Fleet news round-up: March 3, 2010
Save fuel, save cost, save the planet
The SMMT’s half-day seminar on telematics aims to show the technology’s role in cutting fuel use, costs and CO2 emissions for van operators. "The aim is to start discussion and make people aware of the big savings in fuel use, emissions and cash that are available right now from the intelligent use of telematics," said Robin Dickeson, manager, commercial vehicle affairs at the SMMT. "Telematics should offer savings of at least 10% within days, while we’ll have to wait longer for most other technologies to make the same difference." Sharon Clancy, editor at M-Logistics, the UK’s leading magazine for telematics and vehicle tracking will lead the seminar and Richard Turner, leader of the Commission for Integrated Transport’s van study group will give the keynote speech. There will be contributions from systems suppliers Microlise and TomTom Work and from operators. The seminar is on 24 March at the SMMT’s London head office. The cost is £50+VAT a head, though SMMT members go free.
FTA manifesto
The Freight Transport Association says politicians must commit to the logistics sector or risk consigning the UK to a future of under-achievement. The FTA makes these comments as it sets out its manifesto, calling for politicians to invest in UK infrastructure, work with it on carbon solutions, change the Highway Code, respect commercial vehicles and tackle truck crime. It says these five commitments are vital. "Logistics delivers our food, our medicine and even warms our homes. Its 2.3 million strong workforce contributes billions to the Treasury each year," said Jo Tanner of the FTA. "Modern society is not only enriched by our sophisticated global supply chain, but almost entirely dependent on it."
Scania wins Autologic deal
Scania has won a deal with Autologic to manage its mixed fleet of trucks and specialist trailers from 1 March. The firm will run Autologic’s Doncaster Vehicle Maintenance Unit. Autologic provides nation-wide logistics and technical services to the automotive industry. Scania will handle the maintenance and safety testing of some 280 Autologic drawbar trucks and trailers, including the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations testing for lifting decks. It won’t do the tyre fleet management. Once at full capacity, Scania will manages 18 technicians and all the other people needed to run the unit on Autologic’s behalf, as part of its Total Transport Solutions scheme.
Ryder’s first electric truck on contract hire
Truck rental and contract hire specialist, Ryder has delivered its first leased 10 tonne electric truck. The Smiths Newton 10 tonne truck goes to Bunzl, the distribution and outsourcing group; it will work on catering and hospitality jobs in the central London area. Based at Bunzl’s Charlton branch, the truck has a range of some 80 miles and has been designed for stop-start work in the greater London area. Trials with a demonstrator have shown that one charge could last for up to three days on Bunzl’s normal delivery routes around the capital.
Tata gets a £340m EIB loan
Tata Motors has done a deal with the European Investment Bank for an eight-year, £340m loan for Jaguar Land Rover. This will help pay for the development of micro and full hybrid drive trains and research into more efficient car bodies.
New telematics antenna for trucks and buses
Australian antenna specialist RF Industries has a new low-profile aerial for use with truck and bus telematics systems. Called TLA4000 series it meets relevant European standards. Oxtec, RFI’s European partners say the unit is "an ideal single antenna solution" for harsh environments. It will work on all cellular frequencies, WiFi at 2.4GHz and handle GPS for tracking.
Cameron’s internet-based fuel management system
Cameron Forecourt will launch a new fuel storage management system called Eclipse on its stand 5474 at the CV Operator show in April. This uses satellite-based technology to give round-the-clock fuel status monitoring via the Internet and needs no special software. Aimed specifically at the owners of commercial refuelling installations, the system makes it far easier for fleet operators to monitor stocks, pinpoint deficiencies and stamp out theft or unauthorised fuelling. "With traditional landline or GSM-linked monitoring systems, the data can be anything up to 24 hours old," said Martyn Gent, sales and marketing manager. "The Eclipse tells you immediately when things start going wrong, be it theft, fuel loss or any other exception."
Aspray to double in size
Willenhall-based family firm Aspray Transport expects to grow 20% this year and double in size in two years. The firm just got 26 new Daf trucks, mostly LF 7.5 tonners but with some CF tractors to help it handle newly-won work. It also expects to hire 50 more people by the end of March. The new trucks join Aspray’s 300 trucks and 110 trailers. The firm also plans to order another 25 new trucks later this year. Greenhous Commercials, also in Willenhall, got the business on the back of Aspray’s local buying policy and a successful, 22-year relationship between the two firms. The firm has 12 depots across the UK, including a logistics site in Wolverhampton.
European CV registrations drop 12.3% in January
Acea, the Brussels-based European motor industry association just released January data on commercial vehicle registrations in the European Union. These show a total of 123,527 units for the month, 12.3% down on January last year. This is now a 21 month on month decline. Heavy trucks, over 16 tonnes did worst, down 43.5% to 10,961 while vans up to 3.5t dropped 5.2% to 105,522. For all vans and trucks over 3.5t, registrations dropped 40% to 15,756. Germany did best, taking 4,185 of those vans. January bus and coach registrations dropped 30.9% to 2,249.
Logistics showcase
If you feel that logistics doesn’t get the credit it deserves, the Freight Transport Association’s giving you a chance to show the sector some love at its Logistics Showcase. On the first evening of the CV Operator Show in Birmingham, the FTA will run a gala dinner to celebrate the sector. "The night will also see the premiere of four brand new short films, each showing an aspect of logistics," says Jo Tanner at the FTA. "And you’ll get a chance to meet contacts old and new. Places are limited, so make sure you book today at www.lovelogistics.co.uk or by calling 08 717 112 222."
TVS Logistics goes for European growth
TVS Logistics, the Indian company which bought Multipart last year, is re-organising its European operations as part of a global plan to double revenue in two years from its current level of more than £140 million. The firm says that a key part of this is the appointment of Chris Gateley, Multipart’s managing director, to the Boards of TVS Automotive Europe, as chief executive and to TVS C J Components, TVS Group’s British component making subsidiary. Gately also keeps his job as MD at Multipart. TVS Automotive Europe offers Line Feed, Original Equipment Purchasing, Inbound Supply Chain management, aftermarket and related IT and technical support to motor industry clients across Europe.
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