fleet transport march 2015

IRELAND'S LEADING COMMERCIAL VEHICLE MAGAZINEInside!

MARCH 15

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www.fl eet.ie | 34 News• CVRT failure rate high • Combilift expands and creates new jobs • Finol Oil’s Fleet Fuel Economy Calculator is launched • Future Skills needs highlighted • Smart Travel Policy a failure • Fleet Transport Awards 2016 • FTA Transport Managers event • EU opens for Cross-Border traffi c infringements.

8 InterviewWith Ayrat Mardeev, KAMAZ

10 Cover IArctic Van Test 2015 – Finland

12 New FleetNewly purchased Volvo, Renault, Iveco & Hino trucks

14 Cover IIMercedes-Benz Sprinter 4x4

16 Fleeting ShotsMercedes-Benz & DB Schenker, Yodel & Faymonville featured.

18 Preview ICV Show 2015

21 Review II• FPS Expo 2015 • Multimodal 2015

22 FeatureTruck Finance

24 LCV IVolkswagen Caddy4 launched

26 TrailerLatest from Thermo King, SDC Trailers & BPW

28 LCV IIFirst drives in new FIAT Professional Doblò

30 Health MattersCounterfeit medicines

33 WarehousingForklift Buyers’ Guide – Part II – Reach Trucks

36 Materials HandlingHyster reaches 1000th Reach Stacker!

38 Times PastRemembering classic Bedfords

40 Shipping & FreightNews from Stena Line, My Ferry Link & Foynes Port

42 CommentEU InterReg IVB Weastfl ows Conference

44 LegalHousekeeping

46 FinanceCustomer Analysis

48 OpinionRising Insurance Costs

50 SoapboxRoad Transport – who cares?

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Disclaimer: Fleet Transport Magazine management can accept no responsibility for the accuracy of contributed articles or statements appearing in this magazine and any views or opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Fleet Transport management, save where otherwise indicated. No responsibility for loss or distress occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of the material in this publication can be accepted by the authors, contributors, Editors or publishers.The Editor reserves the right to make publishing decisions on any advertisements or editorial article submitted to the magazine and to refuse publication or to edit any editorial material as seems appropriate to him. Professional legal advice should always be sought in relation to any specific matter.

Fleet TransportOffi cial Irish Jury

Member of the International Truck

of the Year Award

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Contents MARCH 15

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Transport Barometer: Data from 16/01/2015 - 14/02/2015

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4 | NEWS 1

FLEETTRANSPORT | MARCH 15

Alarming and interesting fi gures were revealed relating to the annual Road Safety Authority’s Commercial Vehicle

Roadworthiness Test (CVRT). Of the 486,953 LCVs tested last year, 154,910 failed, with 3,816 failed dangerous as it’s termed, while 328,227 passed. 138,555 HGVs were tested which saw 51,148 failing and 1,199 failed dangerous, while 86,213 passed. Th at’s over 5,000 failed dangerous commercial vehicles identifi ed on Irish roads during 2014, which is worrying and is likely to see increased roadside checks by RSA offi cials during the course of the year.

In reply to Fleet Transport’s query on how the RSA is going to counteract this alarming situation, a spokesperson said, “Th e Road Safety Authority remains very concerned about the standards of roadworthiness of commercial vehicles on our roads and the volume of vehicles failing their annual roadworthiness test. Th e RSA has implemented a

wide-ranging Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness (CVR) reform programme, which focuses on three key areas – making the roadworthiness test more eff ective, introduction of premises’ checks for operators of commercial vehicles to review their maintenance system, records and procedures, and increased roadside inspections of vehicles by the RSA and the Garda Síochána. Th e RSA is now responsible for managing the Commercial Vehicle Testing system to ensure the integrity of the annual roadworthiness test is upheld. In addition, the RSA has real time information on the outcome of the test and targeting non-compliant vehicles is crucial to our enforcement eff ort. While operators are legally required to pass an annual roadworthiness test, it is important to remember that vehicles should be compliant 365 days a year. For operators, continuous preventative maintenance is vital to maintaining a high standard fl eet and visits

to operator premises to check compliance with requirements in this regard have been introduced. Th ere has been a four-fold increase in the number of vehicle inspections at the roadside since the reform programme began back in 2010. Th e RSA is currently targeting enforcement at those operators and vehicles which present a higher risk on our roads and further measures are being looked at to enhance this targeted approach. Th e RSA has been making changes to the way commercial vehicles are tested and maintained in Ireland. Th ese changes are important as they will help to ensure that we are all sharing the road with safe and roadworthy commercial vehicles.”

County Monaghan based Combilift , best known for its wide range of multi-directional forklift s, Aisle-Master articulated forklift s and other innovative material handling solutions, is investing

€40 million in constructing a purpose-built, 40,000 square metre, greenfi eld global HQ and manufacturing facility with a devoted Research & Development building and adjoining back offi ce facilities. Eff ectively this development brings together its two current manufaturing facilities in Monaghan town and in Clontibret, on 40 hectares of industrial zoned land on the Monaghan by-pass. At a special event, An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation, Richard Bruton TD jointly announced the initiative and the creation of 200 new jobs over the next fi ve years at Combilift , the majority of which will be for skilled technicians and design engineers. A further 200 jobs will be established during the two year construction period of the new facility. Th is investment programme will position Combilift to double its current €150 million turnover over the next fi ve years. Th e company currently employs over 300 people between its current facilities.

Th e company was set up by Managing Director, Martin McVicar and Technical Director, Robert Moff ett in 1998 and thanks to the continued 7% investment of turnover in R&D they export innovative products to over 75 countries.

Welcoming the announcement, An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny said: “Supporting recovery in the regions is behind this fantastic announcement of an additional

200 jobs in Combilift and a further 200 construction related jobs. It is growing and dynamic Irish companies like Combilift which are driving a recovery across Ireland’s regions. Combilift ’s new €40 million facility in Monaghan will make a profound diff erence to the local economy and the national export economy. Th ese new jobs will have a deeply positive impact on those who get back to work or take up new opportunities, but they also have a knock-on economic benefi t for local businesses, shops, restaurants, tradespeople and service providers. Th is is part of the Government’s plan to secure economic recovery and see it spread to every part of the country.”

Over 5,000 ‘failed dangerous’ commercial vehicles on Irish roads in 2014

400 new jobs created & €40 million investment by Combilift

Finol Oils launch Fleet Fuel Economy Calculator

Following on from the success of it’s Agriculture Fuel Economy Calculator on Finol Oil’s website, road transport

operators can now ascertain how much they can save by switching to TOTAL’s Fuel Economy Lubricants with the new Fleet Fuel Economy Calculator. Fleet owners can now log-on to www.fueleconomy.ie and select the fl eet calculator and generate substantial fuel savings.

Finol Oils Ltd will be demonstrating this new system at the forthcoming FTA Ireland (Freight Transport Association) Transport Manager Seminar at the Johnstown House Hotel & Spa,

Enfi eld, County Meath on 26 March next.

Fuel Economy Lubricants, developed by French brand TOTAL, meets the requirements of commercial and private users wishing to improve the performance and lifespan of their vehicles while also reducing fuel consumption. Th ese lubricants have been developed in TOTAL’s laboratories and have successfully undergone independent tests that prove up to 1 litre of diesel can be saved per 100 kilomotres thereby reducing fuel bills signifi cantly.

TOTAL’s Fuel Economy Lubricants is also fully approved and recommended by leading vehicle

manufacturers.

Finol Oils is running a special prize draw for anybody who uses its online Fleet Fuel Economy Calculator between now and 26 March 2015, and on the day of the FTAI’s Transport Manager Seminar. For more information on fuel economy lubricants please visit www.fueleconomy.ie

Martin Mc Vicar, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Robert Moff ett

The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) was established in 1997. Th e Group's function is to assess skill requirements in the Irish economy and highlight areas where future skills shortages

may arise. Th e EGFSN reports its fi ndings to the Minister for Education and the Minister for Jobs Enterprise & Innovation to assist with future policy planning. Its latest report focused on the Freight Transport, Distribution and Logistics sector in Ireland (FTDL), and highlighted some areas of concern.

Introducing the document, EGFSN’s Chairperson Una Halligan explained the objectives of the study, and outlined the scope of the research and the methodologies used. She also noted that the research assessed and compared similar models from other countries, and included a high level of engagement with the FTDL industry and its representative bodies. Th e Chairperson then called on Minister for Skills, Research & Innovation, Damien English TD., to offi cially launch the report.

Th e Minister welcomed the document noting: “Th e report highlights the positive outlook for the future of the sector and shows that there is signifi cant employment growth expected.” However the Minister is aware that the industry may not appeal to younger people when they are deciding on a career path saying: “It is not an att ractive sector and the image needs to be improved.” He hopes to discuss this issue soon with career guidance and training organisations who can promote the FTDL industry in a more positive light. Minister English closed by calling for “improved collaboration between employers and training organisations.”

To explain the fi ndings in more detail the audience was addressed by Mr Gerard Walker, Assistant Principal, Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. Mr Walker said the research found that due to both expansion in the sector and replacement of personnel there is an anticipated demand for between 13,500 to 15,500 job vacancies. Topping the list are HGV drivers which account for approximately 6,865 vacancies, or 45% of the estimated total.

In a similar manner to Minister English, Gerard Walker also notes the “industry’s relatively poor image” and believes it is “increasingly important for the sector to market itself.” He also “calls for companies to come forward and to engage.”

Th e EGFSN proposes some recommendations including the introduction of new Apprenticeship/Traineeship programmes for the FTDL sector. Th ese Apprenticeships would cover topics such as HGV Driving, Warehouse Operatives and Freight Forwarding. It was mentioned by some of the att endees that there are already a wide variety of training courses available and the research found that not all companies were aware of the programmes.

Th e report is comprehensive, and just as important accurate, in its fi ndings of the current state of employment in the transport industry. It clearly states that action is needed if we are to avert a serious shortage of skilled personnel in the next fi ve years. Paul White.

NEWS II | 5

www.fl eet.ie

Future Skills Needs

Fleet Transport Awards 2016 – Rewarding Best Practice

The 20% increase in traffi c on tolled roads is Government policy failure not success according to An Taisce, (Th e

National Trust for Ireland) as Greenhouse Gas levels, air pollution and congestion all continue to rise.

According to its statement, “Traffi c congestion is back to 2008 boom time levels. Th is increases transport greenhouse gas emissions, which have risen by 2.1 % in 2013 over the previous year’s levels. Congestion aff ects economic productivity, slows down public transport and service vehicle movement, and causes local air pollution in particle emissions, particularly from diesel vehicles.”

“Th e Department of Transport’s policy, Smarter Travel: A Sustainable Transport Future – A New

Transport Policy for Ireland 2009-2020 sets out a series of overriding policy objectives. Condition 7 of the 2005 An Bord Pleanála consent for the additional lanes to Dublin’s M50 required that within three years of completion of the scheme (which occurred in 2011) demand management measures be published. A Steering Group set up by the National Roads Authority with the relevant Local Authorities, which published its report on 29 April 2014, revealed the issue of mounting congestion on the M50 as stated in the Executive Summary:

“By November 2011, 12 per cent of the route was exceeding “safe operating capacity”… “in the busiest lanes at peak times”… and “the congestion which has occurred within the last two years refl ects this and has in turn resulted in more frequent incidents and collisions.”

A number of “demand management” measures including extended tolling and Smarter Travel were proposed, but no action was taken.

Instead the situation has been made worse, by the 2014 An Bord Pleanála consent for a National Roads Authority supported Kildare County Council's application to add two lanes to 13 km section of the M7 between the Newbridge and Naas interchanges. Th is will encourage extra traffi c from the Greater Dublin Area and beyond to funnel into the Red Cow junction and M50 and undermine the national modal share targets set out in Smarter Travel.

Congestion is rising around all the Irish urban centres too. Th e particular targets for the €9m funded ‘Limerick Smarter Travel Demonstration City’ are not being met either.”

Increased Traffi c - Has Smarter Travel Policy failed?

Pictured at the launch of the report at the Department of Education and Skills Marlborough Street, were fr om left , Marie Bourke, Department of Jobs Enterprise & Innovation Secretary to the Expert Group; Minister of State for Skills, Research & Innovation Damien English T.D.; Una Halligan, Chairperson Expert Group on Future Skills Needs and Pat Ivory Chairperson of the Project Steering Group.

The leading Awards programme for the Irish Road Transport and Haulage Industry, the Fleet Transport Awards

2016 will take place on Th ursday 3 September 2015 at the Citywest Hotel, Dublin. Th e offi cial launch of the Fleet Transport Irish Haulier of the Year 2016, in association with Rosslare Europort, will take place in Dublin on

the 23 March at which time the on-line entry will go live and enable you to ‘Seek your Reward’. If you are a Road Transport Operator in Ireland, however big or small, you are eligible to enter the Awards. For the past number of years the Awards have received great support from the industry, not just from the leading operators in the country

but also from small relatively unknown fi rms, demonstrating that companies of all types and sizes are recognised and awarded for their best practice and innovation. Entry Form and full details will be in the next edition of Fleet Transport but in the meantime put Ireland’s industry event in your diary - Th ursday 3 September 2015.


6 | NEWS 111

FTA Ireland Transport Manager to address legislation and enforcement issues

In a change of plan, due to unforeseen circumstances, Tom O’Mahony, Secretary General, Department of Transport,

Tourism & Sport (DTT AS), will now address delegates at the 3rd annual FTA Ireland Transport Manager Conference, which takes place at Johnstown House Hotel & Spa in Enfi eld, County Meath, on 26 March. Att endees will have the opportunity to hear from Tom on roadside enforcement and future legislation issues and the Department’s plans for the industry. Th e Transport Manager event, which is sponsored by Efl ow, Enprova, Goodyear, Total and Volvo and supported by media partner Fleet Transport magazine, is aimed at providing transport managers with all the information, guidance and best practice advice they need on forthcoming legislation and enforcement changes. Th e key sessions at FTA Ireland Transport Manager 2015 include:

Tom O’Mahony, Secretary General, • DTT AS, on the Department’s plans for the industryNoel Lacey, Health & Safety Authority on • the safe loading of commercial vehiclesVolvo Trucks on 'HGVs of the Future'•

Conor Faughnan of AA Ireland - Watching • our RoadsMoyagh Murdock, RSA on enforcement • issuesConor Molloy of Authentic Energy • Management Systems on funding fuel-effi cient performanceTh e Transport Manager’s Calendar 2015-16 • – a legislative and technical roundup

“Th e FTA Ireland Transport Manager Conference is an important event in Ireland’s transport calendar and we have an exciting line-up of speakers and a packed programme this year. We are very much looking forward to hearing what Mr. O’Mahony has to say as FTA Ireland and its members are keen to promote high standards of safety and compliance within the industry,” stated Neil McDonnell, General Manager of FTA Ireland.

FTA Ireland Transport Manager 2015 takes place on Th ursday 26 March at the Johnstown House Hotel & Spa, Enfi eld, County Meath. Th e cost for FTAI members is €250 plus VAT for the fi rst delegate and €220 for subsequent delegates; for non-members €300 plus VAT for the fi rst delegate and €260 plus VAT for subsequent delegates. For further details or to book a place call FTA Ireland on 01 844 7516.

The European Parliament vote to approve a new law enabling police to enforce penalties on foreign

motorists who break traffi c rules has been welcomed by the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) and TISPOL – the European Traffi c Police Network.

Non-resident drivers account for approximately 5% of road traffi c in the European Union (EU) but are responsible for 15% of speeding off ences, according to European Commission fi gures. Th e law is expected to save at least 400 lives a year. Th e new rules cover off ences including speeding, drink driving, using a mobile phone at the wheel and ignoring red lights.

On the approval, Antonio Avenoso, Executive Director of the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) said: “Th e vote will help put an end to the injustice of foreign drivers escaping traffi c penalties while locals get punished for the same off ence. Th is is a long overdue change. Th e deterrent eff ect is important, knowing that you can be caught plays a key role in preventing dangerous driving.”

Th e law will come into eff ect in most EU

countries later this year; Denmark, Ireland and the UK will have two additional years. Th ose three countries opted-out of an earlier version of the rules, but agreed to back a new proposal aft er the European Court of Justice ruled last year that the legal basis had to be changed. Th e rules are also set to be reviewed in 2016.

“Th e next step will be to improve enforcement of traffi c laws across the EU, starting with minimum standards for large-scale, regular and visible police enforcement actions on the three main causes of death: speeding, failure to wear a seat belt and drink driving,” commented TISPOL General Secretary, Ruth Purdie.

The European Parliament’s vote is the culmination of a seven-year legislative process and the positive result is thanks in no small part to several MEPs who have fought tirelessly for stronger enforcement of road safety rules across the EU.

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EU Parliament lifts road block on Cross-Border traffi c penalties

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8 | INTERVIEW

Q. With three KA MAZ crews on the podium and another KA MAZ truck in fi ft h position in the fi nal ranking of the Dakar 2015, did you expect this dominant result?

Of course, we worked hard to get good results, but no one imagined that we would have the fi rst three places. When we go to the race, we never try to predict events. Th e most important thing for us is the stable driving. In principle, if the vehicle does not break down, then, KA MAZ will always be on the podium.

Q. Can you explain the main reasons of this dominant performance? Is it mainly due to the trucks, the team, the tactic of your team manager Vladimir Chagin, and the reliable 16 litre Liebherr/MAN engines?

