Fleet transport nov 16

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Clare Distribution Services REVIEWS & PREVIEWS

Fleet Transport Irish Haulier of the Year 2017 NOVEMBER 16

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Contents NOVEMBER 16

Fleet Transport Magazine, D’Alton Street, Claremorris, Co. Mayo, Ireland. F12 E7P2 Tel: +353 (0)94 9372819/ 9372826 Fax: +353 (0)94 9373571 Email: enquiries@fleet.ie Subscription Hotline: 094 93 72827 Editor: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie Contributors: Sean Murtagh, Paul White, Cathal Doyle, Jonathan Lawton, Donal Dempsey, Howard Knott, Jerry Kiersey, HSA, Dr. Betty Maguire, Rob Van Dieten, Leonard Allison Photography: Jarlath Sweeney, Paul White, Cathal Doyle, Rob Van Dieten, Howard Knott, Jerry Kiersey, Leonard Allison, Charleen Clarke, Trish Forde, Paul Sherwood, Peter Houlihan Administration: Denise Owens, Paula Mullarkey Email: enquiries@fleet.ie Advertising: Mary Morrissey - mary@fleet.ie

4 News • New Road Safety Course • Isuzu & Mazda come together • Win tickets to Ireland vs All Blacks match • 39 tonnes GVW to go?

• Successful Fleet Transport Awards Gala Dinner • Truck cartel claims commence • Commercial Vehicle sales continue to increase

61 Fuel Prices Courtesy of the IRU - Week 43

8 Interview With Phillippe Caillette, Renault LCV

66 Review II IAA CV Show, Hannover, Germany

10 Concept Z Truck concept from Iveco

68 Health Matters Gambling

12 New Fleet Keelings' new Scanias and Dennisons complete double trailer fleet deal

69 Comment Reflections from the Fleet Transport Awards

14 Group Test Annual European Truck Challenge, Germany

70 Report II IEA Supply Chain Seminar, Claremorris

20 Fleeting Shots Major award for Children’s novelist and Headsup to Continental

Sponsorship/Events: Orla Sweeney - orla@fleet.ie

21 Report I FIATA World Congress, Dublin

Design: Eamonn Wynne Printed in Ireland

64 Awards Contenders for Irish Van of the Year 2017

72 Opinion Insurance issues 73 Legal The walkaround check

79 Finance Profit margins

26 Safety Matters Safe deliveries 27-59 Fleet Transport Awards 2017 Full report and pictures from the big night!

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62 Launch Pad LCV updates

75-78 Fleet Maritime Shipping & Freight Newsletter

24 Review 1 Paris Motor Show 2016

Fleet Transport/ Fleet Car/ Fleet Bus & Coach/ Fleet Van & Utility/ Fleet Trailer & Body Builder/ Fleet Maritime/ Green Fleet Management are published by JJDS Publications Ltd. Registered Office: D’Alton Street, Claremorris, Co. Mayo.

Co. Reg. 368767 Directors: Jarlath Sweeney, Sean Murtagh.

80 Trailer Trailer Innovation Awards 2017 82 Soapbox Proud industry to be involved in

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Transport Barometer: Data from 15/09/2016 - 14/10/2016 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 Transport Official Irish Jury Member of the International Truck of the Year Award

Official Irish jury member of the International Forklift Truck Award

www.fleet.ie | 3

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TimoCom registers a summerly freight increase In the third quarter of 2016, TimoCom's transport barometer reported a freight to vehicle ratio of 55:45. It was the busiest period so far this year, with each month recording a freight surplus.

In July, TimoCom registered a freight share of 54% exceeding the available vehicle capacity, while during August the freight share fell to 51% remaining, however, just above the available vehicle capacity.

September offered a possible start into a golden autumn: with 61% freight share in comparison to 39% free vehicle space.

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4 | NEWS 1

New Certificate Isuzu & Mazda team up as in Road Safety, latest D-MAX on horizon Mobility & Health

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tarting in November, the National Programme Office for Traffic Medicine is hosting a multifaceted Certificate course in Road Safety, Mobility & Health in association with the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and the Road Safety Authority (RSA).

Th is is the fi rst Certificate of its kind in Europe and encompasses all road users, goods and passenger transport operators, plus professional drivers. Additional organisations supporting and contributing to this Certificate include An Garda Síochána, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Medical Bureau of Road Safety and the Faculty of Public Health.

Elements of this course include:• Pinpointing stakeholders & engagement strategies • Conducting a risk analysis • Recognising killer behaviours • Identifying mobility challenges Commenting on the forthcoming course, Moyagh Murdoch, CEO, RSA said, “It is an area we haven’t a formal education on in the past. We believe it will provide medical professionals, an Garda Síochána, people who can influence behaviour on roads, with a better insight into the causation factors. They will be able to influence and affect change in driver behaviour.”

Garda Derek Cloughley, Road Safety Unit, National Garda Traffic Bureau added: “Th is programme will give an insight into how our colleagues work in other areas supporting road safety, for example healthcare, rehabilitation and general practice.”

Professor Des O'Neill, Director of National Office for Traffic Medicine

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suzu is to produce the nextgeneration Pick-up trucks for Mazda following an extended collaboration agreement announced between the two Japanese automotive brands recently. This new jointventure programme adds strengths to the continuous long-term relationship together as Isuzu has been producing the Mazda trucks for the Japanese market. Here-to-fore the Mazda BT-50 was produced by Ford. The new Mazda Pick-up will go on sale worldwide except North America.

Meanwhile, Isuzu revealed the latest D-MAX Pick-up at the Paris Motor Show. The most significant development to the revised, remodeled and redesigned version is the new

1.9 litre Euro 6 diesel engine that boasts 120kW/160hp and 360 Newton metres of torque. The new lighter, quieter drivetrain which includes a new 6-speed manual and automatic transmission, ensures lower fuel economy allied to reduced total cost of ownership.

Looking sharper and tougher, the new D-MAX due here next year benefits from a new larger front grille and new light arrangement. In Thailand where it’s made and which is its biggest market, a sports version called the X-Series is on sale featuring stylish body kits and many accessory add-ons.

Expect Irish owners to look to same when the Pick-up arrives here!

Win two tickets to the Ireland versus All Blacks Guinness Series 2016

In association with Iveco, European Supporter of the All Blacks.

• 19 November - Aviva Stadium - 17.30.

• The two ticket prize also includes a Meet & Greet session with members of the All Blacks team.

Just send in your name, address and mobile number by email to enquiries@fleet.ie before 10 November 2016.

FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

NEWS II | 5

5-axle rigid truck weight allowances - Minister has communicated decision to RSA on fate of 39 tonne GVW

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ueries from Fleet Transport to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) in relation to a possible move to reduce the 39 tonne GVW currently allowed on 5-axle rigid to 35 tonnes GVW indicates that a formal communication may be forthcoming in the not to distant future.

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The statement from the RSA reads: “The Minister for the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport has considered the various views expressed in relation to this matter and has recently come to a decision on the appropriate weight regulations for 5-axle rigid truck. The Minister’s decision has been communicated to the RSA so that the industry, as a whole, can be simultaneously informed and so that the necessary regulations giving effect to this decision can be drafted. The RSA will be communicating the details of this decision to relevant stakeholders in due course.”

Action packed Gala Dinner for 10th Fleet Transport Awards 2017

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ver 860 representatives (and three trucks) from the road transport industry packed into the Banqueting Hall of the Citywest Hotel for the 10th annual Fleet Transport Awards Gala Dinner. Organised by Fleet Transport magazine, the 10th Anniversary event had a special themed colour scheme stage setting, blending in with three Iveco trucks wearing All Blacks livery. Throughout the evening, strong audio visuals with sound and video linked with the award contenders and sponsors products and brand identities.

Compere Marty Whelan entertained the audience with his unique banter, while Verona Murphy, President of the Irish Road Haulage Association was the keynote speaker.

The evening also featured a special 1916 commemoration with Sibéal Ni Chasaide singing Mise Eire, composed by Patrick Cassidy.

Clare Distribution Services (Dublin) took the big prize in winning Irish Haulier of the Year 2017 (in association with Rosslare Europort), with the FH.540 6x2 Globe Trotter XL from Volvo Trucks collecting the Irish Truck of the Year 2017 accolade (sponsored by Corcra Communication). Clare Distribution also won the National Haulier of the Year title.

Other prize winners included Virginia International Logistics (Cavan), Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland (Cork), Noel Brennan

Transport (Waterford), Clavin Transport Services (Westmeath), N&C Enterprises (Kildare), DHL Supply Chain (Dublin), Assetminder Ltd (Dublin), AQS Environmental Services (Kildare), W.S. Dennison Ltd (Antrim & Limerick), Dennison Trailers (Kildare & Lancaster), Medicall Ambulance Services (Dublin), Zellwood (Dublin) and Cold Move (Galway).

“What a night for Clare Distribution Services.

Both myself and the team are delighted to have won such a prestigious title - and on the 10th Anniversary of the Fleet Transport Awards as well! Through very hard work and

determination, the company has been going from strength to strength and to win on the night makes all that hard work worthwhile. The award means so much to myself, the company and all the staff,” stated a delighted Mark Clare, Managing Director, Clare Distribution Services.

DAF Trucks, Mercedes-Benz, Iveco and Fuso were the other successful brands to be honoured in the Truck of the Year, Green Commercials and Truck Innovation Awards, while Dennison Trailers won the Trailer Innovation Award. www.fleet.ie

6 | NEWS III

Truck Cartel claims abound

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ast July, as widely reported, the European Commission Director General for Competition, Ms. Margrethe Vestager concluded a lengthy investigation into allegations of price fi xing among truck manufacturers.

This investigation began following disclosures that were made by MAN Truck & Bus. It was alleged by MAN that meetings had taken place in which the unit costs of trucks from 1997 to 2011 were fi xed. The reasoning behind the price fixing was to incorporate the expected R&D and production costs involved in ensuring units were compliant with Euro 5 & 6 engine emission regulations. In providing the information to the European Commission, MAN side-stepped the imposition of any monetary fines. The other manufacturers IVECO, DAF Trucks, Daimler and Volvo/Renault Trucks were fined on a sliding scale.

Accumulatively a record figure of €2.93 billion was imposed.

The exact extent of the investigation undertaken by the Commission has not yet been fully disclosed as the Commission decision is circulated to those affected and not to the wider public at large. Scania has also been under the spotlight as a result of the Commission’s investigation.

No finding has yet been made against the Swedish brand, but it does remain under suspicion. As a result of the Commission finding, truck owners who purchased trucks from any of the manufacturers now have a cause of action against those manufacturers for surcharging.

O’Dwyer Solicitors of Ballyhaunis, County Mayo has been the first firm in Europe to commence Anti-Trust claims against the manufacturers.

The litigation which the firm has commenced is on behalf of Irish truck owners and is against all of the participants in the cartel. As the extent of the culpability between the cartelists is unknown, the litigation can be prosecuted against each and every member of the cartel as proven.

“The Irish litigation is being watched keenly from Europe where the Anti-Trust litigation laws are not as liberal. Under Irish law, litigation can begin and be prosecuted to conclusion in a very speedy fashion. Any claims in excess of €1 million can be fast-tracked by the Commercial division of the High Court where those disputes involve breaches of European Union Competition Law of a Commercial nature,” stated Evan O’Dwyer, O’Dwyer Solicitors.

O’Dwyer Solicitors are now bringing claims both in the Competition division of the High Court and the Commercial division of the High Court for affected truck owners. The background work that was being undertaken by the firm during the course of the investigation is now being revealed with a wealth of European Union Competition Law and economic expertise already to hand.

Given the speedy nature in which disputes which fall into the Commercial division of the High Court can be prosecuted, it seems that in the near future, these truck cartel claims will be very much headline news with Ireland again proving to be at the coalface of European Union Commercial litigation.

New CV Registrations continue to rise across EU

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uring the month of September 2016, demand for new commercial vehicles in Europe continued to grow (+6.0%), even if at a more modest rate than the previous month. This marked the 21st consecutive month of growth, with a total of 220,781 new vehicles registered.

According to figures released by ACEA, the governing body for the commercial vehicle manufacturers in Europe, growth continued to be driven by the Italian (+46.3%) and Spanish (+14.1%) markets, while France (-1.1%) and the United Kingdom (-0.9%) performed less well than in September 2015.

Over the first nine months of 2016, the EU market expanded by 13.1%, totalling about 1.7 million commercial vehicles. During that period, Italy (+40.2%), Spain (+13.1%),

FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

Germany (+11.3%), France (+10.1%) and the United Kingdom (+2.0%) all posted growth.

In September 2016 registrations of new vans totalled 185,415 units, up (+6.8%) compared to September 2015, marking the 37th consecutive month of growth in the segment. Demand was mostly supported by Italy (+46.3%) and Spain (+12.2%), followed by Germany (+5.6%) and the UK (+1.9%). The French market, on the other hand, saw a decline (-2.1%) last month.

From January to September 2016, 1,422,657 new light commercial vehicles were registered in the EU, or 13.5% more than in the same period last year. Italy (+41.5%), Spain (+13.0%), Germany (+12.9%), France (+9.8%) and the United Kingdom (+2.7%) all contributed to

this positive upturn over the first nine months of 2016.

A contrasting story for passenger transport vehicles as new bus and coach registrations declined for the fourth consecutive month (-1.8%), totalling 3,934 units. Spain (+38.2%), Italy (+21.4%), Germany (+13.8%) and the UK (+11.3%) all posted double-digit increases, but France (-17.9%) performed less well than in September 2015.

Over the first nine months of 2016, the EU market for buses and coaches remained fairly stable (+0.5%), totalling 29,047 new vehicles registered. Demand was primarily driven

by Spain (+16.7%) and Germany (+14.4%), while France (-4.2%), the UK (-3.5%) and Italy (-3.2%) saw demand decline over this period.

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8 | INTERVIEW

One-to-One with Philippe Caillette, Program Director, Pick-up & Small Vans, Renault LCV,

by Jarlath Sweeney

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t the inaugural global launch of the all-new Renault Alaskan in Columbia, Fleet Transport got an interesting insight to the future at Renault’s light commercial vehicle division.

The first question was related to the said Alaskan, which is Renault’s version of the award-winning Nissan Navara Pick-up.

Philippe was asked whether the new model would be sold at Renault’s car and Pro+ LCV dealerships catering for the leisure and business customers. He replied, “As the Alaskan will be sold at both types of dealerships within the network across South America, where the vehicle will be first launched, we have not made a decision on this strategy yet for Europe, when launched later this year.”

Philippe considers the Alaskan as a flagship model and the European sales offensive will concentrate mainly on the big markets such as Germany, France, UK, and Spain, while in South America, Argentina, Brazil and Columbia are the initial targets.

Within that strategy, Renault will be targeting the Alaskan at the fleet sector where the brand already has a strong presence. Philippe feels that van fleet buyers from its current range will be attracted to acquiring or adding a few Pick-up utility vehicles for their business.

Regarding a gap in the Renault LCV lineup, all but the compact van segment is now covered by the ‘diamond’ brand. Currently this city van space is filled by Fiat Professional, PSA Group (Peugeot/Citroën) and more recently, Ford. Renault’s sister brand Dacia has the Dokker, which would fit this sector adequately in terms of size and price. A Renault badged Dokker perhaps?

“Dokker is a good proposal,” stated Philippe.

“Year by year we are selling more and more Dokker, increasing sales by 15%. Dokker is the right size, in terms of technical characteristics, FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

length, weight and width. So, it can become a benchmark in terms of the technical proposal and we are thinking about this.”

On the other end of the scale and looking to recent developments by the PSA Group with its new compact version of the Expert and Dispatch in the 1 tonne plus class, could we see a smaller Trafic next time around? Philippe had an interesting take on this initiative in that he was looking to having a bigger Dokker option, using its platform instead of creating a smaller Trafic. “It has to have the right size with the right engine.”

What about introducing hybrid powered vans as per what’s coming with the car division?

"Yes, we are thinking about hybrid proposals in our cars, but we also have a lot of electric power in our strategy. Currently we are planning to sell more electric vehicles with a better battery. With some cities not permitting to drive IC (Internal Combustion) engines by 2020, we will have more sales of EVs and will have a good proposal by then."

On the mention of a better battery, that aspect was explored further. “We are thinking about a good battery with a minimum range distance of 400 kilometres, but not until 2018.

We have to be careful about having the right size of batteries for the size of vehicle and considering the overall weight.”

On the potential of Natural Gas power, which seems to be gaining traction lately, Philippe was a little sceptical. “We have some fleets in France today, mostly cars but we have some vans on test and it works, but we don’t have big demand. Outside of France maybe [markets] such as Italy and Germany. The technology is not an issue, if the market exists, we will be ready to explore.”

Are we going to see further collaboration with Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles, maybe with the next Master van?

“We are working closely with them now and in order to fulfil the agreement, we have good proposals coming in the next few years.”

Top Oil - Fuel Cards The Ace in the Pack Top Oil looking for HGV fuelling locations: As one of the leading fuel operators in the country, Top Oil has over 200 fuel card locations throughout Ireland. With a mix of Top Oil branded retail locations and un-manned 24 hour sites, Top Oil provides easy access for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) and high speed pumps dispensing Road Diesel, AdBlue and Sulphur Free Gas Oil. The fuel card has increased in popularity due to the main advantage that they tie all fuelling transactions into one place offering companies the ability to keep track of their fuel spend easily and eliminate any issues with lost receipts and unrecorded transactions.

As a growing Irish business, Top Oil is looking for potential new locations to strengthen the Top Oil Fuel Card Network for HGV’s and provide additional AdBlue fuelling points for customers.

Fuel Card Location Requirements: Top Oil’s Fuel Card Manager, Eamon Martin outlines the ideal new fuel card location: “Many transport companies and fleet operators have distribution facilities based in commercial and industrial areas, usually with a large yard/compound or truck parking area which is underutilised. By combining this site profile with a high volume of locally based HGV truck movements and good passing traffic working in the area; it is a good indicator that there is scope for a fuel card location. A Fuel Ccard site needs a good turning circle for articulated vehicles plus room for 70,000 litre storage tank, high speed pumps and cards readers.”

Earn Additional Income “A good strategic fuel card location will provide good rental income or the owner can accept a transaction payment for each litre purchased, sharing in the success of the business,” continued Eamon.

Top Oil is an Irish owned company flexible in its approach to these types of investments by working with the owners in developing the business to maximise sales. As these are un-manned fully automated Fuel Card locations, there is no day to day involvement by the site owner, with potential additional income through credit and debit card sales to the public.

Contact Top Oil If you have potential opportunities available in the Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway area or have opportunities near the major Motorway Junctions or in some of our major towns, please contact Top Oil to arrange a site visit to assess any potential locations. Please get in touch with Eamon Martin on 086 2562785 or emartin@top.ie.

About Top Oil Top Oil is a family owned Irish business with a 200 year trading history. Annually, Top Oil sells over 1.3 billion litres of fuel throughout Ireland and Northern Ireland. Top Oil owns and manages its own 55,000 tonne import terminal to provide a true end-to-end solution, from ‘Port to Pump’ ensuring security of supply of Quality Assured fuel products for consumers and businesses. Top Oil’s nationwide network of 200 Top Oil Service Stations, Motorway Service Areas, Top Oil Fuel Card locations, resellers and 21 Top Oil Depots continues to grow, nationwide.

Visit www.top.ie for further Top Oil information.

Know a Top spot?

Strengthening our Fuel Card network With over 200 fuel card locations throughout Ireland and a mix of branded retail locations and un-manned 24 hour sites, Top Oil is looking for potential new locations to strengthen our fuel card network for HGV’s and provide additional AdBlue fuelling points for our customers.

