The Cartwright Group specialises in building commercial vehicles, from ambulances to double-deck lorry trailers, and employs 520 staff from its headquarters in Altrincham.

The family firm, which boasts one of the most efficient bodywork and trailer manufacturing plants in Europe, also has a design team of product development engineers.

Cartwright has been a pioneer in the development of aerodynamic trailer design for two decades, producing its first wind tunnel-tested trailer in the early 1990s. Nowadays it uses advanced fluid dynamics software that simulates a wind tunnel to test the efficiency of its designs – the same technology used to develop Formula One racing cars.

The aim is to make the trailers as aerodynamic as possible so they use less fuel, saving cash and helping the environment.

Cartwright’s flagship product is its Cheetah Fastback trailer. It has been shortlisted as a finalist in the innovation category of this year’s Motor Transport Awards, which recognises creative thinking in the UK haulage industry.

Director John Cartwright said: "The Cheetah is probably the most fuel-efficient trailer of its type. It is a little more expensive than a standard trailer, but the payback for customers is quick as it is 16 per cent more efficient."

Key features of the Cheetah’s design are its curved low roof line, use of advanced lightweight materials and streamlined bodywork.

Cartwright has also developed a spoiler which is fitted to the roof of the lorry cab which deflects airflow over the roof, using a sensor to automatically adjust it to the optimum height.

With fuel bills for a haulage vehicle typically around £100,000 a year, it is not hard to see why operators are looking to make savings wherever possible.

The Cheetah can generate savings of around £16,000 annually, as well as the environmental benefits of cutting fuel consumption.

The 10-strong R&D department, which also works closely with experts from the University of Manchester, is currently in the process of recruiting three more staff. It has successfully applied to patent 15 of its innovations in recent years.

Cartwright also has a rental division, which operates a fleet of more than 8,000 trailers, though manufacturing makes up around 80 per cent of the firm’s revenues. Founded in 1954, it builds around 4,000 products a year. The company launches around four products every year. Turnover for the 12 months to March 31 was £60m, with £70m predicted for this year.