All these factors are very important. First of all, we are a team. Our strength is in this: a team! We work together as a harmonious mechanism, which is well coordinated. We work for a common goal, and not for an individual result. Th e second reason is very good preparation of trucks. But it is thanks to the team, to our mechanics and engineers, we have a very fast truck. As for the suspension, I believe that we have the best. We also have a special engine. Due to the requirements of the Dakar regulations, we use new engines from Liebherr. All the improvements and modifi cations that have been made by our engineers show that we are moving in the right direction. I should also note that "the factor of Chagin" in our success is down to undertaking diff erent test sessions with him, availing of his experience and advice, all crucial elements.

Q. Can you outline the major steps in your career as a driver of rally trucks? When did you start? What about your major achievements?

Th e fi rst step in my career was in karting. Almost all drivers who are seriously engaged in motorsport began in karting. Th e young generation of drivers come to work in the Kamaz team, fi rst as mechanics. In 2008, I was at the wheel of the race truck for the fi rst time; it was a stage of the Russian Championship, I was 21 years old. My fi rst victory was on the Russian Championship in Ulyanovsk in 2011; my co-pilot was Aydar Belyaev, and mechanic Anton Shibalov. It was a diffi cult race. Our next big result was a victory at the Silk Way Rally 2012 and, of course, the second place at the 2013 Dakar, and fi rst overall at the 2015 Dakar.

I have many times talked about this, but I would like to tell it once again, my victory is devoted to my father who died in August 2014. Everything that I have done, everything that I can, my love for cars and motorsport - it’s all thanks to him. He was my fi rst coach. In karting he was my mechanic, my

teacher. My father really wanted me to win. And now there is a surname Mardeev in the list of the Dakar winners. It is a pity that he can’t share with us this delightful event, but I think he feels it and is happy for me.

Q. Can you tell us the story of your Dakar this year? Was it easier or more diffi cult than last year’s? What about the most diffi cult and demanding stages?

I remember the marathon stage, it was a novelty for us. Eduard Nikolaev and I have experience of such stages when we were crews’ mechanics. It was important on this stage not to break the truck and show good results, not to have problems at the bivouac, as we had no help from our assistance crews that day.

Dakar is very diffi cult. Th e most diffi cult part was the Special Stage in the mountains, with the high altitude. Th e Special started at a height of 3500 metres and we rose up to 4500 metres. It was a big risk for an engine break down, so we had to check all the parameters even more carefully. It didn’t aff ect our physical state as we trained a lot before the rally.

Q. Can you describe the major turning points (for you) in this year's rally? Aft er having won the 3rd stage, did you feel confi dent enough to be the winner at the end?

Th is year the rally surprised us by its fast pace. From the very beginning the fi rst fi ft een trucks were just fi ve minutes from each other. We didn’t expect such high-speed special stages, when the average speed of the truck was 110 km/h – it is a furious pace for a truck as the maximum permitt ed speed for trucks is 140 km/h. It was unusual. We have had such high-speed specials before on the fi rst two days. But the Dakar 2015 became the fastest, no matt er whether you go off -road or not. Th e diffi culty was in the fact that the fi rst cars raised clouds of dust, which was up in the air, like fl our; it was particularly diffi cult where it was not possible to overtake to secure bett er visibility. So, the one who takes the lead, could win at such stages. Th e race was very unpredictable. Th e belief that we are the winners came to me only when I was standing on the podium in Buenos Aires.

Q. How can you defi ne your driving style? Is it aggressive? Cool? Are you able to spare your truck?

Driving style always depends on the situation, if you go with a good time, and you have a good result, then it makes no sense to drive faster and take risks, you need to slow down and drive safely. If you are overtaking vehicle, then you go harder and you should take risks.

Q. Where do you feel at your best as a pilot? On rocky stretches? Soft desert sand? Cathedral dunes? Narrow and windy routes?

I like the mountain stages, as we are able to show good results there, I like the off -road sections when suspension works hard at high pace. And of course, I like sand. Th is year, our crew had some problems in the sand, we didn’t get stuck, but had to make a loop to overcome the dune. I was aff ected by excessive excitement; we went fi rst sometimes and had to open the track. It is very diffi cult to follow the track of cars, as they have their own trajectory. Oft en, we had to choose our own way.

Q. Th e big technical issue for Kamaz trucks this year was the Liebherr engine: how do you judge its performance? Were you forced to adapt your driving style to the new powertrain?

It is for the second time that we took part in the Dakar with the Liebherr engine. Th e most diffi cult in the beginning was to get used to the absence of sound, as the Liebherr engine is not audible in the cabin. It is very dynamic, and you have to change gear more oft en. We are happy with technical characteristics and that we had no technical problems with the engine.

Q. Who among other teams and drivers was the most challenging for your team?

We are very respectful of all our competitors. Gerard de Rooy in the Iveco and Ales Loprais in the MAN – they are very fast drivers and dangerous rivals. Loprais chose our tactics - he drove steady, trying not to make mistakes. Dutchman Hans Stacey in the other Iveco, is a driver with a big experience, he is good on windy, narrow routes. Martin Kolomy in the Tatra is also a good driver; he deserves to be on the podium – his Tatra is fast too!

One-to-Onewith Ayrat Mardeev,(KAMAZ Master Team),winner of Dakar 2015,with Gianenrico Griffi ni, Chairman,International Truck of the Year Jury

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Arctic Van Test 2015 – Finland• Overall victory for FIAT Professional Ducato

A nother extremely close competition between the contenders for the 22nd annual running of the Arctic Van Test (AVT) in Finland. For

the 2015 running of the now legendary event organised by Auto Tekniikka ja Kuljetus publication, Finland, six panel vans were up for scrutiny, divided into two categories – 1 tonne and 3.5 tonne GVW vehicles. Once again the AVT had a premiere or three with the new FIAT Professional Ducato among the debutants alongside the new Mercedes-Benz Vito and Renault Trafi c. Ducato was challenged by the Ford Transit and Opel Movano while the Vito and Trafi c were also up against the Ford Transit Custom. As per every year, the week-long test began with mechanical checks, loaded and fi tt ed with recording equipment. Logos of event sponsors Neste Oil, Nokian Tyres and Calix were also stuck on to the vehicles. Th e vans were then measured regarding the functionality of their cargo space.

Members of the test team from Scandinavia and Central Europe began the driving element, measuring the turning circle of each vehicle. As the turning circle fi gures usually diff er from what manufacturers list when driving on snow and with winter tyres, the Opel Movano recorded the biggest diff erence to the manufacturer’s fi gure while the Ford Transit Custom and FIAT Ducato pictured below were closest.

Next came the reversing test. Reversing is not only about rotating and handling, visibility plays a big part especially when manoeuvring into a narrow street or gateway. Each large panel

van in the AVT had side mirrors fi tt ed with a separate wide-angle section. Ford had the largest wide-angle mirror and the smaller basic version so was best to help the driver ascertain the van’s rearmost corners and even its rear tyres, while the FIAT Ducato had smaller wide-angle mirrors, the driver was able to improve the view with electric control and as a result it scored the highest points in the test. Despite smallish wide-angle mirrors, the Opel Movano provided a decent rear view but with its 4.3m wheelbase, gett ing the van into tight corners was a litt le diffi cult. In the 1-tonne group the Renault Trafi c got most points, just ahead of the Ford Transit Custom. Th e Trafi c’s side mirrors curved in three directions plus its wide-angle mirror located in the passenger’s sunvisor received much praise from the panel. Due to its smaller, car-like mirrors, the Mercedes-Benz Vito faired the worst in the reversing test.

Th e city of Oulu was once again the location for the urban driving tests. Six members of the expert panel drove around 25 kilometres on a circular route to analyse the handling, performance and other characteristics of the vehicles. Also considered was accessibility to the cab, visibility and steering control, etc. Competition here was high in the 1-tonne class with Ford and Mercedes-Benz off ering the best access to the cabin while the Vito got more points for front and side visibility. Renault impressed with Trafi c’s mobile offi ce adaptability and particularly with the high torque levels and gearing of its 1.6 litre dCi twin-turbo engine. According to the in-cab measurements, the Vito off ered the lowest noise-levels.

Passage through the cabin of the 3.5 tonne group was equally as good in each van. Ford Transit’s excellent driving position, low engine noise and overall visibility were noted while the Opel Movano’s ergonomics shone strongest. Ford’s complex dashboard was criticised as it takes some time for the driver to get used to, with panellists calling it “butt on-jungle”. Regarding the load space behind the driver, the Movano was top choice as items of up to 4 metres long can be accommodated, thanks to the open section under the passenger’s seat.

Opel’s new 2.3 litre CDTi twin-turbo (from Renault) elevated the German brand into the lead in the city challenge. On the open road the Vito’s driveability from its FWD system (new) was best. For the fi rst time ever, there was a tie between all three vans in the 1-tonne segment when all of the marks were added up. Out of the 240 total points the Ford, Mercedes-Benz and Renault trio were awarded 209 points. Th is indicates the similar direction technically that the various manufacturers are heading in, in the light commercial vehicle industry.

FIAT Professional has made the breakthrough in the large panel van (3.5 tonne) category. Th e race was extremely close with the Italian marque winning by just one point over the Ford (208 vs 207) with the Opel a close third on 202 points. With contrasting market strategies in practically every country in the European Union a general

10 | COVER I

Text: Rob Van Dieten - rob@fl eet.ie www.fl eet.ie

COVER I | 11points structure had to be agreed among the panel relating to Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Price levels of spare parts, servicing, repairs and warranty programmes were all considered. Th en of course the variations in the annual motor tax, the vehicles' fuel economy and insurance costs had to be included as well.

Th e latest Ducato, an evolution of the previous model features many innovative high tech items and received much praise for its overall performance, especially with its fuel economy and acceleration. Use of cabin space and number of storage areas combined well plus its adaptability to turn into a mobile offi ce with folding seats, etc. (See table for the best performers in the new sections of the annual test, seen as the top LCV test programme in Europe).

Visibility Counts Th e importance of decent rear view mirrors was highlighted earlier but what about the vehicle’s overall visibility? Th e Arctic Van Test has a very simple method of calculating same. Called the Madeleine test, it measures how an average height driver is able to observe surroundings from the vehicle’s windows and mirrors. Th e one-metre tall dummy (fi tt ed to a sleigh) is moved in front of and at the side of the vehicle. Aft er the driver adjusts the seat to fi nd the perfect driving position, he then reports to when the dummy gradually goes out of sight, which is then measured and recorded. Aft er calculating the view from the glazed areas, the blindspots of the rear-view mirrors were then noted.

As in previous outings, Ford did well here and on this occasion, its two entrants achieved the best scores. Mercedes-Benz and Renault with their respective Vito and Trafi c models were second and third while the FIAT Ducato and Renault Movano took the secondary position to the Transit in the bigger class. While the Vito had the best frontal view, due to the shape of the bonnet, its side-view could be bett er. Th e dimensions of the A-Pillars of the Renault Trafi c created a small blindspot at the front corner of the van.

However, the biggest blindspots were found around the nose of the FIAT Ducato. Its overall view was among the best but its thick A-Pillars and large mirrors block some vision on wide areas. Th e Madeleine test took place at Mäntsälä.

Another signifi cant aspect of the test was the Traction Control Systems (TCS) and Electronic Stability Programmes (ESP) offered by the various manufacturers. Although electronic safety systems have advanced in recent years, there is still room for improvement according to the judges. Th e driver has still to remain alert and not become too confi dent in depending on the technology to get the driver out of trouble.

Th e Ford Transit Custom gained most points in the ice track tests at Pudasjärvi Airport. New Vito with its front-wheel-drive system was almost as good while Renault’s ESP system scored the least points. FIAT and Ford faired best in the bigger sized van and the Opel, like its Renault Alliance van manufacturing partner, needs to update its ESP system.

Group 1: Medium Panel VansFord Transit Custom 310 Van 2.2TDCi 125 L1H1Mercedes-Benz Vito 111 CDI Medium Long A2Renault Trafi c dCi 120 TwinTurbo L2H1

Test Points Maximum Ford Transit Custom

Mercedes-Benz Vito

Renault Trafi c

Driver PointsUrban area rest 40 32.0 31.2 32.8Road test 40 32.8 32.4 32.4Small road without load 10 8.3 8.2 8.4Handling test 10 8.4 8.4 8.1Measurements, evaluationsCargo space 10 8.6 8.8 9.2Acceleration 10 8.5 9.0 8.5Heating 40 40.0 40.0 40.0Visibility & Reversing 10 9.0 8.0 8.5Noise in cabin 10 8.8 9.0 9.0Use and ServiceFuel economy 40 35.0 36.0 35.0Service intervals, daily service

10 9.3 8.9 8.9

Warranty 10 8.3 8.8 8.5TEST TOTAL POINTS 240 209 209 209

Group 2: Large Panel VansFIAT ProfessionalDucato 3.5 tonne 2.3 MultiJet 150 LH2Ford Transit 350 2.2 TDCi 155 L3H3 RWDOpel Movano 2.3 CDTI 136 BiTurbo L3H2

Test Points Maximum Fiat Ducato Ford Transit 350 Opel MovanoDriver PointsUrban area rest 40 32.0 32.0 32.0Road test 40 32.4 32.8 32.4Small road without load 10 8.3 8.8 7.7Handling test 10 8.5 8.8 7.5Measurements, evaluationsCargo space 10 9.1 9.2 8.7Acceleration 10 9.5 9.0 9.0Heating 40 38.0 38.0 38.0Visibility & Reversing 10 7.5 8.5 7.5Noise in cabin 10 9.0 9.0 9.0Use and ServiceFuel economy 40 36.0 33.0 33.0Service intervals, daily service

10 9.1 9.2 8.8

Warranty 10 8.3 8.3 8.5TEST TOTAL POINTS 240 208 207 202

Category Large Panel Van Medium Panel VanCargo Volume m3 Ducato/Movano 13.0 Vito 6.3Wheelbase mm Movano 4,332 Trafi c 3,498Length mm Movano 4,332 Trafi c 5,399Width (no mirrors) mm Movano 2,070 Transit Custom 1,986Width (with mirrors) mm

Transit 2,474 Trafi c 2,283

Height mm Transit 2,786 Transit Custom 1,978Power (hp) Transit 155 @3,500 rpm Transit Custom 125 @

3,500 rpmTorque (Nm) Transit 385 @ 1,600-2,400 rpm Transit Custom 350 @ 1,450-2,000

rpmFuel Tank (ltrs) Ducato 90 Transit Custom/Trafi c 80Load Capacity (kg) Movano 1,455 Vito 1,142Fuel economy L/100kmUrban/Rural

Ducato 9.3/8.9 Trafi c (Urban) 8.3Vito (Rural) 6.9

Best Performers

Staunch Hino operator Kieran Kelly Haulage (Ennis, County Clare) has added a special new addition to its fl eet

with the purchase of the unique 700 Series with a 10x4 confi guration. Th e 450 horsepower multi-axle chassis which has a gross vehicle weight of 39 tonnes facilitates a payload of 24 tonnes. Such is the interest in this particular confi gured truck that stocks have outsold sales orders.

Commenting on the new purchase, Kieran

Kelly stated at the handover with Long Haul Commercial's salesman Martin Hough that the extra payload will quickly recoup the additional fi nancial outlay.

Additionally, Kieran Kelly Haulage recently purchased a new Iveco Stralis 460 6x2 tonne which will be deployed in the general haulage side of the business.

12 | NEW FLEET

FLEETTRANSPORT | MARCH 15 Text: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fl eet.ie

Irish Commercials (Naas, County Kildare), main Volvo Trucks dealers has supplied Dublin City Council with two new-series

Volvo FL 4x2 Crew-cab rigids, the fi rst of their kind in Ireland or the UK. While Dublin City Council’s 16-tonne GVW FL Crew-cab trucks are operating in everyday use as tippers, they also have the facility to be fi tt ed with demountable gritt er bodywork. Th e gritt er spreader mechanism is driven by the engine live drive PTO. Th e tipper bodywork was built and fi tt ed by Griffi th J. Roberts Ltd., of Ballycoolin, Dublin.

Volvo Truck’s new factory-built, four door Crew-cab for the FL Series, provides seating for up to seven persons. Th e cab tilts to 40 degrees

and Front Underrun Protection System (FUPS) is fi tt ed as standard. Th e Dublin City Council vehicles are also equipped with Rear Under-Run Protection (RUPS), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), EBS+ package with Traction Aid and Hill Hold. Th e steel suspended drive axle is fi tt ed with a diff -lock and a rear anti-roll bar is standard fi tment.

Key dimensions of the factory-built FL Crew-cab include a ‘bumper to back of cab’ length of 2830mm and a rear compartment standing height, from fl oor to headlining of 1640mm.

The rear passenger compartment, which is accessed via its own doors and two wide, low

steps, can accommodate up to four persons. Both trucks are fully equipped for towing and a reverse camera is also fi tt ed. Th e new 7.7 litre, D250K Euro 6-compliant engine, rated at 250 hp, provides power for the trucks, which are fi tt ed with a six-speed manual gearbox. Th e standard fi tment exhaust brake provides 120 kW of retardation.

