On the back of its recent expansion, CoolWay Trans has acquired five new B-double sets fitted with Carrier Vector HE19 refrigeration units.
CoolWay Trans, thriving since its inception approximately a decade ago, has flourished in the realm of national transportation, specializing in temperature-controlled logistics and Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) networks. Starting with just a single vehicle, the company has expanded its fleet to encompass over 140 pieces of equipment.
With an ever-expanding national presence, CoolWay has found success in its niche market. The company now operates distribution centers (DC) in every major city across the country.
The recent growth of its fleet led to the establishment of a new site in Glendenning, New South Wales, alongside its existing location. Together, these sites offer approximately 9,000 square meters of DC and hardstands, providing cross-docking services, vehicle maintenance, washing, refueling, and hardstand storage facilities.
According to CoolWay’s Commercial Manager, Mark Williams, the new facility empowers the company to control its operations more effectively. “We have the flexibility to maintain our equipment when it suits us during times where there might be a bit of downtime,” he explains. “So, we can service them, we can maintain them, and we can keep them clean and tidy. We can control the direction of the business.”
From its inception, CoolWay has relied on Carrier Transicold as its preferred refrigeration supplier for its trailer and rigid units. Carrier’s role has been instrumental in CoolWay’s growth, according to Sunny Ahmed, Managing Director of Coolway. “Carrier has played a major role in the success of the company because they make sure everything gets delivered on time, in temperature, and that’s what we sell for,” he remarks. “They have a major role in our operations.”
Recently, CoolWay acquired five B-double sets equipped with Carrier’s diesel-electric Vector HE19 refrigeration units. These combinations, received last December, have already completed numerous trips and are set to traverse various routes across Australia, carrying multi-temperature LTL pallets.
“They’ve been faultless,” says Mark. “With the finish on the trailers coupled up with the efficiency of the refrigeration units, they’ve been perfect. They basically haven’t stopped since we’ve taken delivery of them – from the initial install to all the pre-trip inspections that have been conducted on them.”
The Vector HE19s have proven extremely efficient on fuel consumption, leading CoolWay to opt for Carrier’s all-electric E-Drive technology in their upcoming trailer orders. “They give us that peace of mind that, whether we’re running confectionery chilled or frozen goods, they will maintain the temperature without any fault,” Mark adds. “These new ones are a little bit over-specified for our setup, but they pull down quickly, they hold temperature, and they’re extremely good on fuel. Once the doors are sealed up and they’re pulling down and have reached their temperature, they maintain it with the combination of the MaxiTRANS trailers.”
Carrier’s Vector HE 19 temperature-controlled trailer system showcases innovative all-electric technology, utilizing AC electricity generated by the diesel engine while in transit and while plugged into mains power when stationary.
Since its inception, the Vector HE 19 has undergone significant internal redevelopment, boasting a modern design that slashes fuel consumption by up to 30 percent, reduces unit weight by 10 percent, and lowers noise levels by up to 15 percent, resulting in substantial savings on maintenance costs compared to its predecessors.
Built around Carrier Transicold’s E-Drive all-electric technology, the Vector HE 19 eliminates mechanical transmissions found in conventional belt-driven equipment, converting engine power into electricity via a generator to drive the refrigeration system. This ensures sustainable refrigerant containment with a projected average annual leak rate of less than three percent.
Combining E-Drive technology with an improved multi-speed engine design, the Vector HE 19 achieves fuel savings of up to 30 percent compared to the previous Vector 1950, equivalent to saving 5.4 tonnes of CO2 annually. It is also 82 kilograms lighter, operates at 3 dB(A) lower, and offers engineless options for emissions reduction.
For CoolWay, Carrier’s commitment to customer satisfaction was evident from the outset. Carrier’s NSW Sales Manager, Darrin Klein, made a lasting impression on Sunny and Anna when he visited them at their home office, emphasizing Carrier’s dedication to all customers, regardless of purchase size.
“We are changing everything over 40,000 hours, and we haven’t had any breakdowns,” Sunny says. “Carrier has delivered and catered to all of our expectations. We are trying to be the best, and to be the best you have to partner with companies like Carrier who have the integrity and really do care about its customers.
“They’re such a big global brand and they still take care of all the little things for the small family-owned businesses, which is great. They will give you the best advice, not based on selling a product. They will give you the right product to suit the trailer, and that’s what I like about them. They’re an excellent company with an excellent product.”
Fast fact
The Carrier Vector HE19’s use of a hermetically sealed scroll compressor and economiser helps to deliver a 40 per cent increase in refrigeration capacity during pull-down, while reducing the chance of refrigerant escape by 50 per cent.
