Reciprocity With Lawrence David

Lawrence David (LD) is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of trailers, curtainsiders, box vans, rigid bodywork and last mile delivery vehicles, and they have worked with Dawsongroup for over twenty years – in more ways than one.

LD’s relationship with Dawsongroup is a prime example of reciprocity. Dawsongroup material handling is LD’s largest material handling provider, whilst Dawsongroup truck and trailer exclusively buys its pillarless curtainside trailers from LD. Recently, Dawsongroup emc joined the relationship with LD by ordering a plant trailer as part of its new plant team.

Renewing The Lawrence David Fleet

Dawsongroup material handling providing a reciprocal relationship with Lawrence David

When Andy Dodge, Managing Director of LD, realised that their fleet of forklift trucks needed renewing, he turned to Gary Fothergill, Commercial Director for Dawsongroup material handling.

“Dawsongroup is always our first call for everything,” said Andy. “Our relationship goes back a long way because they do things right and they do things well. Dawsongroup is a fantastic business, the number one hire business in the UK, and we work closely together to provide solutions for each other.”

As LD wanted to begin the move away from diesel, some of their older forklifts were traded in for new electric trucks, whilst the rest were replaced with new diesel models.

The ten new Hangcha forklifts, five electric and five diesel, feed the production lines in LD’s five production halls at their Peterborough site. They are an essential part of their truck and trailer manufacturing process.

The Right Decision

Dawsongroup material handling's fleet of forklift for Lawrence David

Whilst LD is primarily associated with their trademark curtainside trailers, they actually build just as many truck bodies as they do trailers, ranging from 3.5T to 32T and from home delivery vehicles to double deck trailers. They are actively growing their portfolio to offer more to their customers in the future, including plans for flatbed trailers and tippers very soon.

New types of trailers are not LD’s only initiative. The company has recently had solar panels installed on the roof of their Peterborough site, which will be used to power the charging points for the electric forklifts – another step in LD’s journey to decarbonisation.

Another advantage of the new forklifts, which has made a huge difference to LD, is their additional safety features, including perimeter lighting and reversing lights as well as full cabs to ensure the operators stay warm when working outside.

“Gary listened to everything we wanted,” said Andy. “He engaged with the managers as well as going on the shop floor and listening to the people working there about what they needed. Everyone involved in the decision has said it’s the right one for Lawrence David.”