ACUMEN GROWS ENCLOSED FLEET TO MEET STRONG MARKET DEMAND
Acumen Automotive Logistics is investing in a further four hard-sided enclosed car carriers to meet rising demand from prestige vehicle manufacturers, dealers, fleets and private owners for covered vehicle movements.
The investment sees three new Belle Trailers and a single Rolfo trailer joining Acumen’s enclosed division, which has more than doubled in size within five years to go from 13 to 30 assets, making Acumen one of the top three suppliers in this sector.
Peter Raybould, Development Director at Acumen, says: “The volume of enclosed deliveries we’re doing is growing faster than any other area of our business, largely in response to moves by manufacturers to prepare certain vehicles and deliver directly to customers.
“Clearly if you’ve got a premium vehicle requiring a door-to-door service, it needs to arrive looking pristine. Our covered fleet means we can carry any size of car over any distance, in any weather, and it’s guaranteed to arrive in showroom condition.”
Acumen’s enclosed fleet is also used to move highly sensitive prototypes and clay models for manufacturers across Europe. And as vehicle ranges continue to expand, this has led to increasing demand for confidential and secure movements using covered GPS-tracked vehicles.
“Manufacturers now offer much broader ranges than ever before, which means there are more prototypes and models to move and the whole product replacement cycle is ongoing. We’re trusted to handle a significant portion of this work, and we’re growing the fleet to ensure we can continue to meet this demand, including undertaking international work at a moment’s notice.”
Acumen’s 30-strong enclosed fleet is also used for carrying vehicles to photoshoots, film sets and events, corporate work and dealer forecourt transfers, as well as for the movement of high-value classic, vintage and motorsport vehicles, plus supercar and hypercar doorstep deliveries.
Its mixed fleet includes everything from single and two-car covered carriers, to a specialist trailer designed to carry a vehicle and accompanying spares – including tyres and bodywork – which is favoured by customers for television and film work. Acumen’s largest articulated hard-sided trailers, such as the latest Belle Trailers and Rolfo assets, can accommodate up to six small cars or four large SUVs.
Acumen also runs an extensive open car transporter fleet, which grew last year with the acquisition of South West-based J&A Transport. It operates alongside sister company Acumen Distribution, which has a dry-freight fleet carrying inbound European parts and components for tier one and tier two automotive clients across the UK. Together, both companies form part of Acumen Logistics Group.