Lawrence David

Body builders

Proud to create more than just trailers, leading UK manufacturer Lawrence David designs every component in-house and uses cutting edge technology to ensure complete customer satisfaction

Since its foundation in 1973, Peterborough based Lawrence David has grown to become the UK’s leading manufacturer of trailers, curtainsiders, box vans, refrigerated and rigid bodywork and one of the most respected trailer manufacturers in the UK. Viewed as the strength behind the haulage industry, the company offers customers engineering expertise, optimum quality products and exceptional customer service while progressing with a culture of continuous innovation. Key to this ingrained culture is the company’s in-house design capabilities, its continuous investment in state-of-the-art technology and a team of highly experienced, competent and dedicated craftsmen who strive for the best possible solution to each customer’s requirement.

By having total in-house control over component designs, quality and performance, Lawrence David can deliver all of its trailers with a minimum five year warranty and guarantee absolute satisfaction and confidence for its customers. Moreover, the company’s attention to detail means the next unique innovation is never far away, while its constant investment in facilities and personnel ensures its leading reputation at the forefront of the trailer industry is maintained. Within its portfolio are box vans, fuel savers, Davidfridges, curtainsiders and double deck trailers; all of which are custom-built with the unique needs of each customer in mind.

With more than 40 years of experience, Lawrence David also lays claim to being one of the biggest body builders in the UK for the haulage industry and a pioneer when it comes to innovations and engineering firsts. Within its rigid portfolio the company offers an 18 tonne rigid curtainsider, an 18 tonne rigid fuel saver, 3.5 tonne bonded Luton box van, a 7.5 tonne rigid and a 7.5 tonne rigid curtainsider. On top of this, should spare parts be required, the company can ship genuine parts and replacement components to the customer.

Alongside these manufacturing capabilities, Lawrence David has also invested in dedicated facilities in Peterborough and Corby to repair and refurbish trailers and bodies. Services include full chassis and body shot blast, repaints, new curtains, new doors, overall height increases and accident repairs.

One example of the company’s market leading capabilities was announced in February 2015 when Elddis Transport celebrated clocking up one million kilometres in its first longer semi-trailer from Lawrence David. The bespoke trailer has averaged 981 kilometres per day since it was delivered in May 2012 and has resulted in Elddis Transport ordering ten more trailers from the company.

Today operating across seven sites and more than 420,000 square feet of manufacturing space, Lawrence David made the strategic decision to expand in the first quarter of 2015 following increased demand for its services. In response to the market, it acquired a Peterborough property that is comprised of three interlinked warehouses and office space and totals 161,151 square feet of space. Furthermore, the site extends to approximately eight acres, thus providing Lawrence David with excellent space for immediate use as well as further development opportunities in the future.

Having already reached 60 to 70 per cent capacity, further expansions are looking increasingly likely as Lawrence David continues to take on major contracts such as the delivery of 40 trailers for Butterkist; as part of an order from world-leading logistics firm CEVA Logistics, Lawrence David will design and build its new trailers, with TUV EN12642XL certified bodies as standard. The trailers will include Armoursheet ‘plus’ load-bearing curtains with straps and webbing handles on both front and rear curtain poles for easy removal, while the design of 13.7 metre long trailers will be topped off with Butterkist livery. With front and rear Lawrence David ratchet tensioners, a Just Modal landing gear, Michelin alloy wheels, a pull-out ladder and rear buffers for scratch-free loading, these new trailers are certain to ensure the delivery of Butterkist popcorn around the UK for many years to come.

Another notable contract for Lawrence David involved the promotion of safer trailers for the public and operators alongside its long-term customer DS Smith Logistics. For this project, the company retrofitted one of DS Smith’s pillarless curtainsiders with a portfolio of health and safety conscious devices; these includes a fully EN12642XL rated ArmourSheet, automatic rear step illumination lamp, a Lawrence David patented curved ground coupling, its latest strap safe load securing system; a fully integrated soft dock system with audible warning, porthole in the roof to act as skylights, side marker lamps incorporated in the indicator/repeater system, two high level rear indicator lamps and two high level rear stop lamps.

Currently being trialled by a number of long-term customers, the curved ground coupling is industry leading in terms of driver safety as it provides comfortable, ground level Suzie coupling of the trailer connections, with no working at height or getting behind the cab. Once all retrofitting was complete, DS Smith employed the services of the German independent test agency TUV to perform both static and dynamic tests on the trailers, with Lawrence David passing on all counts.

With a number of successful years behind it, the company aims to continue this positive trend of growth by investing in new machinery and equipment at its new facility. Furthermore,

Lawrence David will seek out new contract opportunities at exhibitions and events such as the CV Show in Birmingham, which it attended in 2015. During this event, the company secured a prime position at the heart of hall five, stand 5D70 to exhibit three products: the EN12642XL pallet network double-deck trailer, the 18 tonne EN12642XL curtainsider vehicle and its latest home delivery vehicle.

Through showcasing its superior products and manufacturing capabilities at notable events, while also maintaining a culture of continued improvement and advancement in all areas of the business, Lawrence David is certain to remain in demand and retain its crown as the leader in trailer and commercial vehicle body manufacturing.

Lawrence David
Products: Trailers, curtainsiders, box vans, refrigerated and rigid bodywork