facts - the transport professional’s magazine #48

The Transport Professional’s Magazine

£3.40 ISSUE 48 2009

VIEW THIS MAGAZINE ONLINE AT www.belljohnstone.co.uk

www.belljohnstone.co.uk 2009ISSUE48FACTS 5

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NEWS 6Forth Replacement Crossing, Exciting future for Glasgow dealership, Scots apprentices on top, Retirement problems and Truck driver safety PHIL FLANDERS 9 Raw deal for truck drivers

BRIAN ADAM MSP 11 Try and make Europe work for you

VANS & PICK-UPS 16 NewsandProfiles

BUS & COACH 22 E&MHorsburghprofile plusNewsandProfiles

FUELS, OILS & LUBES 28 Tayside Fire and Rescue go green plus News and Profiles MUNICIPAL 35 NewsandProfiles PLANT & EQUIPMENT 41 NewsandProfiles WHEELS & TYRES 48 Truck tyre innovations from GITI Tire plus News and Profiles Bell Johnstone are proud to be Allied Industry Members of theRoad Haulage Association.

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Cover: 2009 sees Volvo’s Globetrotter cab celebrating its 30th ‘birthday’ Copyright - All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photograph or illustration without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.

While due care and attention is taken to ensure that FACTS is accurate, the publishers cannot accept liability for errors or omissions.

© Copyright 2009 - Bell Johnstone & Co Ltd, FACTS and the Publisher accept no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributors, manufacturers or advertisers.

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Subscription free to trade and education addresses, other subscribers, twelve editions by post £40.80, by cheque to the above.

Editorial - Tony Wood e-mail: [email protected] Editorial - Gary Heatly e-mail: [email protected]

Production - Sarah Crawford e-mail: [email protected] Sales Manager - David Moffate-mail: [email protected] Sales Executive - John Boylee-mail: [email protected]

6 FACTSISSUE482009 www.belljohnstone.co.uk

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Glasgow Commercials are looking forward to an exciting future with their link up with Hino growing and the likelihood of them moving in to new premises in the centre of the city.Currently the business is run out of Underwood Road in Paisley as a subsidiary of Eric Reid & Son and they are set to move to a new showroom in the Govan area of Glasgow now that finalplanningpermissionhasbeenagreed.Glasgow Commercials have been acting as a dealer for Hino in Central Scotland for the past six months and with four sales already completed they are looking forward to things heating up.Director Andy Strain said: “With the advent of Hino’s hybrid engine we are expecting excellent sales on the back of it because it is environmentally friendly. With the new engine in the Hino vehicles you do not need to worry about purchasing an EGV valve [which decreases you car’s noxious emissions] and this is a massive

money saver and advantage for hauliers.“We are delighted to work with Hino because their vehicles offer great value for money and they are always looking to move things forward and help the companies who they are supplying vehicles to.”Hino have also recently branched into the 18 tonne and the 7 and a half tone market through their 300 Series and 500 Series and this will also be of benefittoGlasgowCommercialsandtheir customers.Strain has been involved with the transport industry for years, serving his apprentice with JG Russell then moving on to Scania and then to Imperial Commercials where he was Workshop Supervisor for approximately 18 years. At 44 he has a great knowledge in a dealership environment and this will ensure that Hino products will be driven in the correct direction for all clients in central Scotland.Fellow Director Eric Reid has been

involved in the truck industry for over 20yearsandat36hehasestablisheda major foothold in Paisley servicing the needs of all types of clients.And Robert Ferris has been brought on board as Sales Manager. He has been involved in the commercial vehicle industry for over 30 years coming from a workshop background then moving into Tachograph sales and training. He then moved into truck sales.He said: “I was delighted when Eric and Andy asked me to come on board

to sell the Hino product. I see the link up of Glasgow Commercials and Hino Trucksbeingverybeneficialforbothparties.”John Watson, a man with great experience having worked in the industry for a number of years, is also involved in Hino sales with the company and Strain and Reid are delighted to have a man with his expertise on board.

For more information: 0777 311 1107

Exciting future ahead

The process of identifying the contractor who will build the landmark Forth Replacement Crossing is now under way.The contract notice has been submitted for publication by Transport Scotland, the Scottish Government agency in charge of the scheme.The news that the single biggest transport infrastructure project in Scotland for a generation, whichisduetoopentotrafficin2016,isnowready to go to the marketplace will be another boost to the hard-pressed construction industry.The £1.7bn - £2.3bn project forms the biggest single element of a huge programme of investment by the Scottish Government in Scotland’s road and rail networks which will promote both sustainable economic growth in the future and support hundreds of construction jobs over the next decade.Scottish Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson

said: “I am delighted that the Forth Replacement Crossing project continues to make progress towards delivery as demanded by the people of Scotland. The need to protect and improve the capacity for cross-Forth travel is beyond doubt and the Scottish Government is absolutely clear that sustainable economic growth must be promoted in thesedifficultfinancialtimes. “We have also been clear that the Forth Replacement Crossing will be funded directly by the Scottish Government from existing capital budgets. Against the backdrop of the global economic downturn, we are driving forward the largest transport investment programme Scotland has ever seen with a number of vital projects, of which the FRC is the biggest.“I am looking to the construction industry to be enthusiastic about the chance to bid to build a project which is not only vital for the economy and

communities of Scotland but also one which will join the existing two iconic Forth bridges as part of an internationally recognised landmark.”The contract is expected to be priced between £900m and £1.2bn and includes detailed design and construction of the main crossing and road connections. This will include:A motorway standard two lane carriageway with hard shoulders, spanning approximately 2.7km in length, comprising a cable-stayed bridge with three “mono-towers”, two central spans of approximately 650metreseachandapproachviaducts Trunk road connections north and south of the bridge, including approximately 5.5km of new or improved two or three-lane motorway standard carriageways with hard shoulders and two flyoverjunctionsAnIntelligentTransportSystem(ITS) including gantry displays to inform drivers of new variable speed limits.It is anticipated that the tender documents will be issued to the selected bidders by the end of 2009 and the contract awarded in spring 2011.The start of the procurement process follows an Industry Day held in Edinburgh in March, where world class contractors from the UK and abroad attended to discuss and give feedback on the scheme. This dialogue has been crucial in shaping Transport Scotland’s procurement strategy for the project. The Scottish Government will seek approval for the project through a Parliamentary Bill, which is expected to be introduced to Parliament at the end of this year.

Forth Replacement Crossing tender process commences

Eric Reid, Robert Ferris and Andy Strain


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BBCTopGear’sfirst‘tameracingdriver’,PerryMcCarthy-alias‘TheStig’ - was on hand to present the top prize at Volvo’s annual Technician Awards ceremony recently. The eventwasheldforthefirsttimeatStephenson College, Coalville, Leics in the smart new workshops and study area facility there.The college is the home of the Volvo Apprentice Technician programme which is twelve years old this year.There are 130 apprentices currently training, with approximately 50 new recruits starting later this year. Thirty seven apprentices have graduated in 2009 plus ten HNC/HND graduates. They all started their training with Volvo in 2004. Three hundred and ninety three students have graduated from the scheme so far. Theprestigious‘JimKeyden’awardforthe‘GraduatingApprenticeofthe Year 2009’ was won by Mark McDonald from Volvo Truck and Bus Centre North & Scotland, Perth. Theawardfor‘MostImprovedStudent’ went to Gary Warren from VTBC North & Scotland, Glasgow West. It was presented by Scot Fairweather from Stephenson College, leader of the Volvo

Workplace Support Team at Stephenson College.Guests including family and friends of the graduating apprentices, whowereentertainedby‘TheStig’with tales of derring-do on the test track, also watched the graduation ceremony of thirty-seven Volvo Master Technicians. Volvo’s Commercial Aftermarket Director Neil Grantham described the graduates as, “Important role models for the next generation of technicians. Our investment in them is one of the most important we make at Volvo. It is critical to our future success.”Inaddition,36VolvoBusandCoach‘FrontlineTechnicians’steppeduptoreceivetheirgraduationcertificates.Describing the Frontline Technicians as “Top Guns in the world of Bus and Coach,” Managing Director Steve Dewhurst went on to say: “TheClassof2008isasignificantmilestone for Volvo Bus - the award of‘FrontlineTechnician’certificatesthis evening represents more than a 100% increase in the total number of Frontline Technicians across the market. As a consequence, we can now proudly boast that we can

support our Bus & Coach customers with more than 50 Frontline Technicians spread across the whole of the dealer network. This has been a spectacular achievement and I already know that the class of 2009 will boost our position even further.”The 2009 Technician Training Awards event was summed up by Volvo’s Competence Development Manager Andy Walker, when he explained, “The demands placed on our Technicians today are way beyond just working successfully with our products; there are

demands also for professional explanations of the work carried out so that the customer understands and accepts that a professional job has been done.”“Our Technicians also take ownershipofefficientworkingmethods so that we can always cater for our customers needs and ensure the work always gets completed successfully and the vehicle returned when promised. In short, they have to impress, or in Steve Dewhurst’s words, be Top Guns.”

Arkleston Bridge over the M8 near Glasgow Airport istobenefitfroma£1.2millionprogrammeofinvestment.A number of high vehicles have struck the bridge sinceitsconstructionin1968,mostrecentlyinSeptember last year when a lorry being carried on aflatbedtrailersmashedintothebridge,droppingthe lorry onto the carriageway and causing severe disruption on one of Scotland’s busiest trunk roads.TransportScotlandisinvestinginasignificantprogramme of works which will see the entire bridge raised by 150mm, installation of a new solid central pier, new safety barriers and parapets. The whole structure will also be repainted, straightened, strengthened and waterproofed.Raising the bridge in this way will bring it into line

both with current standards and other bridges along the M8.The work, which commenced on July 17, is scheduled to last eight weeks.Andrew Brodie, Senior Engineer at Transport Scotlandsaid:“ThisisthefirstmajoroverhaulofArkleston Bridge in over 40 years and the work we do now should ensure it continues to operate safely for many years to come.“Raising the whole bridge will help prevent the types of collisions which have occurred in the past and have caused damage to the bridge beams.“This is a major programme of works which will bringlongtermbenefitsforroadusersthroughananticipated reduction in disruption.”Operating company Amey will carry out the works

on behalf of Transport Scotland and M8 road users areadvisedtobeawareoftrafficmanagementmeasures which will be introduced for the eight week duration of the works.Colin Mackenzie, Amey’s unit manager for south west Scotland said:“Due to the nature of the works taking place on Arkleston Bridge we have worked closely with the local authorities to minimise disruption throughout the eight week scheme. The work is scheduled to largely coincide with the school holidays to further reduce any disturbance to commuters using this particular route.”

For more information: www.trafficscotland.org

The Scottish Executive is supporting the uptake of SAFED for Vans, building upon the work done to date in England and also the previous SAFED Freight programme delivered in Scotland. The fundamental aim of this SAFED for Vans programme is to demonstrate the effectiveness of van driver development in terms of

improving safety and reducing fuel consumption.Funding has been set aside to train 50 ADI Fleet Registered Trainers and 100 drivers, and will beallocatedonafirstcome,firstserved basis and is for vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes. The recruitment and training of trainers has been completed and efforts are being

focusedonfillingthe100fullyfunded driver places. If you are interested in receiving fully funded SAFED Driver Training for yourself or for drivers in your fleet,contactSAFEDdirecttosecure your / their place. You need to include relevant contact details for each named driver, to ensure records are

accurate.Ifyoumanageafleetofdrivers, please list drivers in terms of priority to receive driving, as only thefivepercompanywillqualifyforthefirstroundoffullyfundedplaces.

For more information: 0870 190 6354 or www.safedforvansscotland.co.uk

The Stig presents Volvo’s ‘Top Gun’ Technicians Award

£1.2 million investment boost for M8 Arkleston Bridge

Support from Hollyrood

‘The Stig’ presents Mark McDonald from Volvo Truck and Bus Centre North & Scotland, Perth, with his award


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Retirement remains a distant prospect for more than three-quarters of transport and haulage business owners - although the rate at which they are shedding jobs may be stabilising.Meanwhile fewer than a third are operating a company pension scheme and of those, under a quarter are making regular contributions.And just 1% say they have received cash funding through the Government’sflagshipEnterpriseFinance Guarantee (EFG), although an increasing number believe the scheme is proof that Whitehall now recognises the crucial role of SMEs in the economy.Theseareamongthefindingsofthelatest quarterly survey of more than 1000 business owners carried out by Clifton Asset Management (CAM), whichprovidesspecialistfinancialandstrategic advice to SMEs.The latest research marks a year since CAM began tracking attitudes to retirement among the nation’s owner managers. CAM director Anthony Carty said that 12 months ago 59% of those

questioned in the poll said their retirement was further away than it was a year previously.“Thatfigurenowstandsat79%,asubstantialincreasewhichreflectsthefortunes of the wider economy over the past year as the recession has taken hold,” he said. “In fact, some 41% now say they do not currently see anyprospectofretirement,afigurewhich has doubled in 12 months.“We are now in the depths of recession and you only have to look at the jobs section in any newspaper to see that very few companies are adding to their payroll. Unemployment is forecast to keep rising for some time to come, so it is no surprise that this isreflectedintransportandhaulagecompany bosses’ attitudes to their retirement.”Approaching a third of companies in the survey said they had been forced to shed jobs over the past six months, although there are signs that the rate of job cuts may be slowing. Some 13% said they had not yet had to lay off staff, but would need to do so in the next six months - the same figureasthepreviousquarter-and

9% said they had already shed jobs, and would have to shed even more. Meanwhilemorethanafifthsaidtheyhad now made all the cuts necessary to ensure their business’ survival. “Thesefiguresgivesomecausefor optimism that the worst may be over but they should be treated with caution,” said Carty. “For example, 80% said they had not reduced staff numbers in our last survey and did not anticipate having to do so in future, a figurewhichfellsteeplyto56%thistime.”Only 30% of business owners questioned by Clifton Asset Management said they currently operate a company pension scheme and of those, just 24% continue to make regular contributions - down from 33% last time.Meanwhile according to the research, Government attempts to stimulate bank lending to SMEs through the Enterprise Finance Guarantee have failed.Carty commented: “The fact that 89% of business owners say they do not seeanybenefitinapplyingforsupportunder this scheme provides damning evidence that they continue to feel abandoned in their hour of need, by both Whitehall and the banks. In fact, a third of our respondents were not aware that this much-heralded scheme even existed.“And while 4% say they have made an application under the EFG and are awaitingtheresult,andafurther6%have made an unsuccessful bid, this leaves a paltry 1% who say they have beenabletoaccessthecrucialfinancethey need to help them through the mostdifficulteconomicclimateforseveral decades.“Nevertheless, it is encouraging that a more positive view of Lord Mandelson’s department is emerging, with 35% now saying that the introduction of measures such as the Enterprise Finance Guarantee are proof that the Government does at least recognise the importance of owner-managed businesses. When we asked this question a year ago, just 4% felt that Whitehall acknowledged and appreciated their role.” The CAM survey also reveals marked differences in attitudes among business owners in the various regions in England and Wales. Nationally 43% of respondents felt their home region was better placed than the UK as a

whole to withstand the recession, with 41% more being of the opposing view.In terms of regions, businesses in London and the South East are the mostoptimistic,with61%and56%respectively believing their region was better placed than the UK as a whole to withstand the recession.Businesses in the West Midlands (21%) and the North East (25%) were the most pessimistic about their prospects.Compared with the last survey, Wales has seen the biggest increase in optimism, with 29% believing their region was better placed than the UK as a whole, up from 20% last time. The North West has seen the biggest increase in pessimism about its prospects in the latest survey, with 26%believingtheirregionwasbetterplaced, a 7% fall.“While this recession has been portrayed in some circles as a `white-collar’ recession, it is interesting that business owners in London and the South East remain the most optimistic about their regions, while those in traditional industrial areas such as the West Midlands and North East are at the opposite end of the scale,” commented Carty.“One year on from the launch of our survey, it is clear that retirement is becoming ever more elusive for the vast majority of SME owners, and out of the question altogether for a large minority.“While there may be cause for optimism in terms of the number of employers planning job cuts, there is a fear that we may have yet to see the full impact of the recession on employment numbers, and certainly the situation in regard to company pension schemes is deeply worrying.“Equally, it is totally unacceptable that so few businesses have received anykindoffinancialreliefviatheEnterprise Finance Guarantee, or that somanyhavenoconfidenceinitsability to deliver.“We know from our own experience that the accessing the scheme is proving hugely frustrating for many SMEs and that despite the Government’s protestations, the freeze in bank lending to businesses shows nosignsofasignificantthaw.” For further information: www.cliftonasset.co.uk

Retirement still on hold for transport and haulage bosses

Anthony Carty


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Over the past few months there have been a growing number of people voicing concern that truck drivers are being treated unfairly at many motorway services in GB.At the beginning of June, a driver stopped to go to the toilet. The lorry bays were full so he parked near to cars and caravans that were parked in the coach section. Seven minutes later when he returned he had been clamped and had to pay £250. The clamper ignored the cars as he had been told to only clamp trucks.Earlier this year a livestock truck couldn’t get parked but saw a space between some foreign trucks on the exit slip road. The police came and told him to move on. He explained he was out of time and asked why they weren’t tackling the foreign hauliers? He was told that they couldn’t do anything to them but they could to him so charged him for obstruction!Every day drivers are unable to stop because truck bays are full and told to go to the next one. When they get there it is full too. Nobody seems to care that drivers are having to go over their hours tofindsomewheresafeandsecure.Colleagues from all over the country are getting similar messages as these above. At least one service area (Knutsford) does not allow any lorries to park. I always thought that one of the reasons for having the service areas was that travellers could break journeys when they needed to for road safety reasons?They seem to manage to have plenty adequate stopping places in other countries, why not here?There is some doubt over the future of the truck and coach park at Portobello, Edinburgh and also the lorry park at Lesmahagow. At least in Aberdeen the Council are supporting the lorry park at Altens. It is more important than ever that adequate parking is available for those who need it. On the bright side there is more awareness from local and regional authorities that lorry parking is crucial to the well being of the economy and the Regional Transport Partnerships in Scotland all have this issue on their agenda!

