Canary Islands.
Side-loaders, or side-lifters, enable transport
companies to load and unload containers
and out of gauge cargo onto flat-bed trailer
trucks without the use of cranes but instead,
with the use of a specially mounted hydraulicpowered
mechanism installed on the trailer
chassis. These hydraulic structures can also
be telescopic; adjusting to varying sizes of
containers and can handle weights of up to 33
tons without any counter weight.
“This new milestone is another feather in
Express Trailers’ cap and confirms how the
company is keeping to its commitment to
deliver the highest level of service for its clients
round the world,” said Franco Azzopardi,
Chairman and CEO of Express Trailers.
“We have invested a lot in this collaboration
with HAMMAR to re-build and re-condition
side-loaders on behalf of its clients, operations
that effectively saw Express Trailers moving
into the manufacturing business. The result of
this investment is that we have already seen a
successful year and a half and we are already
envisaging more business in the coming
months that will see us working on an even
bigger order book,” added Franco Azzopardi.
Work on this latest side-loader started 10
weeks ago and saw the involvement of two
welders and three mechanical assemblers
working non-stop to finish this commission
on time. After the dismantling of the old
chassis, it was sent for sand-blasting. Back
at Express Trailers’ garage, all technicians we
went through the plans and drawings sent
over by Hammar, started welding whilst the
mechanics refurbished the brakes and all
mechanical systems. All the metallic paintwork
was also carried out at the paintshop followed
by the assembly process. Upon completion,
the side-loader was tested by an independent
engineer.
“Re-building and reconditioning of sideloaders
is a service we are delivering in
collaboration with HAMMAR, a world-known
brand in the side-loader business. We have
been offering this service for a year and a
half now and prospects of increased business
required us to invest in our workshops to
be able to cater for the demand. The newly
installed roof and mobile crane system not
only helps us reach new efficiencies but
provide a safer working environment for
our employees,” said Noel Vella, Director
at Express Trailers who oversees the
management of the fleet and the side-loader
business.
“We currently have a team of very talented
workers who are doing a fantastic job but
as we expect business to grow, we know we
will need to recruit more workers especially
welders. We need people who are passionate,
want to learn and are willing to be part of a
successful team. From our end, we are ready
to offer them all the required training.”
“Availability of capable and talented workers
in this field however, remains an issue and it is
proving to be very difficult to find these types
of workers. Unless we find more tradesmen,
we will not be able to meet the growing
demand,” concluded Noel Vella. MBR
20 21
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