With opportunities to earn rental income or transaction payment for each litre purchased.

If you have a potential site or require more information about Fuel Cards, talk to a member of our Fuel Card Team.

Call 1850 22 22 62 fuelcard@top.ie www.top.ie Eamon Martin on 086 2562785 or emartin@top.ie

10 | CONCEPT

Iveco presents its Z Truck concept at IAA 2016

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it like lett ing the cat out of the bag! Just happened to be passing by the impressive Iveco exhibition at the IAA CV Show in Hannover and low and behold, weren’t the brand’s stand representatives fi nalising details of what was on display.

Next thing, the drapes came off, what looked like a space-ship straight from outer space. But no, it was the latest concept in the shape of the Z Truck, the Zero-impact prototype that anticipates the shift to green energy and autonomous driving in long-distance haulage.

safety and the aim of creating a new living cab space. Its pioneering approach has resulted in this concept being protected by 29 patents,” he said.

It is based on a heavy truck running on Bio-LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) with conformable tanks, enhanced aerodynamics

and a waste heat recovery system, and is designed to deliver long-haul transport with autonomy of 2,200 kilometres and virtually zero CO 2 emissions. The Zero concept carries through to other elements of the truck including zero accidents through the advanced use of automated driving technologies, giving an insight into how

Th is futuristic flagship breaks away from every constraint to be a zero-impact vehicle for a totally sustainable transport system, according to Pierre Lahutte, Iveco Brand President, who introduced the official reveal later that morning. When this exciting arrival was officially unveiled, needless to say it was one of the big stars of the Show.

“Iveco Z Truck was designed in collaboration

by CNH Industrial’s Design Center & Innovation Department, together with Italian design and engineering company ED, and takes a step into the future by anticipating the way alternative energy, new technologies and automated driving will change the role of a driver. It is shaped by its enhanced aerodynamics, improved FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

Pictured with the Iveco Z Truck were the senior management of ED Group with the Iveco Brand President, Pierre Lahutt e ( from the left : Pierre Lahutt e, Francesco Aroldi, ED CEO, Davide Pizzorno, President and founder of ED, and Roberto Colantuoni, ED Corporate Communication & Strategy Manager).

CONCEPT | 11

new technologies and autonomous driving will change the role of the driver into an on-board logistics operator.

“The driver-centred design aims to achieve zero stress and zero waste of time. The cab is freed from traditional constraints to be reconfigured according to the different uses (driving, automated driving, office work, rest) and the HMI (Human Machine Interface) to adapt the way it provides information as needed - the right information, at the right time, in the right place.”

The ED Group, the largest independent engineering and design company in Italy, partnered with Iveco for the development of the Z Truck concept. It proved to be one of the major att ractions at the Show with originality and freshness, as well as having high levels of innovation, technology and original design.

“Iveco Z Truck, with its impressive elegance, is the perfect answer to the rapid evolution of the commercial vehicle sector, with special regard to long-haul vehicles destined for international routes. These challenges led the development teams to create an advanced truck that features a completely redesigned cab, with modern architecture producing new att ractive shapes, projected into the future, anticipating the way autonomous driving technology will change drivers’ lives.

The Iveco Z Truck was designed to be both a working environment for professionals and a relaxing environment for passengers who desire a friendly, flexible space, as if they were at home.

The joint collaboration with Iveco & CNH Industrial was all carried out in the brand

new ED R&D Center in Rivoli, Turin and the whole project was developed and constructed in record time, from June to September.

“We are particularly proud of this project,” said Davide Pizzorno, President and founder of ED, “and we are very pleased to team up with a world leader in the commercial vehicle industry. Th is was a great opportunity to highlight our ability to seamlessly integrate our experts with our clients, working closely as a team, offering them a spectacular environment, which they consider a 'home-away-fromhome'. In addition, the development and construction of a vehicle of this size, has enabled us to successfully test our brand new facilities in the new ED Design Center in Rivoli, a next generation, high-tech center designed to develop innovative projects here in Piedmont, similar to those in Silicon Valley.”

Iveco Z Truck features a new generation LNG engine running on Bio-methane, which is derived from refi ned biogas. Th is fuel, which plays a key role in CNH Industrial’s quest to develop sustainable transport modes on its path to Zero emissions, ensures low CO2 and ultra low PM emission. Th is LNG-fuelled engine develops 460 hp and 2,000 Nm torque, and features a 16-gear automated transmission with Powershift in the upper gears.

Iveco’s commitment to innovation and constant evolution in the area of the LNG technology is also embraced by Petronas Lubricants International, which supported the development of Iveco Z Truck. In fact, LNG used in conjunction with Petronas

Text & Photos: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

Urania low viscosity engine oils, contributes to reaching the zero emissions target, further improving fuel efficiency.

Iveco Z Truck features Michelin X-Line Energy, the fi rst range to be awarded the AAA grading in rolling resistance, which saves long-haul convoys up to one litre of fuel per 100 km. The tyres feature RFID embedded tags, which can track each tyre throughout its life cycle, providing information such as type, size, model name, wear, performance or temperature. Used with Tyre Pressure Monitoring System sensors on the rims, they can also provide pressure data.

www.fleet.ie

12 | NEW FLEET

Keelings : Growing Fruit, Flowers & Scania Fleet with McElvaneys!

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sight to behold for any transport enthusiast happened recently on the M1 and M2, as well as roads in between! Keeling’s convoy of 12 new Scania trucks and Schmitz Cargobull trailers certainly turned heads, and the subsequent video footage on social media went viral!

120 years ago in the Donabate area of County Dublin the family farm business once supplied to the local Dublin market.

Now Keelings ships, sources and distributes fresh produce from around the world into Ireland, the UK and European markets.

According to Michael Murphy, Head of Global/National Transport Logistics at Keelings, “The growing market, our everexpanding customer base and our desire to be the freshest, best-in-class produce supplier, has prompted us to invest in our own vehicles. Our most recent investment in the impressive fleet of twelve Scania trucks and Schmitz CargoBull trailers means that we now have an effective and reliable route to market via our chilled/ambient vans, rigid trucks and HGVs. It was a bold move but one that has already seen dividends.”

Pictured (l - r): Michael Murphy, TIP Trailer Services; Aaron O’Grady, Vision Branding; Michael Murphy, Keelings; Reuben O’Grady, Vision Branding & Adrian McElvaney, McElvaney Motors.

Michael continued; “The decision to invest in a Keelings fleet of vehicles was made earlier this year. We began our search for 1 best in business companies who held the same values and ethos as Keelings and who could deliver quality product, on time and in a cost effective manner. Our partners on the project include McElvaney Motors (Scania Dealer), TIP Trailer Services and Vision Branding. Together, these companies worked seamlessly to ensure the Keelings branded Scania trucks and Schmitz CargoBull trailers were delivered to meet our delivery schedule and within agreed budgets. We chose McElvaney Motors because of their vision to deliver customer service excellence, when delivering high spec vehicles into our business servicing the Irish retail sector.”

Speaking about the relationship with Keelings, Adrian McElvaney, McElvaney Motors stated: “Since our inception in 1979, we have been dealing with large corporations and small companies alike. As a Scania dealer, we were in a position to provide Keelings with the ideal solution for their transport needs in terms of location, service and reliability. In dealing with Keelings, we are involved with a cutt ing edge company who has not only forged ahead with their business, but is also a pioneer in their field.

We are very proud to now be a partner to Keelings and of our association with such a formidable Irish company.”

Check out the impressive video on McElvaney Motors' YouTube Channel.

Dennison duo for Cunningham & Nolan

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n display at the recent Fleet Transport Exhibition Arena were skeletal trailers built and sold by Dennison Trailers to John Nolan Transport and Brian Cunningham Transport.

Nolan’s two 13m platform skeletals can carry 1 x 40’ 1 x 45’, 1 x 30’, 2 x 20’ and 1 x heavy 20’ containers, with 1500mm fi xed headboard to XL specification. They also feature pull-out crash bar and 6 pairs of 80 x 80 posts, 1500mm with storage tray, SAF drum brakes, Continental tyres, Knorr Bremse EBS with raise lower valve, Aspoeck Led side lights and Europoint 3 tail lamps.

“This trailer is unique in the market in that it can carry both a 40’ and a 45’ container with the doors of container fully accessible for loading. In addition it has the correct weight distribution between axles and imposed on king pin,” explained David Dennison, Innovation Director, Dennison Trailers.

Meanwhile, Brian Cunningham ordered two different types of skeletals. One was a Sliding Skelly, specified with BPW drum brakes and its Eco-Compact suspension, Bridgestone tyres, Haldex EBS, Jost landing legs, Aspoeck Led side lights and Europoint 3 tail lamps. It has an extended chassis at front in place of a pull out Susie hood. 5 of these specific trailers were purchased by the Castlebar based fi rm.

The 8 lock Skelly with 150mm neck, is one of five bought by Brian Cunningham, which can carry 1 x 40, 1 x 45’ and 2 x 20’ containers. Featuring similar spec to the above, it also has an extended chassis at front for easier access to couplings when carrying a 45’ box plus side guard in-fi lls.

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or Log onto www.mikemurphyinsurance.ie TODAY! CELEBRATING 40 YEARS IN INSURANCE Haulage: • Single Vehicles • Motor Fleet for Hauliers • Haulage Risks • Carriers Liability • Warehouse Risks • Public Liability • Employers Liability Mike Murphy Insurance is a trade name of New Sure Life Ltd. and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

Text: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

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14 | GROUP TEST

‘European Truck Challenge takes a look behind the fuel figures’

Iveco Stralis

The latest incarnation of the Italian manufacturer’s long-serving Stralis entered the 2016 ETC with it’s new XP (Xtra Power). Displaying the XP insignia prominently on the front panel, the badge is also displayed on both doors beside the new model designation of 570 - which notes the increased power output, up by 10 hp from 560.

The Stralis cab has remained unchanged since it was launched, apart from some slight trim upgrades. To be fair Stralis provides a pleasant environment that meets the needs of most drivers, and designing a new cab is a long term project that does not come cheap.

At the launch of Stralis XP, Iveco Brand President Pierre Lahoutte said: “We have worked on dramatically reducing the total cost of ownership (TCO) and CO2 with the new Stralis, and the new Stralis XP will be even more reliable that its predecessor.” Iveco believes that reducing the cost of ownership and CO2 is foremost in the minds of operators, and here is where it is directing its focus.

Despite having an extra 70hp more than the MAN and Scania, and 90hp more than the Actros, the Iveco’s performance left something to be desired. Even on the heavier motorway section where arguably it could have clawed something back, that extra horsepower didn’t really manifest itself, though the XP did record the highest speed across the mountain section of the test route.

FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

Nevertheless, the overall test figure for Stralis was good enough to earn a joint third position with MAN’s TGX. Where XP did especially disappoint was the return for AdBlue consumption which, at 2.9 l/100km, we feel is quite excessive. Th is is of course due to Iveco’s innovative SCR only system (termed Hi-eSCR), followed subsequently by Scania. In addition the high rate of AdBlue usage significantly influenced the combined diesel/AdBlue consumption figures, which resulted in a return of 37.2 l/100km. Th is figure is 3.6 l/100km higher than the best performing truck, the Actros.

The performance figures for Iveco could somewhat be attributed to the specification of the truck Iveco sent to the competition. While there are general criteria set out for the test vehicles, at times manufacturers may not be able to deliver a truck which will ensure the best possible outcome for them. In this case the Iveco, with the most powerful engine and a final drive ratio of 2.64:1 was measured against trucks with less powerful engines with rear axle ratios of 2.53:1.

Interestingly the unit presented for the previous ETC in 2014, was a 420hp Stralis Hi-Way with the same rear ratio. On that occasion the Iveco delivered a significantly better overall combined fuel and AdBlue test figure of 32.7 l/100km - in what were as such exactly the same conditions.

T

he European Truck Challenge (ETC) has long been a highlight of the truck testing calendar. The week long test event, which is hosted by the DVZ Publications Group, involves a number of leading transport magazines around Europe, with the assessments based around the Hannover region of Germany. The testing regime highlights important improvements in vehicle performance and fuel consumption, and while the improvements are often incremental, they can significantly change an operator’s bottom line.

The contenders entered for the 2016 Challenge represented four manufacturers who each command a strong position in the

GROUP TEST | 15 European truck market. All four brought the latest versions of their ± 500 hp tractor-units, and as such all the vehicles presented with a new feature or innovation that was not available at the previous ETC. While all the innovations were significant, arguably the most noteworthy entrant and the truck that generated the most speculation was Scania’s new R-series. The 2016 ETC was the fi rst time the long awaited next generation truck was measured against its peers, and interest in the truck’s performance was of particular importance considering the claims made by the brand at the launch in Paris.

However, ETC does not set out to crown champions, rather it aims to provide

MAN TGX

Outwardly MAN’s TGX has changed little apart from some small decal updates. Yet the truck remains contemporary looking and business like. Internally MAN has upgraded some of the trim and brought softer tones to the interior space by including some beige sections to the dash and door panels. These sections do soften the ambience, though some may prefer the practicality of the serviceable shades of grey. All of which is of course a matter of personal opinion and up for discussion.

operators with reliable performance data to assist them in making more informed choices and decisions. Although fuel consumption is an important factor for most operators, it is not the most relevant for everyone, and there are many other aspects to consider depending on the nature of the work.

For the ETC, all the trucks pulled Krone tri-axle fridges and all were independently fitted by DVZ with Goodyear Fuelmax tyres.

Equally all test units were independently equipped with PTV Telematics to ensure accurate recording of data. It is worth noting too that in addition to the checks made by DVZ, the vehicle manufacturers were also present throughout the event, with their test teams overseeing fair play.

Although the TGX may not have achieved the best diesel consumption, it was the most frugal in its consumption of AdBlue, returning a figure of 1.5 l/100km, which was 0.2 of a litre ahead of the Mercedes-Benz, and 1.4 l/100km ahead of the Iveco. Having the lowest AdBlue figure helped to reduce the MAN’s overall diesel and AdBlue figure for the test which came out at 35.8 l/100k. These tests record AdBlue usage as a percentage of diesel consumption and the MAN AdBlue return was 4.3 percent of the diesel it used.

While not the most powerful truck in the challenge, MAN’s TGX achieved the overall highest average speed across the test. Interestingly the second fastest was the Stralis, however it must be said that the difference in speed between all four of the trucks was marginal, with only 0.5 km/h covering the top three trucks. Even between the fastest and the slowest there was only 1.1 kp/h. That said, it should be noted that the MAN recorded the fastest journey time across each of the different roads sections with the exception of the mountain road.

With some recent enhancements to the interior and exterior, MAN has kept the TGX contemporary and the truck remains a favourite with many operators and drivers. It delivered a highly competent performance in many of the measured assessments of the ETC and proves it has a lot to offer operators.

As its EfficientLine series has evolved, MAN has delivered some important advances with its driveline technology. While the main components of the drive train have a certain familiarity to them, the improvements made to the 12.4 litre D26 and 12-speed ZF transmission have greatly improved the drive. With quicker and smoother gear selection from the 12-speed ZF and reduced noise levels from the 500 hp common rail engine, the truck certainly delivers a more refined experience.

In previous ETC events, MAN’s entrants were at a slight disadvantage as they were compared to trucks featuring new or advanced fuel saving systems. However, for the 2016 event TGX came equipped with the company’s own MAN EfficientCruise and MAN EfficientRoll programmes, all part of the EfficientLine3 edition. The improvements achieved by these systems are clear to see in the results data sheet. www.fleet.ie

16 | GROUP TEST truck of the four - albeit marginally, by a speed of 0.6 kp/h.

Mercedes-Benz Actros

What was particularly interesting about this year’s ETC was that while the Actros did not achieve the lowest fuel consumption figure it did achieve the lowest combined diesel and AdBlue consumption result. AdBlue usage for the Mercedes-Benz as a percentage of its diesel consumption was 5.5 percent, which equated to 1.7 l/100km. When this figure was added to the diesel consumption figure of 31.9 l/100km, total consumption for the Actros worked out at 33.6 l/100km, which was 0.6 l/100km less than nearest rival, Scania’s R-series.

The Mercedes-Benz entrant for the 2016 ETC was a StreamSpace cabbed Actros 1848. In keeping with its competitors the Actros also featured a number of enhancements, not least being the latest version of Daimler’s OM471 engine. At the launch of the new engine last year, Mercedes-Benz promised a fuel saving of three percent over its predecessor, so the European Truck Challenge set an interesting scene to see how close to the claims it came.

The test results for Actros highlighted that there is no perfect truck to do all things for all people. On the light and medium motorway sections of the test, Scania’s R-series delivered the lowest fuel consumption. However, on the hilly sections of the autobahn and on the mountain route, Actros came out on top - and significantly so. On the mountain drive sector Actros was ahead of the TGX to a value of 11.3.l/100km.

Now five years on from its launch, Actros is revealing how well spent Daimler’s original investment was, and how well the recent update has improved on the original.

Daimler AG’s investment in the development of Actros has returned dividends in sales volumes and customer goodwill across all markets.

As we know, Actros is no longer the new kid on the block, and while it may have had the upper hand previously, the competition has been steadily gaining ground, with enhanced drivelines and revised cabs offering improved comforts and styling. Are the updates to the OM471 enough to keep Actros in front of - or at least staying with the competition?

One of the important features of the new OM471 engine series is that three of the five power options, including the 1848 tested at the ETC, are what Daimler term ‘Top Torque’ engines. By this Daimler means that when travelling in 12th gear, the truck has an additional 200 Nm of torque available to maintain cruising speed for longer on hills. This ability was expected to provide important benefits over the test routes for ETC, and to some degree that has been reflected in the results. However on journey times the Actros proved to be the slowest ETC Range/Model Cab Type Engine Engine Type Displacement Fuel Delivery Rated Power Rated Torque @ rpm

Iveco Stralis XP 4x2 Hi-Way Cursor 13 In-line 6 cylinder 12.8 litre Common Rail 420kW / 570 hp @ 1605 - 1900 rpm 2500 Nm @ 1000 - 1605

Rpm @ 80 kp/h Emission Control Transmission Shift Type Rear Axle Ratio Engine Brake - rpm Secondary Retarder Goodyear Fuelmax Predictive Cruise Idle Speed Driving

1,070 Hi-eSCR ZF 12 TX2620 TD 12 Sp Iveco EuroTronic 2.64:1 IEB (440 kW) - 2300 rpm Yes 315/70 R22.5 Iveco Hi-Cruise Iveco Eco-Roll

FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

MAN TGX 18.500 BLS - EFL3 4x2 XLX MAN D26 In-line 6 cylinder 12.4 litre Common Rail 368 kW / 500 hp @1600 - 1800 rpm 2500 Nm @ 930 - 1350

Mercedes-Benz Actros MP4 1848 LS 4x2 StreamSpace Daimler OM470 R6 In-line 6 cylinder 12.8 litre Common Rail 350 kW / 476 hp @ 1,600 rpm 2300 Nm @ 1100 rpm 2450 Nm @ 1100 in (12th) 1,090 1,090 SCR & EGR SCR & EGR ZF 12+2 27 DD PROFI M-B G281-12 12 Speed MAN TipMatic M-B PowerShift 3 2.53:1 2.53:1 MAN EVB (325 kW) - 2400 (400 kW) - 2300 Yes No 315/70 R22.5 315/70 R22.5 MAN Efficient Cruise Mercedes-Benz PPC MAN Efficient Roll MB EcoRoll

Scania R-series R 500 4x2 Highline Scania - DC13 155 500 In-line 6 cylinder 13 litre Scania XPi Common Rail 368 kW / 500 hp @ 1,900 rpm 2550 Nm @ 1000 - 1300 1,120 SCR Scania GRS905R 12Sp Scania Opticruise 2.59:1 (256 kW) - 2400 Yes 315/70 R22.5 Scania Active Prediction Yes

GROUP TEST | 17

Scania R-series

of Scania’s Opticruise means it now compares favourably with its contemporaries. Gear selection is well timed, prompt and smooth, all of which combines to deliver an impressive and powerful driving performance.