The latest flu outbreak H1N1 (swine flu) has now reached pandemic level. Not too many people seem overly worried but for businesses, have you had any thought how it may affect you?What if you get the virus? What happens if some of your staff get the virus? What if it gets worse and travel restrictions are imposed and certain types of business can no longer operate. What if these businesses are your suppliers or customers?It may never happen but it is maybe worth a few minutes to start thinking of the consequences if it does spread and become more virulent. Supply chains may become vulnerable and what ones would get priority?Food supplies would have to be a priority as we all have to eat. Medical supplies and others related

to health and well being would also be on the list. Fuel supplies would be another one of importance.But what of your business? Where does it fit in the grand scheme of things?Can you be sure you can continue to trade or operate if it really does happen to be a real emergency this time?

A recent research report from Heriot-Watt University states that the volume of carbon dioxide produced by the road transport industry in the UK over the past 20 years may be much less than was previously thought.A study by the university’s Logistics Research Centre states that between 1990 and 2005, CO2 emissions from road haulage rose by approximately 10%; in contrast, government statistics put the increase at between 29% and 30%.When expressed as carbon intensity (grammes of CO2 per tonne-km), emissions have fallen by6%ratherthanincreasedby11%asfiguresfrom the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform suggested in 2008.

Professor Alan McKinnon, Director of the Logistics Research Centre at Heriot-Watt University and co-author of the report, says: “The industry has beentarnishedwithsomefiguresthatwerewildlyinaccurate.”It is good to know we are not as bad as we have been made out to be and perhaps now the industry will not be blamed for many of the problems we face in this country.Professor McKinnon and his research associate Maja Peick have provided much-needed balance and accuracy to the way we view road haulage, the dominant mode of moving goods and a key engine of our economy. Their recommendations intermsoftransparency,refinementsofdata-gathering techniques and the need to publicise substantialrevisionsinofficialfiguresarewellmade. The researchers at Heriot-Watt are to be congratulated on a robust report that should be a pivotal piece of analysis in the debate over CO2 and climate change.

Raw deal for truck drivers

Phil Flanders Scottish Director - Road Haulage Association


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UKtransportfirmsmustensurethattheirstaffaresafe to drive, urged a Health and Safety advisor afterattendingafleetseminarrunbycorporatedriver training specialists, the TTC Group.There is a temptation to put it in the “too difficulttray,”saidRabSteel,HealthSafetyandEnvironmental Advisor for KBR FTX Logistics, an organisation that transports the Army’s heavy armour in the UK and in war zones abroad.On the course, delegates were given a unique insight and awareness about the dangers of excess alcohol and the use of drugs in the workplace and what action employers can take to avoid them.Successful delegates are able to carry out impairment tests to an ISO 9000 standard and learn how to recognise people under the influenceofdrinkanddrugstocheckiftheyarefittowork.They learned about alcohol and the law, drink drive limits, attitudes, alcohol strengths including volumes and units, absorption rates as well as various illegal drugs, what drugs look like and the effect of over the counter medicines.“These courses give companies the knowledge andqualificationstotacklealcoholanddrugabuse in the workplace,” said Course Tutor John Price, Assistant Director at the TTC Group.“With new health and safety laws, employers need to know about this information to protect their workforce and prevent any court proceedings if things go wrong.”KBR FTX Logistics employs a large number of ex-Army personnel to transport the British Army’s tanks and other heavy armour including

deployments to hostile territories in Iraq and Afghanistan.“A large proportion of our employees are ex military and as is common with other uniformed organisations there can be a very strong drinking culture. Thankfully we have had no issues or incidents to date but it would be unprofessional of us not to acknowledge it is a possibility,” said Mr Steel, based at Bulford Barracks in Salisbury, who attended the course after having written policies in place and investing in alcohol testing kits. “Whatweneedtoknowis,aretheyfittodrivea 110 tonne truck on our highways? As a responsible and professional transport company, we have to consider all risks and one of those is drivers driving impaired through alcohol or drugs.

“A lot of transport organisations may be tempted toputitinthetoodifficulttraybutafterthiscourseIamconfidentwehaveappropriatepolicies and procedures in place to ensure the safety of our employees and anyone else we may come into contact with.”“I have to know that we are doing everything possible to protect our workforce. This course has been very interesting and an invaluable experience providing me with the knowledge I need.” For more information: 0845 270 4363 or visit www.ttc-uk.com

Truck driver safety

Newly launched, Newcastle based company, Future Transport Systems, FTS, is pioneering the introduction of sustainable transport across the UK having won a number of major contracts to introduce electric vehicles and their charging infrastructure to Britain’s roads.FTS has already employed four low carbon transport and automotive specialists and has ambitious plans to recruit another six before the end of the year. The team will be based at the company’s head office in Newcastle and its technical centre in Hethel, Norfolk on the Hethel Engineering Park, a hub for automotive and engineering development.The company is the UK’s first consultancy specialising in integrating low carbon vehicle technologies with transport and

electrical infrastructure. The team is well placed to deliver these projects, as its sister company is leading independent energy consultancy, TNEI Services. FTS will draw a wealth of transferable expertise in electrical networks, systems integration, planning and the environment from TNEI. FTS is already using in-house GIS and electrical network modelling capabilities to design the charging networks required for electric vehicles, and assess their impact on existing infrastructure. One of the key aspects of this work is to analyse and test how electric vehicles could be deployed and to identify and resolve any constraints on their successful implementation and roll out.One of the projects the team is managing is the ultra-low carbon

vehicle demonstrator project, awarded to the North East region by the Technology Strategy Board to deploy electric vehicles in the North East region. FTS is working closely with One North East, Nissan, Smiths Electric Vehicles, Avid, Newcastle University and Liberty to deliver this project. Commenting on the FTS launch and plans for the future, MD Matthew Lumsden said: “Our goal is to be the leading low carbon vehicle infrastructure consultancy for sustainable transport in the UK and beyond. We are already on course to achieve these goals with a very substantial order book at the company’s launch.”“We expect significant growth in the electric vehicle sector over the next 5 years with many opportunities arising from the parallel development of smart metering, smart networks and

renewable generation. These are very exciting times for those of us involved in systems integration and deployment and for those pioneering the new business opportunities that will arise from these new technologies and systems.”FTS is committed to developing a base of low carbon transport infrastructure expertise within the North East. In addition to working closely with the team at One North East on the TSB project, FTS is teaming up with the Universities of Newcastle and Durham to develop design software for mapping out Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure.

For more information: www.futuretransport.co.uk

Green transport revolution championed by new North East company


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I was intrigued and disappointed to read a reportrecentlyfromtheofficefornationalstatistics that stated 15,255 HGV drivers were currently claiming jobseekers allowance. This is up from 3280 the previous year. Similarly, a BBC Radio 4 report shows that there were 8000 fewer job vacancies in April, than one year previous. Figures from the Department of Transport also showed the number of lorries on the road across Britain is also down 12% in the firstquarterofthisyearcomparedtothesamefigurelastyear.Thefiguresalsostatethatthenumbers are down 7% on the quarter previous.It is clear to see why this downturn is not slowing for hauliers as the petrol prices begin to soar ever closer to the pound mark again, with diesel prices already above that in many locations. My colleagues in Westminster had once again tabled an amendment to the Budget Finance Bill calling for the introduction of a fuel duty regulator. This proposal would have resulted in an automatic freeze on fuel duty increases as oil prices rise with a parallel reduction in duty to match the extra revenue from VAT from higher pump prices. The proposal was backed by the Road Haulage Association. It has unfortunately been ignored by the Government who are still reluctant to come up with their own solution other than to keep raising taxes on fuel. It can only be described as ironic that in one of the world’s largest oil producing areas we suffer from fuel duty which accounts for roughly 71 pence of every pound spent at the forecourt.The Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee at the Parliament have, of late, been very much consumed by the latest piece of Climate Change legislation currently making its way through Parliament. The bill looks to make some hefty reforms in Scotland’s efforts towards becoming more eco-friendly, and so much scrutiny was necessary. In its work programme, the committee is set to continue to look into progress on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route. It is also set to discuss the plans for a new Forth crossing to replace the ailing and aged Forth Bridge, as well as the extension to the M74.Last month brought with it the European elections. This, of course, could have implications for many of you who will undoubtedly be working under many European Union regulations set and imposed in Brussels or Strasbourg. Some, I imagine, will be quite favourable, such as those that impose a need for breaks at certain intervals during working hours. Others may be less desirable for many of you such as the working hours directive which seeks to curtail the number of working hours in a week possible for employees. Whilst Scotland is not the largest represented country in Europe, we do, nevertheless, have a voice in Europe with six members of the European

Parliament. Regardless of what your views are on Europe, whether you prefer to be in or out, the fact is that we are in it for the time being. It is important, for that reason, to try and make it work for you. Safe to say I’ve caught a certain amount of the glorious sunshine we’ve had lately as the campaign got underway. Even though the election is now over by the time this

goes to print, MEPs are there to represent you. As I’ve mentioned before about our own MSPs, I would also re-iterate the counsel to get in touch with your MEP if you have opinions to share over the way Europe affects you.That is it for another month here in Holyrood from me. Fingers crossed that the good weather is here to stay!

Try and make Europe work for you

Brian Adam MSP SNP Chief Whip

Nikki King OBE, Managing Director at Isuzu Truck (UK) Limited, was awarded a PwC Lifetime Achievement Award at the First Women Awards in London on June 11. King, who runs Isuzu Truck UK, was a company administrator until she was 40 years old before going on to lead a £32m management buyout of the company in 2004. Judges of the award, sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers, said she was a ‘beaconoffemaletalent’andprovided‘anoutstanding role model and leadership figure for women at every stage of their career’.On receiving the award, King said: “This award came as a total surprise and I felt truly humble in front of so many inspirational women. This award is not just for me but for all women working in today’s hugely

competitive transport industry.”Hosted by Real Business magazine, the First Women Awards were founded five years agotocelebrate‘glassceilingbreakers’inbusiness and public life. They are supported by the CBI and held in association with Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets. Concluding her award reply, King said: “On behalf of all the nominees, I would like to thank Lloyds TSB for their sponsorship of the event and on a personal note I am grateful to Wendy Whewell, our corporate bank manager from HBOS, for sponsoring my nomination. HBOS has firmly supported the Isuzu business all along the way and we look forward to continuing this same great relationship with Lloyds Corporate Division for many years to come.”

The award winning AutoVue Lane Departure Warning System, whichisanoptionalfittingfornew vehicles from many of the major European truck and coach companies such as DAF, Mercedes, Iveco and Scania, has become available for the firsttimeasaretrofitfitoptionvia established truck supplies company Magnum Fleet Services.Magnum has signed an exclusive deal with the American developers of the AutoVue, Iteris’ Inc to become the distributor of the AutoVue LDW aftermarket kit for the UK and Republic of Ireland.“We’re pleased to bring this world leading piece of vehicle safety technology to the UK”, says Chris Hare, Magnum’s Sales Director. “When we were looking for a partner it soon became clear to us that the Iteris’ technology was far in advance of the competition which is why it has already been adopted as the LDW system of choice by most leading manufacturers”The LDW System is a small, integrated unit consisting of a camera, onboard computer, image recognition software and proprietary algorithms. The camera is mounted on the dashboard of large commercial vehicles and is designed to warn drivers when they drift from their lane unintentionally by emitting a distinctive “rumble strip” sound which alerts the driver to make a correction.It works effectively both day

and night where lane marks are visible even if the lines are heavily faded. Truck drivers say it is a big help in fog, spray, rain and other low visibility conditions. It has also been found to help them recognise the onset of fatigue by warning them when they drift due to distraction. Truck drivers tell us that a few early warnings can “nudge” a driver to get off the road and take a break.Sharon Hennessy, Managing Director of Magnum, says: “The savings in time, money and potentially in lives is something the industry is very aware of. Safety has become paramount and soon this kind of technology will not only

be desirable but from 2012 likely to be required by EU law.” Iteris’LDWsystemwasthefirstof its kind to be deployed in the commercial truck and passenger car markets in the US and Europe. It is designed to address inadvertent lane change, sideswipe or run-off-road accidents, and has the potentialto save thousands of lives every year. Iteris has sold over 70,000 LDW systems to the heavy truck market worldwide, representing an estimated 1.2 billion miles travelled thus far. Fleets using Iteris’ LDW systems have reported an average of 77% reduction in lane departure related accidents.

“We have spoken to a number ofUSbasedfleetcontrollerswho speak highly of the LDW’s,“ says Hare, “They identify a major contributor in the reduction of accidents to the fact that the drivers are encouraged to use their indicators, signalling their intentions to other road users,” he added “We know we can replicate this success in the UK and Ireland especiallyaswecanfitthisproducton site for considerably less than the OEM cost.”

For more information: 0121 314 7712 or www.magnumfleet.co.uk

King achievement

Available over here

Nikki King


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Boniface Engineering of Thetford in Norfolk is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of recovery vehicles and is hence very keen to promote the professional training of operators up to the current levels as recommended by the Institute of Vehicle Recovery (IVR).Being part of Miller Industries, the world’s largest manufacturer of towing and recovery equipment, Boniface’s range includes rotators -aproductonlyfindingitswaytotheseshoresduringthelastfiveor six years as their tremendous versatility has become apparent to UK recovery companies. “Rotators are a completely different animal to conventional recovery vehicles”, says Michael Boniface, “And it is vital that operators are fully conversant with their correct operation not only from a safety point of view but also to maximise theirmanybenefits.”

