Truck&Fleet ME March 2023

SUCCESSWE WANT SUSTAINED

T&FME talks to Distributor of the Year winner

Ramez Hamdan on how FAMCO plans to continue to outperform the market

THE MARCH OF CONFERENCE TIME

If it feels like this year’s Truck and Fleet Conference has come around sooner this year, then don’t worry your mind isn’t playing tricks on you. It really has.

With the slow-down for Ramadan coming up in April, the event has moved from its traditional slot in May to March to make sure we don’t get caught up in the usual mad rush that happens before gears grind to a halt in Summer.

Thankfully the move has helped us put together yet another great programme of advice and updates for the trucking and fleet community here in the region – and if you’re planning on coming to the event I can’t wait to catch up with you. So do seek me out on the day.

Talking of perceptions, an anecdotal, purely my own opinion, is that 2023 feels like the busiest few months in the sector since we all were allowed back into the office after we had taken the worst that Covid had to throw at us (touches wood).

Personally, I’ve found myself cursing some slack inbox management and have had to do some vital personal adminstration to ensure that nothing gets missed – and in some ways 2023 already feels like a full 12 months packed into one frantic first quarter rush. And that has led me to the conclusion that

now the time is right to cut down my carbon footprint and set up the T&FME workshop permanently (and once again) in Dubai.

So, from May, I’m coming back. Properly.

For me, this means more time getting to see the industry up close and personal. And hopefully, that means, an even more expansive set of features, articles and interviews in the magazines, shows and website. Feels like a win-win already.

After the Truck and Fleet Conference, the priority will be the returning Fleet and Mobility Summit, an event that got off to such a flying start last year. We also have an electric vehicles event coming up in September, and a few other things, that I’m keeping close to my chest for the moment.

While I’ve enjoyed the last couple of years, it is now time for us to push on with covering with what has become an incredibly exciting sector to follow. But I’m also aware that we need to get more first-hand stories from as many people as possible. And I can’t wait to dig out some more exclusive and insightful looks at the busines for my interest and your benefit. So, please reach out to me and let’s set up a date to meet. The best stories in the magazine and on-stage are your stories. So let’s hear them.

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About the Fleet & Mobility Summit

Returning for the second year, Fleet & Mobility Summit brings key stakeholders together to extend their knowledge base and see the technology and practices that will shape their businesses for years to come.

From on-demand services to last mile deliveries, the regional market has seen some remarkable changes to the fleet and mobility sectors in the past halfdecade. The rise of e-commerce and digitalisation means these sectors have emerged from the disruption of recent years with both private and end-user clients accessing services in a way they have never done so before. Likewise,

technology is powering a revolution in how sectors such as hospitality, tourism, F&B and retail can offer unprecedented services directly into homes and offices via their own fleet or third-party service providers.

Mobility is also opening up possibilities in adopting on-demand, leasing and rental services to keep costs down and protect your operation’s flexibility. This is an event that will help companies managing their own fleet or relying on fleet services to understand how the market can leverage technology and expertise to evolve and discover the choices they should make to be competitive.

Gear up For Change

Hear from industry veterans and disrupters alike about their digital transformation and new service rollout experiences. Learn about new practices and ways to finance your fleet while remaining competitive in a rapidly advancing market. Find out how new mobility technology, services and vehicles can upgrade and grow your business while maintaining high levels of customer retention and satisfaction. Listen to the day-to-day experiences of key professionals in the sector and how they faced and overcame their own challenging situations.

Unique Opportunity

Brought to the market by Truck & Fleet ME, this event will give the region’s leading distribution, mobility solution providers and channel operators, an overview of the major trends emerging in the market. The first event of its kind in the region, it will also give fleet professionals and clients, the opportunity to talk directly with leasing companies, distributors, financing firms and OEMs to see what is new and innovative in the market.

Get in touch Contact us

Content

Stephen White | +44 7541244377 stephen.white@cpitrademedia.com Sponsorship

Brian Fernandes | +971 4 375 5479 brian.fernandes@cpitrademedia.com

Daniel Thomas | +971 4 375 5478 daniel.thomas@cpitrademedia.com

DUBAI

Making B2B and B2C fleets and delivery operators to be smarter and greener

2023

Agenda

The Fleet & Mobility Summit mixes insight, data and technology showcases to be an ideal platform to network and interact with respected professionals and decision makers from operators, automotive manufacturers, distributors/importers, end-users, government bodies, leasing and rental experts, and solution providers from across the region. With several networking breaks, you’ll be able to get face time with panellists and presenters, following on from interactive presentations and Q&A sessions.

The Digital Transformation

of the fleet and mobility sectors in the region

Role of E-Mobility

The role of role of e-mobility and smart transportation for the next decade

Market Intel

Market intelligence, trends and predictions for the future of mobility in the region

Technology Evolution

How advanced new technology will continue to transform the market and how it can suit your business

Latest Solutions

The latest vehicles and mobility solutions available for businesses involved in fleet leasing, rental, deliveries and on-demand mobility services

Last Mile Insight

Sharing knowledge and experience of being a successful fleet and mobility operation across the last mile

2023

Event Sponsors

AJEX LAUNCHES IN UAE / THE ALLIANCE RE-STATES ITS MISSION NEW FORD TRUCKS 3S FACILITY OPENS / WORLD RECORD FOR KHALIFA PORT

NETWORK

KSA’s AJEX Logistics Services launches in UAE

FLEET

AJEX Logistics Services, a Middle East specialist in express distribution and shipping solutions, has launched several new services for customers in the UAE in line with its strategic growth plans. AJEX customers in the UAE can now enjoy both domestic and international end-to-end integrated logistics services connecting B2B and B2C customers across the UAE, GCC and internationally.

New services available include Domestic and E-commerce Express Solutions, which offers same day and next day delivery services across all seven emirates for B2B and B2C customers; International Road Express, connecting the UAE to Bahrain

and Saudi Arabia; International Road Services to the GCC, Egypt and Jordan; in addition to worldwide freight forwarding and cold chain solutions.

Since the start of its operations in the UAE in July 2022, AJEX has hired 40 local staff members, opened three new facilities, and launched a fleet of vehicles, each with a varying capacity of between one to 20 tons, to support its expansion. Its current facilities include its UAE-based headquarters located in Jebel Ali industrial zone, offices in Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA), and a warehouse in Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), which combined total 11,000 sq. ft.

AJEX’s expansion plans for

2023 in the UAE include opening a fourth facility located in close proximity to Dubai International Airport to support its operations, adding a further 50 vehicles to its fleet and 50 staff members by the end of Q1. By the year’s end, AJEX plans to expand its fleet to reach 100 vehicles and 140 staff members. AJEX is firmly committed to ensuring a diverse team from the front line all the way through to senior management, with eight nationalities represented and a gender ratio of 18% female in its UAE team, with plans to increase that figure to 30% this year.

“Since the start of our operations in the UAE in 2022, we have been pursuing a bold growth strategy as part of our wider Middle Eastern

expansion plans. In this short time, AJEX has demonstrated the strength of its operations and logistical expertise, successfully securing a client base that includes diverse sectors including E-commerce, fashion retail, electronics, cosmetics, automotive and construction,” said Nabeel Alkharabsheh, General Manager at AJEX Logistics Services, UAE. With a commitment to providing reliable and cost-effective services to its customers, AJEX is one of the only logistics companies to provide in-house B2B and B2C custom clearance services in the UAE and Saudi Arabia for both imports and exports for added efficiency.

“2023 will be a critical year for AJEX,” Alkharabsheh added.

ARAMEX Q1 PROFITS DROPPED BY $16 MILLION AFTER IT TOOK A HIT FROM LOWER CONSUMER CONFIDENCE AND INFLATION GLOBALLY

2023 A CRITICAL YEAR FOR AJEX AS IT SETS OUT GROWTH PLAN TO EXPAND UAE TEAM AND FACILITIES WHILE IT DEVELOPS CUSTOMER BASE

RENAULTNISSANMITSUBISHI ALLIANCE HITS CONTROLALT-DELETE IN REBOOT

OEMS

Renault Group and Nissan have entered into a binding framework agreement with a view of reaching definitive agreements by the end of the first quarter of 2023.

In other words, the Renault-NissanMitsubishi Alliance has agreed to reset and re-balance the partnership in the face of changing technology and market realities.

Following approval by the Boards of Directors of Renault Group and Nissan Motor Co., Ltd, Renault-NissanMitsubishi Alliance earlier this week announced a series of new initiatives to take their partnership to the next level.

As part of this new agreement, the companies have committed to some new tech moves including, Renault Group launching the FlexEVan with Nissan, its first ‘Software-Defined Vehicle’ in Europe. For India and export markets, Renault Group and Nissan are set to collaborate on several new vehicle projects including new SUVs shared by both Renault Group and Nissan, and a new Nissan car derived from the Renault.

The newly agreed partnership is described as a three-dimension programme to maximise value creation for all Alliance stakeholders. Under the terms, the Alliance will focus on high-value-creation operational projects in Latin America, India and Europe.

All three Alliance companies have also agreed to explore their existing strategies in electrification and low-emission technologies by investing and collaborating in respective member-company projects that could provide incremental value to each individual business.

AL TAYER OPENS FORD TRUCKS’ FIRST 3S FACILITY

SERVICING

The UAE’s official Ford Trucks importer-dealer has opened its first 3S – Sales, Service, and Spare Parts – facility for the brand at Dubai Investments Park, “in the heart of the city’s transport and logistics hub.”

