04 May 2012
By harry.richmond@roadtransport.com

On the 30th April, Retainagroup, the country’s leading property marking company, marked its 30th birthday! From highly sophisticated glass and parts marking laser systems to complex yet simple to use processes for covert as well as overt marking, the company provides proven and cost effective solutions for deterring and detecting vehicle crime and for the protection of other valuable assets. Details are recorded on the ISR (International Security Register) a fully accredited database that provides a 24/7 service for immediate verification of marked property, backed up by 30 years’ experience in the industry.

For innovative, cost effective solutions for deterring and detecting vehicle crime or for the protection of other valuable assets, call 01233 504162 or visit www.retainagroup.com

04 May 2012
By harry.richmond@roadtransport.com

A new range of reversing camera systems from lighting and auto-electrical specialist Ring Automotive attracted keen interest at the company’s stand at this year’s CV Show.

The range included the Active 360º Camera system that allows drivers a full 360º view immediately around the vehicle eliminating blind spots, helping the driver avoid accidents and prevent damage.

The blind Spot detection Camera system provides front and side zone detection alerting the driver of pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicle movements, key for safety when turning.

Ring Automotive’s Technical and Marketing Director Nick Cameron said: “It was a busy and productive show. As well as many enquiries about our new camera systems, many visitors wanted to know more about our innovative LED lighting products and our 24v TruckMaster bulbs.”

“Not only was the show busy and so excellent to show case our brand, but the quality of enquires and leads suggested a real interest in our products. This is a very healthy indication of the market despite the tough economic condition,” continued Nick Cameron

Ring Automotive’s wide range of LED lighting included the Duo-Lux 90mm LED headlamps; prompted enquires from visitors into the levels of cost savings that could be reached, from reductions in vehicle maintenance and down time.

Operators visiting the Tip-Ex show can attend Commercial Motor’s free legal seminar on Friday 25 May at 10:30. There will be an exclusive opportunity to meet the new traffic commissioner for the North East, Kevin Rooney, and a full briefing on all the new road transport law that’s in the pipeline from leading industry solicitors Backhouse Jones.
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Two 1960s petrol station canopies are to be given listed building status. John Minnis, from English Heritage, said the canopies in Markham Moor, Nottinghamshire, and Red Hill, Leicestershire, “hark back to a time when driving was still an adventure”. The circular, parasol design at Red Hill is the last survivor in a series commissioned for Mobil. The Markham Moor canopy was used originally for a petrol station and later for a roadside restaurant.

30 April 2012
By Goodyear

BP Oil UK Limited, which has in the region of 1300 service stations in the UK, has signed a deal with Goodyear Dunlop that will see the leading tyre manufacturer supply, service and maintain BP’s 150 strong tanker fleet.

BP, which had previously worked with Michelin for more than twenty years, has switched its fleet to Goodyear taking advantage of Goodyear’s technological advancements in design and construction – optimising performance in both fuel consumption and mileage. The company’s strong environmental and safety credentials – Goodyear Dunlop holds the global environmental management standard ISO14001 and the global health and safety management standard OHSAS18001 – played a key role in the contract win, alongside its comprehensive fleet management service supported by its TruckForce UK network.

Goodyear Dunlop’s fleet management service includes Fleet Online Solutions (FOS) and Fleet Online Solutions Mobile (FOSMI). FOS is a specific tyre fleet management system, designed for fleet operators and driven by an online database that allows clear visibility of all jobs. FOSMI is an integrated hand held solution to manage fleet checking and all round tyre maintenance. As the system is web based it provides up to the minute control from all sites and allows the fleet operator complete online visibility of all things tyre related.

According to Wayne Park, National Transport Manager at BP Oil UK, a winning product and service offer had to be combined with an exhaustive approach to health and safety to seal the contract win. Park said: “We were particularly impressed with the risk assessments in place for all aspects of the TruckForce operation and Goodyear Dunlop’s continuous improvement programme.” BP’s retail operation stretches from Inverness in the Scottish Highlands to Hamble on the South Coast of England and demands the highest levels of service. Park continues: “Our UK retail footprint is one of the largest in our international operation and operates in a fiercly competitive environment.

“An efficient and effective fleet is paramount to our performance as a business and so our demands are very high. The FOS and FOSMI systems provide total transparency, greatly improving our tyre husbandry and enhancing each vehicle’s fuel efficiency.”

Commenting on the new contract, Goodyear Dunlop’s UK and Ireland Commercial Director, Marc Preedy said: “This is a fantastic win for us, which includes fitment of Goodyear’s TreadMax product – our premium retread that offers as-good-as-new performance.

“We have demonstrated an exhaustive commitment to health and safety practices, in line with BP’s own highly stringent policy, as well as being able to show clear fuel efficiency gains with the Goodyear range. This has been supported by our ability, through TruckForce, to offer a level of service and response that exceeds BP’s high expectations.”

30 April 2012
By Cartwright

UK Mail has recently taken delivery of 16 semi trailers that have been designed by Cartwright to meet the challenges of their harsh operating environment.

