ABOUT 3D International Haulage Ltd:
3D International Haulage is a family run company based in Bolton. As a family run business, they understand the importance of providing an honest, reliable, and best possible service.
3D International Haulage understand the importance of getting a clear understanding of their client’s requirements, then being able to deliver upon on their needs to a high standard.
Their transport office is manned by their team at all times, this gives them the flexibility to change plans, react to their customers’ needs and pay particular attention to time sensitive deliveries day or night.
Dave, could you let the readers of TCS&D know how you got into the temperature[1]controlled distribution sector and what is your role within 3D International Haulage please?
My role within 3D International Haulage Ltd is joint business owner with my wife Dawn . We started the business 2002 – I was initially an owner driver and after a lot of hard work and long hours we developed this into a small business and now operate over 90 HGVs.
Can you firstly tell us what temperature-controlled vehicles that 3D International Haulage operates?
3D International operate with multi temperature box trailers with a selection of Schmitz Cargobull and Gray & Adams.
What has been the most important technical development in your temperature-controlled bodies and refrigeration systems in recent years and how has it impacted on your operations within 3D International Haulage?
The most important technical development in our temperature-controlled bodies and refrigeration systems are the telematics that have been installed on our fleet of 90 trailers. This has taken place over the last 5 years and has impacted our operations massively – we are able to give our customers real time temperature readings as and when required.
Are you using telematics across your fleet currently? If so, what advantages do you see this gives your clients?
Yes. This gives us and our clients the advantages of seeing real time temperature readings to ensure we are chill chain compliant. It also has the advantage that an alarm is raised should the doors be opened unexpectedly.
Question: Customer needs are constantly changing, so what are you finding is now the biggest request from your customers?
Due to the quality and reliability of our service provided over many years, the biggest request that we are currently receiving is ever lasting growth and support.
What environmental measures does 3D International Haulage incorporate to ensure best practice?
We are currently in a transition period of exchanging our fleet of diesel vehicles to more environmentally friendly vehicles. We are expecting delivery of 30 S-Way CNG Iveco trucks in the first quarter of 2023.
The last 24 months has thrown us all a curve ball, how has business been for 3D International Haulage since the pandemic started?
Since the pandemic started 3D International Haulage has gone from strength to strength. We have expanded the business in each depot with both current customers and many new customers. In the last 24 months 3D International Haulage have opened two new depots in the London area and have massively increased both our units and trailers to cope with the extra demand.
If you could give one piece of advice to a newcomer to our industry, what would it be?
Before entering into the industry any newcomers should be aware of the strict compliance requirements. The industry is very rewarding if taken seriously however the working hours are very unsociable and very long.
Lastly, would you like to share any news about your company that you feel would benefit the TCS&D readers?
3D always strive to deliver the best – this is only possible with hard work and the excellent team we have beside us.