Al Tayer Motors said the 2,700sqm facility includes a showroom with a two-truck display, a comfortable service area that includes a customer lounge, and a fully operational service center with six work bays. The facility is staffed with Sales and Service personnel to help customers with all their requirements.

“Our Ford Trucks business continues to grow, and we now have a strategically located all-new facility with service as well as sales operations and more, making it very convenient

for our customers. It will help to reduce downtime, increase operational efficiencies of their businesses, and help us to connect better with them,” said Ashok Khanna, CEO, Al Tayer Motors.

The Ford Trucks facility has been designed with an energy-saving Building Management System (BMS) to control the lighting, air conditioning, and natural skylights – to create a

great working space for our customers and teams while reducing its carbon footprint, added Al Tayer.All oil filters and waste in the facility are also recycled contributing to a more environmentally friendly operation.

Al Tayer Motors signed the Ford Trucks brand in 2014 and has since successfully established and grown its market share in the UAE.

KHALIFA PORT GETS GUINNESS WORLD RECORD LOGISTICS

Khalifa Port has set a new Guinness World Record for assembling the ‘Largest shipping container logo/image’. The Khalifa Port team assembled 676 containers in the shape of AD Ports Group’s logo at its South Quay to earn the new title. The total length of the logo formed by the containers was 1,000.4 metres, while the width reached 174 metres. This record nearly doubles the previous standard, set by Singapore’s Tanjong Pagar Terminal in 2017 with 359 containers.

Commenting on this recordsetting success, Saif Al Mazrouei, chief executive officer, Ports Cluster at AD Ports Group said: “We are proud of this remarkable achievement. Setting a new Guinness World Records demonstrates our capability to consistently raise the benchmark, whilst positioning our brand as an efficient and technologically advanced logistics provider.”

Khalifa Port’s strategic location connects Africa, Asia, Europe, as well as the Middle East. Hosting the region’s first semi-automated terminal, the port is capable

of handling 7.8 million twentyfoot equivalent units (TEUs) of container capacity a year. The port’s expansion masterplan will support AD Port Group’s goal of handling 15 million TEUs and 25 million tonnes of general cargo annually by 2030.

Khalifa Port’s South Quay was inaugurated in December 2022 and the expansion has increased direct deep-water access, yard and warehousing facilities at Khalifa Port and extended the quay wall by three kilometres. Work also continues on the new CMA Terminals Khalifa Port, which is expected to add an additional 1.8 million TEUs by 2025.

“Khalifa Port’s capabilities and state-of-the-art facilities ensure that we continue to play a vital role in trade enablement at regional and global levels. We are keen and committed to continue pushing boundaries and coming out with innovative ideas to set more records in the future,” Al Mazrouei added.

MAERSK BREAKS GROUND ON $346MN HUB

LOGISTICS

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) and Maersk have broken ground on what’s billed as the latter’s largest comprehensive logistics zone in the Middle East. The Maersk Logistics Park, which will come up

on a 225,000sqm area in Jeddah Islamic port, is being built at a total investment of US $346mn.

Mawani and Maersk first signed the agreement for the project at the end of 2021, and work on the project is expected

to be complete in Q1 2024. According to a statement from Mawani, the logistics park is one of the company’s key initiatives aimed at developing and providing investment opportunities in logistics zones for the private sector, and increasing the number of logistics zones that deal with re-exports to 30 by 2030. This is said to be in line with the goals of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which aims to enhance the Kingdom’s position as a global logistics center and a hub for three continents. The facility is said to offer several logistics solutions that connect and facilitate the movement of supply chains, and deals with annual volumes of up to 200,000 containers of different products.

6 IN 10 LOOKING TO BUY A CAR IN RAMADAN CARS

60% of UAE residents are looking to purchase a new or used car during the Holy Month of Ramadan according to a survey commissioned by Audi Abu Dhabi. The survey explored consumer sentiment towards new car purchases and electric vehicle (EV) adoption ahead of what is considered a peak season for car purchases.

Of the 60% looking to purchase a vehicle, petrol cars dominated the demand at 33% while 13% are considering an EV

and 14% are still undecided.

While the immediate prospect of EV purchasing is still niche, the survey revealed a growing number of consumers (52%) in the UAE are eager to buy an EV as their next car or in the coming three years. Almost half of the respondents also reported that they would purchase an EV if certain concerns related to EV ownership are addressed, such as improved charging infrastructure (28%) and understanding how much EVs total cost of ownership is (24%).

Commenting on the findings, Audi Abu Dhabi General Manager, Mark Austin, said, “The rapid increase in the adoption of EVs in the region aligns with the country’s plans for sustainability. Audi is proud to play its part in the UAE government’s vision by having an ever-expanding range of e-trons. The potential customers looking to buy EVs in the near future is significant, with their adoption helping to fast-track and contribute to the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 initiative.”

RENT2RIDE LAUNCHES EXCLUSIVELY ON EKAR IN UAE

PERSONAL MOBILITY

ekar, the Middle East’s leading personal mobility company, announced its partnership with UK-based Rent2Ride.

Rent2Ride will provide new cars to ekar, and in return, ekar will host cars on ekar’s Mobility OS via a revenue share program, known as ‘ekar Fleet’. The partnership will give Rent2Ride access to ekar’s 350,000 members, providing a strong return from the first day of operations in the UAE. ‘ekar Fleet’ removes the need for significant investments and marketing efforts, making it easier for new rental car companies to enter the GCC market. Rent2Ride, which has been operating in the UK for over five years, will now be able to expand its operations to the Middle East thanks to ekar’s technology. This partnership will also provide faster access to new markets and help meet the growing demand for instant mobility in the UAE.

“We are thrilled to be working with ekar,” says Kunal Soni, managing director of Rent2Ride. “Our new partnership brings many opportunities, including faster access to new markets.Their ‘Locate, Unlock, & Drive’ on-demand technology will help us to meet instant mobility demands in the UAE by making hiring a vehicle easy and convenient for self-drivers and car sharers. Their local expertise, knowledge, and cultural understanding makes working with ekar extremely advantageous.”

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: FAMCO’S HEAD TALKS ABOUT LIFE AFTER COVID, BEEAH TRANSPORT READY TO DRIVE SUSTAINABILITY FORWARD AND MUCH MORE!

ARMY OF ROBOTS SET TO WORK

LOGISTICS

Starlinks, a leading logistics and supply chain solutions provider in Saudi Arabia, says it has launched the most technologically advanced fulfilment centre in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Located in Agility Logistics Park, adding to Starlinks’ 18 fulfilment centres across the KSA, the facility comprises a storage area of 400,000 square feet.

It is equipped with 254 autonomous robots for picking and sorting, thereby providing storage capacity for over 12 million units. Starlinks aims to process an average of 3.6 million units orders per month.

“Combining world-class technology and industry-leading know-how, the solution will provide market-leading flexibility, accuracy and agility. The facility will be fully operational by Q2 2023,” said the firm in a statement.

With a total investment exceeding $27 million, Starlinks says it now operatesthe fastest e-commerce fulfilment cycle through an omnichannel fulfilment facility in the Kingdom. It added that the project is aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which aims to maximize

AT

RIYADH HYBRID LOGISTICS FACILITY

and operations complemented by micro fulfilment centres distributed strategically across the Kingdom. We are committed to driving further innovation in the logistics and supply chain industry in the region and reducing lead time to e-commerce shoppers.”

the potential of the country’s non-oil sectors and bolster its role as a transit hub at the heart of the Middle East.

Starlinks has turned to with Geek+, which also works with Nike, Decathlon, and Walmart, for its automation technology. The Fulfilment Centre is run on a hybrid model that employs both robotics and manual picking systems and sortation functions. Adopting a working formula that involves both machines and humans, the company will bring promising employment opportunities to over 500 talented Saudi Nationals.

“We are excited to bring cuttingedge technology and automation solutions for fulfilment to the Kingdom, providing customers with fast and efficient fulfilment services in the KSA, thus reshaping fulfilment services in the KSA by providing our partners with guaranteed quality and instant scale to capacity,” explained Salah Taha, director of operations, Starlinks.

“Our new solution comprises a pallet storage and handling storage system, a manual pick tower as well as a robotics solution allowing us to cater to a wide range of customer requirements

Salah added that advanced automation and big data analytics enable Starlinks to better track and manage inventory, predict demand, and optimise routes for transportation thus helping us to increase efficiency, reduce operating cost and provide “seamless services to our customers.”

Gary Blythe, managing director of Starlinks, added, “Starlinks’ brand promise to innovate and deliver market-leading customer experience is demonstrated in this milestone investment. We are proud to represent the Kingdom’s commitment to the Vision 2030, with our most exciting innovation of 2023.”

The company provides direct and smooth integration with Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce, OpenCart, Amazon, eBay, and a further 60 platforms through direct APIs.

HITACHI ENERGY TAKES LEAD IN UAE’S E-TRUCK CHARGE

FLEET

Hitachi Energy has won an order from Admiral Global DMCC, a Dubai regional headquartered e-mobility and energy solutions provider, to supply the first charging infrastructure for e-truck fleets in the UAE. The scalable, grid-to-plug fast-charging makes it possible for fleets of commercial trucks in the middle-mile category to recharge simultaneously in a single location. The charging infrastructure, which is expected to be in operation by the end of 2023, will be used by multiple fleet operators that lease electric trucks from the Mohamed Hareb Al Otaiba Group. Before this, only standalone chargers, which charge one or two vehicles at a time, was available in UAE.