Ten of the trailers are tri-axle box vans and include a number of key enhancements including a reinforced rear frame, soft dock rear sensors, recessed tailift controls, and stainless sliding couplings all of which will drive a reduction in repair costs.

Six of the trailers are double deck design and have the Cartwright direct drive moving deck system. This design has been enhanced to suit the UK Mail operation following close discussion with the fleet engineer and operators to reduce damage and improve operation. All the enhancements on the semi trailers are reflected in the double decks.

Darren Holland commented: “UK Mail required double deck trailers with a specific technical specification in order to meet the harsh operating environment their vehicles face on a daily basis.

“We were pleased to have met their requirements and added value to their operation whilst reducing damage costs”.

Howard Rowbotham Fleet, Fuel and Energy Manager commented: “We looked at the operation and equipment that we were operating and along with Cartwright identified improvements that we could realise.

“This latest order from Cartwright has been well received in our business.

“We made various improvements and enhancements to the trailers after I decided to recommend a move to Cartwright based on my previous experience with them with a previous company.

“We have been pleased with the overall product and the fact it was delivered on time.

“The design inside the trailer is also a lot cleaner and has reduced damage as there is not a lot of furniture internally,” he said.

It is the first order for Cartwright from UK Mail. The trailers are being used for trunking between UK Mail’s 50 plus depot sites across the UK, carrying parcels and mail.

26 April 2012
By Renault Trucks

Lowestoft-based waste, scrap and recycling company, CR Hales Ltd, has taken delivery of the UK’s first Renault Kerax 520.42 8×4 drawbar skip loader. This unique vehicle, supplied by Renault Trucks main dealer Renault Trucks Felixstowe, in conjunction with the Roy Humphrey Group, was purposed designed for CR Hales’ application and Renault Trucks was the only manufacturer able to deliver to this exacting specification.

The Kerax, with Boughton body fitted by Machinery Maintenance Limited in Stanton, went on the road on 1st March and joins CR Hales’ mixed fleet of Daf, Scania and Iveco skip loaders and roll-on/roll-offs. The high-powered 520 bhp engine ensures that the Kerax and its trailer operate at 44 tonne gross weight effectively, and for Managing Director Charles Richard (Dick) Hales, the extra torque delivered by the Renault truck was the key factor in the company’s purchasing decision.

Charles Hales says: “We researched the market and found that only Renault Trucks had the manufacturing flexibility that allowed us to stipulate exactly what we wanted – everyone else could only offer off-the-shelf trucks. We needed extra horse power to pull up hills when we’re running at 44 tonnes and the Kerax’s 520 engine delivers. Getting the right specification was paramount and although fuel efficiency wasn’t our first consideration the fuel consumption of the Kerax’s larger engine is comparable to the rest of the fleet.”

Family business, CR Hales Ltd was established in 1980 by Charles Richard Hales and has grown to become one of Suffolk’s leading scrap and waste recycling companies with a reputation for service excellence. Today, the family are still actively involved in the company which employs 10 staff, runs a fleet of five trucks and specialises in services including commercial and domestic waste transfer, recycling centre, end of life vehicle disposal and skip hire.

29 April 2012
By TTC Automotive

TTC, the UK’s leading aftermarket supplier for commercial vehicle components, are pleased to announce a new range of Britax LED (Light Emitting Diode) lighting.

The range includes Lightbars, Warning Lamps, Work Lamps and Registration Lamps, all fitted with the latest LED technology.

Britax is a leading supplier of CV lighting and provide solutions for a diverse range of applications to suit all vehicles.

LED is considered to be the latest cutting edge technology. It is an alternative to traditional light sources, with many benefits, including: long lifetime, durability, ultra low power, instant light up and very little degradation compared to conventional light sources. It is environmentally friendly and does not contain mercury and pollutants.

TTC Online has been updated to include this new Britax LED product range, with product imagery and specification details, including dimensions and full cross referencing, A new Brixtax LED brochure is also available to download at TTC Online, giving full details on this new range.

Darren Miller, Head of Marketing at TTC commented: “LED lighting has become the lighting of choice and we are pleased to be working with Britax. We have a full range in stock to cover the UK aftermarket, available direct from our National Distribution Centre in Crewe for same day and next day delivery.”

For further details on the Britax range please visit range please visit TTC Online.

25 April 2012
By HYVA

Lighter. Stronger. Faster. All absolute facts about Hyva’s latest high performance FC137 tipping gear, which significantly raises the productivity bar for UK eight wheeler tipper operations.

Initially developed to meet the relentless, ultra-demanding conditions of the Chinese mining industry, the FC137 should be well on top of anything our tipping industry can throw at it. And with such a performance pedigree already behind it, Allied Plant Ltd of Castleford, West Yorkshire, has just specified the new FC137 for two new MAN eight wheelers about to enter its fleet.

