Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is celebrating an order for 350 new Caddy vans in a three-year deal with biotechnology firm Genus Breeding.
The animal genetics company will take delivery of 134 vehicles this year, with the remaining vans being supplied over the three-year term as existing vehicles are replaced.
The order followed a year-long trial of five specially converted Caddy models, which required some complex engineering solutions to meet Genus’ requirements. The vans are required to liquid nitrogen, which is toxic, so the cargo bays must be engineered to maintain an air-tight seal in transit.
This was done by converting a standard refrigeration unit, them adapted to remove the cooling apparatus, allowing the biotech firm to maintain a constant temperature and meet conditions for transporting liquid nitrogen.
Adrian Davies, at Genus Breeding, commented: “We pride ourselves on maintaining the highest of professional standards, and take both the pedigree of our genetic products and the safety of our staff very seriously.
“This was not an ‘off-the-shelf’ solution; Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has worked together with us to offer a truly bespoke conversion that fits our somewhat unusual transport needs.”
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles worked with Genus to develop a solution that would not only suit the customer’s immediate requirements, but could guarantee the refrigeration units beyond the term of the individual vehicle lease.
When the vehicle comes up for renewal after three years, Volkswagen will arrange for the unit to be transferred into a brand-new Caddy, effectively providing a second life for the conversion and significantly reducing fleet renewal costs for Genus.
