Ryder is to supply nearly 240 specialist vehicles to corrugated and specialist plastic packaging solutions provider DS Smith.

The order includes 218 Lawrence David trailers and 21 Mercedes-Benz Actros 2545 Streamspace tractor units.

​The tractors and trailers are designed to be as safe as possible around vulnerable users: for example, Brigade’s Backchat speaking side warning alarm is fitted to the tractors, while the trailers’ side marker lights flash when the indicators are used.

Mark Abbey, UK Logistics Manager at DS Smith, said: "Working with the Confederation of Paper Industries and the Health & Safety Laboratory, we’ve concentrated on load security and general safety standards.

"We wish to continue to be at the forefront of safety standards and developments in our industry – and working with Lawrence David and Ryder is key to that.

"The trailer’s safety spec is designed to ensure the driver does not need to work at height and does not need to climb on to the catwalk."

The replacement trailers are among the highest specification Ryder has ever supplied to a customer. The straight frame pillarless curtainsiders feature:

• SAF wide axle configuration (which helps prevent roll-overs);
• Strap Safe floor-to-floor load restraint system (previously developed jointly by DS Smith and Lawrence David);
• securing curtains;
• Michelin Effitrailer tyre pressure monitoring system (following a successful trial);
• ground coupling Mavis rails;
• Soft Dock system with audible warning (adapted to focus on the driver’s rear blindspots);
• high-level indicator and brake lights; and
• internal illumination of the trailer (triggered by the driver opening the doors, but only when coupled to a tractor).

The tractor/trailer combinations service England and Wales, primarily delivering reels and paper from DS Smith’s paper mill in Sittingbourne, Kent, to box manufacturers and sheet feeders, and then returning to Sittingbourne with baled papers for recycling.

Ryder is supplying the vehicles on lease complete with maintenance.