History


Support
TUK is an organisation of operators and suppliers. Regular meetings set up mutual trust and support which is both appropriate and important. Member meetings include operators and suppliers and provide opportunities to meet and discuss matters of mutual interest. Codes of Conduct for operator and supplier members have been established and are regularly updated. They outline common minimum standards for services and products provided. Members can have confidence that any products or services provided by members will match their expectations and this has helped created strong commercial relationships between members.

Operations - Airflow
Increasingly high standards of temperature control imposed by receivers of the goods transported by TUK members , raised the consciousness of the need for correct airflow to achieve proper temperature control in transit. After a joint investigation by TUK operators and suppliers a ‘red load line’ was established to mark the maximum loading height of goods to prevent airflow disruption or blockage. In addition, a loading guideline sticker for attachment to the inside wall of the vehicle was produced . In a selection of European languages, to help foreign loaders why they must not stray above the red line, it has saved many operators from unnecessary goods in transit claims, has been adopted by Transfrigoroute International and is now seen in properly specified trailers throughout Europe.

ATP Certification
Cross border operations require ATP certified equipment. Some time ago this was issued in the form of a paper certificate, which had to accompany the trailer on all journeys outside the UK. Certificate loss or misunderstanding could cause delays and in extreme cases refusal of passage in countries abroad. TUK established that there was a provision in the ATP legislation for the certification to be carried in the form of a metal plate attached to the vehicle or trailer .Through Transfrigoroute International , TUK was successful in persuading our trading partners of the convenience and legality of this change, creating a major beneficial change to the daily lives of transport managers in our member companies, as well as across the industry as a whole.

Carnet du Passage
During the eighties it was necessary for a Carnet du Passage to accompany all vehicles traveling to and from France. This was available from competent bodies, notably the AA but required a bank guarantee to protect the issuing authority from French claims of lost duty. Clearly this represented a significant operational cost. Through dialogue with the UK Dept of Transport the appropriate French Ministry , TUK became the catalyst which persuaded the French authorities to use other to protect against potential duty losses through trailers being illicitly sold in France. Now overtaken by the creation of the European Community , this effort saved all international operators significant operating cost. ing members several hundred pounds a year in bank fees and more than compensated for the annual membership fee.

Technical Advice
In addition to the continuing developments in the area of training, the organisation has developed a number of advice guides, developed by the operating and supplier members, to assist members to deliver the most efficient and highest quality goods and services. Current issues include:-

  • An Environmental Audit Checklist.
  • A Health and Safety Guide.
  • Cool Guides - A series of advisory papers regarding various specific issues - now available together in bound form.
In the interests of raising standards, all these publications are made available to non- members.

Training Information Video
The creation of a cold chain training video covering the movement of perishable goods from field to consumer: It laid out not just the principles involved but also how each part of the COLD CHAIN should be protected, and the importance of each individual’s role in the chain. For the first time people at all levels were able to see how the COLD CHAIN worked and the importance of their ‘link’ as well as those links on either side of their own. The video was also made available to schools, colleges and other places of general learning so that the populace might better understand the efforts made in getting their foodstuffs to them in tip top condition and play their part in keeping them that way.

Driver Training Programme
From pre-trip checks to fridge operations and loading practice, this programme in CD and VHS form is ideal for both new and experienced drivers in the cold chain.

Management
A fully-fledged training course, using the knowledge and experience of both operating and supplier members, was set up in conjunction with the FTA. This did much to raise the industry standards as a whole and promote better understanding between operators, equipment manufacturers and their mutual customers.

Equipment
In 1984/5 a form of trailer appeared in Europe with very thin walls thereby allowing 24 pallets to be carried instead of the normal 22. This trailer was created for chilled goods only and the thin walls were believed to be adequate to protect temperature at above zero temperatures . As a result of less professional companies using these trailers to carry frozen goods, some European countries allowed the operation of temperature controlled vehicles and trailers with a ‘tolerance’ in overall width from 2.55 to 2.6 meters which permitted the carrying of 24 pallets provided they had insulated walls of least 45 mm thickness. In December 1986 TUK met with officers of the then Department of Transport and outlined the temperature hazards of thin wall reefers. A new trailer of 2.6m width with a minimum wall thickness of 45mm (being the requirement of ATP legislation) was proposed. This would allow the carriage of 24 UK size pallets but in a properly insulated environment. It was stressed that the change would also:
  • Reduce the fuel used in the vehicle’s refrigeration unit
  • Eliminate the threat from foreign competition
  • Encourage operators to invest in brand new trailers with the latest technology advances
  • Reduce considerably the number of refrigerated trailers on UK domestic deliveries
Effectively TUK had persuaded the UK Government to increase the ‘size’ of vehicles on British roads in 7 months.