Dublin City Council takes delivery of two of fi rst new-series Volvo FL 4x2 rigids

Diamond Trucks NI’s Renault Range Ts shine for Woolsey Freight & DK Malcolm

Versatility of Iveco Daily exemplifi ed

Another Hino (with a difference) for Kelly Haulage

Diamond Trucks NI, the new name for Renault Trucks NI, now under the management of Setanta Vehicle

Sales (Dublin) has supplied new Renault Range T tractor-units to Woolsey Freight Ltd (Moy), and DK Malcolm, as part of the Sawyers Transport Group in Armagh.

Four new additional T460.62 tractor units join an existing number of six Renault Premium Long Distance units, bringing a total number of ten Renault trucks within the past two years. Th e

other two T460.26 tractor units are the fi rst to join DK Malcolm, and will run from its head offi ce in Dumfries.

Th ese new vehicles are supplied through Renault Trucks' Contract Hire & Rental arm, BRS Ltd, on long-term contract hire. Pictured at the handover are Iain Latimer - Diamond Trucks NI; Andy Woolsey, Woolsey Freight and Kieran Sheen - BRS Ltd.

The broad range off ered within the new Iveco Daily range was exemplifi ed recently at Gethings Garage,

Enniscorthy, County Wexford. At the upper end of the International Van of the Year 2015’s line up is this 705C17 chassis/cab unit supplied to Underground Technical Services (Dublin).

Fitt ed with rear air suspension from the factory, auxillary vacuum equipment installed is from Dutch firm ROM BV which Underground Technical Services (VTS) is the Irish agent. UTS, in turn has delivered the complete unit

to Nor t her n Ireland Water, Belfast.

Powering this 7.0 tonne GVW Iveco Daily is FPT Industrial's 3.0 litre 170 hp d i e s e l w i t h 6-speed manual gearbox.

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14 | COVER II


Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4x4 – Extra traction under tough conditions

N o sooner had Mercedes-Benz launched the new Sprinter series than work got underway in developing an all-wheel-drive system for the range. Th e new Sprinter 4x4 is a van for a broad selection of commercial users that work day-

by-day on construction sites, in the mountains, snow-prone regions, dirt tracks and muddy fi elds.

Its all-wheel-drive system could not be simpler to operate as it can be engaged at the press of a butt on, when the 4ETS (Electronic Traction System) takes over. All the driver has to do is accelerate and steer carefully and let the technology take care of the rest. Th e all-wheel drive is integrated into the standard-fi t Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and suitably complements the safety systems provided.

Four-wheel-drive can be engaged when the engine is running, either when the vehicle is stationary or at low speeds of up to 10 km/h, using a switch on the instrument panel. An indicator lamp in the switch informs the driver that the all-wheel drive is engaged.

In contrast to other systems of this type, the Sprinter’s engageable all-wheel drive does not provide a rigid through-drive. Th e power is transmitt ed variably; all the components of the standard-fi t Adaptive ESP remain operational even when all-wheel drive is selected.

When all-wheel drive is engaged, the drive power of the Sprinter 4x4 is split in a ratio of 33 to 67 percent between the front and rear wheels in normal operation, ensuring handling performance practically on a par with the Sprinter’s usual rear-wheel drive in everyday operation.

Th e Sprinter 4x4 model’s all-wheel-drive system works with the 4ETS instead of with mechanical diff erential locks: should one or more of the wheels lose traction, 4ETS brakes the spinning wheels automatically with short pulses and increases the drive torque at the wheels off ering good traction by the same amount.

Automatic brake application by means of 4ETS has the same eff ect as up to three diff erential locks: the inter-axle lock, the rear axle lock and the front axle lock. Th e engineering employs the same basic principle as the all-wheel drive on the new Vito 4x4. (In view of the fact that the Sprinter 4x4 is usually deployed in rougher applications, however, it does without the fi ner touches such as the pre-loaded multi-disc clutch between the front and rear axle).

For off -road-use, the optional “Low Range” reduction gear is additionally available. Engaged at the push of a butt on with the vehicle stationary, the 4x4 drive activated and the clutch pedal and brake pressed, the ratio is shortened by a factor of 1.42, i.e. by 42 percent. Th e maximum vehicle speed obtainable in the individual gears is reduced accordingly, while tractive power is increased by the same factor.

In addition, the Sprinter 4x4 is available with the option of Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR), which ensures that a preselected speed is maintained constantly when driving downhill. Again, DSR is activated using a butt on in the cockpit. Th e speed is then controlled using either accelerator and brake or the stalk for the cruise control.

Th e 4ETS traction control system is fully integrated in the Adaptive Electronic Stability Program (ESP). Th e control characteristics have been adapted for all-wheel drive and all of the Adaptive ESP functions are retained even when the all-wheel drive is engaged.

One particularly important aspect for the many Sprinter body variants and att achments is the load and centre-of-gravity detection feature Load Adaptive Control (LAC). In the case of special-purpose bodies, for example, Adaptive ESP detects the position of the centre of gravity based on the vehicle’s movements and adapts the control characteristics accordingly.

Although the Sprinter 4x4 is not an off -roader, it has a raised body (by 110 mm at the front and by 80 mm at the rear) to provide adequate ground clearance.

Depending on the specifi c model version, the all-wheel drive in the Sprinter 4x4 results in a weight penalty of just 115 kg to 135 kg. Th is comparatively low increase is down to the 4ETS all-wheel-drive technology that does without heavy mechanical diff erential locks.

Two power outputs (129 & 163hp/305 & 360 Nm) from the Mercedes-Benz Euro 6 compatible 2.15 litre BlueTec diesels are the main options for the 4WD 3.5 and 5.5 tonne Sprinters, be it panel van, bus or chassis/cab. For those seeking even more power, also off ered is the 3.0 CDI with 190hp and 440 Nm. Th ese engines are mated to a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automotive transmission. On the drives along selected routes surrounding Arvidsjaur, the surefootedness provided by the excellent traction from the four driven wheels and that only winter tyres (not snow tyres with studded caps) were used impressed most.

Th e Mercedes-Benz Winter Test Programme saw the new Vito 4x4 make its debut in Northern Sweden. Alas, it is only available in left -hand drive.

NEW DOBLÒ CARGO. A BETTER WAY TO WORK.

16 | FLEETING SHOTS


The Formula One Team has signed a new four-year logistics partnership with German-based global transportation

and logistics provider, DB Schenker. From the 2015 season onwards, DB Schenker will provide logistics services for all European Grands Prix, tests and promotional events, including the transportation of the team’s F1 W06 Hybrid racing cars, garage equipment and motorhome. Earlier this month, DB Schenker took delivery of its new team fl eet from the Mercedes-Benz truck production plant in Wörth, Germany,

including the fi ve metallic silver Mercedes-Benz Actros 1845 LS tractor units with GigaSpace

Cab that will transport the Silver Arrows race cars.

“Th e highest degree of professionalism and precision is indispensable in Formula One, a consideration which also applies to our logistics services. We are pleased to welcome DB Schenker to the team as

our new logistics partner and we have no doubt that they will provide excellent

service and be able to respond to changing circumstances with the necessary fl exibility

and speed required in Formula One,” Toto Wolff , Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport.

The ongoing sales success of Faymonville MA X trailers in Ireland over the past few years is notable. Th rough

Ashbourne Truck Sales, its Irish agents that covers both Northern Ireland & the Republic, the Belgian trailer manufacturer is very well accepted in the marketplace.

“Th e MAX range off ers a wide variety of trailer types, the most common in Ireland has been the MAX100 model which consists of the step frame trailers 3, 4 & 5-axle step frames, with fi xed or extendable bed and choice of ramps from aluminium, single hydraulic and double fl ip hydraulic,” explained Sarah Mooney, Ashbourne Truck Centre. Also off ered by Faymonville in the MAX range

is the MAX200, which are fl at trailers, and are well built and engineered. With a travel height of

6” lower than a standard fl at trailer, it has a low tare weight of only 6.2 tonnes. Constructed

with the same high tensile steel that is found with the 4-axle Faymonville step frame trailers, the MAX200 has a gross trailer weight of 45,000 kgs, which is 7 tonnes more than the average fl at trailer.

Its secure loading points arrangement comes with 10 pairs of heavy duty lashing

rings in the border frame, 24 pairs of cut outs in the side raves for securing with straps

and 10 pairs of posts and sockets. “Th is trailer also available in MAX200 extendable version, which has same travel height as the fi xed trailer,” added Sarah.

Faymonville MAX trailers making in-roads in Ireland

Leading independent parcel carrier Yodel, has been chosen by Th e Reading Agency as the offi cial delivery partner of World

Book Night for the third year running. Ahead of the event on 23 April, Yodel will be distributing World Book Night books to every corner of the UK and Ireland, helping people across Britain and Ireland to ignite a love for reading. Run by national charity, Th e Reading Agency, World Book Night’s ongoing aim is to inspire those who don’t regularly read, to pick up a book. Th e programme also shines a light on volunteering and social action, with individuals, institutions and organisations sharing their love of books with their communities Volunteers from across the UK & Ireland

apply to take part in the scheme, and if successful they give out one or more of twenty titles, which

have been selected by World Book Night’s editorial committ ee and specially produced by publishers.

Yodel distributes the boxes of books, which volunteers collect from their local library

or bookshop to hand out on 23 April. Thousands of institutions including prisons, homeless shelters, colleges and schools also take part in the event with Yodel delivering books directly to them. As well as gift ing the selected books,

volunteers can also opt to give away their own favourite reads, either bought new or

from their own shelves.

In addition to World Book Night’s publications, the carrier also delivers around 3.8 million parcels of books each year, direct into retail chains, independent book shops and to consumers across the UK & Ireland.

YODEL delivers books for World Book Night 2015

Mercedes-Benz AMG Petronas F1 & DB Schenker link up for Grand Prix logistics

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It’s everyone’s responsibility to make sure we’re all safe around vehicles in the workplace.

STAY ALERT, KEEP YOUR FOCUS. DON’T GO ON AUTOPILOT. Visit hsa.ie

18 | PREVIEW I


F rom A-Z there are over 400 exhibitors preparing to display their wares at this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC, Birmingham. From 14/16 April it has all the ingredients to ensure the event is another major showcase for the road

transport, distribution and logistics sectors. Under one (vast) roof, visitors can hear about and see the latest from the truck, van, trailer and forklift manufacturers through to the ancillary service providers that include insurers, tyre, telematics and training providers, fuel and lubricants supplier. For the aft ermarket, Workshop in Hall 4 caters for the aft er sales segment while Cool looks aft er refrigerated transport.

One of the organising companies the SMMT – Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders organised its annual CV Show Preview last month and was att ended once again by Fleet Transport. Over the next two editions, a number of exhibitors present at this event will be featured covering the main sectors.

LIGHT COMMERCIALS

PSA Peugeot-Citroën One of Europe’s leading manufacturers of light commercials, PSA Peugeot Citroën will have a prominent presence at this year’s CV Show. At the NEC, the two French brands will separately premiere revised versions of their small panel vans, the Partner and Berlingo. Unveiled at the popular Geneva Motorshow (in passenger form), the jointly designed and produced van and people mover line-up features a new front end design and improved interior fi tt ings. Both Peugeot and Citroën bring their own styling identity to the vehicles to diff erentiate one from the other, as both brands are marketed separately. Another signifi cant new development is the new Euro 6 Blue HDi diesel engine which now uses Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology that requires AdBlue (a urea/water based additive that helps fi lter emissions). Both Peugeot and Citroën dealers will stock AdBlue and educate customers on its usage requirements.

Ford Motor CompanyAs announced at the IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hannover, Germany last Autumn, Ford has teamed up with Telogis to provide innovative telematics systems for the ‘blue-ovals’ van range. Th rough the Ford Telematics solution, customers can create a safer environment for its workforce duty of care obligations through monitoring vehicle/driver location and vehicle and driver performance. On the aft ermarket side, Ford vehicle diagnostics can be captured through Ford Telematics. Ultimately, Ford aims to assist customers to reduce fuel costs by up to 20 per cent and decrease their environmental impact and encourage safe driving habits through Ford Telematics. Telogis is a global leader in cloud based connected intelligence soft ware platforms.

Mercedes-Benz VansNew Vito will take centre stage at Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles' 1,200 m2 stand in Hall 5 where all versions – van, crew cab, and passenger will be premiered. “Th e CV Show is the natural choice for unveiling our

new Vito for the fi rst time. We have been long-standing supporters of the event, and it provides a great platform to show off our extensive product range, as well as spend time with existing and potential customers,” stated Steve Bridge, Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz Vans.

TevoOn the ancillary end of the LCV business, racking and shelving systems are becoming standard fi tt ings for van operators if only to comply with Health & Safety regulations, not to mention the convenience that these systems provide. On Stand 5F30 in Hall 5, Tevo will be demonstrating further new and innovative products that will enhance the range already available. Tevo is continually working towards reducing the weight of its products. In addition to promoting its new lighter drawers at the show, a new locker range will also be on display. All new lockers are fi tt ed with an integrated lock and the weight of the locker has been reduced by approximately 25 percent.

Xtreme Sales/XS 4x4 Parts

Xtreme Sales, based in Christchurch, Dorset specialises in modifying Pick-Up trucks. Standard versions can be transformed into tough, durable vehicles and even more multi-purpose than they have been originally designed. Products designed and fi tt ed for Pick-Up brands include Alu-Cab loadbed canopy and awning, Rhino Bumpers, Rival underbody protection, Hutchinson wheels and TMK suspension systems. “As the Land Rover Defender nears its end in 2015, commercial users are looking for more cost-eff ective and reliable alternatives. A modifi ed Pick-Up truck fi ts the requirements of companies who require a workhorse that can cope with constant off -road abuse, fewer breakdowns and get from A to B through the toughest of terrains,” explained William Rhodes, Director, Xtreme Sales. Dealers and Partner resellers required.

GM Vauxhall/OpelOpel’s sister brand Vauxhall at General Motors is launching the new Corsavan based on the recently introduced Corsa 3-door hatch. Said to off er superb safety credentials and drivability, class-leading payload and 30,000 kilometre/1 year service intervals, the new version is the newest car derived van you can buy today. Regarding GM’s production plant at Luton which produces the new Vivaro van range, the news is good. A second shift has been added recently creating 250 new jobs. In fact, 1,200

Commercial Vehicle Show 2015 – NEC, Birmingham – 14/16 April

Text: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fl eet.ie www.fl eet.ie

PREVIEW I | 19

jobs have been secured for the next ten years in producing the Vivaro. Over £185 million has been invested by General Motors at the Luton plant which is located near Luton Airport.

TYRES

Continental

With tyre pressure monitoring systems being developed by various manufacturers of late both Continental and Goodyear informed the media present at the CV Show Preview of their preferred options. ContiPressure Check is Continental Tyres' system created in conjunction with its Continental Automotive (VDO) partners. Basically, it downloads tyre pressure data to the transport operators via VDO T.S. web service. Investigations by Continental have proven that 90% of punctures are caused by gradual pressure loss that isn’t recognised by drivers. ContiPressure Check not only checks the pressure but also the temperature inside the tyre itself. Continental Tyres is also launching ContiRe City Service tyre designed for waste and refuse vehicles while the Generation 3 hybrid range is now completed with the addition of 22.5 sized Drive and Trailer tyres. Call to Hall 5, Stand G120.

GoodyearGoodyear returns to the annual CV Show for the second year running and following the successful launch of its new KMAX and FuelMax tyre products, it will showcase how Goodyear works in partnership with businesses it services to help lower their cost of ownership. High profi le fl eet contracts with Eddie Stobart and Hoyer European as well as recent deals with DHL, Wincanton and Turners clearly acknowledge that above statement, while its Air Maintenance Technology (AMT) ensures the optimum tyre pressure is maintained and as a result, saves on time, fuel and inconvenience. All of its components, including a miniaturised pump, is contained within the tyre.

TRA ILERS

ChereauBuoyant sales in the UK and Ireland has put French trailer Chereau on sound footing coming into the CV Show. Christophe Danten, Marketing & Communications Manager profi led the company in that Chereau generated a turnover of €156 million last year with its 730 employees producing 3,000 vehicles. 40% of these sales are exported. Some of its award winning products will be on display at the NEC, namely, MultiDeck-C semi-trailer which combines multiple levels, multi-temp and multiple load tyres within

its innovative system. “A network of rails makes it possible to have three diff erent pallet heights and a beam distributor in the roof which takes up less room than a partition, so you can change from a single to multiple compartments without having to remove the beams. Th ese remain captive in the semi-trailer and always available when needed. On average, a semi-trailer represents 3% of a refrigerated transport company’s total cost of operation and investing in MultiDeck-C represents less than 0.5%. Just one extra pallet on each journey, i.e. a 3% increase in load based on 33 pallets, and the investment pays for itself,” explained Christophe.

AirShutt er-C, Air Effi cient-C, Flex-C LED Lights are among the other products to be shown.

Fuller Tankers & VanHoolFuller Tankers established in 1947 at Sedbury (near Chepstow) in Wales, specialises in tanker manufacturing mainly to Local and Water Authorities supplying the UK and Irish markets as well as exporting to Europe and the Far East. Last year Fuller Tankers became sole UK & Ireland representative for the VanHool range of tankers and trailers. At the CV Show, Fuller is launching the VanHool/Full Vac (31,000 litre) stainless steel, vacuum semi-trailer tanker jointly developed with VanHool. Another debutant is the Volvo FH Tridem Jet Vac Tanker, the fi rst of its kind on these islands. Th is special 8x4 rigid has a 4,000 gallon capacity unit and off ers approximately 18 to 19 tonne payload, depending on the application. Also on display will be a VanHool 37,500 litres general purpose tanker, one of three sold to TIP Trailers. Th is unit is mounted on BPW axles and alloy wheels.

