PRESS RELEASE 2012-140 Schmitz Cargobull (UK) Ltd

26 September 2012

BERNARD MATTHEWS FARMS LEANS ON SCHMITZ CARGOBULL TO STAND UP TO THE RIGOURS OF THE JOB

The most recognised turkey farming company in the UK, Bernard Matthews Farms, is completing its transition to a 100 per cent Schmitz Cargobull refrigerated fleet with the arrival of eight new trailers from the manufacturer, four of which feature the company’s striking new ‘Lean on Turkey’ livery.

The fully integrated turkey producer – which operates farms in Norfolk, Suffolk and Lincolnshire – says it has gradually converted its fleet to Schmitz Cargobull over the last seven years due to competitive pricing and an ability for the trailers to stand-up to the rigours of its demanding transport operations.

“Our fleet is really put through its paces on a daily basis,” said Jeffrey Helmore, Transport Manager at Bernard Matthews. “This requires equipment which not only copes with our gruelling schedules, but that has the longevity to perform as well on day one as it does two, three or even seven years down the line.

“Regularly maintaining and servicing a fleet is all well and good, but if the initial product isn’t up to scratch in the first place, it means very little. With Schmitz Cargobull we get a good solid trailer and that’s why we keep coming back for more,” he added.

The eight new trailers – each equipped with Vector™ 1550 mono-temperature refrigeration units from Carrier Transicold – join Bernard Matthews’ 33-strong reefer fleet and will be deployed between its production facilities in Norfolk and Suffolk, and its distribution centres to transport both fresh meat as well as frozen and chilled finished products. Schmitz Cargobull (UK) Ltd Tarporley Road, Lower Whitley, Warrington, WA4 4EZ

“A big gain for us is the FERROPLAST panelling unique to Schmitz Cargobull equipment. We’ve had experiences before with competitor products where the outer skin of a trailer has been pierced and water has seeped in. This has resulted in water soaking into the insulation and reducing the efficiency of the trailer – also leading to an increase in the trailer’s unladen weight,” added Helmore.

“We don’t get this problem with Schmitz Cargobull equipment and that is a big advantage to us as the integrity of the products we carry is critical.”

Schmitz Cargobull’s FERROPLAST® panels use high-quality expanded, closed cell, polyurethane foam housed between steel skins and make use of all the advantages that steel can offer. The multiple-coated steel skin is impervious to vapour intrusion and remains as sealed as only metal can be – despite being ultra-thin. Unlike fibreglass-reinforced plastic, steel doesn't become brittle or develop cracks.

The new ‘Lean on Turkey’ livery promotes Bernard Matthews Farms’ campaign aimed at increasing consumption of fresh turkey. The branding drives visitors to the campaign website www.leanonturkey.co.uk to find recipes, nutritional information and meal ideas, designed to motivate and inspire them to cook with turkey all year round.

Helmore anticipates the new trailers will remain on the Bernard Matthews fleet for the next seven years.

ends

Editor’s notes: Schmitz Cargobull (UK) is a subsidiary company of the German-owned Schmitz Cargobull Group, the biggest and leading manufacturer and supplier of semi-trailers in Europe. The Schmitz Cargobull Group has manufacturing plants in Germany, Spain and Lithuania and employs over 4,500 people. In the last financial year (2010/2011), Schmitz Cargobull had a turnover of approximately €1.2 billion and produced circa 35,000 trailers.

A number of additional services complete the company profile: Cargobull Finance for leasing and lease purchasing; Cargobull Parts & Services for vehicle servicing and spare parts; Cargobull Service Partners for repairs and maintenance; Cargobull Telematics for trailer telematics and Cargobull Trailer Store for used trailers. Schmitz Cargobull refrigerated units are constructed using the company’s FERROPLAST® Thermo Technology modular steel-skinned panels to keep loads at the desired temperature.

Visit Schmitz Cargobull’s dedicated online press room at http://www.cisionwire.com/schmitz-cargobull

Press Contact UK: Alexa Gibb / James Keeler Garnett Keeler PR Tel: 020 8647 4467 Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Company Contact Europe: Gerd Rohrsen, Head of Corporate Communications Andrea Ewering, Manager Public Relations Tel: +49 2558 811321 Email: [email protected] SCB/041/12