Nick Ovenden of the Kent based Ashford Group has enjoyed a long term relationship with Boniface and is a highly experienced rescue and recovery operator as well as beingafullyqualifiedinstructorfortheIVR.Thesequalificationshave led him to regularly run training courses on behalf of Miller Industries in many parts of the world.Recently Boniface employed the services of Ovenden to lead a three day course for staff from Saunders Recovery of High Wycombe and FAM Recovery of Manchester, both companies having recently taken delivery of Century 1075S Rotators. The comprehensive course used both the new vehicles and covered theory, hands-on training and testing, as set out in the IVR’s VR20 module for rotators.Commenting on the course, Ovenden said: “The IVR has

been working on and developing a course for Rotating Recovery Appliances for some years now. In the USA the courses are more of a demonstration rather than instruction so we decided to develop a course that not only teaches the theory involved with tip loads but

is also a hands-on course with a practical skills test at the conclusion - and it’s a great course for both instructors and students.”

For more information: www.boniface-eng.com

Concerns that young people are not equipped for driving at work are being addressed by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, which is developing free workshops to tackle issues uncovered in a major study of the problem.The safety charity is now looking for 10 organisations which employ young drivers to pilot the Driving for Work workshops. The sessions have beenspecificallydesignedtohelpemployersbetterequip and protect their staff aged between 17 and 24-years-old.A study conducted as part of RoSPA’s Young DriversatWorkprojectfoundthatmorethan60%ofemployers felt the current system of learner training and testing did not adequately prepare young people to drive as part of their job.Young people who get behind the wheel as part of their work - whether to make deliveries, as part of a sales team or simply to drive passengers around a site - face, and create, a higher risk than other drivers.Figures show that young motorists are more at risk

of being killed or injured on the roads than more experienced drivers and it is also estimated that one in three crashes in the UK involves a vehicle being driven for work.RoSPA will initially pilot 10 interactive workshops, which are designed to be delivered in-company to groups of 10-15 young drivers, from next month until October.After the pilot workshops are completed, RoSPA will use feedback from the sessions to develop free training guides so that employers can run similar events for their own staff.The workshops will cover issues raised by employers who took part in the Young Drivers at Work project survey, including the differences between driving for work and what is covered in the learner test.Duncan Vernon, RoSPA Road Safety Manager, said: “It is clear that further support is needed for young drivers at work, and employers have indicated they prefer face-to-face workshops as a way of giving that support.

“The Driving for Work workshops have been developed to go some way towards bridging the clear skills and training gap highlighted in our report, which was published earlier this year.“Many young drivers are currently required to drive in a context for which they are not adequately prepared, and these workshops offer a chance to address some of the issues they face.“Journey planning, hazard awareness and the causes of work accidents will be examined, as will waysofinfluencingtheattitudesofyoungdrivers.”RoSPA is also offering opportunities for smaller businesses to send their young employees to workshops,sothatfirmswithoneortwoyoungdriverscanalsobenefitfromthetraining.Vernon added: “We want to empower employers to better equip and protect their young driving staff. Makingthesefreeresourcesavailablefitsinwithourcharitable mission to save lives and reduce injuries.”


For the second year running the DAFCF85hasbeenvoted‘FleetTruck of the Year’ in the annual Motor Transport, the UK’s premier transport industry awards scheme Awards, hosted by comedian Omid Djalili.Ray Ashworth, Managing Director of DAF Trucks UK, received the trophyinfrontof1400leadingfiguresfrom the industry at a glittering presentation dinner at London’s

Grosvenor Hotel on July 1. It was presented by Mark Barton, Sales Director of BRS, who sponsored the award. “This is a great accolade for the CF85 and for everybody in the UK sales team and across the dealer network,” said Ray. “It is made all the more significantbecausefleetoperatorsvote for this award and they are the most discerning buyers in the market.

“This is the ninth time that the CF85 or one of its predecessors has won The Fleet Truck of the Year accolade, whichconfirmsthatoperatorsrecognise the product development and continuous improvement that lies behind the model. We are clearly being recognised again for meeting the needs of our customers for fuelefficientvehiclesofferinggoodenvironmental performance and

increased safety. That’s the genius of evolution.” It is 23 years since the MT Awards were introduced and in that time DAF has won a vehicle award on an unequalled 12 occasions. Last year theCF85wasfirstinafieldoffourin the Fleet Truck of the Year award category and this year the model beat off four strong contenders to take the title again.

Professional training for recovery operators

Training on offer to improve safety of young drivers at work

Fleet Truck of the Year

Steve Curtis Cars of Dalgety Bay, Fife, has once more proved their commitment and expertise to Motability customers by scooping an award at the prestigious Motability Operations Supplier Awards 2009.The company was presented with the award for best service to Dealer Fleets up to 250 Vehicles by BBC News presenter Huw Edwards.Speaking of receiving the award Steve Curtis, Managing Director of Steve Curtis Cars said: “This is a great honour for all of us at Steve CurtisCars,buttheawardreallyreflectsthetremendous enthusiasm of our Motability Specialist, Douglas Small. His understanding of the scheme and its applications is second to none and he’s really committed to ensuring customers get the best out of it.”Steve Curtis Cars also recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of their annual Disability Awareness Day. The event which is free and open to all, invites representatives from local

charities and organisations involved with the mobility impaired, to attend and exhibit. Supporters of the event this year included: Motability Operations, Fife Constabulary, Spinal Injuries Scotland, Fife Employability Network, Able Magazine, Fife Fire & Rescue and many more.Mike Betts, Chief Executive, Motability Operations, explained: “This has been a positive year for the Motability Scheme and key to this has been the work of our business partners and suppliers who provide the highest levels of service for our customers. Steve Curtis Cars should be truly proud of their achievement at the 2009 Motability Operations Supplier Awards. They have performed a key role in helping deliver exemplary levels of customer satisfaction and setting the standard for business excellence.”

For more information: 01383 821100 or www.stevecurtiscars.co.uk

Scottish Motor Auctions’ Newcastle site was crowned the UK’s Best Auction Centre by Motability Operations, the company that manages the Motability Car Scheme. Successful sales conversions of cars formerly owned by Motability customers, combined with SMA’s presentation of vehicles prior to sale and its ability to achieve high hammer prices were cited as the key reasons behind the success.This latest award was presented to SMA Managing Director Bob Anderson and Steven Cooper, Manager of SMA’s Birtley site, Newcastle, by BBC News presenter Huw Edwards during the annual Supplier Awards held at the prestigious Luton Hoo Hotel.It confirms Motability’s confidence in SMA - Britain’s biggest independent car auction house. In April, the organisation gave SMA the greenlight to auction its vehicles from its newly acquired site in Leeds in addition to its established sites in Kinross and Livingston in Scotland and Newcastle.

Managing Director Bob Anderson, said: “We’re extremely proud to receive the award. We all strive to deliver the optimum service for our clients, having our efforts recognised in this way is truly fulfilling. I’m especially pleased for Steven and his team. He is extremely

passionate about his role, this in turn cascades through the entire operation resulting in an extremely motivated group.”

For more information: www.sma-group.co.uk

Steve Curtis Cars voted top for Dealer Fleets up to 250 vehicles

Motability coup for SMA

Douglas Small and Steve Curtis with their

award

SMA’s Newcastle Manager Steven Cooper (right) with the company’s award and Ashley Sylvester, Motability Operations Director

Autochair Scotland have announced that an increasing number of petrol forecourts in Scotland are installing their ServiceCall system for their customers.ServiceCall is a system designed to make it easier for a person with limited mobility to use retail outlets such as petrol stations - all from the comfort and security of their own vehicle. It works by the customer aiming a small infrared transmitter to activate the ServiceCall receiver which is fitted

to the outlets windows.The great thing about ServiceCall is that it enables petrol forecourts to offer an alternative solution to their premises when complying with DDA Regulations without expensive and disruptive building renovation. The ServiceCall system is particularly useful for those retail outlets that are customer focused and who understandsomeofthedifficultiesthat the less able bodied and the elderly face - hence it’s increased use with petrol forecourts.

Another advantage of ServiceCall for retailers is that it has the capacity to speed up the amount of time it takes a disabled customer to use the retailer’s service and it encourages customer loyalty as users of the system will return to the same outlet where they know they can receive assisted service.Commenting upon the expansion of ServiceCall in Scotland Felicity Atkin, Marketing Manager at Autochair, says: “We have seen the growth of ServiceCall over the

last 12 months in Scotland. More and more retailers are offering the service to their customers as a way of making life easier, encouraging customer loyalty and assisting with DDA regulations. “TheofficeinScotlandhasgrowndue to the increasing numbers of customers we have there and the service we offer them.” For more information: 0800 214045 or www.autochair.co.uk

Expansion in Scotland


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Red Forge Ltd have announced the release of theirnewproduct‘Omniweigh’.Thisnewloadcellbasedsystemhasbeendesignedspecificallyfortipper vehicles with future versions to be released soon for other vehicle applications. Omniweigh-T is simple to use and provides information on both net payload and gross vehicle weight, combined with a GVW overload protection warning. The Omniweighhasbeendevelopedasa‘lowcost,high quality’ product for this highly demanding application.Using rugged loadcell technology, the Omniweigh is available as OE through your chosen bodyshoporasretrofittoexistingvehicles.RedForge Ltd have over 30 years of experience in

thefieldofon-boardweighingandhaveexcellentrelationships with the major bodyshops, who are already familiar with loadcell installation, which leads to little increase in lead times. Red Forge Ltd will provide advice where necessary to ensure that the system is installed to their exacting standards, so that the system will perform accurately for years to come. In addition, all Red Forge systems come with a minimum of twelve months warranty as standard.The new display contains a memory function to store data at the press of a button. Similar to the current range of Red Forge Axle Load Indicators, The Omniweigh display is also compatible with all major telematics systems, to provide remote

viewing of the vehicle’s load condition.As an optional extra the Omniweigh can be linked to a thermal printer or a USB data stick for informationretrieval.Afirstinon-boardweighingsystems, the USB option comes with a data stick containing the software necessary to convert the data into a simple csv format, for easy data manipulation on your computer. Stainless steel loadcells are available for use in salt heavy environments, such as those encountered by gritter vehicles. Further more information: 01527 526112 or www.redforge.co.uk

Loadcell system

Unpopular tram works in Edinburgh are adding countless thousands of miles to delivery journeys in the city.Scotland’s biggest independent courier company has revealed how its fleet of vehicles are rackingupanextra4600milesamonth in the capital.Now Eagle Couriers says those extra miles are costing them - and other delivery firms - a fortune in lost time and soaring fuel bills.Eagle Couriers has bases in Edinburgh, Bathgate and

Glasgow and employs more than 100 people to deliver valuable and important packages across Scotland and the UK.Jerry Stewart, one of three Directors with the company which was founded in Edinburgh 30 years ago, said: “Until now we haven’t seen any estimates on the hidden cost of the trams work for firms like ours, so we decided to look into it ourselves.“We make around 400 deliveries in Edinburgh every day, so this work is having a huge effect on

our business. If you multiply that across all the other deliveries into the city centre the knock on impact is potentially enormous.“The road closures and diversions in Edinburgh aren’t just a nuisance to motorists - they are adding more time and expense onto companies that are already struggling in the current economic climate.”Eagle Couriers has used its hi-tech delivery tracking software to analyse delivery journey times in the affected areas of Edinburgh this year.Bosses estimat the tram works are addinganaverage4600milespermonth to its deliveries across the Capital - which in turn adds 770 hours per month to the time taken to make those deliveries of goods, documents and important data.Stewart added: “When you’re in a business like ours it quickly adds up when there are so many journeys involved. Many delivery andcourierfirmsusedieseltofueltheirfleets,whichisfarmoreexpensive than petrol, so any extra distance we have to cover hits us directly in the pocket. “Aswe’reoftenstuckintrafficjamswhen following these diversions, it means that we also waste valuable time that could be spent on pursuing other work. “It’s a situation that has been going on for more than a year in Edinburgh and it could be at least another 18 months until the city centre gets back to normal. That adds up to many tens of thousands of pounds worth of wasted man hours and extra costs for us, which is a big concern. “Many companies which use our

services are feeling the pinch, so putting up our rates - or billing our clients for the extra time we spendintrafficjams-couldbeavery costly move, as they would be likely to search for a cheaper competitor.”Stewart says the tram works have also seen the city’s scant number of parking and loading bays reduced further - meaning precious dropping off and stopping points areevenmoredifficulttofind.He added: “It is costing us more to get in and round the city - and we now also run a far higher risk of getting parking tickets. We are being penalised on every front.“There’s always been a high demand for parking in places like George Street and the side roads leading to Princes Street, but now there are no places available for parking or unloading at all.“We need to park in order to make our deliveries and, if there are no parking or loading bays, there is no option but to stop on the side of the road. It’s getting to the point where we’re having to budget for the parking tickets we’re likely to get for doing this every day.“We don’t know if there will be any realbenefitfromthetramsproject- or when the people of Edinburgh will see a real improvement in public transport.“But in the meantime we do know that businesses like ours are being hammered and there is no end in sight. Add that onto the effects of the recession and it’s really quite a toxic combination for us.”

For more information: www.eagle-couriers.co.uk

4600 extra miles per month


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Lock installation on vans could prove tobeaprofitableadd-onserviceforgaragesandmobilefitterstooffertheirfleetandbusinesscustomers.With over 500 vans being broken into each day in the UK, the potential marketforalockfittingserviceisconsiderable. Leading automotive lock manufacturer,

Locks 4 Vans (L4V), produces a range ofvehicle-specificlockkits,inbothdeadlock and slamlock types, which are supplied with all the necessary fittings,togetherwithdetailed,illustrated instructions. Thekitsaresimpletofitandcandeliver around 100% installation revenue on the cost of the kit. L4V

estimates that on average each lock willtakearoundanhourtofit,andofcourse most vehicles will require three locks.No consumables are required and the only specialist tool needed is a L4V hole-punch.L4V locks types of lock feature cylinders made by the world’s largest

lock manufacturer and the quality of theproductisclassifiedas“veryhigh”by Thatcham. In fact, the T series lock is the only automotive lock to be Thatcham accredited.

For more information: 01474 560077 or www.locks4vans.co.uk

Motorpoint has been flooded with calls from customers looking to take advantage of its free one year warranty on all LDV vans.LDV, one of the last remaining UK van manufacturers, went into administration in early June after various attempts to rescue the business failed - effectively making its manufacturers’ warranty invalid.Motorpoint decided to step into the breach last week by giving away its comprehensive one year warranty to any customer that buys any of the Maxus range of LDV vans that it currently stocks at its five sites. Since then it has received over 125 calls and sold 11 vehicles to date. Prices start from as little as £5299 for a LDV Maxus 3.2T SWB.The warranty, worth £349, covers parts, labour and VAT on all mechanical and electrical faults as well as any hotel, train, taxi costs incurred in the unlikely event of a breakdown. An additional year-long warranty can also be purchased.Motorpoint made a similar gesture in 2005 following the collapse of MG Rover, subsequently selling over 2000 MG Rover to customers across Europe. Says Karl Anderson of Motorpoint’s Commercial Sales Division: “Inspite of LDV going into administration, it is clear from the calls that we are receiving that their vans continue to remain extremely popular, especially when combined with the offer of a free one-year warranty.” For more information: www.motorpoint.co.uk

Lock onto extra profit

Free LDV warranty


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Supertrucks has supplied two purpose-built mobileworkshopstoWakefield&DistrictHousing, based on the St Helens specialist bodybuilder’s innovative glass-carrying van. The housing organisation’s own employees took a hand in the design of the new vehicles, which are based on Supertrucks’ innovative low-loading Citroen Relay 3.5 tonne gvw glass carrying van, which offers sector-leading standardsofefficiencyandsafety.Inside the purpose-adapted body, the front

offsidehousesafive-drawerstorageunitfortools,doorandwindowfittingsandfixings,together with a vented locker for carrying gas canisters. Above this is a cutting table, hinged to allow access to the rear where further storage space is available. Access to the mobile workshop is by a single fold-away step fixed to the lower bulkhead. The capacious body of the Supertrucks conversion - thanks in turn to the wide track of the dropframe Citroën Relay chassis conversion - has been used to

good advantage, with ample space for fitters to work in. The converted vehicle is also an excellent glass carrier. The workshop vehicle retains the glass carrying rack on each side; these can also be used to carry completed windows, doors or other sheet materials, all held safely in place by Supertrucks’ load-securing strap poles.