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Exhibition stand spaces have fi lled faster than expected for FPS EXPO 2015, the primary event within the UK & Republic of Ireland oil distribution industry. Event organiser FPS

(Federation of Petroleum Suppliers) has decided to extend into another hall at the Harrogate International Centre such is the demand for space by new exhibitors. Two big names in the industry recently secured places at FPS EXPO 2015, with Bulk fuel logistics companies, Brit European and Norbert Dentressangle Tankers among the latest companies to secure a place. Commenting on the increasing demand for display space at the event, Dawn Shakespeare, FPS Marketing & Events Manager said: “FPS EXPO is always extremely popular because of the diverse range of industry experts that exhibit at the show but 2015 looks set to be even more successful than our record-breaking 2014 event. Th is year we have so much to off er visitors to the show. We have moved into Hall A to off er more exhibitors and more space for the vehicle manufacturers.” “Another fi rst for FPS EXPO is our visitor and exhibitor reception on the fi rst evening of the show which will give exhibitors and visitors the opportunity to stay longer at the show and off er more networking opportunities. We’ve done this to create more time that can be devoted to exhibitors and visitors. Th e Awards dinner is not being held in 2015 but this means we can really make the most of the Driver of the Year and Depot of the Year awards by presenting each award at the winner’s depot,” added Dawn. Th e 2015 event will be the 35th year of the exhibition and the show’s last year in Harrogate, before it moves to the new Liverpool Exhibition Centre.

At the forthcoming Multimodal exhibition in Birmingham, DB Schenker will be showcasing a range of ‘industry fi rsts’ and innovative solutions to help its customers improve their supply

chain and reduce carbon emissions.

Multimodal is the UK & Ireland’s leading freight transport and logistics exhibition which will be held from April 28-30, 2015 at the city’s National Exhibition Centre. Commenting on DB Schenker showcasing its products and services at the event for the seventh consecutive year, Geoff Spencer, Chief Executive of DB Schenker Rail UK, said: “Rail freight is an increasingly att ractive and environmentally friendly option for customers. DB Schenker Rail UK achieved another industry fi rst in 2014 with our announcement to roll out stop start technology to 90 of our Class 66 locomotives. Th is is just one of the many ways we are striving to work more eff ectively with our customers, to help solve their challenges and add value to the supply chain. We are delighted to be exhibiting at Multimodal again with our colleagues at DB Schenker Logistics. We will be showing how we combine our expertise to deliver intelligent supply chain solutions for our customers.”DB Schenker can be found on stand 550.

Multimodal Awards 2015Building on the success of the inaugural Multimodal Awards last year, the event is being expanded to further cater for demand in 2015.

Over 500 guests, will enjoy a networking champagne reception followed by a three course dinner, with wine and coff ees whilst being entertained at the glitt ering ceremony. Th e evening is staged at the National Motorcycle Museum, near the NEC at 19.00 on the fi rst day of Multimodal 2015, Tuesday 28th April 2015.

Award categories include:Th e Award for Contribution to Multimodal Development in conjunction • with the CILTTh e Award for Contribution to Environmental Sustainability in • partnership with the FTATh e Multimodal Personality of the Year• Th e Multimodal Exhibitor of the Year• Young Shipper of the Year•

Last year, trophy winners included Tesco, DSV and Frank Robotham of ABP. Who will win in 2015?

Sponsors include FTA, CILT, Wincanton & DSV.

Text: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fl eet.ie www.fl eet.ie

PREVIEW II | 21

FPS EXPO 2015 - Harrogate International Centre – 22/23 April

Multimodal 2015 – NEC, Birmingham – 28/30 April

22 | FEATURE


W ith the economy showing signs of improvement and truck sales up 15% last year, are we expecting 2015 to show us

even more improvement? One would hope so with the announcement of new projects in the construction sector and Ireland’s G.D.P predicted to show 4% growth. Is it time to make the investment and upgrade your truck fl eet? Some dealer networks have reported fewer complaints from customers regarding obtaining fi nance and this in turn is a step in the right direction. Nevertheless arranging fi nance is a huge decision and what comes with it is even more decisions, what type of fi nance package? Will it be Hire Purchase (HP), Business Lease Plans, or Contract Hire? Th ere are many options out there from our own local Irish banks as well as dealers and manufacturers off ering their in-house fi nancial services. Now that Total Cost of Ownership dominates purchasing decisions and with trucks becoming more sophisticated there is also an uptake in Repair & Maintenance packages. For the operator to make the right choice they will need to compare and contrast what is on off er, so they do not end up paying over the odds for their vehicle or equipment. To evaluate what’s on off er from our local fi nancial institutions as well as the in-house fi nancial services, Fleet Transport asked the major commercial vehicle dealers as well as the the major fi nancial institutions to elaborate on what sort of fi nancial packages are on off er and any changes in criteria from last year.

Bank of Ireland Finance

Bank of Ireland Finance provides a range of funding options for its business/fl eet customers through its 14 franchise branches. Th e options come in the form of Hire Purchase, Business Lease and Business Lease Contract Hire with rates ranging from 0% APR on some manufacturer subsided campaigns up to 7.9% APR. Bank of Ireland also provides funding on used commercials ranging from 24 to 60 months and deposits vary on the individual asset being fi nanced.

Bank of Ireland Finance assesses each case individually and says its requirements have not changed in regards to seeking additional funds or deposits into the deal. Generally, one to three advance monthly rentals are required for Contract Hire with funding terms ranging from 12-48 months. Approximately 75% of commercial vehicle fi nance in 2014 was Hire Purchase which has seen an increase in January 2015 to 87% of the business. Bank of Ireland Finance has not seen an increase in Repair & Maintenance contracts and this is att ributed to separate agreements between the supplier and the customer.

C l o s e B ro t h e r s C om m e rc i a l Finance

One of Ireland’s leading financial solution specialists off ers a key selling point that considers each deal on its own merits and determines the level of upfront deposit required based on the individual asset.

As a general rule the minimum deposit it requires is 10% of the cost price or the current market value of the assets. However, it takes into account the customer's circumstances, which are all diff erent and provide a bespoke service.

Th e company has att ractive specialist funding solutions in the form of Asset Finance and Invoice Finance. Its Asset Finance plans allows businesses to purchase or refi nance vehicles or equipment with repayments tailored to match the income generated by the assets. Invoice Finance is available so that customers can unlock the funds in their unpaid invoices. Together these fi nancial products enable Close Brothers Commercial Finance to provide bespoke fi nancial solutions that it believes will help transport fi rms realise its aspirations.

Close Brothers Commercial Finance does not off er Contract Hire, therefore business Lease Plans and Hire Purchase remains its strongest product off erings. Both provide fl exible repayment options that allow businesses to obtain the assets they require while maintaining a healthy cash fl ow. Close Brothers Commercial Finance does not off er Repair & Maintenance contracts with its fi nance agreements but nevertheless fi nds that a lot of its customers who are purchasing new assets do avail of Repair & Maintenance contracts directly with the dealer.

AIB Finance

The packages on offer from AIB Finance highlighted by Brendan Crowley Head of Asset Finance, Corporate & Business Banking are:- 1: Business Purchase Plan (HP - both fi xed and variable) 2: Business Lease Plan and 3: Contract Hire. Rates are depending on the individual asset being fi nanced, the amount involved and the term. Rates have been indicated in the form of IRR rather than APR and would be in the region of 5.9%. Finance packages are on off er ranging from 6 to 60 months but fi nance can be arranged over a longer period depending on circumstances. Th e minimum amount for fi nance is €5,000. Other lending criteria, terms and conditions may apply.

With growth being evident in the CV market, it has created a more att ractive second hand sector and AIB Finance has not changed its criteria as regards suitability or credit assessment. AIB Finance approaches the second hand market in the same vein as the new, i.e. it is competitive and is aggressively targeting growth.

AIB Finance states that there is limited appetite for Contract Hire and that 60% of fi nance is done via HP and 40% fi nance lease. Th e primary consideration for AIB Finance is repayment capacity and its proposition is that it off ers 100% of the fi nance and does not require equity.

Scania Finance

Scania Finance has been in the marketplace since 2010 but stated that the traditional sources are also very prevalent. Th e fi nance rates on off er between lenders have been well documented as being very competitive. All banks including Scania Finance require a sound business case for a potential purchase and deposits or unencumbered trade-ins seem to be the order of the day.

Contract Hire has not grown and customers in general seem to prefer to write down their own asset and have something of value to sell or trade in aft er 5 or 6 years. Scania Finance is also seeing a surge in customers signing up for Repair & Maintenance contracts as trucks get more complex and training for technicians becomes more onerous.

Mercedes-Benz

Meccedes-Benz is one of the few manufacturers which does not have a manufacturer’s bank operating in Ireland, therefore relies on local Irish banks to provide fi nance across its customer base. Mercedes-Benz Ireland reports that funding is more readily available than it has in recent years but that Irish banks need to increase their response time to keep up with the notably quicker response times of the manufacturer banks.

With the customer focus now on Total Cost of Ownership as opposed to the purchase price, they are educated about fuel economy and residual value, which can have a clear impact on the amount of fi nance being sought. It is also apparent that local banks favour fi nancing brands that they feel would represent a stronger re-sale proposition at contract end.

Time to upgrade your truck fl eet?

HEAVY GOODS VEHICLE DISTRIBUTORS

FEATURE | 23

Text: Leonard Allison - enquiries@fl eet.ie www.fl eet.ie

FUSO Trucks

Mitsubishi FUSO’s general assessment of the market is that it has opened up in recent months and that fi nance is more obtainable than it has been in recent years.

FUSO Trucks fi nance partner is Bank of Ireland (BOI) and its principle off er to customers is a competitive Hire Purchase off er, this applies to both FUSO Trucks and Mitsubishi Motors Businesses. FUSO dealers can off er a special 6.25% base rate to new Canter customers for the complete model range. At the moment Mitsubishi FUSO does not off er Contract Hire or Repair & Maintenance (R&M) contracts through BOI. For its FUSO business a lot of dealers in their network would off er Contract Hire and R&M contracts independently. Th ere is no centralised scheme in place for used vehicles although the dealers have fi nance schemes and partnerships to off er on the sale of used vehicles.

MAN Financial Services

MAN Financial Services Plc tailors fl exible fi nancial solutions to enable the customer to plan effi ciently. MAN Financial Services off ers classic loan fi nancing which lets you adapt your loan agreements to your individual needs with fl exible options of terms 12-96 months. Options include repayment in full or agreed large fi nal payment, non regular installment plans and the opportunity of unscheduled payments. MAN Financial Services reports no real change and stated demand is still high for its range of products including Hire Purchase, Operational Lease as well as Contract Hire and Finance Lease. MFS also said that there is an increase in Contract Hire as it leaves the customer free to worry about their own business and not maintenance costs or residual value.

DAF Trucks

DAF Distributors Ireland has a range of fi nance options that can be tailored to suit the customer’s needs and requirements and this is done through its fi nance partner Deutsche Leasing. DAF Trucks reports that fi nance applications have increased and there is good confi dence amongst operators in the marketplace. Repair & Maintenance contracts are also on off er to suit all operators and their requirements.

Volvo Financial Services

Volvo and Volvo Financial Services (VFS) reported a year of growth in Ireland in 2014, with an uptake in Contact Hire for new and existing customers who were att racted to the “Volvo Total Off er” that the dealers were promoting.

A high proportion of its customer base opted for Finance Leasing during 2014 and many have also chosen a Repair & Maintenance contract package regardless of how they chose to fund. Volvo also stated that customer confi dence is growing and the lower fuel prices help boost this. In addition fi nance terms are improving as Volvo becomes more established and gains a bett er understanding of the market place.

Th e used truck fi nancing segment of the business saw signifi cant growth as packages were tailored to the specifi c requirements of the operator. Volvo has also reported that some customers who initially looked at used vehicles actually opted to buy new vehicles safe in the knowledge that Volvo is seen as a long life product that Volvo Financial Services is keen to fund.

Renault Trucks Financial Services

Renault Trucks Financial Services (RTFS) off ers the complete fi nancial solution to buy or lease your commercial vehicle. Now that approximately 90% of sales on both new and used Renault vehicles is done through Renault Financial Services, Neil Francis from Renault Trucks Financial Services in Ireland, reports that Finance Lease is still the most popular product off ering over a 4-5 years term. Th is term can be increased to seven years in special circumstances, depending on the asset and the customer.

Hire Purchase is the second most popular offering, which looks for VAT payment at the start of the fi nance deal. Renault Trucks Financial Services also states that there has been an increase in Contract Hire which was not as popular this time last year and that a lot of customers are opting for Repair & Maintenance contracts in conjunction with Contract Hire. RTFS does not provide fi nance for trailers to any further extent. As for any changes to criteria for obtaining fi nance, ultimately up to date business accounts or up to date bank statements in the case of a sole trader are the most imperative. Another product that Renault Truck Financial Services is introducing is GAP Insurance which covers the diff erence between the insurance sett lement and the fi nance that remains on the vehicle.

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24 | LCV I


Volkswagen Caddy 4 – What’s New!Caddy 4’s new look – ‘going forward’

From the B-Pillar towards the rear of the new Caddy, the body shape remains the same as per the previous model. Th at goes for the panel van’s dimensions as the load

area measurements are as before but from the new door panel forward, it’s all new, with a sleek new and more aerodynamic profi le. Th e bonnet is lowered and curves towards the new deeper grille and bumper profi le. Th e new light structures incorporate LED Daytime Running Lights. Air intake into the engine bay from the larger grille allows for the additional ventilation required for the new Euro 6 engines fi tt ed.

In the cockpit, open storage trays and shelves are to be found all around the dash area and door pockets. Quality of materials used is much improved and will add to the van’s overall durability.

As the same platform and body shell is used from before, only a few litt le tweaks have been made to the vehicle’s overall drivetrain. ‘If it ain’t broken, why fi x it’, comes to mind!

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles: MADE IN POLAND MADE IN POLAND

At the launch of the fourth generation Caddy, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ Chief, Dr. Eckhard Scholtz sent out a strong message – MADE IN POLAND.

In marking the introduction of Caddy 4, Dr. Scholtz stated in the presence of the Polish Economics Minister Janusz Piechocinski that the German company’s strong relationship with Poland is gett ing stronger as construction of a new production plant for the next generation Craft er has begun and will be open late 2016. Costing an estimated €800m, this vast site located in Września, near Poznań will see the Craft er, its light to medium commercial vehicle range, marketed by both Volkswagen and its sister brand within the Volkswagen Group – MAN Truck & Bus. To date, Volkswagen’s contribution to the Polish economy has been signifi cant especially over the past decade or more. According to Poznań plant Head, Jens Ocksen at the launch of Caddy 4, the facility is the true home of the Caddy family in all its variants, van and passenger car. “Almost 1.5

million units of the award winning current generation were sold during its eleven years of production here,” he said. “A success that the new Caddy is intended to continue, it’s a labour of love,” he added. Mr. Janusz Piechocinski the Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Economics Minister acknowledged that Volkswagen contributes enormously to the national economy with more to come and he looks forward to the opening of the Craft er plant next year.

Dr. Scholtz remarked that the company enjoys a good relationship with the Cities’ Universities in preparing the level of employees required from a technical point of view for the production facilities.

On exhibit at the premiere of the Caddy 4 were one van version and three variants of the Caddy ‘Life’ passenger car, one special edition to mark the introduction that will be sold in Germany. Caddy 4 Life will be making its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show.

LCV I | 25

Text & Photos: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fl eet.ie www.fl eet.ie

720 Volkswagen Caddy and Transporter commercial vehicles are produced per day at the Volkswagen Poznań plant located in the capital region of Wielkopolska (Greater Poland). Th e plant

consists of 3 units taking up a total area of 770,029 m2 of which 90% is occupied by production buildings.

Th ree shift s undertaken by 7,000 assembly workers produce 650 Caddy panel vans and passenger versions plus 70 variants of the Transporter, mainly crew cabs and chassis/cabs. Its three units consists of the body

shop, the paint shop and assembly unit. Nearby in the Wilda district, a foundry produces aluminium cylinder heads and steering system housings. Body modules, cockpits and special vehicles are produced at Swarzędz, where the logistics centre and the supplier park are located.

Conforming to the ISO Environmental Standard 14001, the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ Poznań plant undertakes a number of activities and measures that care for the environment such as maintaining the local River Cybina on Lake Swarzędz and planting 5,000 trees in the region.

Pictured is the construction site of the future Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles' Craft er factory in Września (situated 50 km from Poznan, 240 km from Berlin and 280 km from

Warsaw).

Dynamic region, fast developing, near highway and railway.• Th e construction started in November 2014; confi rms to • environment and construction authorisations, in September and October 2014.2,000 workers in construction right now, in order to meet the • autumn 2016 deadline.Th e total surface is 220 ha; for the beginning, only a half of this • surface will be built on, with further expansion to follow.Th e investment in construction and production equipment is about • €800 million, and the entire investment for the new Craft er is almost €2 billion.

