Gray & Adams
Gray & Adams is a family-owned UK manufacturer, founded in 1957, designing and building bespoke temperature-controlled semi-trailers, rigid vehicle bodywork, and specialty cold-chain vehicles for enterprise customers in pharmaceutical distribution, food retail, and foodservice logistics across the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1957
- HeadquartersFraserburgh, United Kingdom
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Gray & Adams does
Gray & Adams is a family-owned UK manufacturer of bespoke temperature-controlled commercial vehicles and trailers, founded in 1957 and headquartered in Fraserburgh, Scotland. The company operates four manufacturing and service facilities across Fraserburgh, Dunfermline, Doncaster, and Newtownabbey (Northern Ireland), employing 501-1,000 staff and producing refrigerated semi-trailers (single deck, double deck, lifting deck, and urban variants), rigid vehicle bodywork on chassis from Mercedes-Benz, DAF and others, and specialty products including blast freezers, chillers, game larders, custodial vehicles, and the 'Pod' modular solution developed with NewCold Logistics. Its technology stack is anchored by strategic partnerships with Carrier Transicold (Vector eCool all-electric autonomous refrigeration and the [R]eCool battery-electric pack with Lynx Fleet telematics), Thermo King (SLXi hybrid refrigeration, first UK deployment in 2019), BPW (Idem trailer telematics), and Brightec (BlueSeal air curtains reducing refrigeration energy consumption by up to 30%). Double deck trailers account for approximately 35% of trailer production and the company has over 1,000 such units in operation across the UK and Ireland.
The business model is predominantly direct enterprise sale of bespoke-built hardware (each trailer custom-specified per customer) supplemented by recurring aftersales, parts, car body shop, and refurbishment services that extend double deck trailer lifecycles to up to 12 years. Pricing is fully bespoke with no publicly disclosed tiers, and go-to-market is consultative direct sales via dedicated regional account managers across all four sites. The customer base is concentrated in enterprise verticals: pharmaceutical distribution (AAH Pharmaceuticals), food retail and bakery (Warburtons, Greggs, Booths, Morrisons, Tesco, Waitrose), foodservice logistics (Culina Group, Bidfood, Blakemore Logistics, Moran Logistics, Chiltern Distribution, Gist Ltd, Beacon Foods, Rea Distribution, Reed Boardall, Euro Foods, Wellocks), and premium hospitality supply. Notable share-of-wallet signals include Culina Group (~500 trailers over an 18-year relationship), Greggs (~100% rigids and boxes since 2013), Bidfood Netherlands (99% fleet composition), and Warburtons (130 trailers). The company is certified to ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and OHSAS 18001:2007, and has received the Queen's Award for Enterprise in Innovation (2020) and four consecutive TCS&D industry award wins.
Gray & Adams firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Gray & Adams
- Legal name
- Gray & Adams Holdings Limited
- Website
- https://gray-adams.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1957
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Gray & Adams is a family-owned UK manufacturer, founded in 1957, designing and building bespoke temperature-controlled semi-trailers, rigid vehicle bodywork, and specialty cold-chain vehicles for enterprise customers in pharmaceutical distribution, food retail, and foodservice logistics across the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Gray & Adams industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Refrigerated Commercial Vehicle and Trailer Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing (33621), Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (333415), Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (33341)
- SIC
- Truck & Bus Bodies (3713), Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Trailors & Stackers (3537), Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585), Refrigeration & Service Industry Machinery (3580)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cold Chain & Temperature-Controlled Storage Equipment (IMAHAKAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Chillers & Cooling Plant Equipment (IMAHAKAE), Automotive Coolant & Refrigerant Circuit Components (Pumps/Valves/Reservoirs/Expansion Devices) (IMACALAE)
Keywords
Where Gray & Adams is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fraserburgh
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Gray & Adams business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Trailer Manufacturing and Sales: Design, manufacture, and sale of bespoke temperature-controlled trailers including single deck, double deck, lifting deck, and urban variants. Revenue generated through direct vehicle sales to fleet operators.
- Rigid Vehicle Bodywork: Manufacture of temperature-controlled rigid vehicle bodywork for chassis from various manufacturers including Mercedes-Benz, DAF, and others.
- Aftersales Service and Parts: Comprehensive repair and refurbishment services including car body shop, parts supply, and maintenance support across all vehicle types.