With regard to the performance figures produced by the R-series, it did return the lowest diesel consumption of the test at 31.7 l/100km, beating the Actros’s 31.9 l/100kms.

Immense interest in how one of the transport industry’s most iconic brands would perform at the ETC with the new R-series was always guaranteed. Interested parties included not just the industry watchers, casual observers and operators - it also included senior representatives from the brand itself, anxious to continue the image of a high performing truck built on the heritage of previous models. So did the new R-series achieve the claims and expectations announced at the global launch in Paris? On the results provided by the 2016 ETC, the answer is a positive - albeit qualified - yes.

As far as the styling of the R-series goes, the truck is more aerodynamic, and Scania would appear to have achieved everything it set out to do.

The new model may not look radically different, though in reality how different was it ever going to be, and what purpose would it have served to go down that route? Not being too different will please the loyal and devoted following the brand has, as its current models will not have suddenly dated overnight.

While this will no doubt be welcomed by Scania, it must be noted that the figure only related to diesel consumption. An appreciably high AdBlue usage of 2.6 l/100km on the SCR only system was second only to the 2.9 l/100 kms registered by Iveco’s XP. When the fuel and AdBlue consumption figures were totalled, it revealed that the Scania’s combined consumption was 34.2 l/100km. That averaged out at 0.6 l/100km more than the combined Mercedes-Benz figure of 33.6 l/100 kms.

Scania always had a difficult task ahead when developing its next generation model. The industry’s expectations were high, and the new trucks would always have to be better, and perform better than the models they replaced. There is no doubt that the next generation has improved on the previous one, and as we’ve said, the new R-sSeries is a superb truck to drive. However, while it’s positive that the new Scania did achieve the best diesel consumption by 0.2 l/100km, the combined fuel and AdBlue result did somewhat detract from that performance.

While the external alterations are not major, internally the cab comes with significant improvements and upgrades. Th roughout the truck the standard of materials used and the manner in which they are put together is superb.

On the road the next generation R-series is a remarkable truck to drive, and does meet expectations. Performance from the 13-litre engine is also improved and it now delivers a more refined drive that is noticeably quieter. The improvements to the latest version

Summary & Conclusion

O

nce again comprehensive tests such as this ETC exercise have been shown to deliver valuable data to help operators make better informed decisions. The ETC shows that while all the trucks performed well, they did not all perform equally as well as each other. It is a fascinating test series to be part of, and the importance of the year-on-year data should not be underestimated.

Equally the OEM’s deserve credit for their continuing efforts to develop and improve the efficiency of their products, realising important savings for operators and the industry.

an operator’s proximity to, and relationship with their nearest main dealer. There is litt le benefit in having the most fuel efficient truck if downtime due to servicing or parts availability is an issue.

We must fi nally say thanks to our hosts at DVZ and the ETC. Their methodologies used for the ETC assessments accurately replicate real working conditions. In addition their efforts and diligence ensured the data gathered is as reliable as possible So with the dust hardly sett led on the 2016 European Truck Challenge, we are already beginning to ponder what results next year’s ETC could reveal.

While the ETC is excellent at gathering hard data, there are many variables the test cannot properly measure. One example would be www.fleet.ie

18 | GROUP TEST Final consumption and driving performance values tentative until publication. Source: Hans-Jürgen Wildhage Iveco Stralis Variance MAN TGX 570 [%] 18.500

Variance MB Actros [%] 1848

Variance Scania [%] R 500

Variance ETC [%] 2016

Total Weight

Tonnes

39.7

0.4

39.6

0.0

39.5

-0.3

39.6

-0.1

39.6

Rated Power

PS

570

11.8

500

-2.0

476

-6.7

500

-2.0

510

Rated Torque

Nm

2500

0.0

2500

0.0

2300

-8.0

2550

2.0

2500

Engine Speed at 80 km/h

RPM

1070

-1.8

1090

0.0

1090

0.0

1120

2.8

1090

-6.9

24.3

Secondary Retarder Motorway Light Motorway MediumMotorway Medium Motorway Heavy Mortorway Consumption National Road Mountain Section

Yes l/100 km

25.4

Yes 4.6

25.4

No 4.6

Yes

23.7

-2.4

22.6

km/h

80.8

0.2

81.1

0.5

80.3

-0.5

80.5

-0.2

80.7

l/100 km

32.9

3.9

32.7

3.3

30.6

-3.3

30.4

-3.9

31.7

km/h l/100 km

79.2 46.4

0.2 2.6

79.5 47.0

0.5 3.9

78.6 43.0

-0.6 -4.9

79.0 44.5

-0.1 -1.6

79.1 45.2

km/h

72.9

0.8

73.1

1.1

70.9

-2.0

72.5

0.2

72.3

l/100 km

32.7

3.8

32.7

3.9

30.4

-3.5

30.2

-4.2

31.5

km/h

78.4

0.3

78.7

0.6

77.5

-0.9

78.1

-0.1

78.2

l/100 km

41.5

3.8

41.5

3.9

38.6

-3.5

38.3

-4.2

40.0

km/h

51.4

0.3

51.6

0.6

50.8

-0.9

51.2

-0.1

51.3

l/100 km

112.8

2.9

114.0

4.0

102.7

-6.3

109.1

-0.5

109.7

km/h

64.4

2.4

63.9

1.6

60.1

-4.5

63.4

0.8

62.9

Test Consumption

l/100 km

34.3

3.8

34.3

3.9

31.9

-3.5

31.7

-4.2

33.1

Test Speed

km/h

71.5

0.3

71.8

0.6

70.7

-0.9

71.3

-0.1

71.3

AdBlue Consumption

l/100 km

2.9

34.5

1.5

-32.8

1.7

-20.0

2.6

18.3

2.2

Diesel and AdBlue Consumption Diesel and AdBlue Consumption

l/100 km

37.2

5.7

35.8

1.6

33.6

-4.5

34.2

-2.8

35.2

AdBlue Consumption relative to Diesel Consumption

%

8.5

Operating Costs (1)

ct/km

39.0

Operating Costs (2)

ct/km

Total Cost (1)

ct/km

Tatal Cost (2)

ct/km

Total Cost (3)

ct/km

4.3

5.5

8.1

4.6

38.4

2.9

35.9

-3.9

36.0

-3.6

37.3

29.8

4.3

29.5

3.3

27.5

-3.8

27.5

-3.8

28.6

72.6

2.4

72.0

1.6

69.4

-2.1

69.5

-1.9

70.9

63.3

2.0

63.0

1.5

61.0

-1.7

61.0

-1.7

62.1

61.9

2.0

61.6

1.6

59.6

-1.8

59.6

-1.8

60.7

(1) Price structure “DVZ-Classic” with diesel €1.10/l; AdBlue €0.45/l and contract €1650.00/month (2) Price structure low price” with diesel €0.85/l; AdBlue €0.22/l and contract rental €1650.00/month (3) Price structure with Diesel €0.85/l; AdBlue €0.22/l and contract rental €1,500.00/month

FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

Text & Photos: Paul White - paul@fleet.ie

20 | FLEETING SHOTS

Vroom-Town Children’s book wins top prize at Writer’s Digest Book Awards in USA Vroom-Town: The Adventure of Tim the Tipper in Quentin’s Quarry has won first prize in the Children’s Picture Book Category at the prestigious Writer’s Digest’s Self-Published Book Awards in the United States.

T

he award winning book is the fi rst of a series of three to date written and published by Dundalk based Emer Conlon, Marketing Manager at McElvaney Motors, Scania & Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealers, (Monaghan & Dublin). Speaking about her great achievement, Emer said: “I absolutely can’t believe it. When I got word I was so excited! The start of the email I received was: ‘Hi Emer, Congratulations!

Your book, Vroom-Town, won First Place in the Children’s Picture Book category...’ The book is officially accredited with the award - I’m still pinching myself! Fair play to Tim, Screech, Noz and BullyDozer - they really did me proud!”

As part of the prize package, Emer will receive some cash, a full promotion of the book in the March/April 2017 issue of Writer’s Digest (in America), a one-year membership in The Association of Publishers for Special Sales, a guaranteed review in Midwest Book Review (USA), plus a one-year membership to Book Central Station.

“Th is is a terrific opportunity to build the Vroom-Town brand in the USA. As a direct result of this prestigious award my book will be exposed to millions of people - obviously potential customers of my books but also people in the book industry itself. So, there are interesting and very exciting times ahead. I will capitalise on every single possible opportunity that this brings and continue to create

some more opportunities, to get Vroom-Town onto the national and global stage,” continued Emer.

Continental gives us the ‘Heads-Up’ in trucks!

W

e have seen pop-up display information in cars and more recently vans but the head-up display (HUD) is still new in the world of trucks - until now that is. Continental is one of the world’s fi rst companies to develop a HUD for commercial vehicles and has installed the technology in its own Innovation Truck. Supplementing conventional instrument clusters, the display provides the driver with greater safety and comfort by projecting a color image of important driving information into his field of vision. Continental offers manufacturers the display as a windscreen or a Combiner HUD. Customers can also choose to have the display shown in the upper or lower field of view (look-up or look-down concept).

The display options and the colour schemes of the HUD are varied and can be freely defi ned by the vehicle manufacturer. The display gets its data via the CAN bus and depending on the available sources, the display choices range from speed, navigation instructions and traffic sign warnings such as overtaking restrictions and speed limits, to distance warnings, fuel tank levels and the driving time remaining until the next break. The driver gets all the important information exactly where he/she needs it - in his/her field of view.

Th is increases safety, because drivers don't have to take their eyes off the road for a second or two, as is the case with a conventional instrument cluster – and their eyes don’t have to focus on a shorter viewing

distance before the flow of information starts and then adjust again to the longer-distance view. Th is refocusing process takes time and eyes can get tired after a while.

Need a quote? 01 2900 200

MIKE MURPHY INSURANCE

or Log onto www.mikemurphyinsurance.ie TODAY! CELEBRATING 40 YEARS IN INSURANCE Haulage: • Single Vehicles • Motor Fleet for Hauliers • Haulage Risks • Carriers Liability • Warehouse Risks • Public Liability • Employers Liability Mike Murphy Insurance is a trade name of New Sure Life Ltd. and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

Text: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

REPORT I | 21

FIATA World Congress Convention Centre, Dublin - 5/7 October Successful gathering brought delegates from all over the world

F

IATA, in French “Fédération Internationale des Associations de Transitaires et Assimilés”, in English “International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations”, in German “Internationale Föderation der Spediteurorganisationen”, was founded in Vienna/Austria on May 31, 1926.

A non-Governmental organisation, represents today an industry covering approximately 40,000 forwarding and logistics fi rms, also known as the “Architects of Transport”, employing around 8 - 10 million people in 150 countries. It held its 90th World Congress at the Convention Centre, Dublin. Fleet Transport was there.

MercuryGate From its Colorado headquarters, MercuryGate is a global Transport Management Systems provider. Through its cloud based programmes, it supports multimodal transport, enabling freight forwarders to have the proper tools to automate the right processes with an integrated set of logistics partners such as e-freight for air freight and real time access to sea and air schedules. Pictured are Carla Zubko, Director of Business Management and Dirk Stammnitz, Senior Sales Consultant – getting into the rugby spirit!

KIFFA The Korean International Freight Forwarders Association was established in 1969 in the Republic of Korea. Seven years later, the Ocean Freight Forwarders Association was formed, with both organisations undertaking their business independently. Under the new Logistics Promotion Law in 1991, they merged as Korea International Freight Forwarders Association with 760 members. Since then, KIFFA has implemented a competitive platform for logistics business on behalf of its members throughout the world. Pictured are Mr. B J Kim, Chairman and Soo-yong Shin.

Quality Freight Established in 1990, the Quality Freight Group has grown from an Irish-UK freight forwarder to become a global player in the business.

With locations throughout Ireland, the Netherlands and UK, all aspects of the logistics chain are provided. One of its subsidiaries is Knock Express Cargo, operating out of Ireland West Airport Knock, and managed by James McDonnell from Frenchpark, Roscommon, pictured right, alongside Shaun Ryan, Sales Manager at its Dublin HQ at Dublin Port.

XPO Logistics Formerly known as Norbert Dentressangle on both sides of the Irish Sea and into Europe, the US owned company is a big name in transport and logistics globally. It now serves more than 50,000 customers with an integrated network of almost 1,500 locations in 32 countries. Its high profile customers include GM Opel/Vauxhall and Renault, and it annually supplies transport logistics for Le Tour de France. Louise Reynolds is the Sales Support & Marketing, Global Forwarding, while Colum Whelan works in the same department. www.fleet.ie

22 | FLEETING SHOTS

IWT Award winning International Warehousing & Transport (IWT) is now well known as a main multimodal transport provider as its 14 rail services weekly between Ballina and Dublin will testify. It is the only container rail service operating out of Dublin Port. For the FIATA, IWT launched its new corporate video, impressively demonstrating the services it provides both at home and from its Rotterdam branch.

Staunch Dublin GAA and Leinster Rugby fan David Breen is the company’s Sales Executive.

Seabridge For a change, Seabridge had a home event to display its wares. Usually exhibiting at the Multimodal Show in Birmingham, the firm specialises in overnight express Groupage and full load freight to and from the island of Ireland. It serves from 5 locations - Belfast, Cork, Dublin, Haydock/Manchester & London/Heathrow. Trailer and tanker services are provided EU and worldwide. Trevor O’Mahony is the Logistics Co-Ordinator (Cork) with Ann Marie Behan, the Sales & Marketing Executive.

Azyra From logistics and freight, the Leopardstown company is a multi everything - covering currencies, countries, warehouse and Customs authorities with offices in Dublin, London and Amsterdam. For a fi xed monthly charge, all systems are provided such as soft ware, training, support, etc. And it’s backed up by fast, friendly and professional service and support in a seamless manner. Pictured is Barry Hogan, the Support Manager based in Dublin.

UKWA Sue Knief, Executive Assistant & Events Manager and Peter Ward, CEO, UKWA - United Kingdom Warehousing Association. Peter made a presentation during the Multimodal Business Forum during the congress entitled ‘The new virtual High Street & Supply Chain’ and stated that “Logistics is the new Retail”, while Sue meeted and greeted visitors to their stand which also promoted IFWLA – International Federation Warehousing & Logistics Association.

DFDS Logistics Another great advocator of rail freight, DFDS is a major player in shipping and transport services across Europe. With more than 8,000 freight customers it generates revenues of €1.8 billion annually. It employs 6,600 people across 20 countries and carries more than 6 million passengers on its ferry crossings. Copenhagen, Denmark is its headquarters. Keith Brady is the Operations Manager (Ireland) with Michael Connolly, the Sales Manager (Logistics).

Emerald Freight Express Serving a goodie bag full of Irishness went down well with overseas visitors particularly. It was a good will gesture marking 35 years in business for the multi-modal service provider. Air, ocean and road freight are covered by the Santry based company that is FIATA certified and fully meets all of the required European Union legislation. Mark Fuller, Commercial Project & Solutions Manager manned the stand along with Cyril Keating, Consultant.

FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

REPORT I | 23

Goodada.com Established in 2012, Goodada.com is the digital platform for Green Dragon International Sales & Marketing Limited. It helps connect buyers, sellers and freight companies through its global network of supply chain service providers. “We provide a full range of pre-freight value adding services and product sourcing solutions for freight customers and also provides answers to everyday supply chain problems,” said Aidan Conaty, C.E.O.

Independent Express Cargo Independent Express Cargo is a North Dublin based provider of all things freight, transport and logistics services for 22 years. Through its affiliation and alliance with TPN – The Pallet Network – it is one of the largest overnight pallet and parcel movers in Ireland linking its consignments across the UK and Ireland. Owen Cooke, Chairman, TPN Ireland (left) and company founder is pictured with Hugh Burns, Sales Director.

Wolters Kluwer Transport Services With brand names like Teleroute, Transwide, TAS-tms, FreightCentral, Bursa Transport and 123 Cargo, Wolters Kluwer is a highly regarded developer and provider of web-based Transport Management Software (TMS). The firm which has a presence on every Continent, was founded in Belgium and is headquartered in Brussels. 123 Cargo is its franchise division. Koen De Waele is the CFO & Strategy Director for the company.

Malaysia 2017 Next year’s running of the FIATA World Congress will be held in Malaysia at the Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpar from 4-8 October 2017. Attendees will gain extensive exposure and foothold in the fast growing Asian, Asean and China economies. Further details on www. fiata2017.org. An Early Bird Package is on offer from 30 June 2017.

NAFL – UAE Nadia Abdul Aziz, President NAFL, Ahmed Abdul Razak, Vice President, NAFL and Ibrahim Abu Zayed, Senior Executive Board Member, NAFL were all on hand to promote NAFL – the National Association of Freight & Logistics in the United Arab Emirates. Founded in 1992, NAFL is the voice of the industry, raising standards by providing quality training and advice.

Turkish Cargo In bridging the divide between Europe and Asia, Turkish Airline’s subsidiary is in the best position, offering a network of 285 destinations including 60 freight hubs in 113 countries. In addition, Turkish Airlines provides worldwide interline connections to 2,000 destinations through road feeder services. Continuous growth has been achieved through ongoing investment in the sector by the airline. Alpen Sean Kanburoglu is Marketing Executive for Turkish Airlines Inc/Ireland.

Text & Photos: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

www.fleet.ie

24 | REVIEW I

Paris Motor Show 2016 – Mondial De L’Automobile Paris 2016

Berliet Mission Berliet Ténéré was a return expedition across the Sahara i n 1959/6 0, undertaken by French truck builder Berliet in nine of similar spec Gazelle GBC 8m 6x6s.

Citroën Sma l l sca le models of t he fa mous Citroën type HY van from 1947 – 1981 were sold in their thousands wearing the Louis Roman Brocante colours.

Dacia Logan MCV Redesigned styling touches to both the exterior and interior enhance the large car from the Renault owned Romanian based brand. More high-tech installed also.

Jeep Although the FIAT Chrysler Automobiles marque had lots of shiny new steel on show, many eyes were on original and best vintage models on display.

Land Rover Discovery Continuing the long pedigree of once British, now Indian owned brand, the all new Discovery is a 7-seater with the world-fi rst remote Intelligent Seat Fold technology.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 100,000 units – not out! The diamondbrand’s plug-in hybrid shines brighter with revamped model. It gets an EV priority switch – to prevent the PHEV system switching to hybrid mode and therefore retain the full electric drive.

Renault 4 Tucked away in the classics cor ner wa s the legendary Renault 4 in all its glory.

While today’s cars are full of technology and innovation, the simplicity of the basic 4 had to be admired.

Renault Alaskan On a packed stand on home ground, Renault presented a nu m ber of premieres including the all-new Alaskan Pick-up, which is based on the latest Navara from sister-brand Nissan.

FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

Text & Photos: Rob Van Dieten - rob@fleet.ie

FUSO – A Daimler Group Brand

POWER MEETS MANOEUVRABILITY.