“We are delighted to help the UAE take a further step on its journey

towards a sustainable transportation future by providing the region’s first charging infrastructure for electric truck fleets,” said Niklas Persson, managing director of Hitachi Energy’s Grid Integration business.

“Our pathbreaking Grid-eMotion

Fleet infrastructure will enable fleet operators to switch from diesel to longrange, low-carbon electric trucks.”

Grid-eMotion Fleet offers a unique range of benefits for fleet operators of trucks or buses. This gridcode compliant and space-saving grid-

to-plug solution provides fast charging to maximize the use of each vehicle. It can be installed in new and existing logistics centers and scaled flexibly as the fleet gets bigger and greener.

Grid-eMotion Fleet offers a seamless charging infrastructure that includes a robust and compact grid connection and multiple charging points, making it a well-suited solution for heavy-duty trucks requiring high-power charging.

“As we look forward to COP28 in Dubai, we remain committed to supporting the global community in its efforts to combat climate change and achieve a net-zero future. We are committed to positively impacting today’s generations and those to come,” said Dr. Mostafa AlGuezeri, Managing Director of Hitachi Energy for the UAE, Gulf, Near East, and Pakistan.

TECH AND LUXURY COMBINE IN THE 2024 XT4 FROM CADILLAC / MUNRO MK_1, THE WORLD’S MOST CAPABLE ALL-ELECTRIC 4X4, MAKES WORLD PREMIERE

LAUNCHES

Cadillac: Will the new XT4 help your business fleet stand out?

Cadillac is touting its bold and modern take on the compact luxury SUV as a way of making your business fleet stand-out.

Brimming with curated design updates and an extensive suite of technology and safety features, it certainly reads and looks the part ahead of its likely Middle East debut by the end of the year.

Production has begun at GM’s Fairfax assembly facility in Kansas with pricing set to be announced closer to the start of production.

On the exterior, the XT4’s all new front fascia features the unmistakable Cadillac vertical signature lighting which is sleeker now with refreshed headlamps and daytime running lights.

The XT4’s new grille is a ‘fresh reinterpretation of the classic Cadillac chevron’ embedded in a highly dynamic parametric pattern and crafted with ultra-precision. Each cell of the grille is unique in shape, size and curvature and dipped in deep black gloss. The styling in the Premium Luxury trim has exclusive wheels, grille, fascia, roof rails, and side body accents where the Sport has its own exclusive wheels, fascia and body-side dark accents, and dark finish roof rails.

There’s also an new lineup of 18- and 20-inch alloy wheel designs across the portfolio as well as three new exterior colors: Emerald Lake Metallic,

Midnight Sky Metallic and Deep Sea Metallic. Inside, the XT4 has a more tech-forward ambience with a redesign of the instrument panel that incorporates a bold, 33-inch-diagonal LED display inspired by the Cadillac LYRIQ. It is the interface for a new, advanced Virtual Cockpit System that is the foundation for the vehicle’s infotainment system and connectivity features.

The XT4’s cabin also features authentic brushed aluminum décor across the full width of the newly styled instrument panel accented with contemporary embroidery patterns on the seats. A new 33in-diagonal LED color touchscreen display is capable of

a 9K resolution and curves toward the driver in a single continuous screen, spanning the driver’s viewing area. It also incorporates a customizable user interface designed to offer a technologyforward and personalised experience, with selectable display themes that can be tailored for the user’s mood or personality.

The Cadillac Smart Syste suite of safety and driver assistance features is standard on the XT4 but the optional Active Safety Package is also available on Premium Luxury and Sport models. Its roster of features includes several new and updated technologies: Adaptive Cruise Control, New Intersection Automatic Emergency

NEW 2024 XT4 ELEVATES THE DRIVE WITH LUXURY AND TECH ADDITIONS, SAYS CADILLAC

REDCUCED FUEL CONSUMPTION

The Active Fuel Management system helps reduce fuel consumption9 by temporarily deactivating some of the engine’s cylinders certain driving conditions.

“WORLD’S MOST CAPABLE ALL-ELECTRIC 4X4” MAKES DEBUT

Munro Vehicles, a manufacturer of all-electric 4x4s, and Scotland’s only volume production car company, gave its first vehicle, the Munro MK_1, its public debut at the Low Carbon Agriculture 2023 show in the UK this week.

The Munro MK_1 combines a stateof-the-art 280kW electric powertrain with a proven, robust, simple-to-maintain mechanical driveline. Ultra-utilitarian and explicitly user-focussed in nature, the Munro is engineered to provide a unique solution for those wishing to minimise their environmental footprint without compromising off-road ability, performance and practicality.

“Meeting the demanding needs of the agriculture sector was foremost in our minds when we were developing the Munro MK_1,” explained Munro CEO Russell Peterson, who co-founded the company with Head of Powertrain Ross Anderson in 2019.

abuse you throw at it. And every Munro is engineered around those enduring values.”

Priced from $60,000 with deliveries due to commence later this year, the appeal of the Munro MK_1 extends far beyond field and farmyard. Offering an optimum range of up 190 miles and the flexibility to operate off-road for up to 16 hours on a single battery charge, the Munro’s unique attributes are equally suitable for those working in challenging sectors such as construction, mining, environmental, emergency rescue, remote infrastructure maintenance, in addition to recreation.

The company is selecting a global series of agents and will recognise the customers’ right to repair and maintain their vehicle without invalidating its full five-year / 100,000-mile warranty.

SPECIFICATIONS

Braking, Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking, Reverse Automatic Braking, HD Surround Vision, Rear Pedestrian Alert, Enhanced version of Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning and Side Bicyclist Alert.

What hasn’t changed is the performance and responsive driving through a propulsion system that includes Cadillac’s 2.0L

SPECIFICATIONS

Turbo engine (235 HP) with Active Fuel Management and an advanced nine-speed automatic transmission with electronic shift control.

The XT4’s available twinclutch all-wheel-drive system helps traction and vehicle control, whether the road is dry, wet, snowy, or icy. It is available on all trims and enhances performance by delivering torque to the wheels that need it the most.

Power 175kW

Engine 2.0l Turbocharged I-4 DOHC

Torque 350Nm @ 1500-4000

Curb weight 1.6t (Luxury edition)

Cargo volume 636l

“Spending much of my formative years on a farm and then running my own agricultural contracting company, I know only too well how important it is to have proper, proven kit that you can rely on whatever the weather and the conditions, and that won’t let you down no matter how much

Power 220kw

Torque 600nm

Max. rotor speed 5000rpm

Max. charge rate 70kw - 15-80%

Charge 36mins

THE MUNRO MK_1 CAN WORK IN CONSTRUCTION, MINING, ENVIRONMENTAL, EMERGENCY RESCUE AND REMOTE INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE

THE DRIVER IN CONTROL

A Driver Mode Selector is standard, allowing the driver to tailor the XT4’s responses to different driving conditions.

“WE ARE

STILL HUNGRY FOR MORE”

Vehicles)

Al-Futtaim Industrial Equipment companies (FAMCO, CV & SELECT AUTO) are some of the biggest names in the distribution channels of the Region, but the company has become much bigger than you may realise. As part of the Al Futtaim conglomerate, the firm’s powerful influence in the commercial vehicles and equipment scene has placed it at the centre of the country’s ambition to be greener and smarter on its roads and its construction sites. 1,000 people in Qatar alone. This isn’t just a company that is going places, it is already there.

It is able to lean into some of the world’s leading OEMs such as Volvo Trucks, Buses & Construction Equipment, Toyota & Linde Material Handling Equipment and HINO Trucks to bring their technology and expertise into a vast variety of sectors. The company is also growing regionally, establishing itself in some of the biggest players in the region in markets such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar. To give you a sense of its size, the company currently employs close to a 1,000 people in the region.

This isn’t just a company that is going places, it is already there. After receiving

multiple prestigious awards at this year’s T&FME Awards, including Best Dealer of the year, Ramez Hamdan, Managing Director of Industrial Equipment, sat down with T&FME last month and in a wide-ranging interview and spoke about his talented team and the hunger that is driving the firm onto further growth.

Thank you for your time Ramez. Can take us through some of your 2022 highlights?

2022 was a phenomenal year and the team outperformed their initial targets, across all divisions from Volvo trucks, Volvo construction equipment, Volvo buses, Linde Material Handling, Yanmar Marine, Eicher, Hino Trucks, and our Toyota Material Handling business especially witnessed outstanding results. We have a highly diversified product portfolio, providing total solutions to a wide customer base, operating across all essential industries, including but not limited to: Logistics, Manufacturing, Contracting, Marine Services, F&B, Water Management and others. Through expert analysis of market demand and dynamics we are able to tailor solutions which cater to industry specific applications, through a full-value chain solution.

Can you talk a little bit about your current market share in the performance of the company and what are your plans for success this year?

In the UAE, in terms of material handling equipment we command 50 percent market share, split between c.44 percent with Toyota Material Handling and c.5 percent with Linde. In the Japanese Trucks segment, our market share percentage is north of 40 percent with HINO trucks.

Construction equipmentis picking up. We’re coming in at second with Volvo Construction Equipment, and we expect further growth over the next three years.

We have captured a quarter of the European Truck Segment with Volvo Trucks, and greater growth is anticipated, with strategic large fleet deals and the power of up-time telematics. In the Marine engines segment, Yanmar is our flagship product line and is the segment leader.