For more information: 01744 25348

Fiat Professional commercial vehicles reinforced their strong showing in the used vehicle market recently during an auction atBCAMeasham.‘Hammer’pricessignificantlyoutperformedCAPvaluations, with an overall average of 124.4% of the guide values.A number of Fiat Professional products including; Doblo Cargo, Ducato Maxi, Ducato 33, Fiorino Cargo and Scudo were offered, with all entries attracting brisk

bidding both in the hall and live online.TheresultsversusCAP‘clean’permodel version were as follows: •DobloMaxi-117% •Ducato33-130% •FiorinoCargo-121% •ScudoPanorama-144% •ScudoVan-110%Simon Wheeler, Fiat Group Used Vehicle Remarketing Manager says:“Thesepricesreflectgrowingdemand in the market place

for Fiat Professional products, and an increasing trend for dealers to purchase vehicles at significantlyhigherthantradeguide prices. The Fiat brand has had a tremendous boost over the last couple of years, instilling greaterconfidenceacrossallourmarket sectors. We are working closely with the major used vehicle valuation guides to encourage sensible forecasts going forward thatreflectthesemarkettrends.

Asignificantandgrowingnumberofcorporatebusinessfleetsarenow selecting Fiat Professional productsastheirfirstchoicevehicles. With residual value performance improving almost weekly right now, linked to some of the best products in the industry, they can rest assured they are making the right decisions.”

For more information: www.fiatprofessional.co.uk

New mobile works - inside and out

Exceptional Fiat performance

Modec, the British manufacturer of electric vans, has announced a new French Distributor: ElecTruckCity. An initial order of 100 vehicles has been placed by ElecTruckCity, 40 of which have already been sold to French customers.ElecTruckCity has been set up by Frederic Deret, President of Logistics giant Deret Group, and Michel Albrand, former President of MAN France. Paris-based ElecTruckCity is the sole distributor of Modec vehicles in France.Havingrecentlybecomethefirstelectric commercial vehicle to gain EC Whole Vehicle Type Approval, Modec vehicles can now be sold in volume in any EU member state. Bill Gillespie, Chief Executive of Modec, is delighted to announce Modec’s French distributor: “International demand for Modec is extremely strong. ElecTruckCity has taken the lead by setting up a distribution network in France

and we are very excited about the future of the French market.” Gillespie added, “At a time when the automotive industry is full of doom and gloom we are pleased to announce our international expansion. This proves the future of the UK auto industry is green.”Frédéric Deret, President of Deret Group, discovered Modec at the Commercial Vehicle Show in 2007, “As soon as I saw the iconic vehicle I knew the demand for Modec would be strong in France.” Mr Deret added, “The launch ofElecTruckCityisasignificantmilestone for the French commercial vehicle market. The interest in electric vehicles is significantandwithModecwecanmeet the needs of urban vehicle operators.”Unlike fuel cell vehicles or electric cars, electric commercial vehicles like Modec are available today. Each vehicle saves over nine tonnes CO2 per year, which has significantlyreducedemissions

from Modec customers such as Tesco, FedEx and UPS. Over 200 vehicles are now on the road and production is set to increase in the near future.Modec is ramping up production. Strong demand from customers like ElecTruckCity has instigated

a recruitment program at Modec. Most recently the manufacturing teamhasbeenwelcomedfivenewmembers and Modec is due to operate with a double shift from 2010.

For more information: www.modeczev.com

Modec announces French distributor and 100 vehicle order


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Allied Vehicles, the Glasgow niche vehicle manufacturer, have celebrated a double success, winning two contracts for the development and supply of all electric, zero emission Peugeot vehicles.IntheirfirstsuccessAlliedhaswonacontractto supply Government bodies with electric vans. Funded by the Department for Transport and managed by Cenex, the project aims to encouragelargepublicfleetstomovetolowcarbon vehicles. £20m of funding is available to selected public sector partners to help towards the purchase of low carbon vans, including Allied’s all-electric Peugeot Boxer. Powered by lithium-ion battery

technology, the vehicles have a range of over 100 miles and can be plugged into single (ordinary household) or triple phase (industrial) sockets to recharge. The vehicles produce zero emissions when in operation.Commenting on the good news, Allied’s Chairman Gerry Facenna said: “Allied already makes market leading taxis and wheelchair accessible vehicles. We have invested substantial funding and effort over the past four years in ensuring that the electric vehicle project that we bring to market is of the highest quality. Our inclusion in this innovative national projectrepresentsavoteofconfidenceinelectric vehicles and will provide real impetus

fortheirintegrationintoworkingfleets.”Allied received another boost with news that £1.8million has been awarded by the Technology Strategy Board to a consortium led by Allied for the development and trial of electric Peugeot Partners and Peugeot Expert Tepees.The aims of the project are to accelerate technological development, help encourage the take up of alternative fuel vehicles and to identify and resolve issues that may arise in the production and use of this type of vehicle in a daily-use environment.Members of the consortium also include Dundee firmAxeon,whowilldevelopthebatteriesforthe electric vehicles, Glasgow City Council, ScottishPower, The University of Strathclyde and Scottish Enterprise. Allied Managing Director, Paul Nelson commented, “It’s great to have been awarded this funding for a project that will make Glasgow a leading player for the quest for green transport. After considerable research and investment Allied is set to take thelead in the production of electric vehicles. With the Technology Strategy Board’s funding, combined with the support of our consortium partners, Glasgow has the potential to become a centre of excellence for the development of zero emission transport.”

For further information: 0800 916 0034

Electrifying double success for Allied Vehicles

Electric Peugeot Boxer

Values in the used van market have swiftly recovered in May after slipping in April for the first time this year. May recorded a month on month improvement of £122 to reach £3595 - recovering the £71 lost in April and more. Values are now well ahead of the low point of £2772 recorded in last December, and are starting to approach last year’s market peak of£3868(recordedinJanuary2008). Values have improved by £823 since December and are only £43 behind year-on-year (last month the deficit was £313, year-on-year). Average guide values slipped for the second month running - but only by half a point, having fallen by nearly four points last month.Following some spectacular rises earlier in the year, price growth appears to be slowing, with little variance over the rolling three months - certainly when compared to the first quarter where values roseby£620-around21%.

Demand for light vans has been very strong since the turn of the year and with supplies well balanced, BCA remains confident that values should remain firm over the summer months. Similarly, performance against CAP has levelled off around the mid-90’s mark, having climbed rapidly earlier in the year.The scrappage scheme is now live, but there has been no discernable affect in the used market in the short term. Less that 2% of light commercial vehicles sold at BCA fall into the appropriate age category, which gives a steer on the relative paucity of vehicles available to benefit from the scheme. However, as there is a perception that new vans are potentially £2000 or more cheaper - depending on additional discounts available - there could be some pressure on nearly-new values, which may radiate further down the used market.

Interestingly, while there were increases in value for fleet and lease vans and part-exchange vehicles in May, nearly-new van valuesfellbackby£481to£8556.BCA’s Duncan Ward commented: “Nearly-new volumes are very low and model mix will have an effect on value from one month to the next. There continues to be plenty of demand in the nearly-new sector despite an average value of over £8500 that looks relatively expensive compared to dealer PX stock averaging around £2000

and ex-fleet vans readily available at under £4000.” Fleet and lease van values improved in May by £159 to £3938 - up 4.2% - and are now just £43 behind year-on-year. Values are over £900 ahead of where they were at the back end of 2008. Values for dealer-entered part-exchange stock improved by £53inMay,equivalenttoa2.6%increase.

For more information: www.british-car-auctions.co.uk

Used van values quickly bounce back


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Cummins class leading ISB engines now offer further environmentalandcostbenefitsto vehicle manufacturers and operators. Rigorous testing has proved that the ISB will now meet the EEV emissions levels without the need foradditionalparticulatefiltration,and the resulting installation and maintenance costs.EEV stands for “Enhanced Environmentally-friendly Vehicle”, and is a voluntary standard that is more stringent than the lowest levels introduced by the European Community to date, Euro 5. Versus Euro 5, EEV requires particulate matter to be reduced a further 33% (from 0.03 g/kW/hr to 0.02g/kW/hr) on the European Transient Cycle. Hydro-carbons, carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen (NOx)

remain as low as Euro 5.Neil Pattison, Cummins Automotive Business Leader for Europe, said: “EEV has become the badge for ultra low emission vehicles and is being demanded by major cities looking to reduce emissions to the lowest possible levels. At Cummins we recognise the key trends in the market and develop cost effective solutions to support our OEM customers. Our combustion and emission solutions capabilities have enabled us to develop an EEV solution without the need for further exhaust after treatment.”The ISBe already has an excellent reputation for reliability and fuel economy in truck and bus markets. The engine’s super clean design characteristics have enabled Cummins combustion engineers to drive down particulates to the levels that meet the EEV requirements. The integrated Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) solution, designed in-house by Cummins Emission Solutions, easily reduces engine NOx to the required Euro 5 level of 2.0g/kW/hr. Cummins remains at the forefront of diesel engine technology by now offering a dual path to allow OEMs to meet the ultra low EEV emissions levels. For those contracts which specify the use of aparticulatefilter,Cumminshasanapproved solution available. “Cummins continues to provide significantbenefitstoourOEMcustomers. We can now deliver an

EEV solution without the additional cost of installing and certifying a particulatefilter.Thiswillenableoperators to meet the green credentials with minimal impact to maintenance and running costs, andalsogainpotentialtaxbenefitsfor using ultra low emission vehicles,” added Pattison. Meanwhile, Cummins ISBe 6-cylinderenginenowcomeswithadditional power of up to 300ps for use in city bus applications. Available with 1100Nm of torque it meets Euro 5 and EEV emissions levels without the need for additionalparticulatefiltration.The6.7litreISBewaslaunchedin 2005 in preparation for Euro 4 emissions. It built on the success of the previous 5.9 litre design, which had already established itself as an accomplished engine for city bus use. The increased displacement allowed improved performance with higher power and torque. Using SCR aftertreatment as part of Cummins integrated system droveoperationalcostbenefitsof improved fuel economy and extended service intervals.Sinceitsintroduction,the6.7litreISBehashadsignificantsuccesswith bus manufacturers and operators across Europe and has established itself as the engine of choice for inner-city double deck bus applications. Euro 5 and EEV have also been achieved with all of the power and fuel economy benefitsseenatEuro4.

City buses are recognised as having extremely tough duty cycles due to the stopstart nature of operation. At Euro 4 the ISBe’s top rating for city buses was 250ps with 1020Nm of torque. Based on over one million hours of successful operation Cummins Engineers have developed a new rating, moving it up to 300ps with 1100Nm of torque.Pattison said: “The ISBe has proved to be very robust and dependable in city bus operation. This experience has enabled us to extend the envelope of the engine without any impact on reliability or durability. The new 300ps rating means that the ISBe is suitable for buses with a higher passenger capacity or for more demanding routes.”Cummins Inc are a corporation of complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute and service engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration,emissionsolutionsandelectrical power generation systems. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana, USA, Cummins serves customers in approximately 190 countries and territories through a network of more than 500 company-owned and independent distributor locations and approximately 5200 dealer locations.

For more information:www.cummins.com

One of the world’s leading transport test and development facilities, Millbrook, have expanded their offering to the bus and coach industry, by investing in further training for their staff. The training programme, undertaken by the Vehicle CertificationAgency(VCA)lookedintotheimplications of the recast framework directive (2007/46/EC)withregardtoECERegulation107.02, concerning public service vehicle construction.ThemovefurtherconfirmsMillbrook’spositionatthe forefront of transport type approval testing for bus and coach manufacturers and enables the organisation to offer an even wider portfolio of support to the industry.Darren Carter, Principal Engineer, Projects and Business Development at Millbrook, said: “Millbrook has a long history of working with the UK’s bus and coach industry, as well as many of

the UK’s leading passenger transport executives (PTE’s). This has included offering not only testing services, but also offering type approval advice and expertise.“We are deeply committed to the bus and coach sector and have a programme of ongoing investment in place to build further on our capabilities and expertise. It is one of our main priorities to keep up to date with the evolving nature of legislation in order to be able to offer the best counsel to our clients, whether they be vehicle manufacturers, body builders, vehicle convertors or local authorities alike.”As a leading provider of legislation-driven transport solutions, Millbrook also offers expertise and advice on whole body vibration matters, emissions testing, the low carbon agenda and standards development and health and safety development for transport applications.

For more information 01525 408353

Manufacturers and operators to feel benefits

Millbrook invests in its bus and coach service offering


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Changing tubeless bus and coach tyres is quick and easy with the Hofmannmonty®3650tyrechanger. A built-in access ramp makes loading and unloading easy, ensuring the health and safety of the operator, while two self-centring bead breaking rollers speed up the changing process by demounting the inner and outer tyre beads at the sametime.Themonty3650offersaclampingrangeof16to22.5inchesand can handle wheels of up to 1,200mm in diameter. The machine is also designed with retreading in mind, by ensuring that wheels,

rollers and the integrated control console are all positioned relative to each other.Chris Behan, General Manager, Snap-on Equipment, comments: “Themonty3650istheidealtyre changer for bus and coach workshops seeking to save time as well as providing ease of use and ensuring the health and safety of the operator.”

For more information: 0118 929 6811 or visit www.hofmann.co.uk

Hundreds of students in a wide area of south and east Lancashire and around Bolton are travelling to their schools and colleges in luxury thanks to a half a million pound investment by coach operator Tyrers of Adlington. Thefamilyrunfirmhasinvestedinapairofluxuriously appointed Optare Olympus

100-seater double-deckers with the aim of providing the best quality private hire and schoolservicesinthearea.Inthefirstweekofoperationthebuseshavebeenasfarafieldas Scarborough and Alton Towers as well as providing daily school transport.TyrerschosetheVolvoB9TLtri-axle6x2chassis on which to mount the Olympus body. This followed good experience of Volvo chassis intheir15vehiclefleetalongwithfirst-ratelocalparts and service support from the Volvo dealer in Preston. The vehicles will have routine safety inspections and be maintained in Tyrers own well-equipped workshop at their Chorley base.The B9TL chassis is powered by a 9-litre engine developing 310 bhp and 1400 Nm of torque. It is Euro 5 emissions compliant enabling Tyrers to benefitfromaVEDrateofjust£150comparedto a standard double-decker at £500. The vehicle also meets the requirements of London’s Low Emission Zone. The engine is matched to a 6-speedZFEcolifetransmission.

The low weight of the Olympus also contributes togoodfuelefficiency,with7.5mpgbeingachievedonthefirstlongrunundertakenbyone of the buses. Weight saving comes from the use of Alcan “System 5430” heavy-duty extruded aluminium alloy sections, which are bolted to help make repairs easier to carry out. Alcan Airex foam composite material is used in the roof and also contributes to low weight as well as providing increased internal headroom. Bonded windows provide a smoother external lineandarefittedwithbronzetintedglassforfurther passenger comfort. A full width tree bar protects the upper windscreen from damage.Other features of the vehicles include an 11 camera CCTV system by LOOK. This has four external cameras looking down each side, forwardsandrearwards,andafurtherfivecovering the interior of the bus. Mobitec LED destinationequipmentisalsofitted.

