Hubbard hops on board with Hopwells

Nottingham based Hopwells, frozen food wholesalers to the catering industry, serving most of the Northern and Central England regions through its six distribution depots; has chosen Hubbard 720 Alpha AEL refrigeration units for the latest additions to its 100 strong refrigerated distribution fleet.

The twelve Isuzu 12 tonne (GVW) rigid chassis with RVL refrigerated bodies add significant extra delivery capacity over Hopwells’ existing 7.5 tonne predominantly Isuzu fleet. The extra capacity demanded a high performance yet economical refrigeration unit giving fast pull down to –25°C for the 25 to 30 door openings each vehicle makes on an average delivery cycle. The vehicles also incorporate a chiller section.

The Hubbard 720 Alpha AEL is a split system designed to operate in large truck box bodies that are suitably insulated for fresh or frozen produce transportation. The refrigeration system is driven using a compressor that is mounted within the engine compartment and belt driven from the vehicle engine crankshaft. When the vehicle's engine is running and the thermostat calls for cooling an electro-magnetic clutch on the compressor is engaged enabling the unit to provide refrigeration. A three-phase semi-hermetic compressor powers the refrigeration system on mains standby.

The Hubbard 720 Alpha range uses environmentally friendly R404a refrigerant and is suitable for temperatures down to -25°c.

The system is operated by an easy to use in-cab digital controller that is fully programmable providing constant temperature readout. The 720 Alpha features automatic defrost but manual defrost can be initiated by push button control.

The Hubbard 720 Alpha is a split system 24v unit comprising of a condenser with a 20 series 4 fan evaporator, with or without electric standby, a compressor, an in-cab digital controller and optional multi temperature systems.

Hopwells vehicles are finished in eye-catching, high visibility livery and the Hubbard units were supplied ex works ready to be customised from their traditional ‘hi-tech’ white and black ‘Euro-style’ livery.

Jed Sherwood, Key Accounts Manager for Hubbard Products transport division says: “Hopwells’ requirement for a refrigeration unit that would match the increased load capacity of the Isuzu 12 tonne vehicles, with long term reliability was critical. Hopwells’ daily delivery schedules are highly time sensitive and ‘down time’ has to be minimal. The Hubbard 720 Alpha AEL offers electric overnight standby so that the refrigerated compartment can be maintained at the optimum temperature for early morning starts and no product wastage overnight. Hubbard’s nationwide, 24 hour service team was also a key deal maker in Hopwells decision process”.

The Hubbard Products range of Transport Refrigeration units covers vehicles from micro-vans through panel vans to box bodies and multi-axle trailer units.