THE NEW CANTER 8.55T CAN CARRY UP TO 6 TONS. Made for business. FUSO is extending its Canter range with a real all-rounder: the 8.55t. Whether on a country road or in the middle of a marketplace – with the new Canter from FUSO you’ll always be in great shape. Despite being lighter than the competition, the Canter carries up to six metric tons - and is also extremely manoeuvrable. The lowered entrance makes getting in and out frequently much easier, while the DUONIC® dual-clutch transmission guarantees quick gear changes without loss of performance. At the same time, with its 3.0-litre engine, the Canter allows for economical driving and meets the new Euro VI exhaust emissions standard. What’s more, you can travel even more economically with the ECOFFICIENCY package as standard – providing fuel savings of up to 9 %.

fuso.ie

1890 41 51 61

26 | SAFETY MATTERS

Delivering Safely

D

eliveries and collections are essential to business, but can be some of the most dangerous activities you have to deal with. Risks may include manual handling injuries when moving the goods, being struck by a moving vehicle or simply falling off the vehicle. The drivers of these vehicles are often the victims.

Many delivery and collection accidents could be prevented if there was better co-operation between the parties involved.

Joint Responsibility Individuals (mostly drivers) are often unfairly blamed for accidents which could have been prevented if duty holders had co-operated with one another.

The three key duty holders are: • the supplier sending the goods • the carrier - the haulier or other transport company carrying the goods • the recipient - the person receiving the goods Joint Responsibility for Safe Deliveries In order to ensure deliveries and collections are carried out safely there must be effective co-operation between the main duty holders.

Risks must be assessed and safe systems of work implemented.

Some Key Risks: • people falling from height off vehicles • vehicle collisions • people hit or run over by vehicles • people struck by falling objects Safe System of Work: • safe vehicles and equipment; suitable for job and in good repair • competent staff; trained drivers • provision and safe use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the activities involved • avoid/manage work at height activities • keep vehicles and people apart where practicable • plan for safe loading/securing • plan for deliveries/collections. A Safe delivery plan!

Safe Delivery Plan: The general principles that suppliers, carriers and recipients should follow are: • send out safety information on deliveries and collections to other parties in the delivery chain • request safety information on deliveries and collections from other parties in the delivery chain • include information on how the vehicle was loaded if this is needed for safe unloading.

• plan the best times for deliveries to arrive • know the route, anticipate problems • plan to have the right people and equipment ready to handle the delivery when it arrives • plan how to keep the driver and all others who may be affected by the activity safe FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

What the Law Requires Road Traffic legislation requires that vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition and safe to use when on the public road. So whether you own, lease, hire or borrow a vehicle used for deliveries or collections, you must make sure that it is safe for use and fit for the purpose for which it is intended.

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (No. 10 of 2005) requires: • Employers to manage and conduct their work activities (including loading/securing/deliveries/unloading/collections) in such a manner as to ensure the safety, health and welfare of employees.

• That a risk assessment is carried out by the employer or person in control of the place of work.

• Transport hazards that exist in the workplace must be assessed as part of this risk assessment and appropriate steps taken to eliminate or reduce any risks found.

Note: Vehicles are defi ned as a Place of Work under the Act. Hence, under Section 8 of the Act, the employer must ensure so far as reasonably practicable that: • Vehicles are designed, provided and maintained in a condition that is safe and without risk to health • Safe means of access and egress to and from the vehicle is designed, provided and maintained • Systems of work are planned, organised, performed, maintained and revised as appropriate, for example safe systems of work must be available for vehicle loading, deliveries and unloading activities • Information, instruction, training and supervision is provided for all employees who operate work related vehicles.

More information on managing safe deliveries log on to: htt p://www.hsa.ie/eng/Vehicles_at_Work/

celebrating

Fleet Transport Awards

years

Date: Thursday 13 October 2016 Venue: Citywest Hotel, Saggart, Co. Dublin.

www.fleet.ie

28 | AWARDS NEWS I

Top Irish Haulier accolade for Clare Distribution Services • Dublin company wins Fleet Transport Irish Haulier of the Year 2017

C

lare Distribution Services (Dublin) has become the latest winner of the annual Fleet Transport Irish Haulier of the Year Awards for 2017, sponsored by Rosslare Europort. As the competition marked its 10th anniversary, the announcement and presentation was made at the Fleet Transport Award’s Gala Dinner on 13 October last at the Citywest Hotel, Dublin in the presence of 860 representatives from the transport industry. Earlier that evening Clare Distribution Services won the National Haulier of the Year 2017 Award.

celebrating

RTE Radio & TV personality Marty Whelan announced the other category winners during the course of the evening which had Verona Murphy, President of the Irish Road Haulage Association as guest speaker and featured a special 1916 commemoration with Sibéal Ni Chasaide singing Mise Éire composed by Patrick Cassidy.

Clare Distribution Services (CDS) was established in 1997 by Mark Clare with the aim of providing a top class, unrivaled haulage service. Through hard work and sheer dedication, the CDS team, now comprising 95 employees, has achieved this goal and its customer base continues to grow year on year. It specialises in the distribution of temperature controlled products delivering chilled, frozen and ambient products as well as a small percentage of pharmaceutical goods.

Marty Whelan

Fleet Transport p Awards

“Yes, we are delighted to receive the top prize on the night,” declared a delighted Mark Clare. “We have grown through very tough times and we believe that growth is due to the stellar service we provide by the dedicated staff. We ensure our customer’s needs are consistently met with precision at all times and have made a massive investment in the fleet underlining our commitment to providing customers with a top class service at all times.”

FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

In congratulating Clare Distribution Services on receiving the top accolade in the Irish Road Transport industry, Jarlath Sweeney, Group Editor, Fleet Transport said: “Well done to CDS on achieving this award, which is richly deserved. Over the years, CDS has been to the forefront of the distribution sector, leading the way on how the job is done – efficiently, effectively and impressively. A worthy winner to mark the 10th anniversary of our awards.”

years

“With a reliable, pristine fleet that is never off the road and our ability to meet and exceed each customer’s requirements, we are unequalled by any of our rivals. We take great pride in what we do and we set targets week in and week out on how to get even better.

It’s a process of continuous improvement.

Jarlath Sweeney

We are continually striving to become more efficient and more effective and looking at ways of adding more value to our customers because the marketplace is moving and we will continue to improve ourselves to keep up with it,” added Mark.

Verona Murphy

Sibéal ni Chasaide

AWARDS NEWS II | 29

Volvo Trucks scores hat-trick of wins at the Irish Truck of the Year 2017 Awards

V

olvo Trucks had three reasons to celebrate the Fleet Transport Irish Truck of the Year Awards 2017, in association with Corcra Communication. The Swedish brand scored category wins at both ends of its weight classification spectrum, with the FH flagship winning the Heavy-duty tractorunit segment and the 12-tonne FL taking the Medium-duty Distribution prize. As announced by event MC Marty Whelan to the 860 attendees of the 10th annual Fleet Transport Awards, the Volvo FH was declared overall winner of the Fleet Transport Irish Truck of the Year 2017.

The other category victory was DAF Trucks with its CF, successful in the Distribution Heavy-duty class.

Following a two-day assessment exercise undertaken by the expert judging panel, the Volvo FH was deemed best due to its pleasant driving experience, enhanced by excellent visibility, lots of safety equipment on board and above average fuel economy. On the FL, the adjudicators' motivations included – easy to drive, spacious cab, convenient entry and exit, and that it had additional blind spot elimination aspects fitted.

Since its launch in 2013, the Volvo FH has won numerous awards including the Irish Truck of the Year Award for 2014. Commenting on the FH winning the Irish Truck of the Year Award for the second time, Jarlath Sweeney, Group Editor, Fleet Transport and Chairman of the judging panel said; “Congratulations once again to Volvo Trucks on continuously improving their FH flagship relating to comfort

Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport; Joe Roddy, Volvo Trucks; Robert Steele, Corcra Communication and Marty Whelan, M.C.

and efficiency, safety and lower cost ownership. Driver acceptance is very good and they have a great presence on the road, enhanced by some interesting and colourful livery created by operators to suit the newly designed cab.”

Remarking on the DAF CF.310 with day cab, the judges commented that the introduction of the lower capacity PX-7 (6.7 litre) is significant in that it allows for higher payload and the day cab is very well equipped for drivers in the busy distribution sector.

Also on the night Dennison Trailers won the Trailer Innovation Award with its latest Goose-Neck skeletal trailer and the new Mercedes-Benz eTruck scooped the Truck Innovation Award with both categories sponsored by Triska Energy (Shell Lubes). In the Green Commercial Awards sponsored by ESB ecars, FUSO Trucks’ all-electric E-CELL came out on top with the new Iveco Stralis NP (Natural Power) chosen as the winner in the Natural Gas category.

Adrian Brady is Ireland’s Best Truck Driver 2016

W

exford native Adrian Brady is Ireland’s Best Truck Driver 2016 and was presented with the Vincent Sweeney Memorial Trophy, sponsored by Enprova, at the Fleet Transport Awards. Working for family firm Brady International, based in Rosslare, Adrian scored the best overall average on the qualifying rounds leading up to the Grand Final held during the first day of the Mondello Truck Show, on 3 September. Musgrave’s driver Alan Warde (Galway) and Simon Carroll representing M&N Groundworks, Dublin finished runnerup and third respectively.

Adrian and nine other finalists had to battle against the elements as heavy rain made driving around the marked out manoeuvring test section around the Mondello Paddock in the Mercedes-Benz Actros with Dennison Trailer an even bigger challenge. Mark Dodd from Advancedrive, (Sligo) co-ordinated this element. After completing that exercise, the competitors had to undertake a load safety and security test, overseen by the Health & Safety Authority.

It was a case of ‘first, you don’t succeed, try and try again’ for Adrian, as he had been a finalist on the two occasions to date. The Scania driver was naturally delighted on being announced as overall winner: “Yes, it was third time lucky for me and I am happy to achieve the goal of winning the title,” he said. It was a memorable weekend for Adrian as his Scania R580 6x2 won the best 161 registered truck at the Mondello Truck Show static display competitions.

Marty Whelan, M.C.; Adrian Brady; Dermot Byrne, Enprova (Sponsor) and Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport.

“Despite the poor weather, the finalists were really up for the challenge and enjoyed their day. The Mondello Truck Show proved to be an ideal venue for the final of the competition, and thanks to all concerned for making it happen,” explained Jarlath Sweeney, Editor, Fleet Transport.

“From talking to Mark Dodd about this year’s competition, he said that the Eco-driving section has vastly improved, indicating that drivers are now more fuel conscious, which not only has running cost benefits but also better for the environment,” he added.

The third annual contest to seek the safest and most efficient truck driver in Ireland, was organised by Fleet Transport magazine in association with Enprova, Mercedes-Benz, FleetBoard, the Health & Safety Authority, Dennison Trailers and Mondello Park. www.fleet.ie

30 | AWARDS NEWS III

IRHA President Verona Murphy raises issues of concern

W

ith years of experience of life and in business on both sides of the Irish Sea, Verona Murphy has taken to the role as President of the Irish Road Haulage Association with great aplomb. Her understanding of the road transport sector is second-to-none, having operated her own truck as a sole trader from an early age and now co-running DruMur Transport Ltd with her partner Joseph Druhan.

As the keynote speaker at the Fleet Transport Awards Gala Dinner, Verona addressed some issues greatly affecting operators today, such as the “outmoded syllabus of the Driver’s CPC course in its current format” and called on the Road Safety Authority to consult and engage with industry stakeholders to relook at the course modules “in the interest of improving driver professionalism and thereby improving road safety.”

On the Brexit situation, Verona is concerned. “The result of the Referendum in itself has caused much hardship because of currency fluctuations and general lack of clarity.”

celebrating

"Goods to market is all encompassing and Brexit has the potential to threaten this, it has the potential to halt Ireland’s Export Market and hamper our imports. The Tachograph Regulation 561/2006 was invoked when there were no borders, if in the future a haulier

travelling from Donegal to Paris has to pass through three borders of Customs and Immigration to get there, where will it leave us? It will stunt the road haulage sector’s growth at least in the short term and must be avoided at all cost."

"It cannot be overstated, Ireland is geographically most disadvantaged, a country within an island on the periphery of Europe and as the most effected sector, we are best placed to advise Government on what can and should be considered for Ireland’s road haulage sector in Brexit negotiations and would ask accordingly to be included as a matter of urgency and necessity in all negotiations concerning the sector. Everyone in this room needs to exercise their voice and go out of their way to emphasise this to politicians."

"On a day to day basis we contend with many issues that affect us as operators. The main topic is insurance. It has and is spiraling out of control, but I can promise you this, I will keep trying to achieve a successful solution in as short a time possible on your behalf. The reduction in July of our 42 tonne gross weight limit to 40 tonnes was catastrophic as it is an 8 percent reduction for many that translates to an 8 percent cut in income. The Minister’s timing of this is detrimental. He has only added to our woes, but fear not it will be returned as it makes no sense, and if not returned before the next election it will become an election issue," concluded Verona.

Fleet Transport p Awards

A Champions effort with passion pays dividends

‘C

hampions’ was the theme of Jarlath Sweeney, Group Editor, Fleet Transport in his speech that encompassed the stage setting, and opening video sequence featuring the All-Blacks, the untouchable and reigning World Cup Rugby Champions, and Iveco, their European corporate partners for its Winter tour. He related the values shared between both brands when they first came together ten years ago and was re-established recently with the renewed relationship at the World Cup Finals in England.

Matters relating to future supply chain demands and safety in the capital were aired. "Recently I attended the Dublin Chamber of Commerce annual dinner and from what both Minister Simon Coveney and Chamber President Derry Gray had to say, the big challenge for the capital is to meet the demands for an increasing population that is set to double between now and 2050. Apart from the serious housing issue that’s ongoing, how will the logistics supply chain cope?"

years

"Back in 2006, Iveco fi rst established a sponsorship arrangement with the All Blacks and created synergies between the commercial vehicle manufacturers and a top ranking sport. Elements such as the correct approach to facing and winning challenges, pursuing ambitious goals. These can only be achieved with sheer commitment, performance, stamina, team spirit, communication and belief," he said.

"Put your company in the same framework and see the results come to fruition," he emphasized.

Jarlath extended praise and encouragement to the Award’s fi nalists.

"Tonight we honour best practice in the road haulage industry and recognise innovation in the truck and trailer manufacturing sectors. As there is only one winner in each category, there will be companies and individuals going home disappointed. But don’t let losing get to your head, think about how you can improve further and start all over again with vigour and all of the previously mentioned elements."

FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

"Major stakeholders like yourselves must have an input here on how you can carry out your business in an efficient, environmentally friendly and safe manner."

"See what’s happening in London with the construction companies having to comply with the Transport for London CLOCS initiative, which stands for Construction Logistics Operators & Cyclist Safety programme. Together with truck manufacturers, construction type vehicles have been adapted to reduce blind spots and thereby help protect the vulnerable road user such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorbike riders. It has worked well, but does mean that operators have to invest further to meet this regulation. Expect that this initiative will extend to distribution vehicles in due course. We wish to host an information seminar on the subject with TfL and the relative authorities soon to highlight the issues involved and hear from Irish owned companies on how CLOCS works for them over there," concluded Jarlath.

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• Multi-Function Steering Wheel • Cruise Control • Reverse Camera

32 | AWARDS PODIUM

Clare Distribution Services (Dublin) • Irish Haulier of the Year 2017 • National Haulier of the Year 2017

C

lare Distribution Services (CDS) was established in 1997 by Mark Clare with the aim of providing a top class, unrivalled haulage service. Through hard work and sheer dedication, the CDS team, now comprising of 95 employees, has achieved this goal and its customer base continues to grow year on year.

celebrating

Based in Kingswood Business Park, Dublin 22, they have easy access to all major trunk and motorway networks and are an established distribution company who carry out nationwide deliveries specialising in the nationwide distribution of temperature controlled products delivering chilled, frozen and ambient product.

‘We have taken our service to the next level by moving to dual temperature across the entire fleet. We don’t aspire to be the biggest out there but we do want to be the best at whatever size we are,” explained Mark Clare. Affi liated with the Freight Transport Association of Ireland, they are now recognised as one of the leading temperaturecontrolled distributors in Ireland.

The company prides itself on building long standing relationships with all of their customers as well as providing an efficient and reliable service.

Over the years its commercial vehicle fleet has grown considerably and now consists of vans, rigid trucks, tractor-units and refrigerated trailers. The Fleet is exceptionally well maintained with Satellite Navigation (Bluetree), fitted with tail-lifts, side doors and dropped doors & HACCP compliant for all transport eventualities.

“We have grown through very tough times and we believe that growth is due to the stellar service we provide. We ensure our customer’s needs are consistently met with precision. We have made a massive

FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

investment in the fleet since 2014 underlining our commitment to providing customers with a stellar service at all times. Th is is all part of the CDS commitment of guaranteeing uptime - something which is particularly essential in the refrigerated distribution sector and an area in which we excel,” reference Mark Clare.

"With a reliable, pristine fleet and our ability to meet and exceed each customer’s requirements, we are unequalled by our rivals. We take great pride in what we do and we set targets week in and week out to continually improve. We strive to become more efficient and more effective and look at ways of adding more value to our customers as the marketplace is moving and we continue to improve ourselves to keep up with it."

"Our advanced technology allows online real-time tracking, not just of the vehicles location but also of the temperature of the fridges and trailers. Th is has streamlined our operation and now ensures we can deliver perishable cargo at optimum quality using less fuel, less time and less money."

"We aspire to be the best at what we do. Our company and customer base continues to grow due to our dedication to first class customer service."

"All of us at CDS are delighted to have won two major titles at the Fleet Transport Awards 2017, Irish Haulier of the Year and National Haulier of the Year competitions and are excited to be part of it, especially in its 10th anniversary," concluded Mark.

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34 | AWARDS

FLEET TRANSPORT IRISH TRUCK OF THE YEAR 2017 celebrating

Fleet Transport Awards

years Fleet Transport Irish Truck of the Year 2017 In association with Corcra Communication, part of the NIBC Group Irish Distribution Truck of the Year 2017 (Medium Duty) Winner: Volvo FL512.210 Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport; Robert Steele, Business Development Manager, Corcra Communication; Martin Tomlinson, Volvo Trucks and Marty Whelan, M.C.

Fleet Transport Irish Truck of the Year 2017 In association with Corcra Communication, part of the NIBC Group Irish Distribution Truck of the Year 2017 (Heavy Duty) Winner: DAF CF.310 6x2 Nicky Gill, DAF Distributors Ireland; Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport; Robert Steele, Business Development Manager, Corcra Communication; James Turner DAF Trucks and Marty Whelan, M.C.

Fleet Transport Irish Truck of the Year 2017 In association with Corcra Communication, part of the NIBC Group Irish Truck of the Year 2017 (Heavy-Duty) Winner: Volvo FH.540 6x2 Globetrotter XL Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport; Joe Roddy, Volvo Trucks; Robert Steele, Business Development Manager, Corcra Communication; Martin Tomlinson, Volvo Trucks and Marty Whelan, M.C.

FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

MAN Importers Ireland Ltd., Oak Close, Oak Road Business Park, Nangor Road, Dublin 12.

Tel: 01 419 1300 Fax: 01 419 1370 enquiries@mantrucks.ie www.mantrucks.ie

36 | AWARDS CATEGORY WINNERS

NATIONAL HAULIER

OF THE

YEAR 2017

Sponsor: Volvo Trucks Winner: Clare Distribution Services

Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport; Mark Clare, Clare Distribution Services; Joe Roddy, Network Sales Director, Volvo Trucks (Sponsor) and Marty Whelan, M.C.