3,000 employees next year, 220 employees now.• Production capacity: 100,000 units a year, starting with 2017 • (estimation). Th e production begins in the third quarter of 2016.Th e production facility in Września includes four units: for • welding (93,000 sqm), painting (98,000 sqm), assembly line (107,000 sqm) and a building for suppliers (34,500 sqm).In May, two buildings will be complete and equipped with robots • – for body construction especially.1,000,000 cubic metres of earth moved in order to prepare the • land.Another 1,000,000 cubic metres of sand was transported to • there in order to stabilise the land.500 trucks used every day for construction materials transport.• 100,000 tonnes of steel transported to the site every week• 3.100 concrete pillars installed, in order to stabilise the land.•

Volkswagen’s Poznan plant produces Caddy & More

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Crafter factory under construction

l

26 | TRAILER


SDC Trailers establish Middle East division

Hidromas Components added to BPW portfolio

Compared to several industry self-powered truck refrigeration units, non-diesel options provide more

sustainable operations that produce fewer emissions. Th ermo King is introducing a new, non-diesel, vehicle-powered V-800 MAX Spectrum unit designed to make multi-temperature urban distribution easier for transporters. Th e V-800 MAX Spectrum (replaces the V-700) responds to this demand and provides environmentally responsible transport refrigeration for trucks up to 12 tonnes GVW, delivering reliable performance and more cooling capacity while maintaining low energy consumption. Th is new product range off ers both cooling and heating capabilities to ensure peak performance in

the most demanding city distribution conditions with multiple stops and signifi cant traffi c.

Comprising t wo-piece spl it units designed to satisfy two-compartment transportation needs, the new series provides full temperature f lexibility allowing customers to transport goods at any required temperature in either compartment whether they are fresh, frozen or heated for urban distribution.

Th e new V800 MAX Spectrum uses the advanced Direct Smart Reefer controller, bringing the latest in microprocessor-based intelligent control to Th ermo King’s direct drive range. Th e controller provides accurate single-and multi-temperature control. In addition, it employs an easy-to-use interface and off ers best-in-class

exposure experience.

SDC Trailers’ significant growth has continued with the establishment of SDC

Middle-East, following a number of orders from interested parties in the region for their specialised units. Th e Toomebridge, County Antrim headquartered company held a gala event at the Atlantis Palm Hotel in Dubai, which was att ended by prominent logistics and transport operators. Twelve key suppliers were also present, and discussions were held around a series of orders, and the company expects to make a number of announcements in the coming months. SDC senior representatives also met with Northern Ireland’s Enterprise, Trade & Investment Minister, Arlene Foster while there.

SDC Parts is also working actively in the Middle East and has secured £120,000 worth of truck and trailer parts business from the region over

the past few months.

Stephen McIvor, SDC Trailers Export Sales Manager, said that the move comes aft er steady growth across the region, and the development of key strategic partnerships across the Middle East: “Th e transport sector is looking very positive in the Middle East at the minute and we are well

positioned to meet the requirements of operators in this region. Our vision is to provide fl exibility and innovation to every customer, developing quality products to specific transport requirements for complete satisfaction and maximum return on investment. By continuously re-investing and updating our engineering facilities we have been able to adapt to changes in the industry and provide customer led transport solutions. Th ese values have allowed us to secure a number of new trailer orders from operators in the Middle East.”

Another interesting Irish angle to the story in that one of SDC's new

customers Crescent Transport, is also a customer of Omatra, the Iveco truck distributor in Saudi, where Simon Teevan, formerly Sales Manager at DAF Distributors Ireland, is the Regional Manager for the Eastern Region with the Dubai-based Al Futt aim Group, which owns Omatra.

Hidromas, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of quality components for the hydraulic tipper market,

is the latest product off ering from BPW’s comprehensive portfolio.

Maximum durability and easy maintenance are inherent features of the unique Hidromas design. Th e special tube diameters, and their thickness, make the Hidromas Gold Series the lightest and strongest in the world with 15% more lift ing capacity than other makes. Th e advanced sealing system, with all stages chrome plated, guarantees easier service and no oil leakage, with cylinders

operating between -40C/+60C.

Th e Hidromas range includes hydraulic cylinders, gear and piston pumps, control valves, oil tanks, PTOs and accessories, all of which can be combined to supply complete wet kits for trucks and trailers.

BPW Limited is the sole distributor for the Hidromas product range across the UK & Ireland.

More Power & Flexibility from new Thermo King V-800 MAX Spectrum

SDC Trailers Export Sales Manager, Stephen McIvor (left ) and SDC Parts Managing Director, Gavin Diamond (third fr om left ) pictured along with Enterprise, Trade & Investment Minister Arlene Foster and Invest NI’s Chief Executive, Alastair Hamilton at the Atlantis Hotel, Dubai for the launch of SDC Middle East.

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28 | LCV II


“A lways look on the bright side of life,” came to mind at the launch of the fourth generation FIAT Professional Doblò in Turin. Th e famous tune from the hit Monty Python movie must have been in the thoughts of FIAT’s

marketing department as their new promotional slogan is “Th e Doblò side of life.”

But to put that celebrated song into context here, it remains true to FIAT’s outlook for the future. Th ere is no doubt that the Italian company’s senior management concentrated much of their att ention on North America and the prolonged takeover of Chrysler Jeep and took their eye off the ball in Europe. With the establishment of FIAT Chrysler Automobile, it's all guns blazing again in Turin as its FIAT arm is planning to introduce 5 new models inside the next two years. Starting with the new Doblò – and as its name describes, it’s a light commercial and passenger car within one range.

Since fi rst launched in 2000, over 1.4 million units have been sold of the three generations developed and produced. Generation II came in 2005 followed by number three in 2010. Interestingly with both of these successors to the original model came the International Van of the Year Award in 2006 and 2011, the most prestigious title in the business.

With the new Doblò Cargo commercial which comes as LWB and SWB

(high and low roof) panel van, chassis cab and dropside, the focus is very much on functionability, performance and bett er value all round, while the Doblò passenger version centres on versatility and convenience. Its class leading load space (5m3) and 1-tonne payload remain unchanged. In its various incarnations to date, the Doblò’s frontal appearance has changed dramatically and the new look sports a much broader front grille to give the van/car more width while the light cluster design not only fi ts into the family I.D. in line with the Ducato, but also is bett er protected against damage, thereby avoiding costly replacement. Inside the cabin features an improved quality fi nish throughout, enhanced by the new curvaceous dashboard design and re-jigged instrument panel together with a selection of high-tech infotainment navigation and connectivity systems. For the fl eet operator, a plug-in Fleet Management ‘Gateway’ system has been devised providing detailed data of vehicle performance and running costs.

Another major step forward with this edition Doblò is with the drivetrain. New engines bring more torque to the lower end rev band and along with modifi cations to the transmission, a smoother, quieter drive is assured, as discovered in the inaugural drives around Turin. Specially developed for the Doblò is EcoJet versions of the renowned MultiJet II 1.3 and 1.6 litre diesels. Off ering 90 and 105 bhp respectively, both boast lower fuel consumption by as much as 15% compared to the previous variants. Th ere are of course other power options from both units ranging from 75 to 90hp,

FIAT’s seeing 'the bright side of life' with Doblò

with the 135hp 2.0 litre MultiJet II topping the list. 5 and 6 speed manual and Comfort-Matic autobox are among the transmission choices.

Th ese next stage Euro 5+ engines have faster injectors installed that ensure greater speed, fl exibility and precision in the various operating phases. Th is means bett er effi ciency and performance, especially in the lower gears.

Relating to safety, all the required systems are fi tt ed and more, such as Electronic Stability Control with ABS/EBD/ASR and Hill-Holder.

Heavy snowfalls in and around Turin ensured that the test drive programme

around Cambiano, Pecett o and Sant'Anna would be less ordinary. Th ankfully all of the above mentioned safety items were not pushed to their limits as the authorities had all routes passable and safe to travel. Having a Doblò in the business for the past four years helped to make an instant comparison for current versus new. Undoubtedly, the new drivetrain as in the 1.6 litre MultiJet II EcoJet with 105hp is a far more refi ned vehicle in many ways – more pulling power, lower road noise, improved gearshift are further enhanced by the new driver cockpit. Runs were also given to the 2.0 MultiJet II 135hp and the 1.3 litre with 90hp which demonstrated the broad spectrum of customers the new Doblò can att ract.

LCV II | 29

Text & Photos: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fl eet.ie www.fl eet.ie

At the UK and Ireland market press launch in Birmingham we discovered that the sales slogan had changed to “A Bett er Way to Work” and within that theme were three subjects: More

Functionality, More Performance and More Value.

Sebastiano Fedrigo, UK & Ireland Country Manager for FIAT Professional reiterated the statements made a week earlier by his counterparts in Italy. “Now that the merger has been completed FIAT Chrysler Automobiles is ranked seventh in the world with €96.1 billion in revenues and 4.4 million unit sales. By 2018, the objective is to reach 7.0 million units,” he said. FIAT Professional which was established in 2007 as a separate unit within the FIAT Group at the time, will play an important role in achieving this target as the brand’s products enters new markets such as North America. FIAT’s commercial vehicle history, of course, dates back to 1901 with the HP van and two years later, the Tipo 10 van.

New FIAT Professional Doblò Cargo – A Bett er Way to Work

MORE FUNCTIONALITY Superior acoustic comfort in the cab• Storage compartments with improved • capacityErgonomics handles on all doors• 3 levels of infotainment system:•

- Radio with CD Player- Radio with CD/MP3 Player- Radio with CD/MP3 Player & Bluetooth

Best in class payload, up to 1 tonne• Best in class loading, volume up to 5.0m• 3 Best in class loading area length up to • 2.17 m

MORE PERFORMANCE Four MultiJet II Diesel engines •

- 1.3 MultiJet II 90 hp- 1.6 MultiJet II 105 hp- 1.6 MultiJet II 90 hp Comfort-Matic- 2.0 MultiJet II 135 hp

One Petrol Engine - 1.4 MPI 95 hp• ECOJET versions: reduced consumption, right down to 64.2 mpg • and 115 g/km CO2 saving up to 15%.Bi-Link rear suspension: ensuring bett er stability and driveability, the • best in class handling and driving comfort and optimum behaviour in all load conditionsTraction+: electric traction control system that improves the vehicle’s • handling on terrain with poor grip

MORE VALUE Th e new Doblò Cargo brings to the new generation of professionals its unique product contents:

Car-like design with more compact and dynamic style• Quality improvement• Reduced fuel consumption and a signifi cant reduction in operating • costs

Let Doblò start your working day

Work Up: A pleasant drive around picturesque Warwickshire was undertaken in the Doblò Work Up 1.6 MultiJet II 16v with 105 bhp Euro 5+. With maximum torque of 290Nm @ 1500 rpm the smooth drivetrain on the loaded dropside impressed as did the excellent all-round visibility enhanced by the rear window and interior rear-view mirror. Payload for this version is around 1000 kg fr om the FWD 2.5 tonne GVW confi gured vehicle. Other drives taken around the region were in the entry level 1.3 Multijet Sub-Van.

W hen you go to your pharmacist to buy prescribed medications you are putting your trust in a lot of people from the

pharmacist via the regulatory authorities right back to the person in a factory who manufactures the ingredients for said tablets. You are paying for a guarantee that what you buy has the correct ingredients in the right quantity, tailored to your own particular illness.

Worldwide consumption of medications is very large and is increasing all the time. Th e industry is very profi table with large pharmaceutical companies showing profi ts of over $10 billion. It is no surprise therefore that this industry has been targeted by criminal elements who make false medicines using fake ingredients and then pass them off to a trusting public usually via internet sales. Large scale illegal counterfeit marketing of medications has been a major public health issue as apart from causing patient deaths worldwide, it has been found that there is a link to organised crime and terrorism by the manufacturers of these fake drugs.

In 2012 an international operation to break the internet trade in counterfeit and unlicensed drugs resulted in the seizure of $8.million worth of pharmaceuticals and the closure of about twenty thousand illegal on-line pharmacy websites. Th is on-line market in medicines (which are supposed to cure or prevent disease) is worth about $2million a month and many of these drugs are either sub-standard or falsifi ed.

Sub-standard medicines are due to unintentional or negligent errors - the raw ingredients may be of poor quality, there may be errors in the manufacturing process or essential ingredients may have degraded and be no longer active. All these things are usually due to poor standards and are correctable with bett er regulation.

Falsifi ed drugs on the other hand (a deliberate intentional fraud) are made by unlicensed manufacturers and are a criminal process. Th ey may contain the wrong ingredients in the wrong doses. Th ey may be fake products in legitimate packaging made by an underground manufacturer where there is no pretence of adherence to any quality standards.

In Ireland we have the Irish Medicines Board – it is the regulatory body that issues authorisation and registration of medical products and notes their source. Th e Board will not issue authorisation if there is any doubt about the standard of the medicines in question or of the bona fi des of their manufacturers.

In spite of that Ireland has a fake medicine trade valued at about $115 million a year. Increased internet access has enabled more Irish consumers to purchase more medicines on-line. Th ese on-line pharmacies routinely market counterfeit products – some drugs contain too litt le or none of the active ingredients, some have been found to contain rat poison, lead paint or boric acid. Th e commonest on-line purchases were Viagra, Valium, steroids and weight loss pills, but of course any legitimate medicine regardless of quality or price can be copied cheaply and profi tably by criminals using fake ingredients. Th e more humble drugs such as paracetamol are especially att ractive to falsify because they are off -prescription and off -patent and there is no prospect of an angry patent holder demanding prosecution for falsifi cation of their drugs.

Th ese unscrupulous criminals caused hundreds of children in Haiti, China, Bangladesh and India to be killed when given falsifi ed paracetamol syrup, which contained diethylene glycol – a substance related to antifreeze.

Another falsifi ed life saving drug – used in advanced breast cancer – bevacizumab – has been identifi ed and it seems that although it matches the appearance of the real medicine, it

contains starch and acetone instead of the active ingredient, the eff ects of which substitution may not become apparent for some time as the underlying disease will probably be blamed for the deterioration or death of the patient. Th e customs have intercepted much illegal medicines sent by post, and they have been found to originate mostly in India, China and Bangladesh.

It is probably due to the high cost of registered pharmaceuticals that as many as one fifth of people are buying their medications from internet pharmacies. Many people are aware of the risks they are taking but are prepared to take them and quote time constraints, fi nancial concerns and anonymity as justifi cation. On a recent trip abroad I came across an advertisement for an STI (sexually transmitt ed infection) clinic in a fl ight magazine.

Th e advantages of this were stated that with the help of the internet, you can now be tested for STIs without “awkward waiting rooms” or “embarrassing conversations”. Order on-line quick results and antibiotics sent out to you if you test positive.

All kinds of pitfalls there – Do you trust the clinic? Do they keep your data confi dential? Are their results valid? Will they send you the appropriate antibiotic for your infection? Will the antibiotic be sub-standard or falsifi ed? If so, whom can you sue?

One could see more embarrassing conversations with your lawyers if you go down that road.

MIKE MURPHY INSURANCE

Need a quote? 01 6714288or Log onto www.mikemurphyinsurance.ie TODAY!

Mike Murphy, the only man for your car, home or van.• Employers, Public & Carriers Liability • Single Truck Insurance & Fleet a Speciality!

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS IN INSURANCEMike Murphy Insurance is a trade name of New Sure Life Ltd. and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

Counterfeit Medicines – a multi million dollar industry

30 | HEALTH MATTERS

FLEETTRANSPORT | MARCH 15 Text: Dr. Betty Maguire - enquiries@fl eet.ie

Photo: www.fr eeimages.co.uk

DISCOVER THE NEW REACH TRUCK WITH ALL THE HALLMARKS OF HYSTER®

Greater effi ciency through faster acceleration and lift speeds.

Excellent all-round visibility with innovative mast design.

Designed for business with the driver in mind.

Irish Lift Trucks, Clonlara Avenue, Baldonnell Business Park, Baldonnell, Dublin 22, Irelandt. (+353) 01 4034100, f. (+353) 01 4034183, e. [email protected]

A member of www.ohm.ie

WWW.IRISHLIFTTRUCKS.IEHYSTER, the Hyster logo and STRONG PARTNERS, TOUGH TRUCKS.TM are registered trademarks, service marks or registered marks in the United States and certain other jurisdictions.

NEW HYSTER®

REACH TRUCK FOR DEMANDING WAREHOUSE APPLICATIONS.

IRISH LIFT TRUCKS

32 | FUEL PRICES (WEEK 9) / SAFETY MATTERS


Safety Matters . . . Safety Matters . . .Profi le of Work Related Vehicle Fatalities 2009 - 2013

Employers need to familiarise themselves with the risks that their employees face and create when using vehicles for work or when working in the vicinity of moving vehicles.

Th e following information was gathered by HSA inspectors conducting work-related vehicle fatality investigations during the period 2009-2013. By law, employers are required to report work related deaths to the Health & Safety Authority.

Summary:Th ere were a total of 240 work related deaths reported to the HSA in 2009-2013. 99 of these deaths (41 %*) involved Work Related Vehicles (WRV). 76 of these deaths (77%+) occurred in the workplace and 23 (23%+) occurred on the public road and resulted from activities associated with driving for work and working on or near the road.* = Percentage based on total deaths.+ = Percentage based on Work Related Vehicle deaths only.