- Vehicle Refurbishment: Fleet refurbishment services including floor and sidewall reconditioning, re-liverying, and refurbishment programs for extended vehicle life (up to 12 years for double deck trailers).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Bespoke custom-built vehicles |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Gray & Adams product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Gray & Adams designs, manufactures, and supplies bespoke temperature-controlled vehicles and trailers, including refrigerated single deck, double deck, lifting deck, and urban trailers, as well as rigid vehicle bodywork for multiple chassis manufacturers. Its offering extends to specialist vehicles such as blast freezers, chillers, game larders, custodial vehicles, and The Pod modular cold-chain solution, all supported by a comprehensive aftersales service, parts, and refurbishment network across the UK and Ireland.
Product overview
Gray & Adams is a specialist manufacturer of temperature-controlled commercial vehicles and trailers, founded in 1957. The company operates a multi-site production model across Fraserburgh (headquarters), Dunfermline, Belfast, and Doncaster facilities. The core product portfolio centers on refrigerated semi-trailers (single deck, double deck, lifting deck, and urban variants) and rigid vehicle bodywork, all designed for temperature-controlled transport applications. Key technology partnerships include Carrier Transicold (Vector eCool all-electric refrigeration and [R]eCool battery systems) and Thermo King (hybrid refrigeration). The company differentiates through bespoke design engineering, offering customized specifications for major retailers (Tesco, Waitrose, Booths, Morrisons, Greggs, Warburtons), pharmaceutical distributors (AAH Pharmaceuticals), and logistics providers (Culina Group, Bidfood, Blakemore Logistics). The product range extends from standard trailers to specialized solutions including blast freezers, chillers, game larders, custodial vehicles, and home delivery configurations. Approximately 35% of production comprises double deck trailers, with the company pioneering this design in the UK.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Single deck trailers Refrigerated single-deck semi-trailers designed for temperature-controlled transport across food, pharmaceutical, and retail distribution sectors.
- Double deck trailers Twin-deck semi-trailers offering increased load capacity and flexibility for frozen, chilled, and ambient distribution; around 35% of Gray & Adams' total trailer production.
- Lifting deck trailers Trailers with adjustable deck heights enabling efficient loading and unloading while maximizing payload capacity across various routing requirements.
- Urban trailers Specialized trailers designed for urban distribution with features enabling access to restricted emission zones and efficient city-center deliveries.
- Rigid vehicle bodywork Temperature-controlled rigid vehicle bodywork manufactured on chassis from Mercedes-Benz, DAF, and others, including box-bodied, insulated, and refrigerated configurations.
- Vector eCool refrigeration system All-electric autonomous refrigeration system developed with Carrier Transicold that uses kinetic energy recovery for diesel-free cooling on Gray & Adams trailers.
- Blast freezers Specialized rapid freezing units for food processing and distribution applications, enabling quick temperature reduction to preserve product quality and extend shelf life.
- Chillers Temperature-controlled storage units maintaining precise cold temperatures for fresh produce, dairy, and other temperature-sensitive goods during transport and storage.
- Game larders Stand-alone lorry bodies designed for the storage and transport of game in the commercial game supplying industry, meeting specific regulatory requirements.
- The Pod Innovative modular temperature-controlled storage and transport solution developed with NewCold Logistics for efficient cold chain distribution.
- Custodial vehicles Specialist vehicles designed for the secure transport of sensitive or regulated cargo requiring specific handling and security features.
- Home delivery vehicles Specialized vehicle configurations for final-mile home delivery operations with temperature control capabilities for grocery and retail home delivery services.
- Aftersales service and parts Comprehensive repair, refurbishment, and parts supply services across all vehicle types, supporting fleets throughout their operational lifecycles.
- Vehicle refurbishment Fleet refurbishment services including floor and sidewall reconditioning, re-liverying, and refurbishment programs extending vehicle service life to up to 12 years.
Quantifiable outcome
- Fuel efficiency improved by 8% through aerodynamic design features
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Gray & Adams
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Gray & Adams technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature5 records
Gray & Adams partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.
- Carrier TransicoldcoreStrategic technology partnership for temperature control systems. Collaboration on Vector eCool all-electric autonomous refrigeration system and [R]eCool battery system. Carrier's [R]eCool is a digitally connected battery system converting diesel TRUs into fully electric reefers. Partnership enables first-to-market innovation in sustainable refrigeration.
- DawsongroupsecondaryFleet leasing partner for customer vehicle financing. AAH Pharmaceuticals fleet leased through Dawsongroup, enabling customer fleet refresh without capital purchase.
- UPMminorTwo-decade long supplier relationship. UPM is a materials supplier referenced in Gray & Adams supplier spotlight program.