For more information: www.optare.com

Lawman’s Coaches of Kettering have takendeliveryoftheirfirstVolvoB9R,with Plaxton bodywork. The Kettering based operator, who also took two Van Hool bodied B12Bs from Volvo dealers, Moseley Coach Sales, have long favoured the Volvo/Van Hool combination for touring work but wanted something different for private hire. SpecifiedwithVolvo’sninelitreD9Bengine rated at 380hp, coupled to the I-shift gearbox, the 12.2m Volvo B9R combines the driving qualities of the B12B and B12M with the full size, yet lightweight characteristics of the B7R, resulting in an economic, adaptable and safe coach with excellent driving properties.Standard Volvo safety features

include Volvo’s Electronic Braking System (EBS), which combines with all-round disc brakes and Volvo’s VR3250 compact retarder to give a rapid reaction time and shorter stopping distances, as well as Hill Start Aid, Emergency Braking Assistance and Brake Blending.Ahighfloorarrangementandtheatre-styleseatingconfigurationenables optimal viewing position for passengers,inaspecificationwhichincludes 57 seats, each with three point seatbelts and individual reading lights; Thermoking climate control system throughout the vehicle; an MP3 compatible CD tuner and PA amplifierwithtwomicrophones;andalloy wheels.Volvo’s Regional Coach Sales

Manager, Jo Standbridge commented, “We’re pleased to be able to demonstrate a different Volvo product to a longstanding customer. One of Volvo’s big advantages is the wide range of products we have to meet different customer needs and I’m sure Lawmanswillbesatisfiedthattheyhave made the right decision this time.”

Established in 2003, Lawmans Coaches is an independent family run business. In addition to UK and continental touring on behalf of a number of holiday operators, they operate private hire and school contracts and run a number of scheduled excursions.

For more information: www.volvobus.co.uk

Bus and coach tyre changing made easy

Tyrers’ 100 seaters

Quality and fuel economy


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The Spray Store is a family run business which was set up 27 years ago by Joe Frediani in Motherwell.Since then a second store in Bathgateopenedup16yearsago and the company which specialises in paint continues to go from strength to strength. Suppliers of water based paints for the automotive industry and commercial use the company thrives on its relationships with customers.Joe said: “We deal with people to Glasgow and Greenock from the Motherwell shop and cover all of West Lothian some of East

Lothian from Bathgate so we have long term customers throughout the country.“I think people enjoy dealing with us because we offer a personal service and always return on a regular basis to make sure that what we have supplied is doing the job required.”Deliveries are made from the Spray Store twice daily and as well as the paints they also supply spray guns, compressors and other accessories for the automotive industry.

For more details: 01698 275 474 or 01506 634 494

Having started E & M Horsburgh from their Father’s house in July 1986withoneminibus,brothersEric and Mark Horsburgh have driven the business forward, and as such, now operate 104 vehicles ranging from mini buses to double-deckers and employ some 181 members of staff.Having outgrown their original one acre yard, Eric, a time served mechanic, and Mark, a quantity surveyor to trade, moved the flourishing operation lock stock and barrel to their current premises in Pumpherston, West Lothian, in November 2004 and in December 2008 doubled the workshop capacity, through significant investment, to keep pace with the growth of the company.Today E & M Horsburgh specialises in private hire, contract hire, wheelchair accessible vehicles, stage carriage, town and rural bus

services, schools conveyance, special needs transport, 8,11,12,16,24,29,31,53and83 seaters and light commercial fleet maintenance.Comments Eric: “For many years we have championed LDV Convoy minibus as it is reliable and very user friendly for both our drivers and maintenance department. However with the continued uncertainty of the manufacturers future we may have to look at an alternative vehicle in the not too distant future”.The E & M Horsburgh fleet is maintained to the highest possible standard regardless of cost and Fleet Engineer Roddy Deans and his fleet maintenance team do an excellent job keeping the entire fleet on the road. The company has an extensive parts department on site, which is essential when the maintenance team is operating a day and back shift pattern. Comments Eric: “This is

not to say that our technicians will take the easy option and just grab a replacement part off the shelf every time. Roddy actively encourages fault finding and repair first and replacement second. However safety is never compromised. By having an imprest stock system in use there is the safety net of having many parts of the shelf should they be required at 10pm for example.E & M Horsburgh’s fleet is a mixture of old and new vehicles. For example, six new Optare Solos have recently been purchased and are universally liked by drivers and passengers and on the coach side a new Plaxton Cheetah bodied Mercedes-Benz Vario chassis has also been acquired.However the company also operates a number of older vehicles. The company has purchased a number of double-decker buses directly from Lothian Buses over a number of

years which are ideally suited to school conveyance work. “It is not be practical to have band new vehicles which are only utilised for a couple of hours each day during school runs and sitting parked up for the rest,” says Mark. To this end, the company employaround60part-timedrivers, who are generally in semi-retirement, to operate this service. Comments Mark: “Our school conveyance drivers, like all our members of staff, have been very loyal to the company with a fantastic work ethic which has gone a long way to elevating E & M Horsburgh into position as one of Scotland’s transport market leaders”.The past 23 years has been an epic journey for E & M Horsburgh. Both Eric and Mark have a real passion for their business and the industry, which is reflected throughout the company and will keep them on the right road for many years to come.

West Lothian brothers in arms

Eric and Mark Horsburgh


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You wait ages for a bus to turn up, and then 30 turn up all at once!Or at least that’s what Tim Wootton hopes - as the man behind the www.bedfordob.com website and organiser of the OB Get-Together, Buckinghamshire-based Tim is looking to get a record number of OB buses and coaches together to mark the 70th anniversary of one of the most iconic vehicles of the 20th centuryonAugust16.Already 27 OBs have signed up to the event, and Tim is hoping for at least a few more in order to get the best turnout of OBs ever.“There are 73 known survivors,” said Tim, “And we want as many of them as possible to turn up - although obviously not all of them are on the road. To see one OB is special, but to see several together is truly something else.”The Get-Together will form the centrepiece of an open day at the Vauxhall Heritage Centre, which will celebrate a long history of building commercial vehicles in Bedfordshire. As well as the OB gathering, owners of all Bedfords and other historic commercial vehicles are invited to attend, while there will be a specially reserved parking area for owners of any classic vehicle, be it a bike, car, van, lorry or - of course - bus. Owners are encouraged to simply ‘drop-inanddrive’-there’snofixedtime in which vehicles need to be on display, and the Heritage Centre,

accessed via the GM UK staff car park entrance in Park Street, will be open from 10am until 4.30pm, so they can stay for as long, or as short a time as they wish.Refreshments will be on sale, while there will also be a number of trade stands and autojumble pitches, which are free to any seller who wants to turn up - there’s no need to book.The OBs will leave the Heritage Centre at midday on a road run to Bletchley Park, near Milton Keynes - although of course Milton Keynes itself didn’t exist at the time when Bletchley was at its most strategic. Thevenuewassignificantin20thcentury history as home of the World War Two codebreakers, and houses a German Engima machine among other WW2 artefacts.Tim, whose own OBs have appeared in a number of period dramas including Foyle’s War, Miss Marple and, most recently, Torchwood, said: “The choice of Bletchley is ideal as, like the OB, it was of great importance to Britain at a time when we needed it most! 2009 also marks the 70th anniversary of the Second World War, and we’re hoping to mark both milestones with a special fly-pastofLancaster,SpitfireandHurricane planes on the day.”

For more information: www.bedfordob.com

Andrew Muirhead & Son Limited, suppliers of quality upholstery leathers for vehicles, can be traced back to 1758. In the 18th century John Muirhead was exporting chamois and glove leather to America. After some years of depression John turned to making glue from the raw skins and this business prospered until about 1820. John’s son James took over the businessin1826onhisfather’sdeath.Jameshad thirteen children, the youngest of which was Andrew.Andrew had learnt much in his father’s skin and glue works and when the business was transferred to him in 1840 he named it Andrew Muirhead & Co. In 1870 the company moved to its present site, Dalmarnock Works in Glasgow, formerly a flaxandjutemill.Since that time the company concentrated its production of upholstery leathers in conjunction with case, bag and shoe leathers. Over time the company’s upholstery leather achieved worldwide

recognition and is presently exported to over 30 countries. Case, bag and shoe leathers were phasedoutofproductioninthe1960’stoallowthe company to meet the demand for its high performance leathers.In1968AndrewMuirhead&Son,nowalimitedcompany, completed the formation of the Scottish Leather Group, a privately owned company with fivespecialistleathermanufacturingsubsidiaries,whose aim it is to achieve the highest standard of craftsmanship and quality.In May 1988 the company achieved Register Firm status with the British Standards Institution and operate an approved BS 5750: Part 2/ISO9002 Quality Assurance System. The following year Andrew Muirhead & Son Limited. were awarded a BSI‘KiteMarkLicence’.Bothachievementswerethefirstofthekindintheindustryworldwide.Today the company is acknowledged as the largest supplier of quality upholstery leathers to the airline industry, supplying over forty airline

and aircraft manufacturers globally. Upholstery leathers for quality contract and domestic seating and specialist automotive application still remain the largest proportion of production with many bespoke and specialist applications also being catered for.A spokesman said: “At Andrew Muirhead we supply a number of industry sectors with our wide range of upholstery leathers. We have developed the required skills, training and equipment which enables us to be the world’s foremost leather supplier in the aviation industry. But it doesn’t end there - we are also a key supplier in the specialist automotiveandmarinemarkets.Andfinally,weremain extremely strong in the more traditional furniture and design market sectors. So whatever your industry, we can produce leather which meets yourspecifications.”

For more information: www.muirhead.co.uk

On the buses for the OB bash

Over 300 years of history in the leather industry


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The Energy Savings Trust provides a service to private and public organisations alike that involves reviewingtheirfleetefficiencies.It was following such a review that Tayside Fire and Rescue, who cover an area of some 7500 square kilometreswiththeirfleetof110vehicles,hasimplemented initiatives in conjunction with Triscan Systems to meet their organisational objectives. Tayside are committed to the pursuit of best value andhavealreadydevelopedtheir‘PerformanceManagement Framework’ for the organisation. Dave Stapley, Tayside Fire and Rescue’s Group Manager for Technical Services, said: “We are committed to continuous improvement and have implemented a performance Management’ system to assist in our development of measurement processes and have developed a suite of internal indicators to compare performance against predetermined targets for the purpose of benchmarking and measurement.”One of the key issues for the service is managing fuel,fleetandoperationalefficiencyandtheyfullyrealise that, with the exception of staff costs, the greatest overhead within the organisation is in managingthevehiclefleet;withinthisfuelisasignificantfactorandonewhichmustbeproactivelymanaged to ensure that Tayside Fire and Rescue deliveranefficientpublicservice.

Oneoftheirfourstatedaimsisto‘Monitorperformance to ensure continuous improvement and delivery of best value’ and this statement backs up the recent investment in a fuel and vehicle monitoring solution. Monitoring stock levels, accounting for fuel usage and comparison between vehicles and sites were important elements of the project brief for the system; crucially this included the way in which information gets captured and reported upon.Intermsofefficiency-TaysideFireandRescue wanted to ensure that operational staff are not overburdened with administration in the collation and formatting of data. The solution provider Triscan Systems applied their Kisskey technology in the project in conjunction with their latest generation of reporting software - Odyssey. Stapley continues: “Following the Energy Saving Trust review, it was apparent that we required a more effective system to manage and account for our fuel usage. We chose Triscan because of their experience within other blue light and local governmentorganisationsandthebenefitsthatthewhole solution presented us with - Prevention of fuel fraud, reduction in administrative time and true management of fuel costs and most importantly, easilyconfiguredandtailoredreports.In their endeavours to control costs, a point worth

mentioning relates directly to Tayside Fire and Rescue’s acceptance of their social responsibility to the environment. Manual entry of mileage or vehicle informationisnotrequiredasthe‘CleanData’capturefunctionality does away with double or incorrect entry by drivers or operational staff. This burden is removed and is taken care of by the system. There is much to potentially mis-report or get wrong when you consider thattheyhaveover110vehiclestomanage,60ofwhicharelowmpgfireappliance.Taysidespendinthe region of £180,000 per annum on fuel and the Triscan system enables them to manage this budget and fuel usage more effectively through capturing data at source and importing the information into their fleetmanagementsystem.Triscan’spowerfulbackofficesoftwarecanaccuratelyidentifyinefficienciesandbenchmarkmpgfiguresagainstTayside’s24sitesand110vehiclesamongstotherthings.Odysseyisthefirstof a new generation of scalable and modular fuel management software which, Triscan claims, will transformhowfleetoperatorscan‘slice,diceandview’informationandalsoconfiguretheirreportingrequirements.

For more information: 0845 225 3102 or www.triscansystems.com/clarity

Green Fleet initiatives at Tayside Fire and Rescue


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Although there are numerous solutions for keeping track of fuel purchased fromfillingstations,oneofthemainadvantagesofrefuellingfleetvehiclesonsiteisthatfleetanddriverfuelusage can be monitored more easily and quickly. Dispensing equipment can be linked directly to fuel management software,allowingfleetmanagersinstant access to detailed information - a real advantage in such a competitive environment.Companiesalsobenefitfrom having fail-safe, around-the-clock refuelling, which gives them more flexibilityandpeaceofmind,and

importantly can reduce refuelling during driver’s on-duty time. Lancashire based tank manufacturer Fuel Proof Ltd have seen sales in their range of bulk diesel tanks increase as more companies adopt this in-house approach. With the recent addition of a new CNC controlled automated welding system, the bulk tank range now covers capacities from 4200 up to 60,000litres. A company spokesman said: “In the last 12 to 18 months we’ve seen a significantchangeinthewayhaulage companies and coach operators

addresstheirfleetrefuellingrequirements.Manyfindthathavinginstant access to detailed fuel usage information and a secure, reliable refuelling setup gives them an edge over the competition. Over the years we’ve developed our products based

on feedback from these customers, so weareconfidentwecanhelpthemfindthe ideal solution” For more information: 01524 850685 or www.fuelproof.co.uk

Taking fuel control

As one of the largest commercial fuel card resellers in the United Kingdom, The Fuelcard Company enjoy partnerships with many commercial fuelling networks including Shell, Esso, Texaco and their sister company, Keyfuels. In May 2007, The Fuelcard Company was acquired by FleetCor, the largest global fuel card processor.The company pride themselves on providing industry leading customer service, competitive prices on fuel and an unrivalled choice of fuel cards. Just like the

16,000fuelcardcustomerstheyalreadyserve,TheFuelcard Company can offer you a fuel card solution that is right for your business. To make fuel management that bit easier and ensure the advice offered is impartial, The Fuelcard Company offers assistance that has the customer’s bestinterestsatheart,suchasthefirstcomprehensive fuel card comparison site. You can viewpostcodespecificnetworks,interactivemapsand review which fuel cards are accepted at each

fuel station.Alongsidetheirimpartialadvice,first-classcustomerservice, the company’s online account management tool allows you access to all your account details, so you can keep an eye on your fuel transactions 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For more information: 0845 073 0873 or www.businessfuelcards.co.uk/fact

Making the right choice


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Mostorganisationsthatrunafleetofvehicles would agree that storing and dispensing fuel on-site is an attractive proposition and will ultimately bring cost savings. Unfortunately when fuel storage and dispensing is not managed properly is just becomes another problem for the organisation. By controlling fuel access, monitoring stock levels and analysis of driver/vehicle fuel usage, savings can be made, these savings of course go straight to the bottom line and can makeallthedifferencetoprofitorloss, of course the correct tools are needed if fuel is to be managed and

controlled effectively. Fueltek, the UK’s market leader in fuel management technology, has an established range of fuel management systems developed toputfleetmanagersinthedrivingseat. A new addition to this range is TANKWATCH, an innovative product that monitors and controls fuel storage tank contents. Tankwatch will provide valuable information regarding stock movements. Tankwatch can provide information locally at the fuel tank via a graphics display or can provide PC based reports. Tankwatch can

send text messages and emails if alarms are triggered, while also providing audible and visual alarms at the tank location. Tankwatch is also environmentally sound as it can warn of leaks before they become a major problem. The company say it can beconfiguredtomonitoranumberof things which can affect stock and stock value. In its simplest form the Tankwatch will report on the physical contents of the fuel tank, but can also beconfiguredtomonitorandprovideinformation on stock shrinkage due to temperature movements or to establish if short deliveries are being

made on regular basis, can detect water in the fuel and can detect leaks.Martin Devine of Fueltek said: “Tankwatch will prove to be a valuable addition to our already extensive range of products, any organisation storing fuel on-site will understand the need for a product like tankwatch, the problem for manaufacturers has always been producing a useful product at an acceptable price, we think we have achieved that with this new addition to our range”.