Th e top two causes of the 99 Work Related Vehicle deaths identifi ed were:

Victim hit or run over by a vehicle. • Victim crushed between vehicle & object•

Tractors were the main type of vehicle involved in WRV deaths in 2009-2013, accounting for 20%+ of deaths.

2014 Statistics:

28 deaths involving Vehicles at Work reported to HSA up to 16 December 2014.

16 of those were in Agriculture. Tractors were involved in the • majority of deaths.4 in Construction• 2 in Transportation and Storage• 2 in Wholesale and Retail Trade and Repair of motor vehicles•

Th is accounts mainly for accidents that occurred in the workplace.

Alarmingly, the involvement of vehicles in deaths at work has increased

in 2014 for the fi rst time in 3 years to 54% of the total fi gures. Th is is up 13% from the previous 5 year average for 2009 to 2013 of 41%. On average around 20 workplace deaths occur every year involving vehicles.

So what are the top 3 vehicle related activities that need to be eff ectively managed in Irish workplaces for 2015?

Driving forward• Use of forklift s in loading and unloading activities• Reversing and Slow Speed Manoeuvres•

Further information:For further information on Work Related Vehicle Safety matt ers, including Driving for Work Risk Management. Please follow the links below.htt p://www.vehiclesatwork.ie htt p://drivingforwork.ieor by contacting the Workplace Contact Unit at Lo-Call: 1890 289 389 (Between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday).

Country Currency 95 Lead Free 98 Lead Free Diesel Country Currency 95 Lead Free 98 Lead Free Diesel

Albania ALL 161.00 - 158.00 Lithuania EUR 1.107 1.142 1.077

Andorra EUR 1.038 1.147 0.918 Luxemburg EUR 1.144 1.210 1.054

Austria EUR 1.171 1.315 1.148 Macedonia MKD 62.00 64.00 51.00

Belarus EUR 0.691 - 0.715 Moldova MDL 16.47 17.17 15.57

Belgium EUR 1.390 1.460 1.245 Montenegro EUR 1.110 1.150 1.020

Bosnia-Herzegovina BAM 1.85 2.05 1.90 Netherlands EUR 1.625 1.694 1.349

Bulgaria BGN 1.93 2.29 1.99 Norway NOK 15.07 - 14.24

Croatia HRK 9.08 - 8.52 Poland PLN 4.41 4.66 4.49

Czech Republic CZK 29.24 - 29.39 Portugal EUR 1.449 1.571 1.269

Denmark DKK 10.39 - 9.24 Romania RON 5.15 5.88 5.27

Estonia EUR 1.104 1.144 1.159 Russia RUB 35.65 - 34.60

Finland EUR 1.373 1.437 1.280 Serbia RSD 131.90 - 141.90

France EUR 1.369 1.415 1.208 Slovakia EUR 1.216 - 1.116

Georgia GEL 1.74 1.82 1.74 Slovenia EUR 1.308 1.350 1.220

Germany EUR 1.323 - 1.186 Spain EUR 1.214 1.343 1.165

Greece EUR 1.436 1.657 1.154 Sweden SEK 13.14 13.64 13.50

Hungary HUF 344.00 - 365.00 Switzerland CHF 1.419 1.460 1.491

Ireland EUR 1.309 - 1.229 Turkey TRY 4.45 4.47 3.89

Italy EUR 1.577 - 1.478 Ukraine UAH 20.00 21.50 20.00

Kosovo EUR 1.05 - 1.05 UK GBP 1.083 1.183 1.151

Latvia EUR 1.039 1.088 1.029 USA USD - - 0.757

www.fl eet.ie

WAREHOUSING | 33

RReach Trucks are designed primarily to work in high bay racking systems and narrow aisles within warehouses. They have two out rigger legs that distribute the load weight; with a one or two wheel confi guration per leg.

The drive wheel is located under the operator’s seating position making them highly manoeuvrable. The operator typically sits or stands sideways when operating the machine, to minimise the overall dimensions of the truck.

The name refers to the ability of the fork carriage to ‘reach’ out hydraulically to the front of the stabilising legs and therefore into racking. The combination of this reach capability and the

stabilising legs means these trucks can lift pallets up to 13 metres high for some models, while still operating in very tight spaces (often as narrow as 2.5m) depending on the pallet size. A normal counterbalance forklift typically requires aisle widths of 3.0m plus.

When the load is lifted and retracted over the stabilising legs, this, combined with the battery which is located within the overall reach truck body, eliminates the need for counterbalance weight required for conventional forklift trucks.

Some Reach Truck manufacturers design their trucks with a tilting cab mechanism to provide a more comfortable viewing position for the operator. For other manufacturers, a clear-view overhead guard means this is not required. For further visibility and speed of operation, Reach Trucks can be fi tted with cameras on the fork carriage which transmits a signal (wired or wireless) down to an LCD screen in the cab to aid navigation.

While excellent for use indoors, traditional Reach Trucks are not ideally suited to work outside. Their low under-carriage clearance may cause problems on uneven working surfaces, and their electric power systems could be damaged if regularly shaken due to uneven working surfaces. However, in recent years a number of manufacturers have produced versions of the reach truck which are fi tted with larger semi-industrial tyres, providing greater ground clearance and absorb vibration. These machines can therefore carry out tasks normally associated with Counterbalance forklifts.

A pantograph or telescopic forks can also be fi tted to facilitate ‘double deep’ pallet storage therefore further increasing warehouse storage density.

Here Joe O’Brien looks at some of the options available from leading manufacturers and their Irish distributors.

Forklift Buyers’ Guide – Part II

Reach Trucks

Jury Member of the

International Forklift Truck Award

CATERPILLART h e i n t e l l i g e n t d e s i g n o f the poweRamic triplex free-lift mast on Caterpillar Reach Trucks gives operators the best possible view of the fork tips and support legs, for smooth, precise, fast handling and pallet entry – with less chance of damage to loads and racking. The hydraulic cylinders are incorporated into its profi le, making it stronger and narrower

than that of a conventional mast, and the stiffened chassis helps deliver class-leading capacity retention at full lifts, which now extend to an impressive 13 metres.

There are eleven models in the NR-N2 range to choose from, with capacities from 1.4 to 2.5 tonnes, including compact and straddle versions, ideal for use in drive-in racking and small spaces.

Davcon Warehouse Machinery32-33 Orion Business Campus,North West Business Park,Ballycoolin, Dublin 15.Tel: 01 866 5620www.davcon.ie

rk,

CROWNCrown’s RD5700 double Reach Truck series is designed to signifi cantly increase storage density, improve work fl ow and help operators perform tasks more effi ciently. Double-deep pallet placement can increase pallet locations by up to 50 percent by eliminating every second aisle. Advanced systems technology, multi-task controls and variable side-stance contribute to superior performance for the operator.

AC motors and intelligent controllers deliver the power required with the energy effi ciency to minimise operating cost.

The RD5700 has a 1450kg capacity with lift height up to 11.2m and a travel speed of 13.3 km/h. Other models in the range can lift up to 2000kgs.

C a s t l e M e c h a n i c a l HandlingDamastown Way,Damastown Industrial Park,Dublin 15.Tel: 01 869 4711www.castlemh.ie

a l

CLARKEClarke's CRT16/20SE electric Reach Trucks with super-elastic tyres are designed to work inside and outdoors for loading and unloading of goods with subsequent storage in racks up to 8.2 metres high with the same truck.

Both the load and the drive wheels are over sized and a powerful, low-noise electric

power system provides ease of steering.

Finger tip controls and the ‘cushioning’ function in the mast together with controlled reduction of the lift speed ensures greater stability, safety and less product damage.

Forklift MaintenanceUnit 4, Birch House, Rosemount Business Park, Dublin 15.Tel: 01 885 3940 / 087 63 [email protected]

ark,

34 | WAREHOUSING


DOOSANDoosan 7 Series Reach Trucks utilise the latest AC motors coupled with German Sauer-Danfoss controllers for advanced lifting and intelligent driving characteristics. With the push of a button, steering can be selected to suit the operating conditions allowing for both 180° and 360° steering options. The latest BR series can change direction without speed reduction

and provides greater manoeuvrability in tight spaces whilst the innovative auto-centering of the steer wheel system means there’s no need to check the starting direction. Doosan Reach Truck feature load weight sensors, fork height indicators and height pre-selector which allows the reach truck to be programmed so the fork stops automatically at pre-selected rack heights for quicker and accurate operation.

Castle Mechanical HandlingDamastown Way,Damastown Industrial Park,Dublin 15.Tel: 01 869 4711www.castlemh.ie

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k,

LINDEThe R14 to R20 range from Linde Material Handling has load capacities from 1400 kgs to 2000 kgs. The operator’s compartment of the trucks has been fi xed to the lower chassis via 4 rubber blocks shielding the operator from harmful vibration. The operator is further protected by an air-suspended seat which automatically adjusts to the operator’s body weight when the truck

is energised, thus ensuring that the operator remains alert and motivated throughout a long shift. The range has lift heights up to 13 metres and three different driving dynamics settings to choose from: “Performance” for the highest power output, “Effi ciency” for the best combination of handling performance and energy effi ciency, and “Economy” for less demanding applications or those where extended shift life is required.

Linde Material Handling (Ireland) Ltd.Unit 22, Greenhills Industrial Estate,Walkinstown, Dublin 12.Tel: 01 4566626www.linde-mh.ie

HYSTERThe new Hyster Reach Trucks have been designed to lift loads up to 12.5m where residual capacity is maintained thanks to a unique patented channel mast design and visibility improved through a reduced total channel width. The overall height of the Hyster Reach Truck can be lowered for

travelling under doors and onto trailers.

Travel speeds of up to 14km/h and a lift speed of 0.8m/s add to their performance. The operator compartment is available in four different chassis types, which are standard, narrow, and two options for drive-in racking.

Irish Lift TrucksClonlara Avenue,Baldonnell Business Park,Baldonnell, Dublin 22.Tel: 01 4034100www.irishlifttrucks.ie

JUNGHEINRICHThe ETV 318 Reach Truck from Jungheinrich is capable of lifting and transporting loads of up to 1800 kgs and has a maximum lift height of 11.5m millimetres with a residual weight capacity of 1000 kgs. The operator-protecting panorama roof made of tinted safety glass, offers improved visibility during storing and picking operations, particularly at high lift heights. The ETV

318 reach truck from Jungheinrich is also fi tted with a new electric steering which means the wheel knob is always in the most ergonomic position — the so-called ‘9 o’clock’ position — whenever the truck travels in a straight line. This is the case even if the steering wheel has been moved while the truck was turned off or was rotated several times in 180° steering mode.

Jungheinrich Lift Truck Ltd.Unit J5 Maynooth Business Campus,Maynooth,County KildareTel: 01 6517100www.jungheinrich.ie

ck Ltd.

HYUNDAIAmong the features on the Hyundai BRJ-7 Reach Truck range is excellent Grade-ability & Anti-Roll Back when working on slopes. The latest designed, large-capacity hydraulic system includes a low-noise control valve which shortens reaction time during operation and improves both effi ciency and durability. When starting the Hyundai reach truck, the drive wheel of

the truck will automatically turn to centre position and the driving direction can be controlled easily with the convenient position of the Forward/Reverse switch.

The multi-roller reach assembly provides smooth, well controlled and safe load handling and the Electro-Magnetic Brake increases brake performance and control.

Masterlift Ltd.Unit 3/5 Block K,Greenogue Business Park, Grants Road,Rathcoole,County Dublin.Tel: 1850 230 363www.masterlift.ie

ess

3

E-P EQUIPMENTThe E-P range of Reach Trucks has varying lift capacities from 1200 – 2000 kgs. A padded armrest, rubber fl oor mat and resin coated control knobs ensure comfort for daylong operation and the angle of the steering column can be easily adjusted. Curtis Multi-function instrumentation, together with the multi display monitor provides information for the operator, and power transistors

with high impulse frequencies control the motor to save energy and reduce noise levels. The drive control provides a jerk-free start and fast acceleration. Adjustable energy feedback is achieved by releasing the drive pedal through regenerative braking. The chassis design and steering geometry provide a turning radius of 1675mm and reach stroke of 602mm on the 1400 kg model.

AWE Forklifts Ltd.Unit 408J Grants Park,Greenogue Business Park,Rathcoole, County Dublin.Tel: 01 401 9919www.awe.ie

.Park,

iness

HELIHELI G Series 1.6 - 2.0T ‘Sit Down’ Electric Reach Truck is fi tted with an advanced MOSFET electric controller for traction and lift control systems, to give optimal performance. Its Electrical Power Steering (EPS) makes it extremely easy to operate

and the truck has three independent braking systems to ensure high levels of safety and reliability. HELI G Series 1.5T AC ‘Stand Up’ Reach Truck offers high performance when lifting at height, together with excellent traction and responsive braking.

Trifi k ForkliftsClane Business park,County Kildare.Tel: 045 982585www.trifi k.ie

WAREHOUSING | 35

Text & Photos: Joe O'Brien - joe@fl eet.ie www.fl eet.ie

MITSUBISHIMitsubishi’s 11-strong family of SENSiA Reach Trucks can lift up to 13 metres and features patented fi ngertip controls with modulated pressure that responds naturally to driver’s touch. An F2 thumb button doubles the number of integrated functions – such as optional side shift and tilt centring and pre-height selection, which can be used without moving the hand. SENSiA’s

performance can be tailored to operator’s needs with a choice of two settings - ECO mode keeps power consumption low and is ideal for new operators or extended shifts, PRO mode provides more experienced operators with higher performance – ideal for peak periods in the warehouse. Lifting capacities range from 1,400 kg to 2,500 kg.

Henley Forklift Group LimitedHenley Industrial Park,Killeen Road, Dublin 10.Tel: 01 620 9200www.henley-mitsubishi.ie

STILLThe FM-X Reach Truck range from STILL features Active Load Stabilisation (ALS) which is a fast and effective way of stopping the vibrations from occurring at high lifts, potentially reducing the waiting time at the racking resulting in a signifi cant increase in turnaround speed. High residual load

capacity means that the Reach Truck can lift loads of up to 1,000 kg to a height of 13 metres. Foot plates, steering wheel and seat can be adjusted according to the working situation, build and preferences of the driver. Other features include a driver’s seat with optional tilting technology and STILL’s exclusive sideshift mast.

Total Materials HandlingUnit 4B, Glasnevin Business Park, Dublin 11.Tel: 01 8304021www.tmh.ie

ng

TAILIFTTailift’s electric Reach Trucks have 1400kgs to 2000kgs capacity and are fi tted with an AC control system which monitors power consumption, providing longer periods of operation between charges. The rigid overhead guard and mast have been designed to allow for maximum

visibility and increased safety. The RE range has a turning radius of between 1610 and 1755, depending on model and are fi tted with a small diameter steering wheel making operation easier. The mast is fi tted with soft landing cylinders and shock absorption which reduces the noise and vibration when the mast and load are lowered.

BK ForkliftsSt Helena’s Terrace, Dundalk, County Louth.Tel: 042 93 29211 www.bkforklifts.com

TCMThe TCM electric ‘sit-on’ Reach Truck series, with capacities from 1.4 to 2.5 tonnes, feature longer run times per battery charge, a higher level of safety and a high level of operator comfort. A variety of advanced features including a load meter, deluxe suspension

seat and an auto power-off device, enhances overall effi ciency, comfort and enviromental friendliness. Now that Nissan, Atlat and TCM are all part of the Japanese Unicarriers Corporation it will be interesting to see how and where the next generation of TCM Reach Trucks are designed and manufactured.

The Forklift CentreLower Ballymount Road,Walkinstown,Dublin 12.Tel: 01 450 8600www.forkliftcentre.ie

TOYOTA/BTSuitable for highly intensive operations, the BT Refl ex R-series and E-series from BT/Toyota consist of five Reach Truck models with load capacities ranging from 1.4 to 2.5 tonnes and lift heights up to 12.5 metres. The R-series Reach Trucks provide shock-free lifting and lowering, even at maximum speeds, to prevent load damage. A low step-in height, adjustable seat and

excellent all-round visibility improve driver ergonomics. The E-series models have a unique tilting cab system which allows for faster and more accurate fork positioning, enhancing productivity and resulting in less risk of strain for the driver. These trucks also feature an optional heated cabin, making them suitable for use in cold storage facilities.

Toyota Material Handling Ireland,Killeen Road,Dublin 12.Tel: 01 4190200www.toyota-forklifts.ie

ndling

ts.ie

UNICARRIERS/ATLETAtlet, Nissan and TCM forklifts are now all part of Japanese corporation Unicarriers. The Atlet Tergo ULS is a universal machine suitable for medium or intensive material handling operations with loads up to 1,400 kg. Its manoeuvrability and narrow chassis (1120 mm width) further facilitate material handling in confi ned spaces.

This nimble, silent and powerful Reach Truck also features class leading ergonomics with Atlet’s unique mini steering wheel, intuitive controls and superior visibility by means of the innovative Pro Vision mast design add to reduced operator strain and improved effi ciency. Multi-direction and roller guided versions are also available.