Volvo trucks has already witnessed a magnificent start to the year securing large fleet accounts in Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, operations in the logistics and cement manufacturing industries.

Our success is fundamentally calculated by our skill in providing quality in a competitive market, to which-end we strive to ensure our customers receive great value and enhanced productivity for their businesses,

Ramez Hamdan, Managing Director, Industrial Equipment UAE, KSA, QATAR, Bahrain (FAMCO and Commercial

talks to T&FME about why the firm is still pushing for more success

Hydrogen is the perfect fuel for the haulage industry, offering long ranges and quick refuelling”

NAVIGATING A COMPETITIVE MARKET

“Our success is fundamentally calculated by our skill in providing quality in a competitive market, to which-end we strive to ensure our customers receive great value and enhanced productivity for their businesses,” says Hamdan.

on operation and fuel costs since COVID – has this changed the buying habits of your customers? Not really, the products we sell are very high on fuel efficiency and with best-in-class total cost of ownership, whether it’s the HINO on light duty and medium-duty or Volvo trucks in Medium and Heavy Duty - which feature the latest technology and engines that maximise fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. While sustainability and green mobility are something we genuinely, total cost of ownership remains one of the unique selling points as 33 percent of operating fleet costs is from fuel.

Has there been any requirement for bodies that are more aerodynamic, anything that helps lower costs?

with our world-class products and services, support by a dedicated team of industry experts. We are as well working on expanding our brand portfolio to capture and fulfill demand across all price points in the market.

What would you say is the perception and the strength of the brand compared to some of the other competitors that you have?

We have worked tirelessly to build credibility and trust in our business and brands, and we live up to this promise by providing best in class service and support levels, and that’s how we stay ahead.

Support is key and that’s why we provide service support around, the clock, 24/7, across the seven emirates. Keeping our vehicles and equipment running flawlessly and to their full potential, is how we ensure our customers maximie their revenue and profit.

Our growing market share is a testament to the continued trust in the quality products we repre-sent, top-rate service and support levels, and our dedicated team who champion our customer-centered approach.

Two years ago, the light and medium vehicle demand was moving towards FMCG and logistics. Is this still the case? This market is definitely still growing. You can see the tourism and the real estate numbers in Dubai are still exceptionally high. More people and more residents are coming, so the demand on the F&B sector is therefore higher.

There is higher demand for warehousing and transportation in FMCG and logistics segments. We expect steady growth in the years to come.

Dubai is the hub of this region and beyond. After COVID, there has been deep focus on food security and we have been working with a number of our international FMCG customers and exploring automation for their warehouses to achieve greater efficiency and cost optimisation.

There’s obviously been a concerned

AT THE TOP OF THE PILE

The firm is well-established as a leader across many segments in the region and continues to add to its powerful list of brands from the commercial vehicles and construction equipment industries.

Aluminum and modern design are the new solutions for vehicle bodies; for improved aerodynamics and fuel efficiency, we work closely with our customers to determine the best option for their requirement. Different material grade for truck and bus bodies come at different costs and we work within our customer’s budgets to provide them with the best solution from our world-leading partners in the super-structure industry.

A lot of companies in your busiest segments have moved into the digital space. Have you seen a change in the way buyers want to purchase or interact with FAMCO?

This goes back to the nature and complexity

You always need to be close to the customer”

of our business. With passenger cars, you can go online choose the basic, the medium or premium models… but with a truck, it’s different seeing the customization. In material handling and warehousing, one small change of spec, can buy you a very different machine, and we’re talking about expensive equipment for specific applications, where our engineers would work with our customer closely to provide precise specifications.

Even on the trucks, you need to see the specs and work with your customers on the ground and on-site - sometimes could be a crane required for fitment, as an example. Waste Management and construction equipment requirements are even more sensitive and complex.

For us, the digital footprint we have established helps our customers in as-built premium used vehicles and equipment, to facilitate their search, selection and purchase journey.

I guess a large degree of your business is repeat customers who value sort of the advisory service that you can provide on?

Precisely, we always say we are the true business partners with our customers. We have a team of industry experts experts, in sales and after sales that treat the customer’s business as their very own, that’s why we work very

closely with our customers and plan ahead together to ensure they reach their maximum potential with our products and services.

We’ve seen on the construction side of things that there’s a lot of willingness to enter the digital space. From your kind of point of view, what does the digital space look like?

All our products are available online. Catalogs are available online. Our used website, which was recently launched, is available online, so you can see stock availability and the product range, but the procurement or the purchase of the product needs to be handled face-to-face.

From a digital technology point of view, what we’re offering currently to customers are insights, reports and analysis to look at driver behavior and the fuel consumption. We consult customers on construction sites on the machines’ inflow and outflow, so they can use them in the best operational way on site to consume less fuel and experience fewer breakdowns. This helps the customer to work more efficiently.

We recently set-up the first uptime centre in the Middle East with Volvo, where we have a team that monitors the performance of the trucks and equipment on site. If there is about to be a breakdown we alert our customer, to inform them that the driver or operator is either speeding or is heavily using the brakes.

It there is a technical error we dispatch a team to act preemptively. This is something the customers really appreciate. You don’t wait for the failure you proactively rectify it.

Obviously earlier in the year, His Highness declared the Year of Sustainability. How important do you think sustainability will be going forward to your operation?

By 2030 30% of the fleet in the UAE should be a green and by 2050, 100% of Fleet should be electric.. As an automotive group, we have started the journey to electric and hybrid 10 years back by supplying hybrids to Dubai Taxi and other organizations. We started testing hydrogen in the market with Toyota Cars almost two years ago. In terms of trucks, we started testing HINO’s hybrid five years ago and with Volvo trucks we will very soon be launching a fully electric truck before the end of the year. For the last two years we have been testing electric buses with Volvo. We have just see the RTA release a new tender asking for 20% of the tender to be electric. We have been acting as consultants with the authorities to help them get the latest technology from all over the world; testing across all brands because you need to make it fit the operation first and the environment second.

You need to test the batteries particularly in summer to ensure you have enough

You always need to diversify, so we are targeting market segments that we were not previously in. We’re trying to fill the gaps where we are not present”

VOLVO PERFORMANCE IMPRESSES IN 2023

The Volvo Trucks business at FAMCO has “witnessed a magnificent start to the year,” says Hamdan, with the firm securing large fleet accounts in the logistics and cement manufacturing industries.

LOGISTICS SHOWING STRENGTH IN THE UAE

power, to run the AC and measure the range of the trucks, but I strongly believe going forward that this is going to be a key decision especially on small trucks.

Are you seeing any customers show leadership in sustainability?

We can see from lot of customers, they want to be pioneers and want to be the first to get the electric trucks. They want to be front runners in this segment. They’re not doing this only because of cost or price, they’re doing something for the planet and the future.

We see it especially with International and multinational companies, they have these

initiatives from within the companies. We see a lot of companies want to be the first.

When it comes to switching to fossil fuels alternatives which segments will lead the way in the UAE?

We need to start somewhere and light and medium are already in the city through last mile delivery, and this where you can build links to infrastructure. You need to have the infrastructure bill built for the electric or hybrid truck and vehicles. We have started seeing the infrastructure in the malls and the residential areas and some public areas driven by the country’s vision.

EICHER TRUCKS ARE A PERFECT FIT FOR UAE

Al-Futtaim Auto and Machinery Company (FAMCO) officially launched the all-new Eicher Pro 2000 series of Light Duty Trucks in the UAE last month. Eicher has been a fixture in the market for a number of years, but the launch event marked the first time that fleet owners can now buy its well-regarded Pro2000 truck.

Powering the logistics and intra-city distribution sector of the UAE, the successful launch reinforces the partnership between FAMCO and VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV), A Volvo Group

and Eicher Motors Joint Venture.

The Eicher Pro2000 series hosts a number of next-gen features aimed at significantly improving profitability for owners through best-in-class fuel efficiency and superior uptime.

The new range of trucks has been thoroughly tested to deliver best in class performance for customers in the UAE, confirmed FAMCO, adding that the new range of highly reliable trucks comes equipped with smart features that help improve operating efficiency as well as enhance driver safety and comfort: “The modern Eicher

Pro2000 series delivers a power of up to 150HP and is designed to meet application-specific customer needs.

“In line with our vision of driving modernisation in the CV industry, we are delighted to launch our new range of Eicher Pro2000 trucks,” said Vinod Aggarwal, MD and CEO, VECV. “These trucks have been designed to deliver superior value proposition to customers in the region with host of smart technologies that enhance operating efficiency and focus on driver comfort and safety.”

According to Ramez Hamdan:

Cross border and long-haul delivery are still not there yet because that that needs different type of infrastructure, but I can see in the coming two to three years, more light duty electric trucks, and vans will be able to be on the road 100%.

Finally, as a business leader, what advice can you give our readers who leading their own operations?

It’s all about service for us. Listening to the customer feedback, appreciating it, whatever it is, treat it with the same smile and appreciate the feedback. You always need to be close to the customer.

“As one of the industry’s leading names, FAMCO retains its forefront status by launching this first-ever range from Eicher in the UAE and the region. The range is a perfect fit for the UAE market with a focus on minimising emissions and maximising performance.”

“As the industry becomes more geared towards smarter technologies that enable better productivity, costefficiency, and payloads, the all-new Eicher trucks is perfectly positioned to cater to the diverse needs of our corporate and government customers.”

We always want to keep going further and keep improving”

Hamdan says that there is high demand in the UAE’s logistics and FMCG sectors currently, and expects the trend to remain strong for the foreseeable future.

