And all was revealed last month in a rare revelation to the trade press from Montracon, who as part of privately owned Ballyvesey Holdings have seriously not courted publicity in the past.

However Montracon sales director Paul Mead reckons the proceeds of Market Weighton's £1.2 million slice of a recent tri-plant £5 million investment in extra trailer production facilities, should be known by all. And it's not a bad story, centred round Montracon's desire to increase their 20/25% share of the UK trailer market.

The company has increased capacity across its three plants, at Mallusk in Northern Ireland and at Doncaster and Market Weighton in England, by more than 25%, to produce 5,000+ units a year.

On the product side, they're proud in East Yorkshire of their new twin-deck reefer. Compared to the competition, internal body height of production trailers will be around 50mm greater, the additional space split equally between the two decks, the upper deck height at 1,800mm, the lower at 1,875mm. At 10 tonnes, deck lift capacity is 25% up on that generally available today, suggests reefer sales manager Mark Smith.

Total trailer capacity is up to 40 pallets and, clipping the scales at under 14 tonnes unladen, payload capacity ranks with the front runners in the sector.

In addition, Montracon has opted for bigger 19.5in wheels shod with 245/70 R19.5 tyres, the combination allowing the specification of 19.5in disc brakes and offering better tyre mileage to the 17.5in wheel/drum and 215/70 R17.5 tyre equipment typically specified. Safety is enhanced with full width/track axles and wide tracked air springs combining to provide maximum roll stability.

Mega suspension permits the trailer to be raised to 245mm beyond normal running, to around 1,250mm, matching the lower platform to dock heights for loading and unloading.

In addition, a reduction in front trailer height brings a pro rata reduction in the mounting height of the fridge equipment to normal, eliminating the need to relocate the control box. A full width rubbing plate and MAVIS sliding coupling complete the main features.

The deck lifting system is supplied by Ross & Bonnyman and is a version of that originally specified for dry freight applications. Major changes include switching to stainless steel for all internal body components and the relocation of hydraulic cylinders and pipework to beneath the body.

More on Montracon next month in the annual TN trailer industry update.