For more information: 01254 291391

One of the best known engine oil brands in the UK, Havoline produced by Chevron Global Lubricants, has been re-launched as Havoline with Deposit Shield, a high quality engine oil that not only protects crucial moving parts in an engine but also cleans and prevents harmful deposits from causing damage. Havoline with Deposit Shield comprises a technology that helps increase engine durability

and contributes to prolong engine life. The product works immediately on contact with moving parts to deliver a protective coating that shields engines from deposits. This engine oil provides vital care and protection against friction, wear and damage while also preserving power and performance by keeping vital engine parts clean while you drive.The product is now available from Texaco-branded retail forecourts throughout the UK. The new

branding makes it simpler for the motorists to identify the newly launched Havoline with Deposit Shield range, which includes Mineral, Synthetic, Fully Synthetic as well as the latest generation of high performance Low Saps products.

For more information: www.chevron.com

Monitor and control fuel storage tank contents

Internal protection


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Clancy Docwra, one of the leading national construction companies within the UK utilities sector, have recentlyfittedthemajorityoftheirfleetwiththetwocuttingedgeproducts of the TISS TankSafe range:the‘Impregnable’fuelsecurity and safety device and the new‘Standard’anti-siphondevice.Simon Burdens, Clancy Docwra Stores Manager, said: “Fuel theft is a reality which we have to tackle.

As a company totally committed to a continual improvement of quality, safety and environmental standards, it was a logical decision forustofittheTISSTankSafe‘Impregnable’fuelsecurityandsafetydeviceandnew‘Standard’anti-siphon device.”With over 100,000 units sold, the TankSafe range has achieved a fantastic reputation within the haulageindustry.The‘Impregnable’

is renowned for being the only device in the world to completely stop any diesel siphoning, skimming and spills, thanks to its uniquefloatvalve,whichallowsfueltoflowintothetankbutlocksoff,once the tank is full. The TankSafe ‘Standard’isthemosteffectiveanti-siphon in preventing third party fuel theft: its solid, patent-pending ‘dome’baseisattackproofand,sitting higher in the chamber than

other devices offers 30% more siphoning protection than any other anti-siphon.

For more information: 01253 400 402 or www.tissltd.com

Keep tanks safe

There’s less than a year to go until The Water Environment (Oil Storage) (Scotland) Regulations 2006comeintofulleffectonApril1,2010.Designed to minimise the impact of oil upon the environment at agricultural, commercial, industrial and institutional premises, they new Regulations represent the biggest change in a generation.Michal Barkham, Scottish Area Sales Manager with Harlequin Oil Tanks, says: “The new regulations establish minimum standards for the aboveground storage of most fuels, including agricultural fuel oil, biodiesel, diesel, heating oil,

kerosene, lubricants and waste oil at thousands of installations across Scotland.“Harlequin can supply a wide range of storage tanks, to assist in ensuring compliance with the regulations. Products include market leading fuel points and fuel stations for agricultural fuel oil and diesel, bunded tanks for heating oil and kerosene, biofuel stations and biobunds for biodiesel, together with a range of oil recycling banks for waste oil.“All Harlequin tanks are manufactured in the UK and have been engineered from the outset

to ensure compliance with the most demanding British and European requirements.“As well as having probably the most complete range of regulatory compliant solutions on sale in Scotland today, Harlequin also has one of the biggest tank distribution networks in Scotland, so wherever you are and whatever the application, there’s almost certainly a Harlequin to suit.”

For more information: www.oil-tanks.co.ukor contact your local Harlequin reseller

Oil change for Scottish fuel storage regulations


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New all-in-one fuelling facilityThe new OTS MultiServ™ station has been developed in response to extensive market research within the industry.It provides an all-in-one fuelling facility forhauliersandfleetoperators,havingstorage and dispensing for derv, gas oil, AdBlue, and lube oil, as well as an air and water facility, all controlled by an easily operated, yet sophisticatedmanagement system, to give the fleetoperatorcompletecontrolandaccountability of its valuable fuel stocks, which can be viewed online from any PC.A typical installation of the OTS MultiServ station is an island installation for vehicle refuelling from both sides simultaneously.The OTS MultiServ station has been designed as an integral system,withspecificattentiongivento environmental issues, such as removing the need for underground fuel pipework and storage, and security to reduce the risk of theft. It also has the option of dispensing bio fuels.

Each tank contains: •anelectroniclevelgauge •high/low-levelalarms •commonbundalarm •back-upbundalarm(battery)

Comprising integral: •20,000litredervtankcomplete with heavy duty commercial pump •5000litregasoiltankcomplete with heavy duty commercial pump •1000litrestainlesssteelAdBlue tank complete with stainless steel pump and pipe work •1000litrelubeoiltankcomplete with piston driven pneumatic pump • fuelmanagementsystem •automaticairdispenser(upto 145psi) •waterdispenser(re-washer bottle/radiator) • litterbin •spillkit •fireextinguishers •automatedlighting(PIR) • fullmainselectricsisolation complete with mains circuit breaker

Canopy (optional)The company can manufacture any size to suit your individual requirements. Other products and services offered by OTS include: • tankhire •AdBluetanks •bio-fueltanks •wasteoiltanks • leachateandsettlementtanks •oil/waterseparators •bowsers • tankreplacement • tankrefurbishment • licensedwastedisposalsitefor disposal of all waste, including chemical,foamfilleddieseltanks

under duty of care paperwork •ADRapproveddriversand licensed waste carrier transport • tankinstallationand ecommissioning • tankrefurbishmentwork •OFTECtrainedtechnicians • tankaccessories •brokersofhazardousandnon- hazardous waste •R.D.C.O.registereddealersin controlled oils,

For more information: 01386 853409 or www.oiltanksupplies.com


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Protecting employees and the environmentSmurfitKappaRecyclinghavereceivedcertificationtoBSENISO14001,theinternationally-recognised Environmental Management System Standard, and OHSAS18001, the Occupational Health and Safety Management System Standard, following an independent audit by AJA Registrars.EveryoneofSmurfitKappaRecycling’ssitesand depots received the prestigious BS EN 14001certificate,aftercompletinga12monthimprovement programme to reduce the impact of its operations on the environment by reducing energy consumption and educating staff. Gary Grant, UK Operations Manager, said: “DivertingrecoveredfibrefromtraditionalwasteoutletssuchaslandfillshasapositiveimpactontheenvironmentandSmurfitKappaRecycling has a proud history of diverting substantialvolumes.Thisofficialaccreditationdemonstrates our commitment to environmental protection in all aspects of our operations.”SmurfitKappaRecyclinghavealwaysimplemented stringent health and safety procedures to protect its employees and other parties associated with its operations which range from collection and transportation to baling and shredding. Compliance with the crucial OHSAS 18001 entailed a complete review of health and safety including risk assessments and emergency procedures, together with a comprehensive staff training and awareness programme which ran across all eight depots from Southampton to Glasgow.

“We are very proud of this achievement in health andsafetybutcertificationisnottheendofthestory. With the number of fatal accidents in the waste and recycling industry currently more than the national average, no company can afford to be complacent and we will continue to do anything we can to protect our employees, customers and the public,” commented Grant.TherecentcertificationsareinadditiontotheBSEN 9001 Quality Management Standard

which the company achieved in 1994. Compliance Manager Mark Montgomery added: “Accreditation to these important markers in quality, environmental protection and health and safety is a fantastic achievement and will enableSmurfitKappaRecyclingtocompeteinan increasingly demanding market.”

For more information: www.smurfitkappa-recycling.co.uk

Kappa Recycling’s UK Operations Manager Gary Grant (left) and Compliance Manager Mark Montgomery (right)holdingthenewcertificatesforOHSAS18001, and BS EN ISO14001, with Simon Weston, Managing Director (top centre)

Pride of place on the MVO (Municipal Vehicle Operator) stand at the recent CIWM Futuresource ExhibitionwasaScarabM6/FS6000,mountedtoanIvecochassis and resplendent in its Bomag livery. These vehicles have beenspecificallydevelopedtoproduce sweepers’ of the highest quality, but without the added complication associated with otherofferings.Thissimplificationmakes them the ideal choice when maintenance and servicing facilities are limited or an operator just wants a straightforward product.Nearby was the Scarab stand itself, featuring examples from their extensive range of road sweepers. Included was a Scarab Merlin XP, a single engined truck mount offering the lowest exhaust emissions of any similar vehicle and having the highest ratio of payload, hopper and water capacity for any given sweeper

in its class. Also on show was the Scarab Minor, the most outstanding and versatile sweeper of its type, renowned for reliability far in excess of its competitors and with exceptional fuel consumption, which is the direct result of having arguably the lowest engine speed in relation to working mode in its class.Sharing the stand and with the same ethos for customer focus and innovation was one of the recent additions to the Scarab range from Mathieu, the Aquazura scrubber-dryer. Based around a unique 4-wheel steer compact chassis, which is both economical and quiet, it is also available as an Azura and Aquadyne; a sweeper, or street-washer.

For more information: 01622 831006or www.scarab-sweepers.com

Taking centre stage


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Whale Tankers, a leading manufacturer of high quality vacuum tankers and jetting equipment, are celebrating their attendance at PAWRS having secured an order worth in excess of £1million from Gulliver’s Municipal Hire Services - a division of the Bristol-based vehicle solutions provider.

Totalling18vehicles,thefleetnewcomers will be deployed to service a number of new dedicated contracts that Gulliver’s have recently secured, as well as to bolster and replenish its own hire fleet.Alongside10HighVolumeCombination (HVC) and seven GullyWhale Plus Medium Volume

Combination (MVC) tankers, Gulliver’shasspecifiedtheKiloWhale Plus is a vacuum tanker that also combines jetting for deep sewer cleaning and maintenance. All of the new HVC and MVC vehicles will feature the 18-tonne 4 x 2 DAF LF 55 chassis with a combination of day and sleeper cabs, whilst the KiloWhalePlushasbeenspecifiedon the 8 x 4 DAF CF 75.310.With some of the vehicles already in build, the new Whale’s will surface withintheGulliver’sfleetoverthecoming months. Indeed when all of the new vehicles have been commissioned, Gulliver’s will operate in excess of 100 Whale tankers, out ofavehiclefleetthatnowtotalsmorethan 2500.Commenting on the decision to specify Whale, Gulliver’s Managing Director Philippe Harding said: “We know from past experience that Whale is a quality and premium product. Not surprisingly, our

entirefleetofgullyemptiers,sewercleaners, Jet Vacs and recyclers is 100% Whale and it is our intention to keep it that way. Gulliver’s as an organisation is committed to an ongoing growth strategy here in the UK, and given that we pride ourselves on the principle that ‘apromiseisapromise,weonlyprocure capital equipment that is capable of helping us deliver on this. With Whale that’s certainly the case.”Whale Tankers’ Regional Sales Manager, Nick Cole commented: “What better way to announce this latest news than at PAWRS. We are delighted that Gulliver’s is continuing to show its faith in the Whale product and that our vehicles will once again play a pivotal part in helping them strengthen their position here in the UK”. For more information: 0121 704 5700 or www.whale.co.uk

CMS SupaTrak, supplier of vehicle telematics solutions and fuel saving technology, have been selected by Birmingham City Council to provide asolutiontohelpthemmanagetheirmixedfleetof vehicles. As the largest local authority in Europe today, servicing in excess of 400,000 homes each year,BirminghamCityCouncilhaveasignificantnumber of assets to manage, including street cleansers, refuse collection vehicles and recycling trucks. These vehicles represent high value assets and Birmingham City Council neededtofindasolutionthatwouldbeabletomonitor and precisely locate any vehicle in the fleet,ondemand.Birmingham City Council’s Fleet and Waste Management Division is responsible for the collection, recycling and disposal of over 500,000 tonnes of waste per annum that is generated in the city from households and businesses and they have installed the SupaTrak vehicle tracking solution into over 300 of their Waste Management vehicles and asaresultaresignificantlyreducingtheirfuelcosts, and improving their overall operational efficiency.Mark Childs, GIS Project Manager for Waste Management Services at Birmingham City Council, said: “Until now, we have had no definitewayofknowingwhereourvehiclesare at any given time. The implementation of SupaTrak has given us this capability.”SupaTrak is a simple to use, cost effective tracking solution which is easy to install and

scalabletoanysizeoforganisation.With60 second updates as standard, Birmingham CityCouncil’sWasteManagementfleetisvisible to them on the SupaTrak web based mapping system, which can be accessed from anyinternetconnection24hoursaday365days a year. The comprehensive reporting capabilities of SupaTrak have allowed the Waste Management Division to monitor and manage theirfleetinwaysnotpreviouslypossible.Childs explains: “SupaTrak’s capabilities have enabled us to monitor our assets and manage them more effectively. This has brought about increasedefficienciesthroughoutourfleet.”In addition to this, EcoTrak fuel saving technology is also being trialled in Birmingham City Council’s compactor vehicles and has

demonstrated an annual reduction in fuel costs of up to £1700 per vehicle. Using CANbus technology,EcoTrakenablesfleetmanagersto monitor and manage their individual drivers’ behaviours, including real time MPG, idling time, speed, RPM, carbon output, harsh braking and accelerating and identify areas that could be improved. Using this information, necessary driver training can be delivered to bring about moreefficientdriving,whichcanresultinsignificantfuelsavingsandareductioninvehicle carbon emissions. For more information: www.ecotrak.co.uk

£1 million order at PAWRS

Vehicle tracking


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The variety of vehicles utilised by a typical municipal fleet operator provides a unique challenge to wash equipment suppliers. The demand for high standards of cleanliness, ability to wash all types of vehicles, ease of operation and reliability requires a package designed and engineered to high standards. In addition to the basic requirement for a flexible wash system, many local authority customers also need to interface with fleet management systems for costing and billing purposes.The solution can be provided by the Britannia Strong Spray wash machine from Smith Bros & Webb Ltd. This is a three brush rollover wash that also incorporates a chemical spray arch able to reach vehicle bodywork beyond the reach of a conventional brush wash. The unique design of the vertical side spray pipes on the machine ensures that even

irregularly shaped vehicles are thoroughly wetted during the wash process. The wash package can be expanded to include a high performance under-chassis wash and a water reclamation system designed to reduce water consumption and effluent discharge from the wash operations.Vans, minibuses, tankers, refuse vehicles, buses, gritters and road sweepers are all washed to the same high standard using a combination of brushes, chemical spray, rinse arch and under chassis wash.

For more information: 01789 400096or www.vehicle-washing-systems.co.uk

All shapes thoroughly washed


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Leading brewer Carlsberg needed a forklift supplier that shared its commitment to quality service, so, since 2008, the company has been engaged in a programme of updating the materials handling equipment across all of its UK distribution sites with products from the Jungheinrich range.With substantial brewery operations in Northampton and Leeds, Carlsberg are the only major brewer in the UK to operate its own in-house distribution function and, in addition to its own range of products, the company undertakes the storage and delivery of several other well known beer, wine and spirit brands to a number of leading pub chains as well as retail outlets nationwide.The Carlsberg supply chain model involves a central National Distribution Centre (NDC) in Northampton which feeds four Regional Distribution Centres (RDCs) - at Warrington, Leeds, Croydon and Birmingham. The RDCs in turn deliver to 13 satellite depots strategically located throughout the UK which pick and

dispatch orders for onward delivery to clients.The company’s facility at Newport in Gwent is typical of the satellite depots. The site receives between 10 and 12 incoming wagons a day from Carlsberg’s RDC on the Gravelly Park Estate in Birmingham, with loads arriving at the goods-in area comprising both kegs and palletised boxes of bottled and canned beers and other beverages - both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Since 2008 Carlsberg has been engaged in a programme of updating the materials handling equipment across all of its UK distribution sites with products from the Jungheinrich range and Jungheinrich order pickers, reach trucks, counterbalanced machines as well as pallet trucks have now been rolled out at all of Carsberg’s UK distribution sites - including the company’s Northampton NDC, the four RDCs and the 13 local satellite depots.The DFG counterbalance trucks in operation at Newport and at other Carlsberg sites around the UK, are

particularly suited to applications wherealotof‘shuttling’workisinvolved - such as lorry loading and unloading within and around a busy warehouse environment. With an engine supplied by Volkswagen, the truck has been designed to offer the lowest noise levels and emissions, while fuel consumption is also particularly low. Indeed, test cycles have shown that over the course of 2000 hours of typical operation the DFG can save some £2000 in fuel costs incomparison with competitive

models in a similar class. Carlsberg has purchased all of the Jungheinrich trucks in its new fleetoutrightandanongoingmaintenance contract has been agreed between the companies. Under the terms of the maintenance contract Jungheinrich engineers willsupportCarlsberg’sentirefleet- including forklift models from the company’s previous supplier until they are phased out completely.