NAZ Industries for almost 3 decades is a global leader in manufacturing of different range of truck mounted bodies, different types of semi-trailers and process vessels. We are specialized in design, manufacture and supply of our products using internationally recognized engineering software and advanced production machinery in the manufacturing Industry. Focusing on global standards requirement and International Road regulations has made NAZ a reputed and valuable brand in both local and international market. Since establishment NAZ designed, engineered, and manufactured over 100,000 products shipped to more than 28 countries worldwide. At NAZ, we believe in a philosophy that any further BUSINESS is an outcome of continued AFTER SALES SUPPORT

Address: NAZ Industries LLC, Jebel Ali Industrial

Area 1, Plot S01, Dubai, U.A.E

Tel: +971 48107777

Email: info@nazindustries.ae

Website: www.nazindustries.ae

Social media:

AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES IN THE UAE

In partnership with ION, BEEAH Transport is now aiming to become the largest operator of Autonomous Vehicles in the region, including for public transport in mixed traffic scenarios. In 2021, the business also became the first to operate an autonomous vehicle on a public road in Ajman as part of the public transit system.

THE

NEXT LEVEL

T&FME talks to Nasir Al Shamsi, the man in charge of BEEAH Transport’s green ambitions

BEEAH is an innovation-driven organization,” begins Nasir Al Shamsi sitting down with Truck and Fleet Middle East for the first time. BEEAH Group was talking sustainable transportation in the UAE before electric vehicles were even in the market and was the first in the Middle East to place an order when Tesla first announced the Semi five years ago. It has even run its own fleet of performance EVs. The Managing Director of BEEAH Transport added that the company believes that innovation is the key to staying ahead of the curve in today’s fast-paced business world, and to ensure that we’re always at the forefront of our industry.

This is a PPP company that has grasped the sustainability mettle from its beginnings as Sharjah’s principal waste management operation in 2007, to becoming a regionspanning proponent of being green. It is sharp, ambitious, and willing to put its money and its resources into achieving its goals. A true pioneer with purpose which has taken risks which are beginning to pay off.

T&FME is talking to Al Shamsi following a year that saw the Group make significant progress in its commitment to supporting the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, while recording its highest ever growth. Over the past year, BEEAH had participated in the COP 27 meeting in Egypt where it became a signatory to the ZEV Declaration, inaugurated its waste-to-energy plant, and completed a move into its stunning new headquarters in Sharjah.

As Managing Director for BEEAH Transport, Nasir Al Shamsi’s story is a perfect demonstration of the evolution underway at the BEEAH Group. Al Shamsi’s career at BEEAH started 10 years ago and he has gradually worked his way up to managing the organization’s sustainable mobility division. This grounding has proven useful in understanding that there must be a technical and pragmatic side to the ambition of the BEEAH Group.

“I am responsible for driving forward the vision of green mobility and sustainable transport future for BEEAH,” he says while describing the role. “We believe that lowcarbon mobility solutions are the future of the transportation industry, and it is really essential to achieving sustainable development.”

He pauses, and says ruefully: “looking back to then, attitudes towards sustainable mobility were very different.”

The UAE entered the second half of the last decade taking its first tentative steps towards greener mobility. A revolution in cloud-based technology like app-driven personal mobility solutions or aggregated fleet contracting, was still a few years away. Electric vehicles were just as rare. Al Shamsi draws a direct link between the disruptive revolution underway now and the intervention by the UAE government that kick-started the mobility revolution.

“There has been a major shift in attitudes ever since the government started to introduce incentives for e-mobility in 2015. Gradually, you had free registration, free salik tags, and then you had DEWA subsidising the use of EV chargers – and this has attracted a lot of consumers, because previously there was a concern over whether this was a beneficial thing to do. Was it cost-effective even if (ultimately) it was more environmentally friendly?”

Al Shamsi says that even before BEEAH Transport became its own entity within the wider Group, BEEAH was realising that transportation would need to move in parallel with this green movement on the consumer-side.

“We identified the need to push the sector towards greener alternatives. BEEAH Transport did not exist back then, but when we saw the need, the business vertical was created.”

Al Shamsi recalls early talks within the Group in 2017 which soon led to an acceleration of its sustainable transport strategy. “The section was started really as a project back in

We believe that lowcarbon mobility solutions are the future of the transportation industry, and it is really essential to achieving sustainable development”

2017 with the launch of ION,” he states.

Truck and Fleet Middle East readers may recall BEEAH’s partner on the project CE:Creates talking to the magazine in those early months. Still a pilot at that time, ION joined BEEAH with the startup incubator to launch on a platform that was also just getting started at the time in the UAE – Careem. Together they put electric taxis in the market for the first time. “Their Careem electric category was exclusive to our fleet,” adds Al Shamsi.

Famous for their Teslas and the tourqouise livery, the pilot scheme was successful enough to run for over three years. But, it was also clear that if the service or product was right, a broader demand for a greener way to get around was there – but needed the right support or strategy to be cultivated.

“During those three and a half years, we started brainstorming on why adoption was not as fast as it should be. We started looking at the pain points for consumers. We know everyone needs an EV charger

but is it the right one? Is there a standard charger people can rely on?” He states “So we had a mission, a mission where we needed to provide a like-for-like experience. So, for example if you drive a gasoline vehicle you can go to a gas station, fill up your car, five minutes, ten minutes max, and you’re out. Can we do the same with an EV?”

By now a relatively experienced partner with suppliers in the mobility sector, BEEAH was soon seeking out a solution to finally break through the potential deadend of demand for EVs being stifled by a lack of feasible chargers in the market.

“That’s when we actually launched the first ultra rapid chargers in the Middle East with a 350kW total output and capable of charging a vehicle in less than 15 minutes. At the very least it will top up the vehicle,” he explains. “Right now, we’re on a mission to deploy even more of these chargers, because everybody wants something similar or better (than pump refuelling). People relying on standard AC chargers doesn’t solve the problem of getting to mass adoption.

“In order for you to have that mass EV adoption you need to convince people, especially in a market used to convenience.”

BEEAH’s work in electric vehicles and infrastructure is fascinating but it is only one aspect of new mobility it wants to explore. While it is proving that it can use its scale to improve EV adoption, BEEAH Transport’s ambitions stretch into a number of areas. Few organisations in the market can match

Ultimately, it should make economic sense”

THE OFFICE OF THE FUTURE BEEAH Group’s recently opened headquarters, also dubbed the Office of the Future, was designed by the renowned Zaha Hadid agengy and is powered by solar, integrated with next-generation technologies and built to realise net-zero emissions. It typifies an ambition to play a meaningful role in sustainability globally.

ULTRA-FAST APPROACH

ION was the first company to launch first ultra rapid chargers in the Middle East with a 350kW total output, it iscapable of charging a vehicle in less than 15 minutes.

its ability to move from pilot scheme to scale. Fewer still own a fleet of 2,000 vehicles and are embracing the concept of autonomous driving. In partnership with ION, BEEAH Transport is now aiming to become the largest operator of Autonomous Vehicles in the region, including for public transport in mixed traffic scenarios. In 2021, the business also became the first to operate an autonomous vehicle on a public road in Ajman as part of the public transit system.

“It was the first to be introduced in the Mena region and a really, really interesting project,” enthuses Al Shamsi, adding that the testing is providing data that should lead the vehicles to being deployed into a wider range of environments.

“You see to what extent an autonomous vehicle can go, entering and exiting only by itself. You know, we’re making u-turns, braking, communicating with traffic lights…. the shuttle will automatically stop and then when it turns green, it will just move again,” he says eagerly. “And we also have some smart cameras to identify pedestrian crossings as well. So, we have really pushed it. When we start (a project like this) we always push to see what the maximum capability is or where the technology can take us!”

Exciting as many of its initiatives are, BEEAH Transport remains committed to ensure that the projects can be financially, as well as environmentally, sustainable. Given its reputation and importance, BEEAH is never short of technology partners but Al

Shamsi stresses that it has set a high bar when it comes to the people it works with.

“Ultimately, it should make economic sense,” he says. “Not all sustainable mobility projects make economical sense because, for example, infrastructure upgrades might be required,” he comments.

BEEAH Transport was awarded with a special Outstanding Contribution to Transportation award at the Truck and Fleet Awards, in recognition of its work in lowcarbon mobility solutions and the part it is

playing in enabling sustainable development and autonomous sustainable transportation, as well as its use of zero emissions vehicles. It marks the end of one of its busiest years and the start of 12 months, which will see it go to yet another level with the UAE officially celebrating the Year of Sustainability, in the lead up to the Cop 28 meeting in November.

“2022 was one of the most successful years we have ever had: starting in February, we had the opening of our HQ, then in May the inauguration of the waste-to-energy facility, then in July, we have the expansion in the UAE with the winning of contracts with Tadweer, then a 10-year contract in Sharm al Sheikh in Egypt. We are celebrating these accomplishments but must capitalize on new opportunities that have come to us.”

One of those opportunities is the development of the region’s first wasteto-hydrogen plant which will utilize technologies from UK’s Chinook Sciences and Japan’s Air Water. The construction of the pilot plant has begun, Al Shamsi tells T&FME. The green hydrogen produced will be supplied to an adjacent fueling station, which will offer yet another opportunity in alternative fuels for vehicles.

“I wouldn’t say this will be a full-fledged project at the first. It is more of a pilot that will be part of the plant that will eventually produce green hydrogen (at scale),” he says, adding that the fuel will be used on BEEAH’s own fleet and should be capable of fueling 1,000 vehicles once it is fully operational.