MasterliftUnit 3/5 Block K,Greenogue Business Park, Grants Road,Rathcoole,County Dublin.Tel: 1850 230 363www.masterlift.ie

YALEThe new Yale MR Reach Truck series boasts a number of industry fi rsts, including touch screen technology that allows operators to be in full control throughout the shift. Dual CANbus and ‘Get Home’ function, as well as laser positioning, help reduce accidental damage to products and racking. A unique new design of mast channels (patent pending) allows smaller capacity trucks to be used for lift heights

that would previously have required larger and more expensive models. The unique and intuitive Yale mini joystick and Accutouch minilever control module enable the operator to execute precise hydraulic control operation and load movements. The MR also features a fully adjustable suspension seat with lumbar support and helps reduce whole body vibration.

Forklift ServicesHarbour House,Harbour Point Business Park,Little Island,Cork.Tel: 1890 435 500www.forkliftservices.ie

I n January, the team at the NMHG (Nacco Materials Handling Group) factory in the Netherlands celebrated a milestone in its 63 year history with the

building and handing over of the 1000th Hyster ReachStacker.

“Th is 1000th ReachStacker is very special because it is one of the fi rst Tier 4 fi nal / Stage IV trucks to leave this factory and the design builds on our reputation of durability and tough trucks,” stated Lucien Robroek, Vice President Big Trucks, NACCO Materials Handling Group (NMHG). Hyster claims its latest big trucks can provide up to 25 percent fuel savings for ports and terminals when compared to previous Hyster models and many of its competitors.

“We have ‘right sized’ the engines and introduced Hyster technologies that deliver profi table low emissions for customers across the world,” added Lucien.

Th e ceremony took place at the NMHG factory in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, where the keys to the 1000th Hyster ReachStacker were handed over to the customer, PCH Packing Center Hamburg GmbH. It was one of three Hyster RS46-36CH ReachStackers which will be used at PCH in the Port of Hamburg to transport and stack shipping containers in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd row.

Th e latest Hyster ReachStacker took many years of development, life-cycle simulation and testing to develop the machine. Peter van Sommeren, Manufacturing Operations Manager at the NACCO plant in Nijmegen explains that from concept to launch, every new Hyster product follows a carefully structured development process. “Prototype trucks are proven in application before going into production and the 1000th Hyster ReachStacker is an excellent example and testimony to our promise to proof test. We had the fi rst test trucks running back in May 2012 and have since

collected thousands of validation hours in real life applications.”

Jan Willem van den Brand, Product Strategy Manager, Big Trucks continued, “We have ‘right sized’ the engines to give the best performance, reliability and economy. Our goal was to continue our ‘Profi table Low Emissions’ strategy reducing the total cost of operations and ownership while meeting the new standards for a cleaner environment.”

Th e 1000th Hyster ReachStacker, is fi tt ed with a Cummins QSL9 engine (up to 370 hp, 276kW) which provides the power and is also used on the Hyster 36-48t forklift trucks, and Hyster laden container handlers. Th e Hyster 5-8 high empty container handler, the 18-20t and 25-32t forklift truck ranges feature the latest Cummins QSB 6.7 engine (up to 270 hp, 201kW) with similar benefi ts.

Th e engine’s EGR technology provides the best possible control of NOx (nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide) at all engine loads and exhaust temperatures

allowing fully optimised power and response with low fuel consumption. In addition to the Cummins engine technologies, further Hyster performance optimisation includes cooling on demand, load sensing hydraulics (power on demand), RPM management and alternate engine idle speed to help further reduce the total fuel usage.

Th e trucks also feature the ECO-eLo Fuel Effi ciency Mode, which can be used to reduce the maximum engine speed and further maximise fuel effi ciency. With engine, transmission and hydraulic protection systems, Hyster guarantees excellent reliability in the most challenging quayside operations.

Th e Hyster ReachStacker is well known for its fast lift speeds, combined motions of lift and boom extension while driving and exceptional reliability, particularly in 24/7 operations. Th is performance should help terminals move containers more quickly and also increase fi nancial margins. During the press event, visitors were given the opportunity to witness the Total Quality Control (TQC) that runs through the Hyster ReachStacker production line and ends in full functional testing of every unit. Th e plant’s production standards were recognised in 2013 when it achieved the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Recognised for Excellence 4 Star level.

Th e build of the 1000th Hyster ReachStacker was tracked at the start of the production line, and Hyster shared photos and videos at key stages of the build on social media htt ps://twitt er.com/hystereurope or visit www.hyster.eu

Jan Willem van den Brand says the Cummings engine fi tt ed to the Hyster ReachStacker provides up to 25% fuel savings.

Th e Hyster RS46-36CH ReachStacker can stack containers in the 1st , 2nd and 3rd row.

Th e full range of Hyster Materials Handling Equipment, including High Capacity Forklift s, Container Handlers and Reach Stackers are supplied and maintained by Irish Lift Trucks, the exclusive Hyster dealer in Ireland for over 30 years.

36 | MATERIALS HANDLING

FLEETTRANSPORT | MARCH 15 Text: Joe O'Brien - joe@fl eet.ie

Hyster hands over its 1000th ReachStacker

Klaus-Wachsmann, PCH with the 1000th-Hyster-ReachStacker

Jan Willem van den Brand next to the 1000th ReachStacker engine

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It is good to be writing about history once again and so many possible subjects have turned up in recent months that it is hard

to know where to start.

An important event during 2014 was a celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Bedford OB bus, that enduring model that was so much a mainstay of Ireland’s rural operators for many years. But the OB was only one half of a pair, the other being a Bedford lorry series that gave such good service to many companies and individual operators all those years ago.

Here it is necessary to go back briefl y to the Bedford WT type lorry which had been introduced in 1934 and was a familiar sight on our roads for many years. In 1938 the WT’s appearance was updated with a new bonnet and radiator grille, the famous ‘bull-nose’ that would later be carried on the O models. Why such an elegant grille should have so brutal a description is questionable, but in any event, its use on the WT foreshadowed the O model – almost by stealth. In retrospect, the O type grille and bonnet looked somewhat incongruous against the rather angular cab of the WT.

Th e O series duly appeared in 1939, powered by a 3.5-litre overhead valve six-cylinder engine, perhaps bett er known as the 214. Load capacities ranged from 3 to 5 tonnes and the various sub-types were designated by lett ers, the most important being S (short) and L (long), there being thirteen variations in all; the bus was the OB. Th is new range was available for only a short time when World War II broke out in September 1939 and in Britain, all vehicle production was quickly directed to military use.

O type lorries were still built – in even bigger quantities – but the most common model was the OYD, rated as a three-tonner in military fashion. Th e grille was now broad, fl at and plain, with built-in headlamps. Limited numbers of OWS and OWL types were built for essential civilian operations and these became a familiar sight on our roads towards the end of the War.

Córas Iompair Éireann, which came into being on 1st January 1945, just months before the end of the War, took over a large and varied fl eet of lorries from the Great Southern Railways. Many of these were quite old and in need of replacing. Also, services which had been severely cut back during the War had to be restored and expanded. Bedfords played a signifi cant role here and many fl at-nosed examples were placed in service. In time, these gave way to vehicles of greater carrying capacity. When civilian type O types became available, several other prestigious operators bought them.

Somewhat diff erent circumstances surrounded the OB bus. Only a handful, all coaches, was built before the War put an end to production. But one of the results of the War was to put severe and increasing strains on Britain’s bus fl eets. Th ey were now overworked; many vehicles were

Remembering some classic Bedfords

1.5 Bedford OY Tractor BS8 (ZD 7083) – CIE

CIE W Bedford Horsebox, 1946

Bedford GUX 188, Inns Quay, 12 May 1957 - now under restoration at the National Transport Museum.

38 | TIMES PAST


old and several were destroyed in air raids. To remedy the resulting shortage, Government approval was given for the building of utility buses, with Bedford the only manufacturer licensed to build single-deckers.

Th e Bedford OWB, retaining the familiar 1939 grille and small headlamps, carried a somewhat angular body seating up to 32 passengers, accommodated on slatt ed wooden seats. Several of these buses went to Northern Ireland and aft er the War some of them appeared in the Republic, usually with upholstered seating. An example of the strict utility type has been handsomely rebuilt in the livery of the erstwhile Northern Ireland Road Transport Board and has att ended several rallies.

From 1946 onwards, OBs proliferated among the small private companies in the Republic, who were about 30 in number and in time most of them operated OBs, both buses and coaches. Th e coaches usually seated 26 passengers, the buses up to 32. Th e last OBs were built in 1951 but they could still be found working up to twenty years later, some of them being reprieved for the fi rst school transport services in 1967. Th e last one is believed to have been withdrawn in 1974. Th e fi nal O type commercials were turned out in 1953 and second hand examples could be found in the hands of some one-man enterprises well into the 1970s.

So highly thought of is the O type Bedford that books have been writt en about it and it has been impossible in this short off ering to mention only a few of its many manifestations. However one outstanding version deserving of recognition is the Bedford Scammell articulated unit where a Bedford O tractor was coupled to a Scammell semi-trailer and for many this was their fi rst introduction to articulation.

Th e National Transport Museum in Dublin is privileged to have both an O lorry and an OB bus. Th e lorry, IO 6263, was new in 1946 and, with creels, was used as a turf lorry by an owner in County Kildare. When this man died, the lorry was stored until purchased in the early 1970s by John Wheatley, who found the previous owner’s hat and stick in the cab. John, a member of the Transport Museum Society and a professional coach builder, restored the Bedford beautifully as a platform lorry and it is now a prime exhibit in Howth.

Tim O’Donohue, who for years ran the Aherlow Bus Service in Tipperary, had long experience of OBs. Something like 12,000 are said to have been built over the years and the vast majority were coaches, only a few hundred being bodied as buses. GUX 188 was one such, a late example built in 1951 with Duple bus bodywork. It came to Ireland from Oswestry in 1956 and its fi rst

Irish operator was B Kavanagh of Urlingford until 1963. It came to Aherlow via Limerick Tours in 1964 and worked for another ten years. It is currently undergoing restoration in Howth.

It is hard to believe that Bedfords are no longer made. I hope to return to them soon again.

N o r t h e r n I r e l a n d Road Transport Board BedfordWartime Bedford OWB No. 957.

CIE W Bedford Horsebox, 1946

Text & Photos: Michael Corcoran - enquiries@fl eet.ie www.fl eet.ie

Opening Times:Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays,

2.00 - 5.00pm

Th e National Transport Museum

Heritage Depot, Howth Demense,Howth, Dublin 13.

TIMES PAST | 39

40 | SHIPPING & FREIGHT

FLEETTRANSPORT | MARCH 15 Text: Howard Knott - howard@fl eet.ie

The forty knot, four jet engine powered, HSS ferry Stena Explorer has ceased operations on the Dun Laoghaire – Holyhead route. Th is brings to an end a link between the two ports that had operated

for almost two hundred years, since the establishment of rail connections between the respective ports and their hinterland. An Post claims that the opening, in 1835 of the mail train service linking what is now Pearse Station and Dun Laoghaire was the world’s fi rst regular freight train service.

Th e Stena Explorer was one of three similar vessels built to Stena Line designs by Finnyards in Finland and has served Dun Laoghaire for nineteen years. She initially ran fi ve round trips daily but as fuel prices increased and duty free shopping came to an end, the frequency dropped. In recent years she has operated once daily but only at peak Summer season. Both of her sister ships have recently gone to the scrap yard while a smaller vessel of similar design has also been withdrawn from service. Th ese withdrawals mark the end of jet power and forty knot large ferries on the world’s sea routes. Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company has confi rmed that it had discussions with Stena Line about sourcing a vessel more on the lines of Irish Ferries’ Jonathan Swift to service the route, but to no avail. Th e company is optimistic that another operator might be found for the 2016 season.

Stena Line has confi rmed the newly upgraded Stena Superfast X will displace the Stena Nordica on the Dublin–Holyhead route on 8 March. While the replacement vessel has similar freight capacity to the Line’s existing ferry, she has substantially greater passenger capacity, more than compensating for any peak Summer volumes previously carried on the Dun Laoghaire service. Th e Stena Nordica will not transfer to the Rosslare-Fishguard route as had been expected in many quarters, but will instead fi ll the gap left in the DFDS Seaways, Dover–Calais route left by the departure of the Superfast X vessel last November from the route. DFDS Seaways also operates a Dover-Dunkerque

service and the addition of the soon to be re-named Stena Nordica will bring their daily sailing through Dover up to twenty.

In a curious footnote to these changes, the arrival of the Stena Nordica at Dover will enable DFDS Seaways to withdraw the Calais Seaways for an engine re-fi t. Th e vessel has experienced serious engine problems over a number of months and a replacement for one of her four engines has been sourced at a scrap yard at Aliaga in Turkey from the former Pandoro ferry, Ibex which is currently being demolished. Th e 1978 ferry, which had been built to operate alongside B + I Line’s Tipperary on the Dublin–Fleetwood service had been re-engined in 1998. Her two engines will now be re-furbished ready for further use.

The long running saga of the future of the Eurotunnel controlled My Ferry Link, appears to be coming to a conclusion with the appeals to the various Competition Authorities running out.

It now appears likely that the company will cease operations in May of this year. In addition to the deployment of extra DFDS Seaways tonnage on the Dover–Calais route, Eurotunnel has also increased its rail fl eet capacity through the Tunnel, so that the withdrawal of the French fl eet may not have a signifi cant congestion impact.

While capacity on ferry routes between Spain and England and other Western channel routes took a hammering with the withdrawal of the LD Line services and the Transfennica call at Portsmouth, the situation will be

eased by the introduction by Britt any Ferries of the former Sirena Seaways on its Portsmouth to and from Le Havre and Bilbao routes.

Th e Ro-Pax vessel, which is currently being upgraded through the installation of Exhaust Scrubbers, has a freight deck capacity of 2,200 lane metres. According to Britt any Ferries Group Freight Director, this additional ship will provide a welcome boost in freight capacity and provide customers with an even wider range of sailing times between Portsmouth and Le Havre. It now brings the total number of Britt any Ferries sailings to Spain to seven a week. Elsewhere, concerns have been expressed about the increasing dominance of Britt any Ferries in the Western Channel.

Stena jets out of Dun Laoghaire and replaces vessel on Dublin route

Further ripples in the English Channel

€38m investment by Shannon Foynes Port CompanyInvestment will propel key economic driver of Mid-West region

Shannon Foynes Port Company (SFPC), Ireland’s largest bulk port company, is to invest €38million to further develop the County Limerick port. SFPC currently helps to facilitate international

trade valued at over €6 billion yearly through the six port facilities on the Shannon Estuary. Th e port is in the process of advancing signifi cant strategic projects that will ensure the company fulfi ls its mandate as one of the key economic drivers of the Mid-West region. Th e fi rst major project announced is the infi lling of the East Jett y in Foynes; a 12 month project employing up to 150 people during construction. Th e commencement of the redevelopment of the east jett y involves the reclamation of 13,500ms of foreshore and the demolition of the existing jett y. Th e new jett y will provide increased operational area of activity and lead to improved bulk discharge times. Th e redevelopment will also allow the use of larger cranes that can handle more varied cargo. It is estimated that a total of €12 million will be spent by SFPC on this project in 2015. Further investment of €22million was announced by a private investor,

CPL, in the construction of a new smokeless fuel depot. Th is plant is planning to meet the expected increase in future demand for smokeless fuels. In addition, a further €4 million will be invested by a private operator, Argosea, in the construction of a 1,400sqm warehouse for the storage of animal feeds. Th is will position the port to take advantage of the expected increased demand for animal feed, post the ending of the milk quota regime in March of this year.

Th e Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, has welcomed the investment, “Th ese announcements are the fi rst phase of a signifi cant investment programme which seeks to double SFPC trade in the next three decades in line with its ambitious Masterplan, Vision 2041.Th e port is seeking to maximise the enormous potential of the Shannon Estuary and anticipates that the number of people employed in port activities will increase by 25% over the period of Vision 2041, with the economic benefi ts extending towards a much larger economic system. Th e long-term job creation fi gures, of up to 2,000 jobs, are based on anticipated expansion in existing heavy industries as well as planned projects such as the Shannon LNG terminal. I am delighted to see investment of this scale, knowing the impact it will have on the Mid-West region generally.”

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42 | COMMENT

FLEETTRANSPORT | MARCH 15 Text: Howard Knott - howard@fl eet.ie

A t the EU InterReg IVB Weastfl ows Conference, the room in the EU Th on Hotel in Brussels had about 120 att endees from all over Europe,

to hear the distilled wisdom of the partners in that massive project. There was also a number of invited speakers and panellists from outside the partner organisations but who had played a signifi cant part in development of ideas during the project. One of these was Justin Kirkhope from the UK Co-Operative Stores Logistics Services. He spoke about the challenge of delivering a huge range of product from central distribution centres to a vast range of stores scatt ered throughout Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Justin mentioned about the strengths and weaknesses of using rail services to improve the carbon effi ciency of the whole freight operation and about the issue of backloading containers and trailers.

Mr. Kirkhope really got things going when he spoke about their newest transport innovation, the 50ft intermodal container. I had seen a couple of these boxes at the Multimodal Exhibition last Spring, but had assumed that, though a nice idea, there was no way such equipment would be introduced. He then put up a picture of one of these on board one of the specially designed trailers and, indeed, the box looked every inch of the 13.5% extra capacity of the normal 45ft container being used for such transport. But the trailer looked very strange with the axle spacings done so as to allow it have a similar turning circle to combinations with the smaller containers. Th e real surprise, however, was that these monster boxes had been cleared for use on any road in the UK and not just on motorways. I really must say that I don’t see the sense in that; it’s not that such combinations would be problematic in cities and other congested areas, aft er all there are very likely truck bans in such places, but I would be concerned about such vehicles on windswept rural roads.