For more information: www.jungheinrich.co.uk

Axscend have been concentrating on trailer management for the past decade and they offer solutions that are both cost effective and practical.While some companies may feel that trailer trackingissufficientwithAxscendyoucanmanageeverything to do with your trailers. And in today’s climate you have to look for cleaver ways of getting themostfromyourtrailerfleet,maximisingthetimetrailers spend on the road and ensuring the basics such as trailer services are done effectively and on time. Tough environmental conditions along with a need for a device to be quickly and easily installed, providing unattended, multi-year operation has presented some unique challenges for trailer management system developers. TheGPSdevicethatisfittedtothetrailersbyAxscend is battery operated, self contained and completely wireless optimised for use on non-powered assets such as trailers. Management of your trailers is done online using an interface thatisspecificallydesignedtobesuperuserfriendly and highly functional. This allows users to really‘gettogrip’withtheirtrailerfleets.Tim Steer from Axscend said: “It is really importanttohavetherightsizeoftrailerfleetat your disposal. One company who used our system worked out within three months that instead of the 900 trailers they were using all of their work could be done by just over 700. They amendedtheirfleetaccordinglyandsavedthe

company money in the process.“It takes up a lot of man power and time to audit trailerfleets,butbyusingoursystemyoucangetan online report as often as you want allowing your resources to be employed elsewhere. With the system the exact locations of trailers can also be identifiedveryquickly.”Perhapsthebestwaytofindouthowbeneficialthe Axscend trailer management system can be is through a testimonial from one of the company’s who use it.Peter Lomax from TDG said: “Axscend’s system has shown itself to be a reliable and effective tool for controlling our trailers. We expect the system tosignificantlyimprovetheutilisationofourtrailerfleet,enablingustomakeconsiderablesavingsinboth time and money. “The system also gives us for greater control on trailer servicing and trailer MoT’s being able to locate and plan having received email, again saving cost on being able to service and MoT trailers in our VMU as opposed to getting caught up with out of service trailers, which have to be done by outside contractors? Axscend has become an essential management tool. It gives us control overourtrailerfleetandtheinformationweneedtooptimise our trailer usage.”

For more information: www.axscend.com

Liquid assets

Helping to maximise trailer useage


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Northampton-based road planing contractor Tripod Crest have taken delivery of a tri-axle centre balance drawbar trailer from Andover Trailers which will be used to transport a Wirtgen W100f cold milling machine across the UK.The 10.4m long bespoke-built CBDBCL24LT is

the sixteenth to be supplied by Andover Trailers to Tripod Crest and will be used in conjunction withaScaniaP3806x2rigidtipper. Thespecificationhadtoincludealongerframe,ramps constructed from high grade steels and hydraulic steady legs to make the loading

andunloadingofthe18.6tonnemachineeasier when at motorway and major trunk road construction sites. The drawbar trailer design includes a light weight frame and aluminium wheels allowing Tripod Crest to transport the cold milling machine fully-fuelled.Jim Tough, Plant Director at Tripod Crest, comments: “We have been an Andover Trailers customer for more than a decade, with each of thedrawbartrailerswehavepurchasedonfleetfor around seven years and they have never let us down.”TheCBDBCL24LTisfittedwithKnorr-BremseEBS braking system, SAF axles for aluminium wheels and air suspension with a raise / lower control.AlsoincludedinthespecificationtosaveweightisanObechetimberfloor,whichisa light weight semi-hardwood.

For more information: 01264 358 944 or www.andovertrailers.co.uk

Sweet sixteen

In 2005 Aberdeen based specialist Heavy Haulage company MGS Logistics purchased a standard Faymonville 4 axle power steered lowbed with single axle free swing dolly and a 5 axle power steered extending bed stepframe semi trailer. These products proved so successful that MGS Logistics recently took delivery of an exact repeat for the stepframe anda‘wafer’bedversionofthe4axlelowbedtrailertofurtherenhancetheirfleet.Both these styles of trailers incorporate Faymonville’s own steering system for improved manoeuvrability. “The 5 axle has proved so successful that there was no need to alter suchafantasticspecificationastheoriginaltrailer had everything we needed and more,” commented Doug Spence, owner of MGS Logistics. “The lowbed this time we ordered with everythingourfirstFaymonvilletrailerhadbutwehadaspecificneedtoreducetheloadingheight, so we opted, with Faymonville’s help for their‘wafer’beddesignwhichmeansthatwecanstillcarrythesameweightasourfirsttrailerand use the single axle dolly with either of the two trailers, but this new trailer has a bed height of only 400mm, some 150-200mm lower than most standard lowbed trailers.” The stepframe trailer is very versatile it is built with an extending bed, outriggers, steel rimmed timbers and has hydraulic loading ramps at the rear of the mainbed to allow for the transportation of general plant machinery as well as oversized loads. Thelowbed,likethefirstthatMGSpurchasedhas front loading ramps, outriggers with hinged steel rimmed timbers hanging on the sides. A compressionjointisfittedtohelpwithdeflectionandallowforachangeofdeckconfigurationin

the future. An excavator trough over the rear bogie is an essential on such a trailer to help reduce transport heights, which in essence can transport large excavators in excess of 80 tonnes. Easy to use features such as multi coupling, central greasing system and with controls located all in the same area make life very easy and simple for the driver, all of which are‘standard’featuresontheFaymonvilletrailers.Faymonville are also pleased to offer their new MODULMAX range of modular trailers. What makes the Faymonville very interesting is that forthefirsttimeworldwideacompanyalready

operating a certain other brand can now interchange this brand with the Faymonville which means that for the customer he can always ensure that he is getting equipment at competitive prices, because he has a choice. ThefirstrowsoftheFaymonvillemodularrange(4rowsand6rows)wererecentlysuppliedto Collett & Son of Halifax, they are a prime example of a company mixing the Faymonville brand of modular lines with another brand.

For more information: 01536 206915 or www.traffco.co.uk

Success in Aberdeen


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50th Anniversary in world attachments market

New loading catalogue

Designed to perform, built to last

Geith International Ltd, a world leader in the manufacture of buckets and attachments for excavators in the construction, excavation, demolition, waste and recycling industries, is celebrating the company’s 50th Anniversary this year. Originally called P.F. Doggett Eng. Ltd, the company was established in 1959 in Slane, Ireland, by local man Peter F Doggett to produce buckets for the expanding land drainage market in Ireland. The company’s product for many years and, even to this day in some quarters, became widely known as a Doggett Bucket. Manufactured at the company’s plant in Slane, the Geith range includes general and heavy duty mini-excavator buckets from 1-5 tonne; midi-excavator buckets from 5-10 tonne and heavy excavator buckets from 10-80 tonne. The range also comprises ditching/grading buckets; angle-tilt buckets; quick hitches and speciality products such as rippers, grapples, clamps and riddle and trapezoidal buckets. Overall, Geith produces 15 product families of buckets in 10 weight categories, with five styles and bucket widths from 229-2133 mm (9-84in)in16segmentsandawidevarietyof

wearpart or GET options. This provides over four million possible combinations with which the company covers over 30 makes of excavator.

For more information: 01942 266880 or www.geith.com

The 2009 / 10 Product Range Catalogue from Thorworld Industries Ltd is packed full of materials handling solutions for specifiers, purchasers and users of loading bay equipment, accessories and safety aids.Their latest 44-page full colour catalogue offers a comprehensive source of information for the company’s ever growing product line-up. Thorworld say they provide

a one-stop source for what is claimed to be the widest range of high quality loading and unloading equipment, loading bay accessories and safety aids from a single source.The catalogue contains details of Thorworld’s extensive selection of market-leading steel mobile yard ramps which are ideal for the fast and efficient loading and unloading of vehicle trailers and containers by fork trucks,

particularly where there is no raised loading dock. The updated Standard, Deluxe and Super Deluxe (light, medium and heavy duty) container loading ramps range (with 7, 10, 12 and 15 tonne capacities and lengths from 11 to 12.2 metres) now includes anadditional6tonneStandardmodel. A ramp rental facility, with a sale or return option, is also available through Thorworld’s RentARamp operation.

A section of the catalogue is devoted to advice regarding the points to consider when buying / renting ramps - particularly ensuring that they fully meet all the relevant European legislation, safety standards and directives. For more information: www.thorworld.co.uk

The Northern Ireland based machinery manufacturer, Redrock Engineering Ltd, has introduced a new 3 tonne lift capacity pivot steer telehandler. The new TH320

will replace the existing Redrock TH280S model originally launched in 2004. The design features and specification for the TH320

were established following extensive market research. The TH320 is not merely a TH280S with a cosmetic facelift, but is a completely new machine designed from the ground up with many market-leading features. The result is a telehandler that provides improved performance, operator comfort and serviceability. The TH320 has been designed and built to operate in the most demanding of agricultural environments. With the strongest chassis design in its class, a126hpengineanditsnewpatented drive train layout, the

TH320 has the strength, power and rugged ability needed by farmers and contractors to carry out a wide range of tasks. The completely new tilting cab (fully ROPS and FOPS tested) features increased operator headroom while keeping the overall height of the machine to a minimum, an improved air conditioning system, a quieter operator environment, an improved control layout and better visibility than comparative machines.

For more information: 028 3755 2390or www.redrock-engineering.com


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Welcome number 16

Digital tyre inflator

Over the past decade, Max Goll in Düsseldorf have purchased 15 trailers from Faymonville. Now, Max Goll has decided once more in favour of the quality and the competence of the Belgian manufacturer and has bought via the German dealer ES-GE Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH in Essen the first10-axleMULTIMAX.Besides many innovative product developments during the last months, for example the Megamax lowbed trailer with two light swing axles which has won the Trailer Innovation Award on the IAA 2008 inHannover,thefirst10-axle

step frame semi-trailer has been delivered.With a tare weight of 29.500 kg this MULTIMAX obtains a payload of 93.500 kg, with an axle load of 10 tons (in Germany) and a 8x4 truck. The total payload can be put onalengthof6mand50tonnescan be put on a length of 1m. The technical payload of 120.500 kg of the 10-axles trailer seems to be record-breaking. The gooseneck can be adapted to a 3, 4 or even a 5-axle truck. The Belgian specialist has moreover programmed a few highlightsconcerningloadfixing,

eg the protection support near the gooseneck with a maximum load of 50 tons.Altogether the 10-axle MULTIMAX offersacost-efficientalternativewith many application possibilities in comparison to the platform vehicles. Furthermore, it will be

used for transports to Eastern Europe where lower axle loads are preferred due to the high transport taxes.

For more information: www.faymonville.com

PCL have cemented their relationship with concrete giant Lafarge by providing one of its UK operationswithahighpressuretyreinflationunitfor its garage.Whitwell Quarry in Worksop, which manufactures Ready Mix and Crushed Rock, was in need of a high performance, heavy duty replacement for its original kit, which was broken.With its user friendly design and ability to withstand intensive outdoor applications, PCL’s ACCURA 10 offered the ideal solution.The ACCURA 10 is the safest and most simple meansoftyreinflation,allowingtheoperatortopreset the required pressure, place the connector on the tyre - and let the in-built auto-start function do the rest.It offers straight-forward installation and longer life, and its durable ceramic sensor allows extremely precise measurements, with tolerances well above theindustrystandardEC86/217.This made the ACCURA 10 the ideal product for theinflationofearth-movergassuspensionunitson Whitwell’s Aveling Barford machines.“PCL’s ACCURA 10 is exactly right for the usage we require,” said Whitwell’s Garage Foreman, Graeme Stone: “We have never had any problems

with performance and its best feature by far is that you can use the screw down chuck on your own, so taking away the need for two people. “

For more information: 0114 248 2712or www.pcltechnology.com


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In preparation for the adoption of the Thatcham 5 Star Rating (Plant) to combat increasing theft of construction equipment in the UK worth more than £1 billion a year, Enigma Vehicle Systems Plc have submitted four products based around the company’s Skyline GPS tracking system for testing for Thatcham Class 1 accreditation. Thesignificantinvestmentbeingmade by Enigma in submitting products for Thatcham accreditation reflectsthecompany’spositionasamarketleaderinfleetmanagement,tracking and security and the very high standard of the products offered by the company. Enigma has submitted four products for accreditation under different testing regimes at Thatcham. A new category is being created by Thatcham to cover the top-of-the-range product from Enigma combining the Skyline CAT P5 tracking system with the company’s e-lock 3 CAT P2 immobiliser together with a remote immobilisation capability. Enigma

provided Thatcham with equipment fittedwiththiscombinationfordisplayat the Thatcham Triple Focus event from June 17-18 which promoted the 5 star initiative and other Thatcham activities. Thatcham star ratings will provide a layered approach to security measures with 1 star being the entry point, rising to 5 stars for a comprehensive security package, based on the following key security points: •vehicleidentification •keysecurity • immobilisationofmachine •peripheralsecurity •after-thefttrackingsystemsUnder the proposed star ratings scheme, a machine equipped with the Skyline-lock Tracking/Immobiliser product and covered by CESAR (Construction Equipment Security And Registration Scheme) would qualify for four stars. The recommended minimumstarratingforstandardfitsecurity for new plant is three stars. As an advanced tracking and security

system, Skyline ensures each vehicle or piece of plant remains in contact with the server 24/7 so their status is available to Enigma users at all times. Skyline offers fully integrated Google road, satellite and hybrid mapswith‘tow-away’alert,batterydisconnection, low power warning and a host of other data via eight input/output ports that can be used for monitoring additional sensors, with optional 24/7 monitoring through an approved Secure Operating Centre (SOC). Featuring a keypad design, the new e-lock 3 is a state-of-the-art immobiliser. It works in conjunction with Skyline and offers the ability to remotely change the PIN code. As well as increased security and control over a machine on site, this saves substantial costs and time as it is no longer necessary to visit the machine in person to change the PIN code. As well as the top-of-the-range product being tested under the new Thatcham category, Enigma has

submitted a system comprising Skyline, RFID and remote immobilisation for testing under the CAT P5 regime, whilst the e-lock 3 system is undergoing Thatcham’s CAT P2 immobiliser test. Enigma’s new Skyline 999 system has been submitted for testing under Thatcham’s TQA testing regime.