- Thermo KingcorePartnership for hybrid refrigeration technology. Thermo King SLXi hybrid units fitted to Gray & Adams trailers, first hybrid refrigeration unit on market combining diesel and electric power. Partnership supports emissions reduction of over 90% for urban operations.
- BPWminorSupplier partnership. BPW is a family-owned international mobility and system partner, mentioned in Gray & Adams supplier spotlight program.
- Centre of Sustainable Road FreightminorResearch partnership for aerodynamic innovations. Warburtons 'boat tail' rear trailer design originated from Centre research, then implemented by Gray & Adams.
- BlueSeal by BrightecsecondaryAir curtain technology partnership. Brightec's BlueSeal air curtains reduce refrigeration energy consumption by up to 30%. Gray & Adams was first UK bodybuilder to trial the product in 2012. Partnership provides competitive differentiation through energy efficiency.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Gray & Adams competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Lawrence David: UK-based manufacturer of bespoke trailers including refrigerated and double-deck variants. Directly comparable as a UK family-owned bodybuilder serving the same enterprise fleet customers with bespoke temperature-controlled solutions.
- Cartwright Group: Major UK trailer and vehicle body manufacturer producing refrigerated, box, and specialist trailers. Directly comparable UK footprint and customer overlap with large supermarket and 3PL fleets.
- SDC Trailers: UK and Ireland-based trailer manufacturer with strong curtain-sider and refrigerated product lines. Comparable in serving UK and Ireland fleet operators with temperature-controlled and general freight trailers.
- Lamberet: French specialist manufacturer of refrigerated vehicle bodies and trailers for food, pharma, and last-mile distribution. Directly comparable as a specialist refrigerated bodybuilder focused on bespoke temperature-controlled solutions.
- Chereau: French specialist manufacturer of refrigerated semi-trailers and rigids serving food logistics across Europe. Closely comparable in product category (refrigerated trailers) and customer verticals (food retail, distribution).
Broad incumbents
- Schmitz Cargobull: Europe's largest trailer manufacturer offering a full refrigerated (S.KO Cool) and dry freight portfolio across all European markets. Comparable end-product category (refrigerated trailers) but at vastly greater scale and via standardized production.
- Krone: Major German trailer manufacturer with refrigerated (Cool Liner) and dry freight offerings. Comparable refrigerated trailer category, broader European footprint, and significantly larger volume production model.
- Wielton: Polish-based trailer manufacturer with a broad European portfolio including refrigerated semi-trailers. Comparable refrigerated trailer product line but with a much wider European geographic footprint.
Others
- TIP Trailer Services: European trailer leasing, rental, and services company operating a large refrigerated fleet. Comparable customer overlap (UK and Ireland fleet operators) and adjacent through Dawsongroup-style fleet financing partnerships.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Gray & Adams social profiles
Digital presenceGray & Adams compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Gray & Adams financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Gray & Adams leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Gray & Adams subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Gray & Adams funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Gray & Adams M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Gray & Adams
What does Gray & Adams do?
Gray & Adams designs, manufactures, and supplies bespoke temperature-controlled vehicles and trailers, including refrigerated single deck, double deck, lifting deck, and urban trailers, as well as rigid vehicle bodywork for multiple chassis manufacturers. Its offering extends to specialist vehicles such as blast freezers, chillers, game larders, custodial vehicles, and The Pod modular cold-chain solution, all supported by a comprehensive aftersales service, parts, and refurbishment network across the UK and Ireland.
Is Gray & Adams a public or private company?
Gray & Adams is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Gray & Adams founded?
Gray & Adams was founded in 1957. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Gray & Adams based?
Gray & Adams is headquartered in Fraserburgh, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Gray & Adams make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Trailer Manufacturing and Sales are the primary driver. The others are rigid Vehicle Bodywork, aftersales Service and Parts and vehicle Refurbishment.
Who are Gray & Adams's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Lawrence David, Cartwright Group, SDC Trailers, Lamberet and Chereau. Broad incumbents are Schmitz Cargobull, Krone and Wielton. TIP Trailer Services is listed as an others.
Does Gray & Adams have an API?
No public API is recorded for Gray & Adams.
What industry is Gray & Adams in?
Gray & Adams's product category is Refrigerated Commercial Vehicle and Trailer Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHAKAJ, Cold Chain & Temperature-Controlled Storage Equipment, with a secondary code of IMAHAKAE, Chillers & Cooling Plant Equipment. Its NAICS code is 33621 and its SIC code is 3713.