VRR has unveiled its enhanced HML/HMR collapsible horse stall for air transport. In addition to animal-first comfort and safety (it being collapsible, this is a doubly important point), the original design has been upgraded to a lighter and easier to use version. The advanced materials used to construct it mean its weight could be reduced and less weight means fewer CO2 emissions – in this case a saving of up to 20% compared to the previous container model, possibly more with heavier, older ones. And not just when it is in use to transport horses, but also when it is folded together and transported empty back to base. In all, a more sustainable product version and in line with VRR’s sustainability philosophy. Not to mention, lower weight also means less transportation costs. Certified for use on wide-body aircraft such as the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777FX, the stall retains its spacious layout, ventilation, vibration‑dampening floor and secure partitions to safeguard equine welfare in transit. Its folding mechanisms allow quicker assembly and repositioning. Sliding groom doors, extra‑wide ramps and more intuitive handling further boost safety and usability for operators. The new version came about through VRR’s culture (since it began in 1946) of challenging conventional design, precisely analyzing needs, collaborating with all involved parties – including customers – and testing new designs. The new HML/HMR is greener, leaner, more durable and – most importantly – meets the high comfort standards expected by professional equine transporters. Geert van Riemsdijk, Managing Director at VRR, stated: “Redeveloping a proven and highly valued product is one of the toughest challenges a manufacturer can have. How do you create something new when the bar’s already so high? We reviewed every detail, from design and materials to manufacturing and performance. Every little stone was turned over, analyzed and tested. We decided which parts to keep and improved the rest. Nothing about this process was easy, but that’s what makes the achievement so meaningful. It’s about taking a product that already works and making it even better.”