You see to what extent an autonomous vehicle can go”

A YEAR OF SUCCESS 2022 was a year of unprecedented success for BEEAH with the company now keen on capatilising on its momentum across the region.

AWARD WINNER

Nasir Al Shamsi picking up the Contribution to Transportation award at the recent Truck and Fleet Awards 2023.

HYDROGEN:

A FUTURE FUEL – NOW?

Dover Fueling

Sicilia

The climate change effects, pollution costs, and environmental awareness are driving towards alternative solutions to diesel and petrol vehicles in recent years, so clean energy fueling choices are gaining popularity. One possible solution is the use and integration of hydrogen, particularly for long-haul, heavy-duty vehicles and other commercial transport.

However, with only a little over 200 hydrogen vehicle refueling stations across the EU in 2021, there seems to be a long way to go before the hydrogen-powered transport revolution becomes a reality.

Domenico Sicilia, Sales Director, Alternative Fuels LNG, Hydrogen & CNG at Dover Fueling Solutions, explains: “The hydrogen vehicle is not to be misunderstood by drivers with concerns over their affordability, safety, refilling times, and even their environmental credentials.”

“In reality, a lot of these are mere myths, because clean-fueled vehicles, such

as the hydrogen-powered truck or bus, and already available safe filling stations technology can pave the way to a greener future without fossil-fuel dependence.”

If you’re considering choosing hydrogen over diesel for your next commercial vehicle – and let’s face it, it is recommended – it pays to know which vehicles are available and which will soon enter production.

Manufacturers Hyundai and Hyzon are leading the rollout with the first fuel cell trucks recently appearing on the European market, while development continues apace for other companies.

Hyundai’s Xcient model is a significant entry for the South Korean manufacturer. The world’s first hydrogen-powered, heavy-duty truck hit Swiss roads in late 2021, and a total of 1600 units are expected to hit European roads by 2025.

Another haulage heavyweight is American brand Hyzon, whose Class 8 and Hymax models are also paving the way toward decarbonized heavy-duty road transport.

Hyzon Motors form part of the European consortium, Hydrogen Europe which plans to introduce 100,000 fuel cell trucks by 2030.

Many business owners question whether hydrogen vehicles can go the distance like their traditional petrol/diesel alternatives, with common concerns regarding power and the availability of hydrogen fuel stations to cover long-haul trips.

As of 2001, the European Commission awarded nine countries 18.5 million euros to set up hydrogen-fueled transportation systems. This has now seen buses rolled out successfully across some European cities including Berlin. Initiatives such as H2Haul have also been undertaken in an attempt to provide hydrogenfueled trucks across European countries – in the hopes of reducing haulage emissions to zero.

Currently, Volkswagen is developing a model which can travel 2000 kilometres on a single tank of fuel. While Volvo, for instance, are pouring millions into the development of its hydrogenpowered alternative with a range of 1000 km.

Power your fleet with hydrogen and save the planet, one mile at a time, argues

Solutions’ Domenico

Cleanfueled vehicles, such as the hydrogenpowered truck or bus, can pave the way to a greener future without fossil-fuel”

But what about range anxiety?

Clearly, improved driving ranges need to be coupled with a better hydrogen refueling infrastructure across the EU for adoption to fully flourish.

Currently, there are over 200 fueling stations across Europe, with Germany dwarfing the rest of the continent with over 100 of these. An EU-wide target of at least 1000 fueling stations by 2030 is a possibility with a refueling site every 200 km across the proposed Test-T core network.

Of course, hydrogen trucks are also refueled much like their diesel counterparts using the same simple, nozzle-to-pump method.

While hydrogen-powered technology and infrastructure remain a work in progress, companies and nations are working around the clock to combat this and meet tighter COP regulations. Purchasing hydrogen transport offers huge environmental benefits, given that they only produce water and warm air as emissions.

Its fuel cells are inherently nonpolluting and contribute nothing to global warming. In addition, driving ranges are improving, refueling times are fast, and new EU tolling legislation provides huge benefits for zero-emissions trucks.

Make your next commercial fleet a hydrogen-powered one and you could save the planet, one mile at a time.

A ground breaker?

The mainline OEMs such as Hyundai are investing millions into hydrogen technology but like the electric vehicles segment, hydrogen fuel cell technology is tempting new names to introduce what they hope could be game changers.

Zero-emission, long-range hydrogenpowered commercial vehicle ‘innovator’, Hydrogen Vehicle Systems (HVS), recently laid out its own plans to disrupt the haulage industry, unveiling a clean-sheetdesigned hydrogen commercial vehicle.

Showcasing its game-changing hydrogen powertrain in the form of a 5.5-tonne technology demonstrator, HVS offers a hint to its planned 40-tonne zero-emission HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle), fulfilling the company’s objective of being the first indigenous UK designed and developed hydrogen-electric HGV on the market.

Founded in 2017, in Glasgow, HVS focuses on the ground-up design and development of zero-emission hydrogenpowered commercial vehicles. The company

comprises industry specialists, with vast experience in the automotive, energy, hydrogen technology, power electronics, sustainability and environmental management fields.

HVS envisages that it will open an R&D, engineering and pilot production facility in the Midlands, taking advantage of the region’s traditionally strong motor industry skills base, alongside a permanent UK-based production facility. A workforce of circa 600 employees is envisaged across all key disciplines, with many recruits coming from the automotive and aerospace industries. It’s likely that a further 10,000 workers will be involved in the UK supply chain, boosting the skills base.

With the UK government targeting to curtail sales of all non-zero emission 3.5 -26t HGVs set to come into play by

2035 or earlier and all sales of new nonzero emission HGVs by 2040, HVS and its world-leading technology have the potential to play a crucial role in allowing emissions reduction targets to be achieved.

The company also has a defined route to market. In addition to funding from Innovate UK, Scottish Enterprise and Energy Technology Partnership, HVS’ strategic investment partner is the service station and grocery corporation, EG Group, offering hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, fleet customer base and the potential for global scalability.

HVS CEO Jawad Khursheed said:

“This technology demonstrator showcases our ground-breaking hydrogen-electric commercial vehicle design and advanced powertrain technology, a precursor to our HGV model. Fuelled by close-coupled green hydrogen (hydrogen produced directly by renewable energy sources such as hydro, wind or solar) our zero-emission trucks are a key part of decarbonising the logistics sector. Hydrogen is the perfect fuel for the haulage industry, offering long ranges and quick refuelling thanks to stations easily integrated into key transport networks.

“What’s more, we will supply our customers with the most advanced HGV in the sector delivering a step change in driving experience, lowest total cost of ownership and market-leading fleet management support.”

Tractor units will be built on an all - new chassis, designed in-house around the hydrogen powertrain, which consists of pressurised hydrogen cylinders, fuel cells, energy storage system and eAxle.

Hydrogen is the perfect fuel for the haulage industry, offering long ranges and quick refuelling”

MADE TO DISRUPT?

UK-based Hydrogen Vehicle Systems (HVS) recently laid out its own plans to ‘disrupt’ the haulage industry, unveiling a clean-sheet-designed hydrogen commercial vehicle.

Designed in-house by Pete Clarke, head of design, who has a wealth of experience designing commercial vehicles that he brings to bear on HVS’ striking truck designs. The unique ground-up design brings innovation in packaging, performance, efficiency, weight, range, consumption, maintenance, and lifecycle benefits. The technology demonstrator’s unique design allows significantly improved aerodynamics compared with current ICE trucks.

Consequent benefits include enhanced fuel efficiency on long-haul runs and improved spatial ergonomics within the cab, including better access and more room at the controls, not to mention sector-leading aesthetics.

Driver comfort is taken care of, and stress levels are reduced all contributing to a safer and more efficient operational experience. Confidence-inspiring too, since the driver will be well aware that he or she is abreast of the latest technology.

HVS’ vehicle powertrain employs a fuel cell system and energy storage system to deploy electricity to an electric motor to transmit power to the wheels. It uses the KERS (kinetic energy recovery system) to recapture energy under braking and while the truck is slowing down.

The integrated powertrain is controlled with HVS’ advanced control system ‘SEMAS’ which will deliver class-leading fuel efficiency and durability which

contributes to achieving a low cost of ownership comparable to that of current diesel-powered offerings in the market.

The fuel cell permits longer range, higher load-carrying capacity, and faster refuelling than would be possible using Lithium-Ion battery technology alone: typical refuelling time is comparable to diesel. It is in the long-distance HGV segment that hydrogen fuel cells offer the most advantages.

The only emission from the vehicle is water vapour, meaning there are no harmful green house gas emissions of any kind.

WFES: MIDDLE EAST PRIMED TO LEAD H2 REVOLUTION

The global energy transition is not just about producing clean energy on site – it’s a matter of storing, transporting and delivering energy worldwide. With abundant renewables, geographical convenience and vast ongoing investments in logistical infrastructure, the Middle East is primed to lead the global green hydrogen market, according to the World Future Energy Summit. Not only does it possess the potential for scalable green hydrogen production, but also its worldwide exportation to satisfy burgeoning global demand. While the costs of producing hydrogen range between $2 and $7 per kg globally, Saudi Arabia manages to routinely stick to the lowest part of this range. This goes for the

creation of green hydrogen – a feat not easily matched elsewhere for comparable costs. The King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) predicted this month that in the long term, rates of $1 per kg should be reliably attainable in Saudi Arabia, making them easily the cheapest in the world.

