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alongside the linked LD base meaning that they repair and refurbish other brands of trailers and bodies too. It isn’ t exclusive to Lawrence David products.”
Sustainability is equally high on the agenda. Lawrence David’ s net zero roadmap has delivered early wins, with solar generation at its production sites being a major contributor, alongside electric company vehicles, battery-powered tools, and upgrades to compressed air, gas, boiler valves, and pipework. The business has also analyzed how employees commute to reduce fuel use. Ben admits the harder task lies beyond the factory gates.“ The toughest part of our net zero strategy is establishing at what point our suppliers are within our supply chain, because their progress links into whatever the company can report. The roadmap is challenging, but we’ re making progress.”
Year-to-date registrations keep Lawrence David in a strong second in the UK curtain and box trailer market.“ Number two is quite a comfortable position to be in within your given market, as it allows us to keep clipping at the leader’ s heels without constantly looking over our shoulder.” When asked whether Lawrence David wants to be number one, he answers honestly:“ It would be wrong of me to say no – but the emphasis is on keeping a good balance.”
Looking further ahead, Ben can only pinpoint one overarching development that could re-define the next generation of trailers: autonomy.“ People are now seeing autonomous cars, and they’ ve started talking about autonomous trucks,” he finalizes.“ Outside of the alternative fuel and EV developments, which are already ongoing, further autonomy developments are the main innovation I can see having a big influence on our industry – whether that’ s in two years or 100 years.” ■
www. lawrencedavid. co. uk
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