The full list of category winners of the Fleet Transport Awards are: National Haulier of the Year 2017 Sponsor: Volvo Trucks Winner: Clare Distribution Services

Excellence in Warehousing & Product Handling 2017 Sponsor: Cold Move Winner: W.S. Dennison Ltd.

International Haulier of the Year 2017 Sponsor: Thermo King Winner: Virginia International Logistics

Customer Service Excellence Award 2017 Sponsor: FIAT Professional Winner: Dennison Trailers

Own Account Transport Operator of the Year 2017 Sponsor: Mercedes-Benz Winner: Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland

Best Van Fleet Award 2017 Sponsor: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Winner: Medicall Ambulance Services

Owner Driver Haulier of the Year 2017 Sponsor: MAN Truck & Bus Winner: Noel Brennan Transport Ltd

Fleet/Transport Manager of the Year 2017 Sponsor: Iveco Winner: William Flanagan - Zellwood

Regional Transport Operator of the Year 2017 Sponsor: FUSO Winner: Clavin Transport Services Ltd

Women in Transport 2017 Sponsor: EuroBlue Winner: Helen O’Neill - Cold Move Limited

Best Livery Award 2017 Sponsor: Blue Tree Systems Winner: N&C Enterprises Ltd

Technician of the Year 2017 Sponsor: Renault Trucks Winner: Peter Higgins

Best Safety Practice Award 2017 Sponsor: Health & Safety Authority Winner: DHL Supply Chain

Services to the Transport Industry Sponsor: Close Brothers Commercial Finance Winner: Jerry Kiersey - Green Tiger Express

Innovation Award 2017 Sponsor: easytrip Winner: Assetminder Ltd

Fleet Transport Irish Truck of the Year 2017 In association with Corcra Communication Irish Distribution Truck of the Year 2017 (Heavy Duty) Winner: DAF CF.310 6x2

Environment Award 2017 Sponsor: Gas Networks Ireland Winner: AQS Environmental Solutions

FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

Fleet Transport Irish Truck of the Year 2017 In association with Corcra Communication Irish Distribution Truck of the Year 2017 (Medium Duty) Winner: Volvo FL512.210

Fleet Transport Irish Truck of the Year 2017 In association with Corcra Communication Irish Truck of the Year 2017 (Heavy-Duty) Winner: Volvo FH.540 6x2 Globetrotter XL Fleet Transport Trailer Innovation Award 2017 In association with Triska Energy Winner: Dennison Goose-Neck Skeletal Semi-Trailer Fleet Transport Trailer Innovation Award 2017 In association with Triska Energy Winner: Mercedes-Benz Urban e-Truck Fleet Transport Awards 2017 In association with ESB ecars Irish Green Commercial of the Year 2017– Electric Winner: FUSO Canter E-Cell Fleet Transport Awards 2017 In association with ESB ecars Irish Green Commercial of the Year - Natural Gas Winner: Iveco Stralis NP Fleet Transport Irish Truck of the Year 2017 In association with Corcra Communication Irish Truck of the Year 2017 Winner: Volvo FH.540 6x2 Globetrotter XL Fleet Transport Awards 2017 Irish Haulier of the Year 2017 in association with Rosslare Europort Overall Winner: Clare Distribution Services

THE RENAULT TRUCKS RANGE T. TRUCKS TO BE PROUD OF.

FOR DETAILS OF OUR DEALER NETWORK AND TO BOOK A DEMO CALL (01) 403 4500 Setanta Vehicle Importers, Long Mile Road, Dublin 12 www.setantatrucks.ie

38 | AWARDS CATEGORY WINNERS

INTERNATIONAL HAULIER OF THE YEAR 2017 Sponsor: Thermo King Winner: Virginia International Logistics

Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport; Fred Rogers, Sales & Service Manager, Thermo King (Sponsor), Ray Cole, Virginia Transport and Marty Whelan, M.C.

FLEET/TRANSPORT MANAGER

OF THE

Sponsor: Iveco Winner: William Flanagan - Zellwood

Orla Sweeney, Fleet Transport; Lisa Fuller, Brand Marketing & Communications Manager, Iveco (Sponsor); William Flanagan, Zellwood and Denise Owens, Fleet Transport.

FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

YEAR 2017

AWARDS CATEGORY WINNERS | 39

OWN ACCOUNT TRANSPORT OPERATOR OF THE YEAR 2017 Sponsor: Mercedes-Benz Winner: Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland

Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport; Jason Quinlan & Vince O'Sullivan, Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland; Fergus Conheady, Sales Manager, Mercedes-Benz (Sponsor); Colm O'Regan, Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland; Tommy O'Donovan & Steve Young, Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland and Marty Whelan, M.C.

OWNER DRIVER HAULIER

OF THE

YEAR 2017

Sponsor: MAN Truck & Bus Winner: Noel Brennan Transport Ltd

Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport; Michael Hynes, MAN Importers Ireland (Sponsor); Noel Brennan, Noel Brennan Transport and Marty Whelan, M.C. www.fleet.ie

40 | AWARDS CATEGORY WINNERS

WOMEN

IN

TRANSPORT 2017

Sponsor: EuroBlue Winner: Helen O’Neill – Cold Move Limited

Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport; Helen O’Neill, Cold Move; Denise Owens, Fleet Transport and Marty Whelan, M.C.

REGIONAL TRANSPORT OPERATOR

OF THE

Sponsor: FUSO Winner: Clavin Transport Services Ltd

Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport; Andrew Johnson, FUSO Ireland (Sponsor); Lenny Clavin, Clavin Transport Services Ltd and Marty Whelan, M.C. FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

YEAR 2017

AWARDS CATEGORY WINNERS | 41

BEST VAN FLEET AWARD 2017 Sponsor: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Winner: Medicall Ambulance Services

Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport; Eoin Cullen, Medicall Ambulance Services; Kim Kiduff, Head of Sales & Marketing, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (Sponsor) and Marty Whelan, M.C.

INNOVATION AWARD 2017 Sponsor: easytrip Winner: Assetminder Ltd

Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport; Derek Murray, Assetminder; Lorna Fay, Business Development Manager, easytrip (Sponsor) and Marty Whelan, M.C. www.fleet.ie

42 | AWARDS CATEGORY WINNERS

TECHNICIAN

OF THE

YEAR 2017

Sponsor: Renault Trucks Winner: Peter Higgins

Orla Sweeney, Fleet Transport; Peter Murray, Network Truck & LCV Sales Director, Renault Trucks (Sponsor); Peter Higgins, Denise Owens, Fleet Transport and Marty Whelan M.C.

BEST LIVERY AWARD 2017 Sponsor: Blue Tree Systems Winner: N&C Enterprises Ltd

Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport; Michael Gavin and Joe Gavin, N&C Enterprises Ltd; Trevor Durnin, Sales Manager for Ireland, Blue Tree Systems (Sponsor) and Marty Whelan, M.C. FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

AWARDS CATEGORY WINNERS | 43

BEST SAFETY PRACTICE AWARD 2017 Sponsor: Health & Safety Authority Winner: DHL Supply Chain

Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport; Deirdre Sinnott, Senior Policy Inspector, Health & Safety Authority (Sponsor); Denis Conway, DHL Supply Chain and Marty Whelan, M.C.

ENVIRONMENT AWARD 2017 Sponsor: Gas Networks Ireland Winner: AQS Environmental Solutions

Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport; Dan Fitzpatrick, Commercialisation Manager, Gas Network Ireland (Sponsor); John Fahy and Stan O’Reilly, AQS Environmental Solutions and Marty Whelan, M.C. www.fleet.ie

44 | AWARDS CATEGORY WINNERS

CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCELLENCE AWARD 2017 Sponsor: FIAT Professional Winner: Dennison Trailers

Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport; David Dennison and Paul O'Connell, Dennison Trailers; Paul Hunt, Managing Director, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Ireland (Sponsor) and Marty Whelan, M.C.

EXCELLENCE

IN

WAREHOUSING & PRODUCT HANDLING 2017

Sponsor: Cold Move Winner: W.S. Dennison Ltd.

Aoife Doyle, Cold Move (Sponsor); William Dennison, W.S. Dennison Ltd; Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport and Marty Whelan, M.C. FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

AWARDS CATEGORY WINNERS | 45

SERVICES

TO THE

TRANSPORT INDUSTRY

Sponsor: Close Brothers Commercial Finance Winner: Jerry Kiersey – Green Tiger Express

Denise Owens and Orla Sweeney, Fleet Transport; Jerry Kiersey, Green Tiger Express; Adrian Madden, Head of Sales, Close Brothers Commercial Finance (Sponsor); Sean Murtagh, Fleet Transport and Marty Whelan, M.C.

Awards 2017 Special thanks to all our Sponsors

www.fleet.ie

46 | AWARDS CATEGORY WINNERS

FLEET TRANSPORT TRUCK INNOVATION AWARD 2017 In association with Triska Energy Winner: Mercedes-Benz Urban e-Truck

Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport; Fergus Conheady, Mercedes-Benz; Fernando Vidal, Shell; David McCarthy, Managing Director Triska Energy (Sponsor) and Marty Whelan, M.C.

OUR PASSION. OUR PEOPLE. 02.27am… Master Technician Kevin Beasley, Volvo Truck and Bus Centre East Anglia, gets his call from Volvo Action Service, 65 minutes later it’s another job well done! It’s the strong Volvo network and passionate people like Kevin who make this possible – every time.

Discover more www.volvotrucks.co.uk/volvo24

www.volvotrucks.ie

Search: VolvoTrucksUK 55377

AWARDS CATEGORY WINNERS | 47

FLEET TRANSPORT TRAILER INNOVATION AWARD 2017 In association with Triska Energy Winner: Dennison Goose-Neck Skeletal Semi-Trailer

David Dennison, Dennison Trailers; Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport; Fernando Vidal, Shell; David McCarthy, Managing Director Triska Energy (Sponsor) and Marty Whelan, M.C.

Volvo Trucks. Driving Progress

48 | AWARDS CATEGORY WINNERS

Irish Green Commercial of the Year 2017 – Electric In association with ESB ecars Winner: FUSO Canter E-Cell

Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport; Sinead Bruton, Marketing Manager, ESB ecars (Sponsor); Gerard Rice and Andrew Johnson, FUSO and Marty Whelan, M.C.

Irish Green Commercial of the Year 2017 – Natural Gas In association with ESB ecars Winner: Iveco Stralis NP

Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport; Sinead Bruton, Marketing Manager, ESB ecars (Sponsor); Lisa Fuller, Iveco; Marty Whelan, M.C. and Stuart Webster, Managing Director, Iveco Ltd. FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

www.volkswagen-vans.ie

The new Crafter is awarded International Van of the Year 2017.

2017

The new Crafter. The new dimension.

Its innovative design and outstanding suitability for urban use, featuring more than 15 driver assistance systems and a wide range of power trains, convinced the expert jury from 24 countries. The experts voted the new Crafter “International Van of the Year 2017�. We would like to say thank you!

The new Crafter. More practical, economical and innovative than ever before.

50 | AWARDS REPLICA TROPHY At the recent IAA CV Show 2016 in Hannover the International Van of the Year 2017 was awarded to the Volkswagen Crafter while the Scania S-series was elected as International Truck of the Year.

With Fleet Transport as the Irish Jury member of the International Truck of the Year and it's Editor Jarlath Sweeney as Chairman of the International Van of the Year jury, replica trophies were presented at the annual Fleet Transport Awards 2017.

International Van of the Year 2017 – Volkswagen Crafter

Pictured is Jarlath Sweeney, Editor of Fleet Transport Magazine and Chairman of the International Van of the Year Jury presenting the replica IVOTY 2017 trophy to Alan Bateson, Brand Manager, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

International Truck of the Year 2017 – Scania S-series

Pictured is Jarlath Sweeney, Editor of Fleet Transport Magazine and Irish Jury member of the International Truck of the Year Award presenting the replica ITOY 2017 trophy to Joe Crann, Managing Director, Westward Scania.

FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

AWARDS - OUTDOOR DISPLAY | 51

www.fleet.ie

52 | AWARDS - INDOOR DISPLAYS

FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

AWARDS - OUTDOOR DISPLAY | 53

www.fleet.ie

54 | AWARDS LAUNCH PAD

Premieres aplenty at Fleet Tran

A

ttendees of the Fleet Transport Awards 2017 got the nod on an array of new commercials arriving into Ireland over the next number of months. All linedup were new trucks, vans, trailers and forklifts that made their collective premiere at the Fleet Transport Awards Exhibition Arena at the Citywest Hotel, Dublin.

The latest Iveco Stralis XP (Xtra Performance) made its way from Italy, with special All Blacks livery to acknowledge the Italian brand’s partnership with the Rugby World Champions on their European Tour. It took centre stage at the Gala Dinner, supported on either side with two Iveco Eurocargos. To complete the spectacular stage

sett ing, Chains Ireland Limited provided load securing straps for the art-deco framework at each end.

Another fi rst was the debut of the all-new Volkswagen Crafter, fresh from winning International Van of the Year 2017, and due for sales introduction here early next year. Alongside was the new Amarok V6, recently launched. Fiat Professional presented the new Talento van and Fullback Pick-up, with the latter providing the platform for the DJ at the welcome reception!

Among the impressive line-up of new trailers displayed, Truck & Trailer Works showcased its I Beam Meat Rail System on a Schmitz

BYD Forklift s

SsangYong & LDV

Dennison Trailers

Exhibition Arena

Faymonville Trailers

Hyster Forklift s

FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

AWARDS LAUNCH PAD | 55

nsport Awards Exhibition Arena Cargobull refrigerated box trailer, while Faymonville had a heavy duty ballast trailer supplied by Ashbourne Truck Centre. Dennison Trailers demonstrated the merits of its Goose-Neck Skeletal trailers, which went on to win the Trailer Innovation Award that evening.

On the materials handing front, up-and-coming Chinese manufacturer BYD introduced its IFOY 2016 award-winning battery powered forklifts. Also there were Irish made Hysters with 16-tonne and 3-tonne versions from its forklift range. Also on display was a range of trailers from various manufacturers such as Fruehauf, Krone, SOR and Chereau.

Representations from DAF Trucks, FUSO Trucks, MAN, MercedesBenz, Renault Trucks, Scania and Volvo Trucks were also parked up for viewing, many of which were in contention for the Fleet Transport Irish Truck of the Year 2017 Awards. One of the most looked at trucks was not from the modern era, but from 1996 - a beautifully restored Scania 143H 450 4x2 from McElvaney Motors.

During the day there were test drive opportunities with LDV vans, SsangYong Commercial SUVs and FUSO Canter trucks.

Centre Stage with Chains Limited

Scania 143H from 1996

Centre Stage with Iveco

TT W - Truck & Trailer Works

Volkswagen Craft er IVOTY 2017

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles & FIAT Professional www.fleet.ie

56 | NETWORKING celebrating

Fleet Transport Awards

years

Networking at the Fleet

Welcome Drinks Reception sponsored by Pro Vision Safety Systems

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FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

NETWORKING | 57 celebrating

Transport Awards 2017

Fleet Transport Awards

years

Citywest Hotel, Dublin – 13 October 2016

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58 | NETWORKING

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FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

Awards 2017 Special thanks to all our Sponsors

Thorough and complete service at a fraction of the cost of a new filter

DPF Cleaning Service

DPF’s are emission devices installed in ‘on the road’ Euro 6 diesel engines (introduced in 2014). DPFs are designed to burn soot. Unburnable ash gradually collects in the filter causing excessive back pressure and regenerations.

When to Clean

Failure to service your DPF can cause: • • •

•

DPF Failure (Requiring replacement) Down time Lower fuel economy

BEFORE

•

Ash begins hardening in filter at 100,000 km which causes permanent damage and cracking.

Engine manufacturers recommend DPF cleaning at various different intervals depending on the engine type and vehicle operation.

STAGE 1& 2

€

330.00

DPF returned free of charge within 24 hours (weekends may take longer).

Return free of charge within 48 hours (weekends may take longer). Due to the effectiveness of our pneumatic cleaning programme, only 1 in every 8 filters will require a thermal regeneration to burn off any remaining soot deeply set in the ceramic cell walls (stage 3).

STAGE 1,2 & 3

€

390

.00

AFTER

Call us to find our more information or book in your filter for cleaning

Naas Depot Galway Depot

Millennium Park, Naas, Co. Kildare Glennascaul, Oranmore, Co. Galway

Tel: 045 879 881 Tel: 091 790 500

www. irishcomms.ie

'As Good as New' sounds like qualified praise for TTW

A

mong the impressive line-up of semi-trailers displayed

by Truck & Trailer Works (TT W) at the recent Fleet Transport Awards Exhibition Arena, the innovative I Beam Meat Railer built on a Schmitz Cargobull refrigeration unit drew great interest. Many positive comments plus numerous photographs were made on TT W’s Facebook page resulting from the premiere. Its company motto – ‘As Good As New’ is now a popular hash tag! An eye-catching prominent company logo like TT W’s helps the cause also! Check out it's Facebook page for daily updates on it's activities.

So, upwards and onwards for the company, headquartered in Dungannon, County Tyrone. Truck & Trailer Works has made great progress, opening a branch at Dublin Port with further expansion in the pipeline. Traffic through this workshop which specialises in trailer repairs, servicing, parts, refurbishments and sales has been phenomenally busy with the addition of truck maintenance, Company Director and General Manager, Ricky Burke is confident that thanks to the extensive range of services provided, TTW can truly become the one-stop-shop for the road transport operator on both sides of the Border, covering cross-channel and Continental haulage especially.

Key to its growing portfolio is that TTW is an authorised service partner for Schmitz Cargobull, the biggest name in trailers and related services in Europe. On the back of that high profile agency is its used trailer business. TTW can source, supply and restore trailers after their first life to continue working under different corporate colours – as good as new!

“Traditionally we catered for repairs to reefer-units, but we can refurbish any type of trailer and now look after truck repairs and maintenance,” explained Ricky. “We live up to our company slogan ‘As Good as New’, being in a position to add years to the life of trailers we work on,” he added.

“To date, the majority of the truck work has been carried out at our Dublin base. Our plan by the end of next year is to include repairs, tail lifts and other equipment here. We have

the technical staff employed that’s required, including two dedicated fridge engineers and offer fixed-price packages for this type of work.”

All of the Schmitz Cargobull warranty work is done in Dublin, continuing the association between TTW and the German manufacturer.

As Ricky explained, Dungannon is the main centre for body repairs including shot blasting and painting and re-sprays.

Plans are afoot to further expand operations in the capital with the opening of another unit possibly next year.

Business in Northern Ireland is continuing to prosper too and the company is in the process of opening a new maintenance depot in Lurgan, County Armagh. Significant investment has been allocated to this new facility with the installation of brake-roller test and shaker test units in order to carry out MOT checks.

Continuous staff investment and the installation of the most up-to-date equipment is paying off, leading to the ongoing success of the business. That includes having the latest diagnostics and tooling at hand to provide the best repair service to truck customers, and that includes bodywork,” emphasised Ricky.