Back in March, WFES reported on the start of construction work at the NEOM $5bn green hydrogen project. With production slated to start in 2026, its initial daily capacity of 650 tonnes of carbon-free hydrogen should reinforce the seriousness of Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to lead the way in an already enthusiastic ME green hydrogen market.

While Saudi Arabia may be able to produce the cheapest green

Long ranges and quick fill-ups

Depending on the journey – the route travelled, road conditions and driving style – HVS’ HGV has the capacity to cover in excess of 500km.

In pursuit of driving efficiency, SEMAS an advanced control system (monitoring interactions between driver and control systems) is in development. SEMAS will significantly reduce fuel consumption, extending range.

Hydrogen-powered vehicles don’t need charging like a battery-powered EV. They are refuelled with hydrogen gas, stored at pressure in hydrogen cylinders. Refuelling takes a much shorter time than charging an equivalent battery vehicle and is comparable to filling a truck with diesel. Many hydrogen fuelling stations will be located at existing gas stations, using dispensers that look very similar to conventional petrol and diesel ones, but with a different nozzle.

Plans are in place for a left-hand drive variant of the hydrogen-fuelled 4x2 HGV tractor unit, with a rigid chassis model also in the pipeline.

Thanks to the fresh thinking and groundup approach, HVS has created a HGV from the ground up that offers the complete package; from game-changing technology and driver ergonomics to easy maintenance, and lower total cost of ownership, all packaged into a striking design.

hydrogen, there are plenty of other contenders nearby in the form of other Middle Eastern nations with similar advantages and backed by an equally strong political will to harness their newest source of competitive advantage to the fullest.

Reports vary to the exact size of the current investments and the number of planned projects occurring in the Middle East, but they all point towards a significant ramping up of ambitions and financial backing. In August, Siemens identified 46 viable green hydrogen projects in the MEA region, accounting for a combined worth of $92 billion. Last year, MEED calculated that the roughly 50+ projects in the region added up to over $150 billion in investments.

The MEED report went on to state that while Saudi Arabia and the UAE had projects worth $10.5 billion and $10.28 billion respectively, Egypt has staked more than six times either of these efforts, currently investing $63.8 billion. Oman is not far behind with projects worth $48.9 billion.

Clearly Egypt, with its excellent access to wind and solar, and an ongoing multi-billion-dollar port upgrade plan, is determined to be a key player in both the regional competition to secure green hydrogen supplier status and the development of the wider global market. With other regional nations following suit, the race is on to discover who stands to gain prominence in the green hydrogen market’s next phase of development.

The only emission from the vehicle is water vapour”

POWER TO THE WHEELS

HVS’ vehicle powertrain employs a fuel cell system and energy storage system to deploy electricity to an electric motor to transmit power to the wheels.

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BRIDGESTONE HONOURED WITH RECOGNITION FOR HELPING CITIES BE SAFER AND SMARTER

TYRES

Bridgestone MEA’s managing director says the firm was honoured to be awarded Tyre Technology Provider of the Year Award 2023 for the second successive year during the Truck and Fleet ME awards that took place recently in Dubai. The event, which was held in The Ritz Carlton, JBR, in Dubai, was intended to recognise and honour the top performers in the truck and fleet industries.

Bridgestone won the award in recognition of its contributions to innovation and excellence, as demonstrated by its extensive line of technologically advanced products and services. These technologies were developed in response to the industry’s urgent need to provide products that promote secure and economical transportation. The award further highlights Bridgestone’s calibre in producing innovations and stateof-the-art technology that help make cities smarter and safer, said the firm.

“Bridgestone is honoured to have received this award for the second year in a row in recognition of our committing to foster innovation,” said Jacques Fourie, VP and managing director, Bridgestone MEA. “As we continue to evolve as a provider of mobility solutions, technology is the cornerstone of our vision for the future. We are working to integrate the most cutting-edge solutions that will support sustainability, efficiency, and safety. I want to express my gratitude to every member of the Bridgestone family for working hard to embody our mission statement – Serving society with superior quality.”

SUPER E-COUPÉ SPECTRE NEARING MILESTONE

TESTING

Spectre, Rolls-Royce’s genredefining all-electric super coupé, has now covered almost two million kilometres as it completes the third phase of the most rigorous testing programme ever devised in the marque’s 118-year history. This has already surpassed every RollsRoyce testing programme before it – and it is still far from over. Spectre is currently undergoing extreme hot weather tests in two locations in South Africa: Augrabies in the Northern Cape; and Franschhoek, the ‘French Corner’ in the Western Cape winelands. The stable yet contrasting climates provide some of the finest summerweather driving in the world, with dry and extremely hot conditions in the north and more humid, Mediterranean-style, conditions in the south. At its hottest, temperatures can exceed 50°C, while the southern region hosts a great variety of

surfaces and terrains, including twisting country roads replete with gravel, dust and dirt. Truly testing conditions, by any measure. During this stage, engineers are observing and refining every system, hardware item and software protocol that has been developed over the course of almost two million kilometres of continuous testing. Only through such painstaking assessments can technical experts

achieve the exacting levels of ride refinement that are so central to the driver experience, and “successfully translate the marque’s defining ‘Magic Carpet Ride’ to the new all-electric paradigm.” Throughout testing, 25,000 separate performancerelated functions have been meticulously tailored to deliver “a quintessentially Rolls-Royce experience,” said the firm.

BENTLEY TO RETIRE ITS ‘ICONIC’ W12 ENGINE

ENGINES

Bentley will cease production of its 12-cylinder petrol engine in April 2024, by which time more than 100,000 examples of the iconic W12 will have been handcrafted in the company’s Dream Factory in Crewe, England.

The decision comes as part of Bentley’s acceleration towards a sustainable future through its Beyond100 strategy which will see the company’s entire model line fully electrified by the start

of the next decade, reducing fleet average emissions to 0 g/km CO2. This journey has already begun, with the introduction of the Bentayga and Flying Spur Hybrid models for which demand is exceeding the company’s expectations. Meanwhile, an engine first made available in the sectordefining Continental GT, which has been powering Bentley both metaphorically and literally for the last 20 years, will be consigned to history.

Bentley isn’t letting the W12 bow out without a dramatic send-off. Development work has concluded recently on the most powerful version of the W12 ever created. The ultimate iteration of this mighty engine – destined for just 18 examples of the Bentley Batur to be handcrafted by Mulliner – is now confirmed as developing 750 PS and 1,000 Nm of torque.

“Our progressive journey towards sustainable luxury mobility means making changes to every area of Bentley Motors,” says Bentley’s chairman Adrian Hallmark.

“When we first launched the W12 back in 2003, we knew we had a mighty engine that would propel both our cars and the brand forwards at speed. 20 years and more than 100,000 W12s later, the time has come to retire this now-iconic powertrain as we take strides towards electrification – but not without giving it the best send-off possible.”

FROM TOUGHNESS

TO LUXURY

The Zetros is a truck built for taking new directions, making inroads into remote areas, making one’s way through the wilderness: traveling far away from mass tourism is a lifelong dream for many. As a result, the Zetros today is enjoying increasing popularity as a travel and expedition vehicle. The all-wheel-drive truck is perfect for anyone who wants more than just camping.

With its extreme off-road capability, standard differential locks, crawler gear for steep gradients, flexible body options for living accommodation, and rugged,

maintenance-friendly technology, the Zetros creates experiences that are truly worthy of the word “unforgettable.”

The Zetros results from more than 120 years of experience and know-how. Manufactured in Wörth at the largest truck assembly plant in the world, this unique off-road truck stands for the excellent quality associated with the Made in Germany label.

Mercedes-Benz is now presenting an upgraded Zetros that is more powerful, uncompromising, and versatile than ever. Right down to the minor details, it’s made for extreme conditions, be those on the road or in rough terrain. Get to know the Zetros

and discover why we rightfully stand by our slogan: Trucks you can trust, adding more power than ever. Tried and tested features remain while what is better has been further improved. Without compromise, the Zetros is now pursuing its mission: to reach every destination. And now it’s even more powerful.

Juffali Special Vehicles (JSV) is a division of Juffali Commercial Vehicles Company that specialises in designing all types of vehicles (cars, vans, buses, and trucks) to serve all customer needs in their living, commercial and recreational life, such as VIP cars, tourist cars, ambulance transport, camping animal transport, veterinary clinic, mobile homes,

Juffali Special Vehicles (JSV) talks about the popularity of modifying the Zetros and how it has found a spiritual home in Saudi Arabia

We strive to be the first choice in vehicle modification”

mobile offices, food trucks, and so on.

Juffali Special Vehicles relies on its longstanding experience of more than 70 years in the vehicle sector and customer service from the luxury brand Mercedes-Benz.

According to Heiko Schulze, CEO, Juffali Commercial Vehicles, the rugged luxury Zetros is a vehicle that is ideal for the Saudi market, particularly as the platform is easily adapted for customer needs by the JSV team.

“We seek to provide all customers’ wishes through modifications that meet transportation needs and provide the best solutions through consultants dedicated to serving you and, with its expertise, has

become a long-established manufacturer of vehicles of all kinds,” he says.

“We deal with partners with comprehensive experience in car modification factories in various specialties. They are the ones we trust in the quality and direct you to the right path. Finally, we guarantee to modify your vehicles within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

With a long history in the field of diversified vehicles to represent some of the world’s leading brands, the company has gained trust and built deep and long relationships, says Schulze. Competitive prices also distinguish it because the company deals with many modified vehicles.