“Saving weight is one thing, but it can’t be at the expense of performance or reliability” says Allied’s owner John Hourigan. “What sounds right to me is that this new Hyva gear’s cylinder thickness is considerably more than that of any other ‘lightweight’ gear on the market, which has to be good for reliability, stability and safety. Also, the FC137’s maximum operating pressure is some 50% higher and the oil capacity is less as well, giving us a considerably faster tipping cycle and vehicle turn-around. As a total productivity package, this new Hyva looks pretty well unbeatable.”

But the benefits of FC137 don’t stop there! At a whisker under 490kgs for a complete wet weight, FC137 is now the lightest full-spec 32 tonnes gvw tipping cylinder on the market. Compared to its closest competitor, FC137 also has a longer stroke at 5130mm (vs 5041mm), a higher maximum piston thrust at 11.2 tonnes (vs 7.5) and a reduced oil tank volume (down by 2 litres).

“In every key specification area, FC137 beats its immediate ‘lightweight’ tipping gear competitor by a healthy margin” says Hyva’s National Sales Manager Mike Taylor. “Having a significantly higher average wall thickness (6.9mm vs 5mm) allows us a greatly increased maximum operating pressure of 220bar (vs 150bar) which obviously translates into a whole series of immediate and long term benefits to the operator.

One key design feature is that FC137’s separate ram and tank design allows us to take weight out of the oil tank in favour of the cylinder walls which is where metal is needed the most. FC137 genuinely moves tipping gear technology a good few steps forward, so that customers like Allied can get more productivity out of their trucks right from day one.”

Matched to Allied’s standard specification all-steel Thompsons Loadmaster Lite tipper bodies, the two new MANs join a hard working fleet engaged in the full range of quarrying and plant hire activities.

“What we want are tippers that can quickly and efficiently handle any load we give them” says Allied’s John Hourigan, “so the MAN / Hyva / Thompsons combination should be pretty much ideal.”

Whilst one of the new MANs will begin work as soon as it is ready, the other will be held back for a star appearance on Hyva’s stand at the Harrogate TIP-Ex Show in May.

24 April 2012
By IRTE

Following a busy year of development, the IRTE (Institute of Road Transport Engineers) and Freight Transport Association (FTA) launched the highly-anticipated commercial vehicle Workshop Accreditation programme during a press conference at the CV Show today (23 April 2012).

Under IRTE Workshop Accreditation, FTA engineers will audit workshops to give transport operators the ability to choose maintenance provision with confidence. The scheme will champion and recognise best practice in workshop procedures, enabling operators and manufacturers that outsource vehicle maintenance to choose workshops that have been independently assessed to IRTE quality assured standards.

IRTE Chief Executive Nick Jones says: “The aim is simple; to deliver a quality, independent accreditation service supporting both maintenance providers and operators, whilst continuing to improve standards. Accredited workshops will receive the IRTE’s stamp of approval, highlighting compliance in key areas, such as premises, equipment, technical staff, management, clerical staff, documentation, quality and appearance.”

Maintenance providers receiving IRTE Workshop Accreditation will achieve a competitive advantage, benefiting from inclusion in the IRTE Workshop Accreditation Register, thereby demonstrating commitment to delivering high levels of service. This comprehensive online database of accredited maintenance providers includes information on location, services, facilities, vehicle test pass rates, RIDDOR stats, HSE notices and more.

Organisations with in-house maintenance provision can also benefit from accreditation, which can support the development of workshop standards, such as decreasing vehicle downtime and improving pass rates.

FTA director of vehicle inspections Alan Osborne says: “With around 80% of operators sub-contracting their vehicle maintenance to third parties, there is a real appetite for a “Buy with Confidence” scheme in this area. Operators recognise that, while they can sub-contract their maintenance, they cannot sub-contract their responsibilities for vehicle condition. FTA had been considering its own workshop accreditation scheme but soon saw the sense in working collaboratively with the IRTE, who had already developed their guide to Maintenance Supplier Assessment. FTA is pleased to be working with IRTE on this important initiative that will help to raise standards in our industry.”

Last year, workshops operated by MAN Truck & Bus and Scania took part in the pilot programme, to ensure IRTE Workshop Accreditation meets and exceeds the needs of industry. Now, supporters of the scheme believe it will provide an independent benchmark enabling easy and informed decision-making from customers, whilst also increasing the overall standard of vehicle repair. Wincanton Group Ltd’s technical services director, Dave Rowlands, comments: “Wincanton and other major fleet operators welcome the development of a workshop accreditation scheme, particularly one aimed at the heavy vehicle market. The ability to search geographically for accredited workshops, which have been independently assessed against a rigorous standard, and view an account of their service offering, including current RIDDOR and MOT pass rates, is an industry first.

“Accredited workshops will be able to showcase their service offerings to a key customer group, demonstrate continued improvement and establish credibility in a broad marketplace.” Nick Jones adds: “With so much at stake, companies need assurances they are getting the standard of workshop service they expect. Our joint cooperation will afford buyers of maintenance provision with a confidence that has been sorely lacking until now.”

To register an interest in having your workshops accredited by the IRTE, please contact technical@soe.org.uk or visit www.irteworkshop.org.uk.