FUEL PRICES (WEEK 43) / SAFETY MATTERS | 61 Country

Currency

95 Lead Free

98 Lead Free

Diesel

Country

Currency

95 Lead Free

98 Lead Free

Diesel

Albania

ALL

159.00

-

158.00

Lithuania

EUR

1.113

1.175

1.013

Andorra

EUR

1.037

1.098

0.877

Luxemburg

EUR

1.144

1.207

0.978

Austria

EUR

1.137

1.142

1.079

Macedonia

MKD

61.50

63.00

48.00

Belarus

EUR

0.560

-

0.579

Moldova

MDL

16.08

16.67

13.98

Belgium

EUR

1.379

1.442

1.277

Montenegro

EUR

1.070

1.110

0.940

Bosnia-Herzegovina

BAM

1.80

-

1.79

Netherlands

EUR

1.622

1.694

1.280

Bulgaria

BGN

1.98

2.32

1.94

Norway

NOK

15.20

-

13.85

Croatia

HRK

9.17

-

8.58

Poland

PLN

4.53

4.87

4.37

Czech Republic

CZK

28.91

-

27.34

Portugal

EUR

1.488

1.523

1.255

Denmark

DKK

10.42

-

8.78

Romania

RON

4.80

5.17

4.75

Estonia

EUR

1.139

1.189

1.119

Russia

RUB

38.37

-

35.92

Finland

EUR

1.420

1.497

1.239

Serbia

RSD

133.70

-

140.40

France

EUR

1.362

1.406

1.174

Slovakia

EUR

1.219

-

1.068

Georgia

GEL

1.69

1.79

1.54

Slovenia

EUR

1.226

1.302

1.124

Germany

EUR

1.310

-

1.125

Spain

EUR

1.181

1.318

1.079

Greece

EUR

1.411

1.512

1.100

Sweden

SEK

13.34

13.94

13.29

Hungary

HUF

338.00

-

341.00

Switzerland

CHF

1.460

1.520

1.490

Ireland

EUR

1.299

-

1.199

Turkey

TRY

4.88

4.90

4.25

Italy

EUR

1.506

-

1.350

Ukraine

UAH

22.30

28.50

19.53

Kazakhstan

KZT

140.00

158.00

133.00

UK

GBP

1.146

1.253

1.162

Latvia

EUR

1.084

1.133

0.984

USA

USD

-

-

0.646

The Waste & Recycling Industry in Ireland has come a long way in recent times, and is now beginning to rival the UK in terms of supplier coverage and quality. We at the bmi group have seen a marked increase in customer queries and subsequent orders as conÀdence grows within Irish companies. With this in mind, we have appointed a dedicated Sales Development Manager for the Irish Market, David Kidd, who comes with a wealth of sales experience.

Irish transport operators are still primarily tipper users, with customers paying particular attention to the aggregate & scrap models within our recently launched tipper range.

Our halfpipe tipper is available in both aluminium and steel, giving end users a greater choice when deciding on their perfect spec. The Scrap model, or “HardBox”, is constructed with 450 grade Hardox steel, suitable for any heavy duty scrap material. These traditional trailers will always be a prominent feature on Irish roads, however, David has witnessed an increase in walking Áoor enquiries as companies begin to harness the beneÀts of Biomass.

2015/16 was particularly buoyant, across the waste & recycling sectors, and with the successful introduction of our tipper to our product range, we anticipate an increase on sales of at least 20% in the next Ànancial year.

This year we celebrate the 15th anniversary of manufacturing walking Áoors in the UK & Ireland, and to mark the occasion, we have a competition on our Facebook page, asking users to send in any photos of bmi trailers. The photo with the most likes by 16 December 2016 will win a food hamper. Check out www.facebook. com/thebmigroup for full competition details.

Head Office Unit 20 Granville Industrial Est., Dungannon, County Tyrone BT70 1NJ Tel: 02887753999 Email: info@thebmigroup.com www.thebmigroup.com Business Development Manager (Ireland) David Kidd Tel: 07908 686 595 Email: d.kidd@thebmigroup.com www.fleet.ie

62 | LAUNCH PAD

Ford Transit upgrades ‘Go Further’

T

wo years on from introducing a total renewal programme for its light commercial vehicle range, Ford of Europe has further enhanced the Transit family line-up with new drivetrains plus automatic transmission and air-suspension.

Improvements have also been made to its SYNC connectivity systems.

travel businesses according to Bernhard Mattes, Chairman, Ford of Germany at the latest product launches at the IAA Commercial Vehicles in Hannover in September. On the Transit 2-tonne, an All-Wheel-Drive system is now offered, like the generation before, using technology derived from Ford County tractors of old.

EcoBlue is the branding for its new 2.0 litre diesels (Euro 6 Stage B) said to deliver lower cost of ownership through reduced fuel consumption and longer service intervals. Better driveability too, as lower end torque has improved by 20 percent.

Ford’s latest SYNC3 connectivity system can now be specified on the Transit Connect and Ranger models featuring new voice control features and an even more responsive touchscreen. “So, if you are running low on diesel, simply say, “I need fuel” and the navigation system will direct you to the closest fuel station,” explained Bernhard.

Apparently, customers have been asking for automatic transmission for some time. Developed for Europe via North America through the One Ford Policy, the new 6-speed autobox will be available in the mid-range Transit and Tourneo Custom initially. Strong interest is expected from the urban delivery, courier and campervan sectors.

The addition of the 6-speed automatic transmission and air suspension in the latest Ford Transit Custom is most welcome, as discovered while on the test drive around Hannover city. Separately or together they will appeal to existing and new customers.

The development of rear-air suspension for the Custom is interesting as it’s the only factory fitted air suspension system within the sector. Additional appeal will extend to the shutt le and executive

On driving the new Euro 6 (B) 2.0 litre EcoBlue Transit Custom with the new fittings, the smoothness of the new drivetrain was appreciated as the overall driving pleasure is ‘(Go) further’ enhanced.”

Fiat Professional shows it talent with Talento!

FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

LAUNCH PAD | 63

Citroën’s Generation II Dispatch … dispatched!

W

ith the arrival of the all new Dispatch range, Citroën Motors Ireland is taking a fresh look at its LCV business. Having generated 2 percent market share in the medium van segment in 2016 to date, the target is 200 plus units or 5 percent share of the marketplace in this broad and competitive sector. Apart from a wider, more att ractive, and more interesting product offering, the pricing structure is more competitive and with improved resources at dealership level, it’s the best foot forward for the French manufacturer’s representatives.

With prices starting from €21,500 (inc. VAT), new Dispatch was created to suit a wide range of professionals covering all aspects of tradespeople, delivery and service providers and Local Authorities.

Within the extended range are Panel Van, Combi (9 seater) and Crew Cab versions, available in three lengths (XS: 4.60m, M: 4.95m and XL 5.30m). A peak payload of 1,400kg, and a load volume of 6.6m3 is offered, with a towing capacity of up to 2,500kg.

Another operational advantage is that the roof height on the XS and M variants is 1.90m, ensuring that it can fit under 2m car parking barriers. At the bottom end of the bulkhead is a large flap, which

A

mong the ‘Premieres’ at the Fleet Transport Awards Exhibition Arena last month was the new Talento van from Fiat Professional. In replacing the outgoing popular Scudo, Talento will strengthen its offering at the heart of the medium van segment.

Based on the Renault Trafic, the Talento is available in either short or long wheelbase, a wide variety of body styles and with a choice of powerful and highly efficient Euro 6 engines.

Its interior volume of up to 8.6m3 has enough space to accommodate three Euro pallets even in short wheelbase form - a payload of up to 1,249kg.

Available with a choice of advanced turbo and twin turbo 1.6 litre diesel powerplants, supply power options range from 95hp/260Nm, 120/300, 125/320 to 145hp/340Nm. Talento also features a suite of safety enhancements including EBA (emergency brake assistance) and Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) - created to improve the comfort and productivity for those on board.

Text & Photos: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

opens up additional space for load lengths of up to 4m as the long items pass under the passenger seat.

Open the driver’s door and a welcoming interior awaits. The high-set driving position and numerous storage compartments will be noticed straight away, with power sockets, cup holders, and drinks bott le bins/slots on board.

Taking centre stage (literally) is the 7” touch screen tablet for access to all the media, telephone and navigation functions. Over the dash above the steering wheel is a heads-up display, providing vital driving information while on the move.

Power options from the 1.6 and 2.0 litre Blue HDi Euro 6 diesels stretch from 95hp to 120hp with 6-speed manual or automated gearboxes. From the €21,500 XS Panel Van Blue HDi 95 manual base model, to the range topping M Combi 115 S&S BUM6 at €33,800, the range covers all applications.

“The arrival of the new Citroën Dispatch puts us back in the heart of this medium van segment with a product that offers class leading efficiency and unrivalled modularity with the EMP2 platform. It is clear that this New Citroën Dispatch has achieved the design objective to deliver an exceptional level of comfort for drivers, matched with the latest technologies designed for safety and for ease of use, especially the stand out feature of hands-free access.

Building on the legendary reputation of the Citroën Berlingo, the new Dispatch is competitively positioned with the added value of 3.9% fi nance across the range. We anticipate that this new model will drive a significant increase in demand for this latest generation Citroën Dispatch,” stated Louise Murphy, Marketing Director, Citroën & DS Ireland.

Innovative features include the ‘CargoPlus’ storage area under the passenger seats which allows users to carry objects up to 3.75m in length (4.15 for LWB versions) by sliding them into a special bulkhead opening.

Its rear doors can open up to a wide angle of 255° while the sliding side door has an aperture of 1,030 mm and a load edge just 100mm above the ground. The load volume equals 5.2m3 in short wheelbase models, 6m3 in long wheelbase versions and a generous 8.6m3 in the long wheelbase high-roof derivative.

Prices for the all-new Fiat Professional Talento start at just €18,735 (excluding VAT and VRT for the 1.6-litre MultiJet 95hp SWB standard roof van. The long-wheelbase FIAT Professional Talento is priced from €20,335 (1.6 MultiJet 120hp), the crew cab starts at €21,145 (1.6 MultiJet 95hp) and the Combi is priced from €24,000 (1.6 MultiJet 95hp).

“The arrival of Talento, which is positioned between the Doblò Cargo and Ducato in the FIAT Professional range, gives the brand one of the broadest van ranges available in Ireland, with a model to suit the specific needs of virtually all end users,“ stated Paul Hunt, newly appointed Managing Director, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Ireland Ltd. www.fleet.ie

64 | AWARDS

Contenders: Irish Van of the Year 2017

S

ince the 1 September deadline for Euro 6 engine emission legislation for light commercial vehicles has now passed, van manufacturers invested heavily not only in producing new drivetrains, but in some cases launching completely new models. In alphabetical order here are

the nominees for the Irish Van of the Year 2017 in association with Continental Tyres.

Citroën Dispatch From the PSA Group, the new Citroën Dispatch is co-developed with sister company Peugeot. Together, the new line-up consists of three different sized panel vans, passenger combi and chassis platforms from compact, medium to large, all within a 4.60m to 5.30m in length. The Dispatch offers up to 1,400kg payload, 6.6m3 load volume and has a towing capacity of 2.500kg. Engine choice includes 1.6 and 2.0 Blue HDIs.

Ford Transit Connect With the Fiesta van, Transit Courier and Transit Connect benefitt ing from an earlier installation of Euro 6 technology, the Euro 6 diesel drivetrain is now known as EcoBlue to emphasise performance and to reduce cost of ownership. Connect due to its att ractive design has done well in fleet sales since its arrival last year.

Ford Transit Custom A single chrome bar at the bottom of the front grille distinguishes the Euro 5 versions of the Ford Transit Custom medium sized vans from the Euro 6 variants. More significant however, are the new 2.0 litre EcoBlue diesels which offer up to 13 percent fuel efficiency allied to a lower-end torque improvement by 20 percent. Th is model range now also features a 6 speed automatic and rear air suspension.

Ford Transit 2-tonne The larger Transit in the family has the 2.0 EcoBlue installed offering a selection of power ratings from 105, 130 and 170PS, each of which provides increased power and torque compared to the outgoing 2.2 litre engine. Interestingly, these new powertrains went through vigorous pre-production tests, 5.5 million kilometres in all, from bench tests to field trials.

Iveco Daily In line with the Euro 6 introduction, Iveco revised the Daily range and extended its line-up not only to include new diesels but also alternative drivelines such as Electric, Natural Gas and Hybrid. In addition, there are two 4x4 types and on top of that a totally new 8-speed autobox called Hi-Matic, that’s derived from sister brand Maserati, no less!

FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

AWARDS | 65

LDV EV80 Shortly after launching the 2.5 litre diesel V80, Harris introduced the all-electric variant called the EV80 at the CV Show last April.

Like its internal combustion cousin, it’s available in short and long wheelbase van and chassis cab with a rated load capacity of up to 1250kg. One thing about the LDV is that what ever the model, it’s well speced.

LDV V80 A newcomer with a historic past. Fast forward from 2004 when the original Maxus van range was launched by LDV vans, which was at the time a collaboration between the British manufacturer and Daewoo from South Korea, to today, with new owners the SAIC Group from China. The Harris Group has the distribution rights for the Chinese brand for both Ireland and the UK.

Peugeot Expert As mentioned previously, the PSA Group Citroën Dispatch is the very same van as the Peugeot Expert (and also the latest Proace from Toyota). Benefitt ing from a car platform, the new van range drive extremely comfortably, which will make a real difference to the long distance driver. All around said operator is a modern, well designed, medium sized goods vehicle, that has lots of safety items.

Toyota Proace For the second coming of the Proace, Toyota is staying with PSAand their mid-sized products. For the Japanese brand, a much broader customer base opens up as the three versions now available will provide dealers with more options to att ract new business. One thing Toyota has assured us that the build quality from PSA Group will meet its expectations and reputation.

STOP PRESS! Latest Contender - Nissan NV300

D

ue for launch here later this month, the NV300 is Nissan’s all new competitor in the mid-sized van segment, and the eagerly anticipated replacement for the Primastar. Sitt ing in the range between the NV200/eNV200 and the NV400, it’s a hugely important vehicle for Nissan as it completes the rejuvenation of the brand’s LCV family line-up.

With the launch of NV300, Nissan has one of the widest commercial vehicle ranges on the market, allowing dealers to provide a convenient ‘one-stop shop’ for van and Pick-up truck customers.

Text & Photos: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

www.fleet.ie

66 | REVIEW II

IAA Commercial Vehicles, H Featuring the second instalment of words and pictures direct from the world’s

Cummins Those in the know about engines are aware of the power of Cummins (literally!). But an interesting fact to emerge from the IAA was that 6 out of 10 of all the trucks and buses on display at the show featured Cummins components dealing with fuel after-treatment and air handling systems. Cummins also launched its new heavy duty 15 litre - X15 and 12 litre - X12 diesel engines that meets both EPA and Euro 6 regs.

Foton Collaborations between brands continue worldwide and Beigi Fonton Motors from China proudly exhibited the results of alliances with Cummins, ZF, and Continental within the Super Truck Global Innovation Alliance.

Premiered were three new models:- the Auman EST (Energy Super Truck) heavy duty truck and the Aumarks medium and light trucks that are greener than ever before.

Drive-Rite Irish owned company Drive-Rite, which is marking 25 years in business, had a good story to tell, namely that its latest full-air suspension kit has been approved by Renault for the Trafic and customer supply brands Opel and Vauxhall. The Dublin firm has also become a premium partner for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and is currently working on a system for its new Crafter II.

Alcoa Alcoa Wheels, announced the commercial launch of the European version of the Ultra ONE wheel with MagnaForce alloy - the lightest heavy duty truck wheel on the market.

Production will begin in 2017. The US company also announced it is further expanding its European portfolio by introducing wheels with the best-selling LvL_ONE finish and Dura-Bright EVO surface treatment for the specialist low deck trailer market.

Jost Group Jost’s highlights included the branding of trailer axles engineered by Mercedes-Benz.

Also presented was its latest trailer coupling, the ultralight JSK34 sensor coupling, especially developed for tankers and site trucks. Its latest landing legs now includes the electrical model - E-Drive, while there were new towing hitches from Rockinger, and Edbro had new tippers on show.

Jacobs Vehicle Systems Steve Ernest, Vice President of Engineering & Business Development, gave a presentation on the Jacobs High Power Density (HPD) Engine Brake, which back in April surpassed its own world record, achieving 819 retarding horsepower. Jacobs see a perfect opportunity in Europe for the HPD where there is a premium for retarding power and now needs the manufacturers to adopt it like they did with their conventional technology.

Bridgestone It was all about Tirematics on Bridgetstone’s stand as it demonstrated that a proactive tyre maintenance monitoring system helps to reduce tyre costs, fuel consumption and downtime. From Bridgestone’s newly developed telematics system, Tirematics uses sensors to remotely monitor, transmit and analyse realtime information, such as the pressure and temperature of truck and bus tyres.

It’s been developed and refined since 2013.

FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

Michelin The French tyre specialists briefed the press on its X-Line Energy, the first range to be awarded AAA grading in rolling resistance. The X-Multi Energy will soon be available in 315/70/22.5 sizes for steer and drive axles and the X-Works, a road construction site tyre, offers a 25 percent increase in lifespan compared to its predecessor. Almost half of Michelin tyres sold in Europe are equipped with RFID and by 2018 all of them will be.

REVIEW II | 67

Hannover, Germany – Part II leading International trade exhibition for the transport and logistics sectors.

Valeo With sales worth €1 billion of its electronics and components for the automobile industry so far in 2016, Valeo (which is a major employer in Tuam, Galway) is concentrating on the HGV sector with its Fleet Owner minded programme. Its objective is to reduce CO2 emissions and TCO plus enhancing comfort and safety. A whole range of products were promoted here and will feature soon in ‘Fleet’.

ACEA According to Martin Lundstedt, ACEA’s Commercial Board Chairman & Volvo Group CEO, EU Policy makers must keep in mind the complexity of the truck and bus sectors before setting the direction of future CO2 reduction policy. “We first need to have a clear understanding of the baseline and the VECTO computer simulation tool devised by the EC is the most advanced,” he said.

Stoneridge The US component company which has a major presence in Europe with its tachographs, promoted its unique mirror replacement system MirrorEye MainView and TopView.

Basically they replace traditional mirrors with cameras and interior displays. Redirection of blind spots is reduced and the vehicle becomes more streamlined. Field trials held to date have proven successful, impressing drivers with the increased visibility.

Timocom Europe’s largest transport platform has made life more simple, quicker and efficient for its 110,000 daily users. The German company specialises in the creation of web based applications with up to 500,000 international freight and vehicle offers entered daily. There are over 36,000 verified transport operators in its logistics network.

ZF ZF, the famous German headquartered hitech component manufacturer with a global presence had its impressive acrylic truck for visitors to experience, fitted with the latest innovations such as Evasive Manoeuvre Assist (EMA) in Virtual Reality. SEE THINK ACT was the headline for ZF as it demonstrated how intelligent mechanical systems can help prevent accidents in commercial vehicles.

Knorr-Bremse As one of the go-to suppliers for commercial vehicle manufacturers, Knorr-Bremse showcased an abundance of new technologies including its new disc brake systems, its retrofittable integrated AMT control module for manual gearboxes, and new clutch servo long-life unit. Capable of four million actuation cycles, it is twice as many as comparable products on the market.

Continental Dr. Michael Ruf, Dr. Christine Pfeiffer and Nilolai Setzer chaired the Continental press conference to educate visitors about the Continental Mobility study, the success of the Conti Pressure check system in 27 markets, and also its new Right Turn Assist ProViu, a camera based detection system to protect vulnerable road users in which extensive field tests are ongoing.

Text & Photos: Jarlath Sweeney, Paul White and Leonard Allison

Hankook As one of the world’s leading tyre manufacturers, which is already the OEM supplier for MAN trucks and Mercedes-Benz trucks, the Korean manufacturer announced at the 66th IAA CV Show that it is to be the official supplier for Scania’s trucks and buses in the near future. Also launched were the new Smart Cont rol T W01 specialist winter tyres for trailers.

www.fleet.ie

68 | HEALTH MATTERS

The Eternal Optimist Gambling, Problem Gambling & Mental Health

A

certain type of personality is needed to be a gambler. If you think about it, gambling is taking a chance on an event in the future, the outcome of which is uncertain. The ‘chancer’ feels that when placing a bet, the likelihood is that his forecast of the outcome will be correct.