Th en, there is another problem. Th ese containers could not, in fact, be used in intermodal transport. Yes, you could put one onto a 60ft rail wagon, but then there’s 10ft of wasted space on a wagon that could otherwise carry a 40ft and a 20ft container and this would considerably reduce the economic effi ciency of the whole operation.

I spoke about this with Eoin Gavin, the President of the Irish Road Haulage Association, whose main role at the Conference was to participate in a panel discussion on the Sustainable Freight Gateways work package within the project. His view was indeed that 50ft containers were the wrong way to go, much bett er would be drawbar combinations with 20ft and 40ft containers on board which would operate on main routes.

Now, I know that in North America the 53ft container is quite normal and trucks and trains can easily accommodate them. Th ey cannot be used on ships; some trials in which goods were shipped from a Chinese port to the US West Coast in 53ft containers did not work out at all well and the experiment died very quickly. Canadian Tire is now reported to be trialling some 60ft containers, but only on depot to depot routes on major highways.

When you think of it and with the benefi t of hindsight, isn’t it a great pity that the europallet with dimensions, 0.8 metres x 1.2 metres, was invented. If the world had stuck with the one metre square pallet, then there would have been no need to develop the 2.5 metre wide container or trailer. Th is would mean that containers used for deep sea shipping services and those used for operation within Europe would be of the same width and, thus, interchangeable. Not only would this mean that a container arriving in say Galway from Germany with components could be reloaded, probably from the same factory with fi nished goods for the US or other market. It would also make the whole business of stowing a mix of short sea and deep sea containers much simpler and drive down European shipping costs.

As famously said somewhere else; “we are where we are!” but container manufacturers and their customers must be constrained from introducing more complications in an already too complex equipment marketplace.

‘Living in a Box’

From where I'm sitting - From where I'm sitting -

Howard KnottHoward Knott

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44 | LEGAL

HOUSEKEEPING

FLEETTRANSPORT | MARCH 15 Text: Jonathan Lawton - jonathan@fl eet.ie

A t the beginning of a year it can be a useful exercise to look at the whole of a company’s activities to see if any part of it can be improved. Some

few years ago the acronym ‘SWOT’ featured in many Board meetings, SWOT standing for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Th reats - all of which were to be considered by the board at twelve monthly intervals in relation to the trading success of the company. Even without the formality of a Board meeting looking at the position of any business in the light of those headings can produce surprising results.

In the fi rst instance how sound are the company’s buildings. Is the roof leak proof? Is any remedial work needed, or is any work necessary to improve the facilities? Does the yard need att ention and is the electrical wiring safe? Can any work that is needed be left or is immediate action required?

Th e safety of the premises needs to be considered in relation to those who work there, and also, and no less importantly, in relation to visitors who may have to come into the premises. Have lanes been clearly marked to separate pedestrians from moving vehicles, and are those lanes kept free from obstructions? Do loading areas and loading bays present any risk to people who may have to be nearby?

Has proper att ention been given to the general position of your employees? Have they all received contracts of employment, and are those contracts up-to-date and complete? Have the employees all been given copies of the company’s rules and, if not, are the rules displayed on some suitable notice board?

Are the records of the Driver’s CPC’s complete, and do you know if the required training has been provided for every machine that an employee may be required to use? Does each of your drivers have the appropriate, and current licence for the vehicle that he/she is required to drive? Have your employees received training in manual handling loads, and have drivers been shown how to secure loads safely and securely?

Critically, where a company uses Forklift trucks, those drivers must have the appropriate licence and their driving skills should be checked periodically to be certain that no dangerous shortcuts have crept into use.

A business should look at its relationship with its customers to see if, in any way, they can be improved. Th ere will always be the threat of competition, and one of the best ways of dealing with that threat is to ensure that you have a good relationship with the people with whom you work. New work will oft en be the result of a recommendation and recommendations are more likely to come from customers who are happy with the service that you provide. It is important to ensure that your staff , including your drivers, understand the importance of good customer relations. It is, aft er all, the drivers who meet the customers on a face to face basis and, as well as being polite and courteous, they should have a good appearance and some form of company uniform can be a great help.

Finally, and even if no other action is taken, a company’s insurance should be under constant review. In the fi rst instance it is important to be satisfi ed that every activity undertaken by the company and its employees is covered by insurance. Where an employee is using their own car to get to work will that be considered to be part of their employment and will they be insured? Do not forget that, as the value of vehicles is depreciated, it may be necessary to make adjustments to

the insurance premium. Equally, if new equipment is purchased it may well be necessary to alter the cover by notifying your insurer of the new additions.

It has been said that it is the att ention to the background detail of company administration that is the diff erence between success and failure.

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FLEETTRANSPORT | MARCH 15 Text: Donal Dempsey - donal@fl eet.ie

A s part of a company’s monthly management accounts, and without exception as part of your annual bank review, analysis of the customer

base must be discussed. First step will be to look at the turnover and balances due from the top fi ve customers, their track record in payment, as well as the medium to long term strength of the customer business.

Beyond this analysis is where it gets interesting for an accountant, whereby resources and time allocated to customers and the profi t earned from each customer or type of customer on the books are reviewed. Customers are a major asset in business, look at all the time and eff ort spent to get new business and look at the overall turnover of the business and profi t.

In a transport business the easiest unit of measurement is vehicles. It may be no surprise that in a transport fl eet of thirty vehicles, seven units are profi table, the remaining twenty three range from small profi t to substantial loss making. Look at the customers that utilise the least resources but pay highest margin, they may form part of overall mix of work in the fl eet (harder to see the other non-profi table customer mix) or they may be stand alone units, so profi t is easily calculated. Your profi table customers have similar traits. Th ey pay promptly (as they are profi table), their work suits your business so litt le negative interaction, they have stable workfl ow, and because the business relationship is a win-win situation you have access to their future plans.

Even though they may be the most profi table customers, making the most productive use of your vehicles is paramount. Very litt le of your most important resource (your own management time) is spent either further developing the relationship or interacting with the customer.

Now let’s look at the customers that use 77% of your resources by way of units, probably 60% of turnover and nearly 100% of your management and administration time.

Why do we have unprofi table customers? We have not properly costed or checked customer business.1. We believe we can adjust and renegotiate rates to make profi t.2. Th ey are there to cover overheads and give us a volume of work during 3. off -peak periods.Our customers have beaten us to this level and rates.4.

As a rule the unprofi table customer is higher risk, slower to pay and even though they are the bane of your life, are the most demanding, they would be the fi rst to drop you for a newer more shiny and cheaper alternative.

Businesses have unprofi table customers because they were rate takers and believed that bigger is bett er. Many recall the gut wrenching feeling in 2008 when companies were restructuring leases and payments because they had geared up for volume, some were fi ghting for survival simply because of volume greed. Poor strategy indeed. Th e biggest drawback of unprofi table customers is the total draw on management time. In order to do the work corners are cut, the customer complains, drivers are not happy and the business is jeopardised to perform work that is not economical.

If retention of poor customers is justifi ed by the requirement to cover overheads, look at the amount of time and resources committ ed to these customers. Due to lack of respect for your services they have no problem in being the most demanding. And because you are trying to do the impossible, which is to make uneconomic rates actually work, your own time and energy are used and abused. Please remember the customer knows your costs as well as you, so their feigning ignorance of your plight really does not hold water. Th e carrot is always extra volume, they are your best friend at the meeting, you are an important cog in their wheel, they will share their vision with you. Th e stick is that they border on psychotic when extra cost

is mentioned or when you don’t want to waste extra time and resources on them to address problems they have created for themselves. Mention rate increases and you are told all other suppliers are happy, actually the competition want your slice of the action at lower rates and any accountant brought along to fi ght your case is met with mild distain.

If you spend time properly analysing your customers and how you can address the above problems, you will have a more profi table business, a business that has lower overall risk and a workload that will reduce from the 80 hour week to somewhere that approaches normality. When the game is up and you confront the unprofi table customer with the clear facts and the knowledge that dropping their business will actually benefi t you - it is like calling a bully’s bluff . Th ey are only a problem because you allow it.

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46 | FINANCE

48 | OPINION

I n the past few months we are hearing soundings from the insurance companies that premiums are on the up. Unfortunately the evidence in the marketplace would seem to back this up. What is of concern is that we are beginning to hear the same party line

from insurers as we listened to aft er the New York 9/11 terrorist att acks in 2001. Th ese self fulfi lling prophesies of rising premiums became a reality and anybody that was in business then will know that for many companies insurance premiums doubled on renewal day, forcing some people out of business.

It is no harm to look back at that time and see what happened and who the main players were in trying to solve the problem. One person that played a pivotal role in addressing the issue was Sean Quinn. In the current fi nancial crisis, Sean Quinn of the Quinn Group has taken a lot of the criticism, in particular from the upper echelons of political life, Dublin based media and the more traditional insurance industry. How short their memories are. Quinn Direct entered the commercial vehicle insurance market at a time when premiums were nearly as high in percentage terms as fuel is today. Service from insurers was abysmal. Collectively, they claimed they were doing everything possible to reduce the fi nancial impact of the crisis on business. As it turned out competition in the market place was all that was required. You could say Quinn Direct changed the way insurers did business forever. At the time, insurance premiums were calculated on fi nancial claims history rather than proper risk assessment. Probably because of Sean Quinn’s business experience and particularly because of his background in operating trucks, he brought genuine fresh thinking to the insurance sector.

Th ere were other heroes at that time; the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) played a pivotal role in what we could now refer to as the ‘insurance crisis’. It spanned the Presidencies of Gerry McMahon and Sean Delaney. So bad were things that the IRHA gave serious consideration to sett ing up its own insurance company. A business alliance was set up in which the IRHA played a pivotal role. Former IRHA President, Gerry McMahon acted as its spokesperson. Th e Government set up a Working Group to examine the problems with insurance. Th e IRHA was represented on this Group - Motor Insurance Advisory Board (MIAB) - by past President, Sheila McCabe and the coach operators were represented by Pat Burke of the Coach Tourism & Transport Council (CTT C). At the time I thought it was political fudge set up as a reaction by the Government and would be no more than a talking shop. I was wrong on that. A woman, Doretea Dowling was appointed as the Chairperson, she was a feisty lady and had extensive experience in the insurance industry. Ms. Dowling worked in the industry in the early part of her career and spent time in the Claims Department of one of the State Companies. Her report was blunt and even to this day makes good reading. When the Report of the Group was published it was critical of insurers and eventually led to the establishment of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB).

One other event around that time that had a signifi cant eff ect on insurance premiums was an intervention by the IRHA regarding signifi cant numbers of their members that were in real diffi culty because of the increased premiums being quoted. An informal meeting was arranged with some representatives from the Quinn Group and it was att ended by some members of the IRHA including Eugene Drennan and Pat O’Donovan, both Council members along with Mike Murphy (Mike Murphy Insurance) and Quinn’s underwriter. Th is meeting sowed a seed and it resulted in a follow up meeting with Mike Murphy. Arranged for an aft ernoon in the Montaque Hotel near Portlaoise, the IRHA delegation went in hope, more than expectation of a solution. Mike arrived quite undignifi ed in a red coloured Volkswagen Beetle, with a yellow web painted all over it, displaying his company’s logo. However, there was a lot more dignity in his news. A breakthrough at last, as he announced that his company would be accepting business for Quinn Direct in the coming weeks. A turning point surely, resulting in premiums being reduced by half in most cases.

For one person though this news came too late. In the weeks beforehand, the high profi le and very successful Dublin based Con Transport had been forced to close its doors. At an IRHA Council meeting held shortly aft er Con Transport was forced to fold-up because its insurance renewal premium had doubled, the now unemployed Managing Director, Niall Hickey put on a brave face as he told a hushed audience how his insurance company had eff ectively closed him down. Aft er listening to his story, most people in the room were coming to the conclusion that the insurance renewal date could become the closing date for their business. It might sound dramatic now but people felt they were in some cases sitt ing on death-row, waiting for their sentence.

In recent times offi cial comments on the Quinn Direct legacy is not favourable, we are told that policyholders will be paying a levy for many years to cover the loss of the failed company. Th ere is however another view. Most companies’ insurance bill is at least half of what it was at its peak and in some cases a lot less. So you could say the levy is good value. As I suggested at the start, the soundings from insurance companies is a bit un-nerving. Insurance is a tricky business and like all products it should be constantly upgraded and developed. During the last insurance crisis, very litt le innovation came from insurance companies. Like the captain of the ill-fated ‘Costa Concordia’ they chose to solve the problem from the safety of the shore, Quinn and others like him were the only ones in the water.

As Sean Quinn puts his empire back together, would he be tempted to go back into the insurance business? While there is no doubt there were discrepancies in the way Quinn Direct traded in the past, the innovation it brought to the insurance sector was impressive. Let’s hope the baby is not washed-out with the bathwater.


Insurance costs raises its ugly head again View from the Operators Desk by

Sean Murtagh - sean@fl eet.ie

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Transport Manager Ireland 2015Stay ahead with the industry experts

FTA’s popular Transport Manager Ireland Conference is back in 2015, taking place at the Johnstown House Hotel and Spa, Enfi eld on Thursday 26 March.

This year’s conference will explore the latest enforcement priorities from the Secretary General, Department of Transport, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), plus much more. Can you afford to miss what is set to be a must-attend event for all Transport Managers?

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To book your place or for more information visit www.ftai.ie/events email [email protected]

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Why attend?

Hear from industry experts including the Secretary General, Department of Transport

Be prepared with the very latest information, guidance and best practice advice surrounding forthcoming legislation

Share ideas and solutions with like-minded Transport Managers

FLEETTRANSPORT | MARCH 15 Text: Jerry Kiersey - jerry@fl eet.ie

50 | SOAPBOX

W hile it may seem like a lifetime ago, it was only in 2004 that Willie Walsh as the Chief Executive of Aer Lingus

made an att empt with some colleagues to stage a management buyout of the airline. Th en, as now, politicians who know nothing of the world of transport frothed at the mouth at the cheek of the man. Willie walked then, as he will probably do again and moved straight into a job with British Airways, one of the world’s largest and oldest airlines, now part of IAG. Th e Spanish Government overcame its scruples with Iberia, a much bigger fi sh than Aer Lingus. Ireland’s loss was the UK’s gain but in all the puffi ng and blowing from our body politic, not a mention of the Aer Lingus that could have been under his stewardship. Now a second chance along and we have a repeat. Working for myself over the years I have learnt the hard way to learn from my mistakes, unfortunately our politicians have the bank of the taxpayer to pay for theirs.

Aer Lingus employs approximately 3,900 folk. Th e taxpayer repeatedly bailed it out despite its monopoly position in Dublin and despite it owning the second busiest route in Europe. It lost money just like Swissair, Sabena and the other State owned airlines that have now departed this world. Th ey reeked of restrictive work practices and gilt-edge salaries, self-serving rather than serving a market. Willie Walsh saw a brighter future in 2004, Michael O’Leary saw the same opportunities and now Willie is back but the body politic cannot see beyond the end of their noses and the next election. Leadership how are you?

Th e contrast between politician’s treatment of Aer Lingus and the road transport industry surely cannot have escaped your notice? We are an industry of 50,000 employees and we neither ask for nor get money from the taxpayer. We are milked by a system indiff erent to the necessity of the services we provide with the highest level of road taxes in the EU. Th e only headlines we get are when forty to fi ft y hauliers staged a protest at Dublin Port causing Minister Donohue to have palpitations and hastily telling them he won’t talk to them about their concerns if they carry on doing so. Th ose serving Donegal are being charged £10 per day to use a road traversing Northern Ireland that as taxpayers we have contributed to. Th e Irish Government does nothing to subsidise or alleviate this cost yet Aer Lingus get a subsidy of €162 per passenger to fl y to and from Donegal. Anyone seeking to get in or out of Donegal can drive or get a bus, they have choices, however Donegal’s goods exports have no choice but to travel by truck!

Nor indeed do the rest of Ireland’s imports and exports have a choice other than truck. However, increasingly those trucks are not from the Republic of Ireland, almost half of the Ro-Ro traffi c entering and leaving Dublin Port is drawn by out-of-State hauliers, which, whilst here can benefi t from an Essential User Rebate from our Government on our cheaper fuel, whilst at the same time escaping the UK’s £10 a day road levy and availing of road tax 75% cheaper than ours. With some rare exceptions our politicians are mute to our predicament and only come to life when we protest on foot outside a port.

As a haulage industry we are being hampered and harried by both the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the Gardai for what seems like trivia that is adding considerable stress and strain to small business managers life. At the same time it seems out-of-State hauliers are guilty of no off ence. Cabotage and tachograph manipulation are the order of the day that are ignored for the out-of-State operators some even gett ing Garda escorts for their illegal activities. Is it truly a case that the only way a Minister

for Transport will take notice is to protest?

In times past it was said that exports of livestock on the hoof was jobs lost in Ireland, surely it is time for our politicians to understand that Irish exports on out-of-State trucks means jobs lost in Ireland.

Th e Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) needs to get that message to every member of both Houses of the Oireachtas or we soon won’t have an international fl eet.

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fleet transport march 2015

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