Stardes Ltd, who provide logistics services to the music, concert and entertainment industry, have added two new Schmitz Cargobull FP25 dry freight box trailers to their fleet.
The trailers will be used to distribute the equipment used by individual artists and bands on tours throughout the UK and around Europe. Their first job will be to transport instruments, costumes and production equipment required on chart-topping solo artist Mika and leading 'indie-band' Kasabian's forthcoming European tours.
The new trailers were modified for Stardes's needs with the addition of 12 internal LED light fittings which have been recessed into the roof of the trailers. The enhanced lighting is required to illuminate the loading process which, invariably, takes place at night after a concert.
In addition, the locking bar on the back doors of the trailers has been adapted to offer enhanced security, while a load securing system - developed by Stardes in conjunction with Spanset UK Ltd ¬ - was added during the build process.
The trailers have also been fitted with ramp carriers to allow two loading ramps to be carried, while to enable Stardes to check a range of trailer functions and conditions while the vehicles are on the road, each of the trailers is fitted with Wabco's SmartBoard monitoring technology.
The trailers are constructed using Schmitz Cargobull's patented Ferroplast Thermo Technology modular steel-skinned panels to keep loads safe and dry. Ferroplast eliminates the kind of condensation problems that are sometimes associated with single-skinned trailers or aluminium and fibreglass models during hot weather.
Finished in Stardes's striking blue and yellow livery, the trailers feature reflective decals and conspicuous tape on the sides and rear as part of the company's long-running 'see and be seen' policy.
Stardes's David Steinberg, the founder and a director of the family-owned business, comments: "Stardes is committed to professionalism and customer care. We bought Schmitz Cargobull products not only because of the build quality of the trailers and the fact that Schmitz Cargobull could incorporate the special design features we needed, but because of the extensive after sales service back up the company offers throughout Europe. The Mika summer tour is now playing shows in Russia, so the back up service that Schmitz Cargobull offers will be of added value."