Walmart Canada Adds 60-Foot Multizone Refrigerated Trailer
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Walmart Canada has expanded its fleet to include for the first time in North America a 60-foot multi-temperature-zone refrigerated trailer, built by Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co.
In 2012, Walmart initiated a pilot program with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation to introduce 60-foot dry van trailers to that province’s roads. This special vehicle configuration permit pilot was successful and helped to open the door for organizations across Ontario to improve productivity by reducing the number of trips required to move lighter, bulkier cargo, according to the company. The latest trailer builds on that.
That permit pilot was successful and helped to open the door for organizations across the province to improve productivity by reducing the number of trips required to move lighter, bulkier cargo, Walmart noted.
Walmart Canada’s fleet has expanded to include our first 60-foot multi-temperature refrigerated trailer. It's also the first of its kind for Walmart in North America. https://t.co/MY3HbhlbxP — Walmart Canada (@WalmartCanada) July 22, 2022
“At a time of heightened concern about freight capacity and climate, it is refreshing to see an effort by government and the private sector to work together to come up with an innovative solution that benefits all concerned,” Darrin Roth, American Trucking Associations’ vice president of highway policy, told Transport Topics.
Roth
“While U.S. law would not authorize the operation of this vehicle," he added, "we hope that our own public officials will similarly collaborate with the trucking industry to address future challenges to emissions, fuel, safety and congestion with innovative approaches.”
The refrigerated trailer departs the company’s Mississauga distribution center for its stores in Windsor and Woodstock, and can fit as many as 30 pallets of perishable goods, such as meat and dry/wet produce, requiring different temperatures, according to Walmart. For context, a standard 53-foot trailer can fit about 26 pallets. The increased capacity and multi-temperature zones provide service flexibility in the most efficient manner by pairing certain stops that normally would not ship on the same trailer.
Dallan
“When Walmart makes a change, it has a ripple effect,” Patricio Dallan, Walmart Canada’s senior vice president of supply chain, said in a release. “In this case, we’re introducing a new custom solution to the Canadian market that helps to reduce our total number of trips and emissions. We’re incredibly proud of this milestone.”
Walmart is targeting zero emissions globally by 2040 without the use of offsets and has committed to an alternatively powered fleet in Canada by 2028. In 2021, Walmart Canada announced it was the first major retailer in Canada to offer carbon-neutral last-mile delivery. Walmart Canada is the Canadian subsidiary of Walmart.
Walmart Inc. ranks No. 3 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest private carriers in North America.
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