In the JSV team hands, the Zetros can celebrate the height of luxury or take on the toughest challenges the Kingdom has to offer.

According to Schulze, the adaptable and durable vehicle, the Zetros, in many ways, typifies the determination HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman personifies with his ambitious vision for the future of Saudi Arabia, he says.

“At Juffali Special Vehicles, we strive for our ambition to be the world’s first choice in the field of vehicle modification through ambitious Saudi cadres and long experience. When the Saudi people are convinced, then the sky is the limit for ambitions.”

When the Saudi people are convinced, then the sky is the limit for ambitions”

MODIFICATION TO PERFECTION JSV takes on the role of consultant on behalf of its customers to create modifications on the Zetros to “meet transportation needs and provide the best solutions,” explains Heiko Schulze (pictured left).

IMAGINATIVE AND WORKABLE SPACES JSV is able to modify the Zetros and the range of MercedesBenz vehicles via its network of experienced partners.

EXPANDING

HORIZONS

growing

Aline of security guards has formed outside of our bus when we are asked to disembark and form a group close-by. We huddle on a dusty plateau that must have been recently flatten. A few resting machines stand by shallow holes they’ve made in the ground. Arms folded behind his back, the man in charge of the industrial complex behind stands watch. The guards behind, the surly character in front, the bustle of the coach has been replaced with respectful silence.

“I think they are going to use the holes for us,” says a tired voice behind me.

It has been a long day. The sun is setting now but the journey from Mumbai started at 4am to avoid the city’s traffic which streams from our hotel close to the Gateway of India to the airport. Into Gujarat we had a sharp 20-minute turnaround at the Bhuj

plant’s surprisingly well-appointed hotel before heading on and into the plant itself.

And what an impressive place that is. Looking past a surreal walk along a narrow route alongside it – where we were joined by acrobats, performers and Bollywood(!) – the six-hour tour of test tracks, vast warehousing and factories, R&D labs, power generation control rooms, reservoirs, was a statement singing that BKT is a serious player. Possibly one with the ambition and facilities of a Bond villain.

“You know how the bad guy is always courteous before he throws you to the sharks,” I warn that voice behind me.

In truth, BKT had been consummate and courteous hosts. Our cordon on the plateau intended to demonstrate the room it has to grow. The plant manager tells us that it will double in size as the company hits fast-forward on its ambitious growth strategy. The Bhuj site, which was inaugurated in 2015 is primed with

a well-designed and very significant growth plan and is central to a plan which aims for annual tyre production of 600,000 metric tons (MT) and envisages the achievement of 2 billion dollars in turnover in three years.

When the first tyre rolled off the Bhuj production line in 2012, the plant was located on an area of 123 hectares. At the time it represented a $500 million investment in an area of Gurjarat’s desert-like landscape. Completely arid, there was neither water nor electricity but after the laying of many kilometers of drinking water pipes and power lines, the site grew exponentially: 126 hectares in 2016, 131 in 2019, 137 in 2021, 258 in 2022. By the end of 2023, the forecast is to reach a total surface area of 323 hectares, of which 283 have already been acquired.

More space means more room to install new machines, to accommodate more test areas, to increase volumes and all that goes with it,

T&FME visits BKT’s Bhuj operation in India and finds the OH tyre firm is determined to keep

The expansion of the plant means an increase in production capacity, but operational logistics have also improved significantly”

says BKT. The business has increased by 49% compared to the pre-pandemic period. The company says that this “bears witness to how the Indian multinational is always ready for new opportunities and challenges” and standing in Bhuj, it doesn’t sound like empty words.

Dominating the site are the pipes and steel chimneys of its Carbon Black plant. The plant came into operation in 2017, when the first 65,000 MT/PA of Hard grade carbon black was produced, the type of carbon black used specifically in the tyre tread. In the following year, production increased from 65,000 to 110,000 MT and saw the addition of production of soft grade carbon black, which is used in the casing compound to improve its strength and durability, generating less heat. In 2021, total production of the two types of carbon black reached 138,000 MT per annum, while last year it rose to 165,600 MT per annum.

The goal for 2023 is 198,600 MT, in addition to this, the Research and Development department plans to add a third type of carbon black, the “Specialty carbon black”. It is a type of carbon black with unique properties compared to that used in rubber compounds, such as high resistance to coloring, a high level of purity, a low ash level and very low level of PAHs, which make it suitable for use in specific applications such as paints, plastics and inks.

The expansion of the plant means an increase in production capacity, but operational logistics have also improved significantly, which has allowed the introduction of new specialist workers, as well as providing greater flexibility in production and storage flows.

Speaking of work, the construction of new facilities also marked an improvement in employees’ safety conditions, an aspect which BKT takes very seriously; the community that operates on the Bhuj site today is very large, at the end of December 2022 the number of people working there was 4,776.

BKT dedicates significant investment to the wellbeing of its community every year, through for example the expansion of the area housing the families of employees (now almost 1,000 people live there), in the care of their health, in the education of their children. In short, a true all-round “community factory” which remains a virtuous model among the first in the world in the manufacturing sector.In 2013 an internal power plant was created to have a reliable and controlled source of electricity. Today, both solar panels and the cogeneration plant make it possible to self-produce energy; in 2022 the cogeneration plant was expanded, from 20 MW to 40 MW, and projects are still underway to

FOUR-FOLD INCREASE IN PRODUCTION – SO FAR

The plant has increased from 92 MT production per day in 2015, Bhuj ended 2022 with its best result ever, 436 MT daily. Much of this increase has come from the investment in more efficient machinery.

using. For example, BKT has introduced a new approach to the carbon black production where the tyre production plant feeds the carbon plant with the aid of mobile silos with material transported pneumatically to storage. This will make BKT save on packaging, i.e. 100,000 bulk bags in the next few years. And not only that, but the whole transportation system is also designed to reduce energy usage, consumption and quality, too. Every transfer system is controlled by weight and by energy used. And the future goal is challenging: reducing energy consumption up to 70%. This translates in saving more than two million kilograms CO2 emissions per year, which are comparable to 5,000 apartments of 100 square meters each.

increase the power of self-produced renewable resources.Water is also at the heart of BKT’s virtuous path towards Sustainability. Since 2019, the Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) principle has been adopted, which means that no liquid waste is released outside the plant. All water used in the plant is treated, purified and reused. The objective of the ZLD principle is to conserve water resources, reduce the environmental impact of wastewater discharge and improve the overall efficiency and sustainability of the plant.

All of this is unverifiable by T&FME, but, anecdotally, the complex at least ‘feels’ clean and throughout there are touches where the firm is clearly determined to be recycling and re-

At the same time, the gas used to manufacture carbon black is now ending up in a co-generation plant able to reuse 75,000 cubic meters of gas per year. This means saving 215,000 MT of coal per year. Looking for the right solution means testing it and in 2017, a special Test Track was inaugurated. Thanks to a wide variety of tests, many important characteristics such as traction, handling, comfort, soil compaction and much more can be measured here, thanks to high-precision devices and instruments.

“People have asked me if all this was really necessary, so much in such a short time,” says Rajiv Poddar, Joint Managing Director at BKT. “The goals we set ourselves when we decided to open the Bhuj site were proportional to the financial solidity of the time, but above all to a vision which is as great as it is concrete.”

BKT dedicates significant investment to the wellbeing of its community every year”

CARBON BACK TO BLACK

The gas used to manufacture carbon black is now ending up in a co-generation plant able to reuse 75,000 cubic meters of gas per year. This means saving 215,000 MT of coal per year.

CRITICAL AID FEDEX SENDS

FedEx Express (FedEx) is used its network to bring international humanitarian relief to those affected by the earthquakes that have devastated Southern Turkey and Northern Syria.

By early March, the company had committed more than $1,000,000 worth of in-kind shipping toward relief efforts. This includes the delivery of approximately 230 metric tonnes of critical aid from the Dubai World Central Airport, where the new FedEx Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa hub will be located, to Istanbul via five FedEx MD-11 flights from February 17 to 21. These charters delivered relief supplies including tents, blankets, baby items, household supplies, and hygiene kits from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

“Our hearts go out to those affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria,” said Kawal Preet, president of Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, FedEx Express. “During times of need, we are committed to using the unique capabilities of our network to deliver humanitarian aid to communities safely and promptly. We see this as our responsibility and hope that the support we provide will contribute to the recovery and rebuilding of communities and bring relief to those whose lives have been affected.”

To date, FedEx has also been able to help other non-profit organizations and governments respond during this crisis by utilising its global network and logistics expertise. FedEx donated $100k on February 8 to the Red Cross to aid recovery efforts in Turkey and Syrian communities. The donation will provide support and

efforts

aid, such as distributing essentials like first aid, food, water, and blankets; setting up temporary shelters; and providing psychological support and medical aid.

On February 8, FedEx delivered critical humanitarian supplies from Istanbul to Malatay, Turkey, including food supplies from Umursan Un Ltd. and clothing donated by local residents. A week later. FedEx provided shipping support for Canadian disaster-relief organisation GlobalMedic, including the delivery of AquaResponse3 Water Purification Units to feeding centers in the impacted area of Turkey.

FedEx worked with U.S.-based World Central Kitchen to ship aid from Madrid, Spain to Adana, Turkey. The flights included a deployable kitchen unit, kitchen supplies, and operations kits.

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The world’s largest express transportation company has committed more than $1million worth of in-kind shipping toward relief

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