For more information: 0844 800 9926 or www.enigmavehicle.co.uk

Submission for accreditation


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A-Plant, one of the largest plant and tool hire companies in the UK, have launched a new Customer Training Solutions Brochure detailing the wide variety of courses that the

company can provide for customers. A-Plant’s new Customer Training Solutions Centre offers a wide range of training, including courses in connection with manual handling, abrasive wheels, working at height, safety harness awareness, fall arrest, driver load / unload and site safety awareness including CSCS test preparation. The new Customer Training Solutions Brochure has been designed to be a comprehensive and valuable tool when offering training to customers. A-Plant is continually reviewing the company’s training offering and where practicable, will look to facilitate any training requirement that is not detailed in the new brochure.The delivery of the training courses laid out in the brochure provides an excellent opportunity to work even closer with customers, facilitating their training requirements to complement the hire service offered by A-Plant. The brochure is not just aimed at A-Plant customers working in the construction industry but at any business requiring training. These companies could be in manufacturing, water, medical, health, process, service and other allied sectors and are keen to comply with ever-changing industrial and legislative demands. In fact, the Health and Safety

section of the brochure provides courses designed and tailored to businesses in almost every sector and industry. A-Plant have been named as an Accredited Training Provider by NPORS and is proud to be recognised with an accreditation to ensure the safety and comprehensive training of all its staff and customers. A-Plant is also an accredited IPAF and PASMA Training provider delivering accredited and certificated PASMA - Mobile Access Tower Training and IPAF - Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP) Operator, Demonstrator, Harness and MEWPS for Managers training. Most recently A Plant has received the prestigious Access Industry Training Award.The company say that substantial and continual investment in the Health and Safety market, in particular, has ensured that A-Plant is at the forefront of industry practice and certification, offering Health and Safety training to the highest standards possible. The training in this area forms part of A-Plant’s commitment to increasing health and safety levels for its own employees and also for employees in all the industries it serves. For more information: www.aplant.com

Wide range of customer training courses waiting

Ideal Waste Paper Co, one of the largest privately owned wastepaper merchants in the UK, have purchased three Bobcat S220 skid-steer loaders for use in the company’s paper recycling

plants in Bermondsey in South London, which together recycle over 100,000 tonnes of paper every year. The compact nature and small turning circles of the S220 skid-steer loaders ensure

theycanperformmoreefficientlyand much faster than wheeled loadersinthetightconfinesoftheBermondsey plants. Simon Scott, Director of Ideal Waste Paper Co, said: “The Bobcat S220s are

used continuously and have been designed for working indoors in high temperatures in this arduous application. We have tried a number of brands of skid-steer loader and have found that the Bobcat machines are by far the most durable and the only ones up to the job. Each machine is equipped with precisely matched Bobcat industrial fork and grapple attachments to carry out the sorting and handling work.” The S220 skid-steer loaders are used to sort various different grades of wastepaper and load it onto conveyers feeding baling machines for conversion into graded bales for customers. They work up to 10 hours a day, six days a week, unloading and sorting wastepaper delivered throughout the day on Ideal Waste Paper’s own fleet of vehicles including bulk container lorries and specialist waste recycling vehicles. For more information: 0800 756 6813

Skid-steer loaders perfect fit for paper recycler


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Bri-Stor Systems Limited was formed over 25 yearsagospecificallytodesign,manufactureand install storage equipment and security products in light commercial vehicles. The Hixon-based company’s foundations originated from robust engineering principles pioneered through the business by their founder Eric Smith and backed with the latest manufacturing facilities, powder coating plant, assemblyandfittingworkshops.In2006theBri-StorGroupmovedtonewpremises on an 18 acre site with over 185,000 sq.ft of purpose designed workshops. The move helped provides a secure environment in which

thesignificantgrowthshowninrecentyearscancontinue. The facilities along with investments in the latest design and manufacturing technology have already provided large advances in productivity. With additional workshop space and a holding compound for over 700 vehicles it provides an excellent opportunity to expand the popular one-stop preparation programme and, the company say, deliver unrivalled industry-leading service at competitive prices. Also,duringthepastfiveyearsBri-Storhasdeveloped a sophisticated project management teamwithkeyskillstoprovideacomplete‘turnkey’

solutionformajorutilityandotherfleetcustomers.The group’s investment in new equipment in that period was in excess of £1.5m, and includes hi-tech automated folding and welding equipment, plus new robot production equipment. A spokesman said: “From the initial concept to finaldesignandhandover,westrivenotonlytomeet, but also to exceed customers’ expectations. “We are proud of our customer base comprising of bothlargeandsmallfleetoperatorsfromadiverserange of businesses and invite you to be part of the Bri-Stor experience.” For more information: www.bri-stor.co.uk

King of the road

Continuing to grow

King Highway Products have suppliedit’sfirstVorteqcrashcushion trailers to be sold in the UK. They have gone into service with Scottish street sweeper operator William Hamilton and Sons of Larkhall.There is a big demand from operators of street sweeping equipment to offer driver protection when operating on main highways

and the Vorteq from King Highway Productsisthefirstunitthatcanbe utilized on a sweeper and allow the cushion to be uncoupled when tipping and emptying the sweeper body.King worked in conjuction with Outreach plc to supply the Vorteq trailer and associated lighting arrow which was installed at the Outreach factory in Falkirk.

King has ensured that Vorteq has been fully tested to meet the latest‘Fourthtest’requirementsestablished by Highways Agency and is fully compliant with

TD49/07 requirements.

For more information: 01858 467361 or www.kingtrailers.co.uk


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Over the past three years international tyre manufacturer, GITI Tire have progressively enhanced their market presence in the UK tyre industry providing an impressive selection of tyre brands and patterns in light commercial and truck tyres.In fact many leading tyre distributors and retailers in Scotland are now beginning to promote the GITI brand, a success thatcanbefirmlyattributedtothe group’s dedication to ongoing technological advancements in tyre design and safety at their European Technical Centre (ETC) at the MIRA Proving ground complex in Nuneaton, Warwickshire.GITI Tire recently held a media open day at its ETC to reveal their exciting plans for the future in the highly competitive truck sector. Headquartered in Singapore, GITI Tire has emerged as the largest tyre producer in China and a leading contender in global recognition, currently being the tenth largest tyre manufacturer in the world with production plants in both China and Indonesia generating an output last year of 70 million tyres (in both PCR

and Truck sectors). Despite the current economic downturn, the group remains in a strong and growing position and looking to the future rather than a period of consolidation.Future plans for GITI Tire include ongoing research and development with a major priority being a complete overhaul of the entire GT Radial brand in truck tyres throughout the UK and Europe. It is anticipated there will be a total upgrade in pattern and size options right across the range by 2010. At the same time a new truck sales division - GITI Tire (UK) has recently been formed in Manchester to fully support future marketing activities.Another important development is the current construction of a new research and development complex in China to further compliment the group’s existing facilities. Among the many additionalbenefitsgeneratedby the new R&D centre will be state-of-the-art testing equipment and new 3D design software to effectively reduce future product development by over 50%.At the same time GITI extensively uses it MIRA facilities for the

development and tuning of tyres to OEM customer requirements and also interacts with accomplished European testing laboratories including TŰV Nord, TŰV Automotive, ADAC and RDW.Eddie Young, GITI’s Director of Product Technology and Automotive Engineering says: “The ETC is responsible for many activitiesincludingfinalsign-off evaluation of new products, original equipment engineering liaison with vehicle manufacturers and the training of R&D and evaluation personnel in tyre design, development and testing.“The main testing activities take place on a number of special circuits for handling and stability, high speed, ride and handling, wet handling, braking and cornering plus various noise and resonance surfaces such as ISO external noise measurement to the EC2001/43 Directive.”New additions to the light commercial and truck ranges will include the Kargomax ST4000 and ST6000whichistheinnovativeresult of joint market research betweenenduserfleetsanddistributors leading to the launch of a custom built tyre for the

specific needs of the trailer and caravan market. The Maxmiler EX is another completely new pattern, which focuses on energy optimisation through weight reduction and a new casing construction. This new tyre will progressively replace the current Maxmiler CX and Maxway patterns.For the truck sector, an extensive number of new size and pattern options has been introduced during the past couple of years where the main focus has been on reducing rolling resistance, increased mileage return plus a high level of endurance and retreadability. The most popular options include the GT 259 steer pattern for long haul and regional applications in the wide base segment along with the GT629drivetyreforbusesandcoaches which includes the latest technology for exceptional regular wear.At the same time GITI Tire intend to further strengthen their marketing presence in a number of areas including market intelligence, product planning and brand building. Richard Lyons, Marketing Director for truck and bus tyres adds, “Our prime focus will be to develop this new aggressive marketing strategy throughout Europe and Russia as well as the UK and we will be supporting the our brands through an enhanced new corporate image.“There will also be a comprehensive programme of new product launch campaigns during 2009 followed by many more new patterns and sizes across the range in the future.”There is no doubt that with the recent opening of GITI Tire (UK), Scottish haulage fleets can expect to receive impressive benefits and professional service from one of the world’s leading truck tyre manufacturers.

For more information: www.giti.com

The very latest innovations in truck tyres

The GITI Tire (UK) sales team


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Supertracker, one of the UK’s leading wheel aligner manufacturers, are about to launch an additional option to their growing selection of commercial aligners.The all-new STR400R (Truck) is inthefinalstagesofdevelopmentand currently being evaluated by Supertracker’s research and development team at their headquarters in Southampton. This latest innovation has directly evolved from the success of the established STR400R model for cars.Trevor Lovesy, Managing Director of Supertracker, says: “At the moment there is a growing demand for wheel alignment services on commercial vehicles with many drivers and operators now requesting a printed report. Obviously trucks can only earn money when they are rolling which

is why many companies have been reluctant to have their vehicles idle at any time.“However because of the present economicclimate,fleetoperatorsare beginning to appreciate the manybenefitsofprofessionalwheel alignment such as fuel savings and the reduction of general tyre overheads.”The truck version of the STR400R which accommodates tyres up to 24 inches including Super Singles, will be introduced into the commercial market by the end of thisyearandwillbespecificallytargeted to truck repair centres and commercial tyre mobile services who carry out wheel alignment onsite.Supertracker currently provides three proven alignment products to the truck market. The STRT4 alignerwhichoffersmanybenefits

including easy access to trackrod ends, a laser beam facility for easy to read measurements and the fact it can be used on four post lifts, pitsandfloors.TheSTRT4fitswheels from 17.5 inches up to 24 inches. The STRT3 wheel aligner is a single steer option offering the samebenefitsastheSTRT4whilstthe STR1500 laser truck tracking gaugefitslargerwheelsagainfrom

17.5 through to 24 inches. Trevor concludes, “Truck wheel alignmentlookssettobecome‘bigbusiness’ for the commercial vehicle industry in the future and our new innovative truck aligner will be ready for the challenge.”

For more information: 023 8044 3325 or www.supertracker.com

Tyre safety organisation TyreSafe is making truck tyre safety information more widely available to commercial vehicle users by adding a truck specificsectiontoitswebsiteandproducinga truck tyre safety handout. Defective tyres represent a growing number of MoT failures in the HGV sector, with statistics recorded by VOSAshowingthatanMoTfailurerateof36.5%wasrecordedin2007/8,with‘conditionoftyres’ranking as the second most common failure defect. The new TyreSafe web pages contain invaluable tyre safety advice for all members of thecommercialvehiclecommunity,includingfleetmanagers,workshopmanagers,fleetinspectorsand drivers and are designed to be informative and easily accessible. “Withfleetoperatorsincreasinglyunderpressureto ensure the provision of safe and roadworthy vehiclesandVOSAofficialsnowabletoissuefixedpenaltynoticestodriversattheroadside,commercial vehicle users must be more vigilant than ever to ensure that their vehicles’ tyres are legal and correctly maintained,” explains Stuart Jackson, Chairman, TyreSafe. “Making tyre maintenance a key priority allows commercial fleetoperatorstohelpensurethesafetyoftheirdrivers and reduce the number of accidents caused by defective tyres on our roads. TyreSafe’s new truck tyre safety guide provides a useful point of reference for safety information together with a set of practical tips.”The new web pages can be found at www.tyresafe.org and include clear and concise information on the importance of tyre pressure, tread depth, wheel alignment, regrooving and tyre disposal, together with details of the common

causes of tyre damage and wear and top tips for correct truck tyre maintenance. A free truck tyre safety handout can be downloaded from the site and hard copies are also available.Poorly maintained tyres can seriously affect the safety of drivers and other motorists involved in a tyre failure incident, and can also lead to increased vehicle downtime, premature tyre wear and higher fuel consumption. Fleet operators have a duty of care to their drivers and must ensure that they are provided with a safe working environment, including the provision of safe and roadworthy vehicles. Since the Health and Safety

Offences Act came into force in January 2009, UK courts have greater authority to prosecute businesses for committing offences such as fittingillegaltyresorfaultybrakes.Themaximumpenalty currently stands at £20,000. Drivers are also under greater pressure from VOSA to ensure that their tyres are legal, with perpetrators risking roadside charges of up to £200 per offence.

For more information: 0845 301 6852 or www.tyresafe.org

New commercial truck aligner

Online truck tyre safety advice

Trevor Lovesy


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An impressive purpose-designed technology truck arrived in Crewe in June for the latest stage of its 2009

European tour. The Continental truck launched the new second generation regional and long

distance tyres to the UK market.Over 200 commercial tyre dealers, ContiNetworkpartnersandfleetoperators attended the truck tour event during its stay in Crewe Hall in Cheshire. It has now headed off on the next leg of its journey to Holland.The technology truck was packed with information and exhibits on all of the new products, including interactive display screens and features explaining the patented AirKeep system. Visitors to the truck were also able toexperiencefirsthandthenewContiCostCalculator. The unique databaseusescustomer-specificinformation to work out the cost-saving potential of Continental tyres versus competitor products. The calculator takes into account the kilometre costs and fuel

consumption of every vehicle in the fleettogiveanoverallresult.Italsocovers additional income from the increased payload that a lower tyre weight makes possible.Arthur Gregg, UK and Ireland Sales and Marketing Director for Commercial Tyres, commented: “It was great that so many of our network partners, customers and potential customers were able to attend. The truck gave everyone the chance to see the new developments on our latest tyre range. The interactive displays demonstratedthebenefitsofthenew technology and design to the customer. It was a fantastic way to show the commitment Continental makes to its R & D”.

For more information: www.conti-online.com

BFGoodrich have launched the second generation of their celebrated 4x4 off-road tyre, the Mud Terrain T/AKM2, in Europe. The new tyre is replacing the BFGoodrich Mud Terrain T/AKM, which is both the market leader in the off-road category and the spearhead of the BFGoodrich brand in Europe.During the design phase, engineers focused on producing a tyre capable of overcoming all obstacles on harsh, uneven, muddy and rocky surfaces, which is why robustness was their top priority.To ensure exceptional strength and endurance, three technologies have been incorporated into the BFGoodrich Mud Terrain T/AKM2 -

aggressive sidewall lugs, cut and chip-resistant sidewall compounds, and stronger sidewall cords. These three technical features have already proven their effectiveness on the most successful tyre in the history of extreme, off-road racing, the BFGoodrich Krawler TEK.The sidewall cords of the BFGoodrich Mud Terrain T/AKM2 are up to 33% stronger than those of the previous-generation tyre. The TriGard 3-ply casing also has stronger cords that significantlyimprovesidewalldamageresistance.The tyre features thick lugs on the shoulders that extend onto the sidewalls. These provide thedualbenefitofsuperiorgripandenhancedprotection and the new cut and chip-resistant

rubber compound greatly reduces the risk of tears caused by sharp rocks.Delivering enhanced strength, damage resistance and grip, the new BFGoodrich Mud Terrain T/AKM2 provides off-road drivers with outstanding performance regardless of surface conditions.Itwillbeavailablein16sizesin15,16and17inchdiametersfortyrewidthsfrom215 to 305 mm, in 85 to 70 series aspect ratios and with a Q speed symbol. The M+S marking on the sidewalls indicates that the tyre has been approved for use in mud and snow.

For more information: www.bfgoodrich.co.uk

Euro Car Parts (ECP), one of the UK’s leading aftermarket parts suppliers, now stock a comprehensive range of tyre repair materials from Rema Tip Top offering market leading quality, reliability, range and service at highly competitive prices.Rema Tip Top compliments the ECP strategy to offer a wider range of consumables and offer an even greater service to its customers.Rema Tip Top UK Ltd has been operating for over 50 years and is complimented by a stunning range of automotive consumables and equipment, ranging from valve hardware and balance weights, to chemicals tools and accessories,

there really is only one place for all your tyre repair needs.All the products supplied by Rema

Tip Top have been manufactured respecting international standards of quality and safety.


Continental European Technology Truck arrives in the UK

New mud terrain tyre

Tyre repair materials

facts - the transport professional’s magazine #48

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