However, he is not certain of this and it is this uncertainty and anticipation that is the thrill of gambling.

In order to reinforce this feeling he will stake valuables, money or other currency on how this event turns out. A combination of excitement and anticipation together with the level of involvement determines the extent of the gambling. Buying one Lotto ticket might not be deemed to be gambling but buying ten thousand Lotto tickets certainly would.

Many people view gambling as fun and some feel that they can make a profit from it. (They have clearly never heard of the saying ‘The house always wins’). Some view it superstitiously as a manifestation of their ‘luck’, more feel that it is a form of socialising with people like themselves – as in Las Vegas – where a whole city is devoted to gambling and the house always does win.

paradoxically relieved, reflecting the despair they feel at being trapped in this gambling addiction.

Top sports people are also at risk of problem gambling when they are unable to consume alcohol or drugs, as gambling seems to offer a clean alternative pastime and a distraction to their otherwise very punishing lifestyle.

The compulsive gambler has lost control over his gambling. He is addicted to it, suffers from disordered thinking and false beliefs (delusions) and is by defi nition suffering from mental health issues.

The addictive personality will be someone who starts gambling in the teenage years.

As bookmakers are often in close proximity to public houses he will also often tend to be a heavy drinker. On-line gambling has taken this to a new plane, as many other opportunities to gamble become available, so gambling can persist through day and night. Th is leads to exhaustion and intense irritability and increased risk of domestic violence.

The treatment for this relapsing remitt ing condition is not unlike that of treatment for alcohol addiction. The patient must be separated from all temptation, access to fi nance must be stopped and he must be encouraged to attend self-help groups such as Gamblers Anonymous. He is encouraged to educate himself about his condition, analyse his behaviour and impulses and to voluntarily exclude himself from opportunities to place bets; for example only watching sporting events on playback.

He is occasionally given medication which helps to control his impulses, his family is also enlisted to control his access to his fi nances, and to prevent his viewing gambling advertising on television.

The gambling industry is a very lucrative one and is the main winner in this scenario.

Uncontrolled and problem gambling can be a source of misery to millions. Probably the worst thing that can happen to a punter is for him to win in his early bett ing days as the seduction of these early wins may never wear off.

Problem gambling occurs when the gambler demonstrates irrational and disordered thinking with regard to his gambling - he has a compulsion to continue his gambling behaviour in spite of adverse consequences.

When he has no more resources, either fi nancial or social, he will still continue to attempt to lay a bet or a wager even on two fl ies climbing up a wall.

Th is problem gambling has been likened to the compulsion which drives an alcoholic to drink, with the same theory behind it; once a gambler always a gambler, and even if he stops the tendency is always lurking in the background ready to attack the person again.

Problem gambling often leads to thieving especially in circumstances where the person has access to large amounts of cash, and often when apprehended these people are FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

Text: Dr. Betty Maguire - contributor@fleet.ie

COMMENT | 69

There’s more to the Fleet Transport Awards event than Awards!

That was quite an evening!

H

aving been involved with the Fleet Transport Awards since their inception, I have seen the event grow and mature over the ten years. Yes, it has progressed hugely since the first event held at the Johnstown House Hotel, but Jarlath Sweeney and his team have managed the superb trick of having it grow without losing its essential heart which I see as being an opportunity for transport operators and their back-up crew to celebrate what they are doing. Some may be large international haulage businesses, others are owner-drivers, but all were present at Citywest because they love doing what they do and are very good at it.

The whole awards ceremony was great, covering a large range of businesses and vehicles, together with the irrepressible Marty Whelan keeping order in the room and with the typically robust speech by Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) President, Verona Murphy.

For me, one award in particular stood out. This was the Services to the Transport Industry award presented to Jerry Kiersey.

Jerry and I have been bouncing off one another for almost thirty years now, and to my mind the haulage industry and indeed the whole Irish freight transport industry is deeply indebted to him for his optimism and determination. Many people talk about doing something about raising standards in the industry. Jerry, through his Blueflite Logistics business, and latterly though his GreenTiger Express, actually did it, with his own money and energy. Outside his own business he has driven so many other activities either through the IRHA or outside it. I particularly remember the work we did together in the late 1980’s when we sought to merge the competing road haulage representative bodies into one effective unit, and later when Jerry put together the TUG – Transport Umbrella Group - which brought almost all interests working through Dublin Port together. This group was not only there to sort out problems that people were having, but also to look to what should be done to make business running through the Port improve in the interests of all, and that includes ‘Ireland Inc’. In more recent times I adopted Jerry’s TUG model when setting up the IEA’s Rail Freight Group and it works well.

But, as we said earlier, awards were not all that the evening was about.

Certainly it was about good food, wine and the thing that always surprises people who attend this event for the first time, the welcome reception drinks. It is a great opportunity for people who might not normally have the opportunity to do so to meet and talk. While many of the conversations were light-hearted, others were a bit serious and the sort of conversations that start you thinking.

One such conversation was with a Port representative and with the Sales Manager of a leading Irish logistics company. Like so many other conversations that evening this one took place under the looming shadow of BREXIT and the question was whether or not there are realistic alternatives to the Dublin to the Continent passage via the traditional landbridge routes. Needless to say we didn’t solve the issue but each of us went away better informed. It is, perhaps, surprising that more of the Ports and Shipping Lines were not in Citywest that evening; there’s a lot for them to learn there.

Adrian Madden, Close Brothers Commercial Finance; Jerry Kiersey and Jarlath Sweeney, Editor Fleet Transport Magazine.

From where I'm sitting - Howard Knott A little later I was talking with a long established Irish international haulier and here the topic was Driver’s hours. His point was that the EU regulations here with the strict regime of rest periods etc. are not suitable for purpose for hauliers operating from a European offshore island. While things may be manageable where the ferry routes involve up to four hour crossings, sea journeys that can take eighteen hours or more can totally entangle the driver with nonsense stops on what is, otherwise, a perfectly sensible routing. Where do you even start sorting that one out?

Transport Manager CPC

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70 | REPORT II

Supply Chain Seminar told so

F

ollowing a successful event at the same venue in 2015, the Irish Exporters Association’s (IEA) Supply Chain Ireland division held a follow up Western Regional Conference in Claremorris, County Mayo, on 12 October. The attendance included Supply Chain personnel from many manufacturing companies located with the region.

Opening the seminar, IEA President Paschal McCarthy informed the delegates about the Association and its role in helping exporters of both goods and services meet the challenges in dealing with logistical problems of gett ing product delivered, but also the political issues arising from different trade barriers and practices. He emphasised the need for exporting companies to look beyond their traditional markets, particularly in a post-BREXIT world, and said that the Association stood four square behind them in surmounting the various barriers.

Mr. McCarthy said that his ambition during his Presidency was to stimulate the Association’s regional activity and that a number of regional groups had now been set up. He then introduced John Carr who is Supply Chain Solution's Vice-President at Flex International

John Carr, Flex International; Paschal McCarthy, President, IEA and Howard Knott , IEA FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

- formerly Flextronics - who will chair the IEA Western Regional Council.

Speaking about the day’s programme at the IEA Supply Chain Initiative John said: "We welcome the expanding number of exporting companies based in the West of Ireland to this important Supply Chain event. The IEA is positioned at the forefront of the transport and logistics sectors and facilitates collaboration between private industry and the public sector. Ireland is a small open economy and in order to remain competitive in international markets it is imperative that we maintain an efficient Supply Chain and through our Supply Chain Ireland initiative."

In his contribution Howard Knott focussed on the developments in the logistics and physical Supply Chain sectors that have taken place over the last year, and specifically those that could impact manufacturing exporters located in the North-West. He picked up on the development of sea and air services at Irish Ports and Airports, but cautioned exporters with cargo for Deep Sea destinations in the wake of the Hanjin Shipping collapse. Another major development has been in the area of cargo security and IT developments that

Fiona Luciani and Sinead Branigan, IEA, at the welcome desk!

REPORT II | 71

ome hard facts about BREXIT could be introduced for e-Commerce.

John expressed surprise on the very low take up of the new arrangements that reduce or take away bank backed Customs guarantees and bonds. The Revenue is, effectively, offering ‘free money’.

Mr. O’Leary then turned to some personal views on BREXIT based on his meetings with his opposite numbers in a number of EU countries. He pointed out that 17 Member States have land borders with nonEU countries and that these are all manned and controlled. It is unlikely, therefore, that anything different would be acceptable between the Republic and Northern Ireland.

John O’Leary, Head of e-Customs and UCC Integration, Revenue; John Carr, Flex International; Paschal McCarthy, Vehicles transiting Northern Ireland President, IEA; Howard Knott , IEA and Paul Whiriskey, Senior Manager Warehouse and Customer Service, running between Donegal and elsewhere Allergan in the Republic will be subject to a transit enable a cargo’s location, temperature and humidity to be monitored documentation requirement and will cross the border on designated in real time. Th is point was picked up by Paul Whiriskey, the Senior ‘approved’ routes. Even though the use of electronic clearance has Manager, Warehouse & Customer Service at Allergan. This company reduced the average clearance time for goods going through Irish now employs 1000 people at its Westport plant, from where it ships Customs to 33 seconds from the hours that it took when the Border to 70 countries using temperature controlled equipment which is was last operated in 1992, the fact still remains that there will be split 50/50 between air and sea shipments. delays and shippers will have to build in extra time and costs to the shipment of exports to non-EU countries.

John O’Leary, Head of e-Customs & UCC Integration with the Revenue Commissioners, started by advising that for manufacturers John and others at the Claremorris event agreed that it is unrealistic and their logistics operators, the Authorised Economic Operator to think that goods shipped to the UK will not be subject to some status is now critically important in ensuring the smooth flow Customs Duty with the attendant delays and costs. of goods along the Supply Chain. Gone are the days of Customs paperwork, there are now E-Systems for everything. Customs will When the 2017 event comes around again in Claremorris, there should now operate on an EU wide basis; Postal services will now face the be further interesting developments to explore and discuss. same Customs rules as other carriers and self-assessment systems

Howard Knott, Irish Exporters Association and Fleet Publications John O’Leary, Head of e-Customs and UCC Integration, Revenue; John Carr, Flex International; Paschal McCarthy, President, IEA; Howard Knott , IEA and Paul Whiriskey, Senior Manager Warehouse and Customer Service, Allergan Text: Howard Knott Photos: Trish Forde

www.fleet.ie

72 | OPINION

View from the Operators Desk by Sean Murtagh - sean@fleet.ie

'Do Insurance Companies know who their customers are?'

A

s the cost of insurance continues to increase, road transport companies are becoming more nervous as the renewal date for their policies come closer. Not much good news is on the horizon. Government seems to be washing its hands of the problem as the seriousness of the situation continues to increase.

Those of us that deal with brokers will know the effort they go to to make sure that we get the best deal. Insurance companies in the main remove themselves from the end user. If you asked an insurance company to identify who its customer is, I think they would have difficulty to decide between its broker or the ‘insured’, that is me and you, the vehicle owner. Customer care is not something they are very big on, in fact I don’t think an insurance company will ever have received a ‘Supplier of the Month/Year’ award.

An announcement that the Competition Authority was taking an interest in the speed and pace of increases to premiums was certainly a welcome development, but it seems to be coming to nothing significant.

It struck me as strange that it is not approaching any potential price fi xing by insurance companies with the same enthusiasm as the same inspectors had shown when the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) was accused by some of the shipping companies in Dublin Port of attempting to create a cartel.

So do the insurance companies ever wonder who their customer is, the broker or the haulier? Is ‘customer’ a word they use or know the meaning of? I don’t think so. Sponsorship, diaries and branded umberellas is as far as it goes. One of the big problems about insurance is that it is a financial business based on risk. In the main insurance companies calculate risk on the basis of events rather than assessment and prevention. In the last ten years or so progressive insurance brokers understand the concept of a road transport firm, seeing possible danger in their companies and doing something to prevent accidents. I know from talking to brokers that this is still a hard sell to the underwriters.

A dawn raid on the then offices located in Leeson Street and some members' homes certainly would have eeked out any cartel had it existed.

Anyway, all in the past, but the warning given by the Competition Authority to the insurance companies will be helpful to them should they have anything to hide.

One thing insurance companies are not slow at is blaming others. They have had a go at blaming the legal profession, the state of the roads, the Government and fraudulent claims. I know the next thing that they will blame will be a weakening British Pound. No, they won’t get away with that one because when we had a strong Sterling, it was the villain, so they cannot have it both ways. Thank goodness for insurance brokers.

It would be a pity not to give credit to one part of the insurance industry, the brokers. Like parents of the underage players, they tackle team managers to get the best chance for their children. Insurance brokers always put the best case forward for their clients.

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LEGAL | 73

How relevant is the daily walkaround check?

R

ecent records of Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) involving commercial vehicles suggest that in 10 percent of cases the vehicle was, in some way, defective. In the fi nal analysis, a defective vehicle will always be the responsibility of the operator. In the majority of cases the operator will be a director of the company, or the owner of the business, who may not have the mechanical ability to maintain vehicles in the fleet. In normal circumstances therefore, mechanics will be employed or the periodic maintenance will be sub-contracted.

Of course a defect in a vehicle can arise at any time in the course of a working day, but that fact will not remove the responsibility of the operator even if the circumstances may afford the operator a defence in the event of a prosecution. It must never be forgotten that in any haulage operation it is the driver who ought to be the fi rst person to spot a defect, and who must always be at the frontline of any defence against a prosecution. For that reason, drivers must understand and accept that responsibility.

The fact that a driver now needs to hold a Certificate of Professional Competence has gone a long way towards improving the perceived professional status of a Heavy Goods Vehicle driver, but at the same time it may have encouraged drivers to feel that the need for support from their employers has diminished. Against that background it appears that many drivers see the requirement for a daily walkaround check as being an unnecessary inconvenience at the start of a working day, particularly if the weather is bad. (It is interesting to watch pilots of commercial jets carrying out a walkaround check of their aircraft before they take off ).

a physical check, perhaps by direct observation, to ensure that drivers are carrying out the required check and also that each check is thorough.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) clearly attaches a great deal of importance to the Daily Check in the context of vehicle safety and publishes a number of guides on its website as to how the Daily Check should be done. There is also a poster which can be displayed on a wall, perhaps in a traffic office, and an excellent video which has been prepared by Fleet Transport magazine in conjunction with the Gardaí. All these things underline the view of the RSA that every road transport operation has a duty to ensure that employed drivers carry out the daily check in a methodical and effective manner.

All the evidence suggests that the major problem for the employer is persuading a driver to accept the critical importance of the check.

The difficulty in ‘selling’ the contribution to safety made by the check appears to increase as the driver gets more experience, and more confident that he knows everything. Visual reminders, such as the RSA poster, are important as they do show that the employer has a real intention to ensure that the drivers do carry out the check, and these visual reminders will help to reinforce the employers' determination that the checks are done.

Employers must always remember that enforcement officers will look for evidence of a genuine intention to ensure that the vehicles and drivers are safe on the road.

In the first instance it is up to the employer to ‘sell’ the importance of the check. It should be seen as a specific part of a driver's work, and a sufficient length of time to complete the check should be built in to the daily schedule. Ideally each driver should be given a printed guide to the conduct of the check, possibly including ‘tick boxes’. Operators should remember that, in the event of an investigation by the authorities, it may be essential to be able to show that the drivers have been properly trained to carry out the check.

Owners or managers of haulage companies should periodically make Text: Jonathan Lawton - jonathan@fleet.ie

www.fleet.ie

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fleetMaritime: IRISH SHIPPING & FREIGHT

MARITIME I | 75

Compiled by Howard Knott Edited by Jarlath Sweeney email: maritime@fleet.ie

Volume 11, No. 4 Winter 2016

Seatruck’s business will grow by 18.9% in 2016, with more to come Seatruck CEO, Alistair Eagles and his Dublin Terminal team hosted a briefing and ship visit in early September. Fleet Maritime was there.

replacing a 65 unit vessel. The Seatruck team reckons that the opening of the new road giving hauliers direct access from junction 34 on the M6 motorway to the Port, and avoiding traffic jams at Lancaster that could add a couple of hours to their journey, will enable some to switch from driving all the way to Cairnryan to catch the ferry to Ireland.

Seatruck Progress

S

eatruck, which is owned by the Danish Clipper Shipping Group commenced operations in 1985 with a single vessel sailing between Warrenpoint and Heysham.

Right from the start the Seatruck model has remained consistent, using vessels that operate as freight only carriers each with a maximum accommodation for twelve drivers. The use of Heysham as the carrier’s home port has also dictated that all of its fleet are small enough to operate in the Lancashire Port.

While growth in the early years was steady, the real breakthrough for the company came when they took over operation of the Celtic Link, Dublin-Liverpool service in 2007 and, since that time, growth has been rapid. A key factor has been the building of two series of new vessels. Alistair pointed out that while the overall Irish Sea Ro-Ro freight market grew between 2005 and 2015 by 0.005 percent, Seatruck’s growth during those years amounted to 353 percent.

Seatruck now owns twelve vessels but does not use all of them on its own services. At the

time of writing three of its 65 trailer ‘R’ series vessels are on charter to other operators on the Irish Sea and Northern Isles while two of the most recent deliveries in its 145 trailer capacity FSG series are on charter to Stena Line, operating out of Belfast.

In early September 2016 Seatruck opened a Dublin-Bristol link initially using one of the R Class vessels and with a focus on the development of the trade car imports from that Port which would otherwise be shipped from Liverpool and elsewhere. This operates once a week and Seatruck anticipate switching to a larger vessel in the run up to the new vehicle registration year.

Perhaps the most significant development has been the addition of a fourth vessel to the Dublin/Liverpool route which gives a midweek service frequency of four round trips a day in each direction. This matches the frequency offered by Irish Ferries and Stena on the Dublin/Holyhead route and is a significant step towards the ‘Doverisation’ of Dublin Port.

Unlike the Holyhead services, the Seatruck operation is focussed on unaccompanied traffic and it has become clear that the Line will require significant extra terminal space in both Dublin and Liverpool, something that is already in the plans.

Seatruck does carry a number of vans and motorhomes on a number of its daytime services out of Warrenpoint and Dublin though, as the freight business continues to grow capacity for these may become more limited.

Another significant development has been the re-introduction of one of its ‘P’ series, 105 trailer capacity vessels onto the DublinHeysham route,

Clipper Ranger Dublin

E bookings@derrybros.com T 0044 28 87784949 www.derrybros.com

FREIGHT FERRY SERVICES FLEETMARITIME | Winter 2016

76 | MARITIME II

Hanjin Shipping receivership ripples spread

T

he closedown of the World #7 Container Carrier, South Korean based Hanjin Shipping on 31 August has caused a great deal of confusion to Shipping Lines and customers alike in an already very difficult Deep-Sea shipping market.

A couple of months after the event most containers that were on Hanjin Shipping vessels on the receivership date have been landed and cargo has been moved. In many cases doing this has been costly and administratively difficult.

Factors that contributed to the confusion include the fact that the Hanjin container vessel fleet was part owned by the Line and part chartered from other owners, and that a significant number of Hanjin Containers being shipped at the time were aboard vessels operated by other Lines. This is, in part, due to the by now well established organisation of Deep Sea Container shipping into a number of alliances that share vessels on their trunk routes.

All indications are that the Hanjin name will disappear from global trade lanes, though a smaller regional operation may emerge.

Three other well-known names that may well disappear shortly could be China Shipping Container Lines (CSCL) following its merger with COSCO, APL following its takeover by

Recent statements from Maersk Lines would also appear to support the consolidation position as the Line proposes to slow down on ordering new tonnage but to pursue expansion through acquisition of vessels from other Lines as well as Line takeovers. Speaking to Bloomberg at the company’s Copenhagen headquarters, A.P. Moeller-Maersk A/S Chairman, Michael Pram Rasmussen said: “If Maersk Line needs to grow, it doesn’t make sense to order new ships as there are already too many ships in the market fulfilling her main rolerket. So if we want to grow, we need to do it through acquisitions so that we don’t flood the market with more ships.”

CMA-CGM, and UASC, taken over by HapagLloyd. This all leaves 54 percent of the world’s containership fleet under the control of the Top 5 ocean carriers, whereas ten years ago that proportion was about 36 percent.

Maersk Line still has 27 ships in its order book, corresponding to about 12 percent of its current fleet. The container industry’s combined order book represents about 17 percent of the global fleet.

While a trend towards concentration in an industry would normally give rise to concerns that overall shipping rates would increase, the sheer volume of over-capacity on all shipping lanes would appear to rule this possibility out for quite some time to come. Even the spike in rates following the Hanjin collapse did not last, as consultants Drewry have indicated.

Meanwhile, the shipping industry is suffering from falling freight rates caused by a combination of overcapacity and a slowdown in global trade growth. Hanjin Shipping Co., South Korea’s biggest container company with 97 ships, recently filed for bankruptcy protection in Seoul.

As recently as 2015, Maersk Line placed orders with ship yards Daewoo Shipbuilding

Stena Line and DFDS add more capacity

S

tena Line, which recently switched its 2166 lane metre Stena Performer, one of the two vessels chartered from Seatruck for its Belfast/Heysham route with its 1562 lane metre Stena Hibernia which was serving as a third vessel on the Belfast/Liverpool route to the Liverpool service, has now announced a further capacity increase there in the weeks coming up to Christmas.

Stena Line is adding an extra two sailings per week. From Friday 21 October until 16 December, it will operate an additional Friday departure from Belfast (15.30hrs), and from Monday 24 October until 19 December

increased freight capacity for up to 2,000 more freight units across the Irish Sea at a crucial time for businesses seeking to maximise their Christmas trade.

it will operate an additional Monday departure (08.00hrs) from Birkenhead, Liverpool. The extra sailings will provide

Both Stena Line and DFDS are adding extra tonnage to their services out of the Humber to Dutch ports moving each of their freight services onto six days a week basis. Meanwhile, DFDS has announced the commissioning of a building project for a pair of new generation freight ferries, designed by the company’s naval architects and to be built at the Jinling Shipyard in China.

E bookings@derrybros.com T 0044 28 87784949 www.derrybros.com

IRISH SEA ROUTES FLEETMARITIME | Winter 2016

MARITIME III | 77 & Marine Engineering Co., Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., and with Cosco Shipyard Co. The ships are due for delivery in 2017 and 2018.

The 11 vessels from Daewoo will carry a record 19,630 standard-sized containers and cost $1.8 billion each. They are the second-generation version of the so-called Triple-E class vessels that Maersk developed with Daewoo. The Danish company in 2011 ordered 20 Triple-Es, which carry about 18,000 containers each.

“It has previously made a lot of sense when we went out and ordered specific vessels,” Mr. Rasmussen said, while noting: “there’s already a large order book in the market and at the same time, world trade isn’t growing a great deal.”

Maersk is not the only line looking out for acquisition opportunities, CMA-CGM has also thrown its hat into this ring. However, within the last month, greater concerns have emerged following an analysis of the profitability of the major Deep Sea Lines for which published accounts are available.

Analysts will be watching the figures as the Lines go through the winter to see if the huge losses incurred by many Lines earlier in 2016

have been reduced.

Hamburg Express - Inaugural call in Southampton

In spring 2017 the various Alliances of carrier operations on Deep Sea services will be reorganised and it is likely that will be the time when further consolidation may well occur.

One potential advantage for all concerned of this consolidation activity is the ability of make greater use of container equipment and save some empty running. Thus, if CMA-CGM has a load to collect and there is an APL box available close by the collection point, then that can be used rather than having two empty boxes passing each other on the road.

Lines are now also looking seriously at the issue of ‘no show’ containers at their terminals.

Hapag-Lloyd’s CEO Habben Jansen informed a recent conference that for every four bookings it gets, only three containers show up at the terminal. He said that customers, especially during the peak season place significant bookings with various carriers so as to be sure of space when they need it. Up to now the industry has been unwilling to introduce a “no-show” fee in such cases for fear of scaring

Waterford Port plans to invest €7 million

T

he Port of Waterford company has launched a business plan for the four years to 2020, during which the company aims to invest €7 million in capital projects and increase annual revenues by €3 million to €9.3 million with the container throughput doubling during the period.

away customers.

The tight economic situation throughout the industry is now forcing some Lines to revert to using third party feeder services rather than deploying vessels from their owned or chartered in fleets. This could affect Irish importers and exporters with changes in sailing times and overall voyage times. Speaking to some of the affected Lines, Fleet Maritime has been advised that, as Irish business continues to grow and the mergers already announced come into full operation, the volumes available to some Lines will reach the stage at which it becomes economic to restore their Irish sea feeder services. The launch and promotion by Peel Ports of its Liverpool 2 facilities may also draw more traffic into the area.

Rosslare Europort presents Irish Haulier of the Year Award 2017

Waterford recently handled its largest vessel yet, the 36,377 dwt Bulk Carrier, Federal Hudson, which discharged a record 14,500 tonnes at the Belview Quay. Sailing at High Water enables vessels of up to 10.5 metres draft operate there.

Federal Hudson at Waterford.

Title Sponsor, Rosslare Europort’s Captain Michael Proctor presented the overall Fleet Transport Irish Haulier of the Year 2017 to Mark Clare, Clare Distribution Services, Dublin. Also in photo is Orla Sweeney, Fleet Transport Magazine.

E bookings@derrybros.com T 0044 28 87784949 www.derrybros.com

EUROPEAN ROUTES FLEETMARITIME | Winter 2016

78 | MARITIME IV

The Commissioners of Irish Lights step up their activities

S

ome fifty years ago looking out over Dun Laoghaire pier in South Dublin the dominant feature was two or three elegant proportioned Irish Lights Tenders at anchor in the middle of the harbour. Secured to the West Pier would have been a number of lightships undergoing maintenance while beside the now disappeared rail siding leading to the Coal Harbour was the openair workshop at which the buoys and other equipment were maintained.

The role of the Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL) was then, and remains now, the provision and maintenance of aids to the safe navigation of vessels around the coasts of Ireland. In the intervening fift y years the three steam powered tenders, one of them, the Isolda, the last ship to be built at the Liffey Dockyard, have disappeared, being replaced by a single vessel. The lightships have all been taken out of service, being replaced, in the case of the Kish Bank, by an offshore lighthouse and the others by buoys, while the repair area remains but has been supplemented by the CIL offices and indoor workshops.

The CIL operates within a global network of similar bodies but has remained more closely linked to the Trinity House Authority which has a similar role on the coasts of England and Wales and the Northern Lights in Scotland. Since the establishment of the three Authorities they have been funded, in the main, by the payment of light dues by the vessels sailing in the waters off their respective coasts, together with a certain amount of Government subvention.

The collective funding arrangement ceased in 2015 and the CIL does get Light Dues from vessels calling at Irish ports, North and South, and some Government funding. However, in the very tight marketplace in which shipping companies operate, the level of the dues paid is under constant downward pressure.

Fleet Maritime met CIL CEO, Yvonne Shields and its Strategic Project Manager, Barbara Fogarty at the recent EU Atlantic Arc workshop event held in Dublin. We spoke about the CIL, shortly to become simply ‘Irish Lights’, and the new future being developed there.

More, perhaps, than any other sector, the provision and operation of aids to navigation has advanced very rapidly in recent years. The buoys that mark sandbanks, rocks and other obstacles have become smart with many of them transmitting a constant feed of weather data which is available to all internet users.

In this particular instance the value is easily shown by the number of fishermen, leisure sailors as well as professional mariners who consult this data before setting out to sea and so, being able to spot trouble well in advance.

The current, single CIL tender Granuaile lacks the elegant lines of her predecessors, but is a rugged workboat capable of heavy operations off the Irish Coasts. When not fulfilling her main role, she is either chartered out to other similar institutions, or works in sectors including offshore energy.

The most obvious assets of the CIL are the lighthouses on our coasts either on headlands or on the mouths of rivers and bays. In 2013 Irish Lights secured €2.5 million funding thought the EU INTERREG IVA programme to develop and refurbish five lighthouse sites in Donegal and Northern Ireland. The application was successful and considered to be innovative because it did not limit its

scope to capital development but suggested a model that would use this investment to build a sustainable partnership with existing lighthouse operators and with public agencies, business and community groups through the development of the Great Lighthouses of Ireland Brand and Partnership.

The creation of a new brand, marketing strategy, interpretation design and provision was carefully managed and delivered to ensure all nine partners, which includes a mix of local authority, community, business and charity groups, were committed to a shared vision to create and deliver memorable and enriching experiences for visitors. This is based on sharing the stories of the coastal communities, the natural heritage and environment and the role of lighthouses, past, present and future and the maritime and seafaring story of the island of Ireland.

The brand was officially launched in May 2015 and has been very busy since promoting and supporting its development and creating market awareness. The success of this mixed bag of visitor experiences, which range from day visits to, for example, the Hook Lighthouse in the Southeast to overnight stays at the Clew Bay Lighthouse, is shown by the visitor numbers which have now topped 200,000 since the launch. The CIL is working to further develop this aspect of its business while, at the same time, engaging with IMDO and others in new projects for which their capital and skill base is well suited.

E bookings@derrybros.com T 0044 28 87784949 www.derrybros.com

AN ESSENTIAL PART OF YOUR TEAM FLEETMARITIME | Winter 2016

FINANCE | 79

Key Factors that affect margins

A

recent presentation on road haulage to over fi ft y senior accountants representing key players in Irish industry gave a better understanding on the difficulty in achieving and retaining profit margins in the transport business. On the agenda were seven key issues; Item 1: The road transport sector is very competitive, with the biggest competition coming from similar sized Irish fi rms and not multinationals as you might expect. Accountants may be directly or indirectly involved in the purchasing or renegotiation of transport and logistics services, and they are aware that operators will compete against each other purely to win turnover and grow their business in size.

Item 2: There is a belief in the market that many haulage companies do not accurately cost work. They are price takers, and very often the expertise and knowledge of an operator’s costs are better known by the customer that is giving the work, either because they had previously an own account operation, or by having the expertise to review accurately an operators costs. Or even perhaps because of an external expert or because an open book approach had been used in the past. Such customers know they can use items 1 and 2 together to hammer out a deal that will leave the operator surviving, but only just.

Item 3: Customers perceive the industry as non-compliant. The media make headlines of a small minority that tarnish the sector, and customers find it difficult to differentiate between fully compliant carriers with high standards, and others in the industry that eek out an unfair margin by low rates and non- compliance.

Having an external body that will audit a company’s compliance and standards and confi rm all is in order is crucial in winning the batt le against this unfair competition. Customers will understand that if they want a quality, sustainable service, then the carrier has to be compliant and profitable.

perceives as adding value now and going forward.

Item 7: Customers - and especially their accountants - perceive that internal controls are weak in transport, with operators taking too long to adjust to economic changes. Adjustments to business structures will not be done if there is a wait for year-end audited accounts and areas of loss cannot be pinpointed within the business.

Customers, especially their Financial Controllers expect suppliers to regularly contact them re cost increases. Certainly an annual review is acceptable, but going to a customer after three to four years of cost increases and then seeking a substantial increase on a take it or leave it scenario is not conducive to a long term business relationship or a profitable business for the transport operator.

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Item 4: A perception exists that transport firms have the technology to make their businesses more efficient by way of integrated transport management packages that are linked to vehicle tracking, but that they do not have the internal management ability or controls to link or use this data to its maximum effect.

Item 5: Customers realise that both insurance and labour costs are increasing but believe that as an industry the transport sector is not managing or highlighting the extensive work being done to monitor and curtail insurance risk. Having a system of continuous monitoring and in-house training for drivers needs to be highlighted along with details of all certificates held by personnel that carry out work both at customer’s premises and at point of contact with end users. How staff are recruited, trained and motivated is important to customers, as very often they are the men/women who actually are the face to the product being delivered.

Item 6: There is a perception that transport fi rms are operated by individuals who have more interest in shiny trucks and trailers rather than focussing on costs and ultimately margin. A clean unit with litt le bling and an operator that has a clear focus on what his/ her customer wants now and in the future is what the customer Text: Donal Dempsey - donal@fleet.ie

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80 | TRAILER

Best of the Best at Trailer Innovation Awards 2017

Trailer Innovation 2017 prize winners

T

he best research, innovation and development in the trailer industry was honoured at the eight running of the biennial Trailer Innovation Awards. For the 2017 prize programme, seven awards were presented at a special ceremony during the IAA Commercial Vehicles 2016 at the Hannover Messe, Germany on 23 September.

Hosted by JĂśrg Montag, Jury Chairman from German Trade Publication KF2-Anzeizer with Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport, the English speaking co-host, the specially commissioned trophies minted from an aluminium block were presented by Mr. Kay Lindemann, Managing Director of VDA, the organisers of the IAA CV Show.

From the 70 sector related manufacturers in the trailer industry that entered the 2017 awards series, all but one exhibited at the IAA CV. Judging the applications was an international expert jury consisting of journalists from 14 leading European publications. Jorg Montag introduced the audio visuals from each category winner with colleague Folkher Braun explaining about the design process involved.

In his address, Jarlath Sweeney highlighted the merits of the humble trailer stating that it is right and fitting that trailers are singled out and honoured in this way. "Trailers to me are the unsung heroes of road transport. They do their work with great diligence, dedication and without fuss. They are like sleeping giants, parked over in the corner of the yard, waiting and willing to serve their master, 24/7 - 365 days a year, unlike the trucks that pull them, who seek all the glory, they beat their chest with their vast horsepower, beautiful customisation and attractive paintwork."

"In essence, trailers are the profit makers for the company. Without them a tractor- unit is useless!"

"Trailer manufacturers must take great credit for continuously evolving the product, not only by designing and developing new bespoke

FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

systems, but also improving their lifespan, as well as enhancing safety and payload. Just think of the long lifespan of a trailer considering the arduous work they have to do. And when their life on the road is over, they slumber into hibernation as a storage unit at someone’s private home or business compound."

"In recent years we have seen the expansion of the Eco-Combi or the 25m - 60 tonne GVW combination across Europe but realistically if we are to meet the growing requirement for road transport in a environmentally friendly manner, this concept must gain further acceptance with no border limitations."

"In looking at the entries for this Trailer Innovation programme we see great thinking and engineering behind various elements such as load securing and security, also anti-theft measures and stronger side curtains in reaction to recent developments. We appreciate future thinking in developing sensors for load volume and weight."

"To built a curtainside semi-trailer inside 18 hours is some achievement.

And that’s what we saw at the IAA and lots more from this sector.

Plaudits all round to all the entries and compliments to the podium place finishers and congratulations to all the winners," concluded Jarlath.

Two Irish companies SDC Trailers and Thermo King featured on the podium while Dennison Trailers received high commendation.

Pictured are the first prize winners at their exhibit stands at the IAA CV Show.

TRAILER | 81

BODY - Kiesling - HD Flitzer reefer body

CHASSIS - SAF-Holland - Driven trailer axle

ENVIRONMENT - Carrier Transicold - CO2 Trailer refr igeration unit

COMPONENTS - BPW - Tyre pressure control AirSave

CONCEPT - Innovatrain

SDC - 2ND PRIZE - KERS for semi-trailers

SMART TRA ILER - Krone - Load compartment detection SAFETY - Kassbohrer - Security Bitumen tanker

THERMO KING/FRIGOBLOCK - 3rd place - Transport refr igeration unit on full electric truck. Pictured are Doug Lenz, Vice President, Product Management & Marketing, Thermo King; David O’Gorman, Product Manager, Thermo King and Henning Altebäumer, Product Manager, Frigoblock.

Members of the adjudication panel present at Trailer Innovation 2017.

Text: Rob Van Dieten - rob@fleet.ie

www.fleet.ie

82 | SOAPBOX

A ‘Can Do’ Industry to be proud of I feel myself very fortunate in knowing so many in the industry over forty years through my involvement with the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA). The fact that I can write about what I see and hear what people saying in Fleet Transport magazine is a bonus.

It is a special right. Often I wonder just what is the relevance of what one is saying and then someone comes along with whom you have great respect, comments on it, and you know you have struck a chord.

Denise Owens, Fleet Transport; Orla Sweeney, Fleet Transport; Jerry Kiersey; Adrian Madden, Close Brothers Commercial Finance (Sponsor); Sean Murtagh, Fleet Transport and Marty Whelan, Compère.

A

t the 10th anniversary of the Fleet Transport Awards 2017, I was honored with a ‘Services to Transport Industry’ accolade. Obviously it means a lot to me, and to be rewarded for a labour of love is really the icing on the cake. As an industry to work in it is constantly evolving and apart from the pressures of making enough profit to stay alive, new rules (and fighting to get the most ludicrous laws changed), new technologies onboard and in the office, all serve to keeping the mind working. For me there is always something happening to grab the attention. Which of us expected Brexit and its challenges yet to be revealed?

Ours is a special vocation, the best of us were hooked early and know litt le else nor indeed want to. Long days in all sorts of weather and conditions, subject nowadays to more regulation and regulators than any profession I can think of. We span a century and a width of different specialties, from extracting timber in some of the most remote parts of the country, to being given aircraft fl ight numbers to carry high value loads as airfreight. We are an essential service to our nation, maligned by many, rather than lauded for what we do. When one of us decides to shoot him or herself in the foot it is pounced upon by one and all, as we stand out like sore thumbs for cheap ill informed commentary from the media. That said and done we don’t always help ourselves, and there are those within our ranks who simply don’t care. They are a minority but a very visible one.

There are many issues I would like to write about in this column, most especially the seeming abandonment by the European Commission of any meaningful reform of the Driver CPC, however, I will save that for another day. Th is month’s article is simply an acknowledgement to the many I know in an industry that I love, of my deep appreciation for the recognition you have afforded me, and I look forward to attending and writing about Fleet Transport’s 20th Anniversary Awards event!

Fleet Transport ‘Services to the Transport Industry’ award presented to Jerry Kiersey

"This year’s recipient of the Fleet Transport ‘Services to the Transport Industry’ sponsored by Close Brothers Commercial Finance goes to someone who has spent all his working life in the sector," stated Sean Murtagh, Fleet Transport.

"During this time, he has built up one of Ireland’s first and most successful distribution companies. As an active member of the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA), he was subsequently elected President of the Association in 1987. Having sold his distribution business, he turned his attention to setting up a new venture, this time delivering new cars throughout Ireland and the UK."

Contact us at Cork: 021 430 1742 Roy 087 2575116

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FLEETTRANSPORT | NOVEMBER 16

Belfast: 028 9083 9085 Mark 07912 631524

"Along the way he has become an industry lobbiest, pundit and commentator, involved himself in many industry and charity initiatives and is the current Honorary Secretary of the IRHA. Founder of Bluefl ite Logistics, Green Tiger Express and a keen Liffey swimmer, we are delighted to welcome Jerry Kiersey onto the stage."

Text: Jerry Kiersey - jerry@fleet.ie

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