ISSUE 01 | 2015
DENNiSCONNECT: OUR REVOLUTiONARY NEW TELEMATiCS SYSTEM
iNTRODUCiNG 25 NOT OUT! RiCHARD TAYLOR CELEbRATES DENNiS THE DUSTCART A QUARTER CENTURY
WELCOME
WELCOME Welcome to the latest edition of Eagle Eye. We have seen renewed optimism in the economy over recent months, but there is no doubt that there are still many challenges facing the industry. We are witnessing change on an unprecedented scale, from stricter emissions and landfill targets to the requirement to deliver better long-term social and economic value from contracts. While we still face uncertainty, it is clear that businesses and partners who work closely together to forge lasting and meaningful relationships will be the ones that find themselves best placed to meet future demands. Our project with Skips Educational to form a partnership to help Birmingham City Council fulfil the obligations of its Birmingham Business Charter for Social Responsibility (see page 24) is a good example of this. Read on to find out more. As ever, we welcome feedback so please don’t hesitate to get in touch with comments or suggestions for future articles.
Kevin Else Managing Director
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EAGLE EYE | ISSUE 01 | 2015
CONTENTS 3
COMPANY NEWS
4
PUBLIC SECTOR - ENGLAND
10
PUBLIC SECTOR - SCOTLAND
13
PUBLIC SECTOR - N. IRELAND
14
EXPORT
16
CONTRACT & SPOT HIRE
19
PRIVATE SECTOR
20
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS
21
PRODUCT NEWS
22
COMPANY NEWS
23
SUPPLY CHAIN
24
INDUSTRY ISSUES
26
IN PROFILE
27
COMPANY NEWS
28
CONTRACT MAINTENANCE
29
LEGISLATION
30
COMPANY NEWS
COMPANY NEWS
HiUCV TURNS HEADS
ON THE ROAD As a manufacturer, exhibitions and conferences are an ideal platform for showcasing our latest developments. They also provide us with an invaluable opportunity to catch up with customers and industry contacts to discuss key issues, ranging from challenges facing the industry today to predictions for tomorrow and beyond.
The HiUCV on display at ‘Pollutec’
Our Hybrid integrated Urban Commercial Vehicle – or HiUCV for short – is continuing to turn heads and hit the roads of Europe recently, putting in a special appearance at two major exhibitions designed to showcase innovative technologies from around the world. The first stop was the ‘Smart City Expo World Congress’ in Barcelona, Spain. As well as appearing on the stand, the HiUCV was selected as a finalist in the ‘Innovative Initiative’ category in the prestigious World Smart Cities Awards, which coincided with the exhibition. Following this, it also took centre stage at the ‘Pollutec’ exhibition of environmental equipments, technologies and services, which was held in December in Lyon, France. Co-funded by the UK Technology Strategy Board and developed in association with the Motor Industry Research Association (MIRA), the HiUCV includes four wheel steering and electric drive with a range extender engine, lightweight high-strength materials and optimised component design to provide maximum possible
body space with 50 per cent+ greater volume and 50 per cent+ greater fuel saving per tonne of waste collected compared to traditional designs. With an electric plug-in drive, it can operate in full electric mode for collection duties, with a turning circle equivalent to a Ford Transit / Renault Traffic short wheelbase van. It also has a usable volume of 15 cubic metres and, depending on equipment and bin lift type fitted, can offer a payload of around 8.5 to 9 tonnes with an 18 tonne gross vehicle weight. Andy Graves, Product Marketing Manager for Dennis Eagle, comments: “The HiUCV is the result of a four-year project of painstaking research and development. We are extremely proud of the end result, and the attention it has attracted throughout Europe is testament to its viability as a blueprint for the future of sustainable vehicle design.”
We’ve already signed up to a number of events taking place throughout 2015, including: 13 May 2015 Southern Municipal Exhibition East Malling Research Centre, Kent
26 - 29 May 2015 APSE Hilton Coylumbridge, Aviemore
9 – 11 June 2015 PAWRS Paignton, Devon
24 June 2015 LAPV Future Fleet Forum Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire
8 - 9 July 2015 Londonderry Garage Northallerton, North Yorkshire
15 – 17 September 2015 RWM NEC, Birmingham
It would be great to see you there, so don’t forget to put the dates in your diary!
The HiUCV will be going into production in 2018. For more information contact Dennis Eagle. EAGLE EYE | ISSUE 01 | 2015
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Public Sector - ENGLAND
ENGLAND
HARROGATE’S TOUR DE FORCE The Tour de France 2014 opening ceremony, which took place in Leeds, was the biggest in the race’s history and marked the start of the Tour’s Yorkshire Grand Dèpart, which saw cyclists riding up hill, down dale, over moorland and through the region’s towns and cities. 3.3-million people lined the route in Yorkshire, while 1.5-million lined the route in Cambridge, Essex and London, making a total of 4.8-million people. The first two days in Yorkshire had a combined distance of 391km - including stage three between Cambridge and London this added up to a grand total of 546km. Local authorities in the area had a vital role to play in managing the crowds and dealing with the additional waste generated as a result. Harrogate Borough Council was no exception as the district had the honour of hosting the world’s most popular annual sporting event on two consecutive days, with Harrogate town centre being the finish point for the first day’s race. The Council had recently taken delivery of Dennis Eagle’s Union Jack Olympus Twin Pack Elite 6 demonstration model when the Tour passed through Harrogate, so it was an ideal opportunity to put the vehicle’s capabilities to the test. 4
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Transport Manager Alan Smith comments: “The Tour de France Grand Départ was a great boost for tourism in the area and certainly put the Harrogate district well and truly on the world map. Dennis Eagle’s demonstration vehicle – bedecked in its eye-catching Union Jack livery - played an important role in enabling us to keep the streets of Harrogate clean and tidy during this exceptionally busy time, as it was used to collect recyclable materials over the event weekend. “As one of the region’s major tourist destinations it is important that visitors leave with a positive impression of our beautiful, well-maintained town and Dennis Eagle’s demonstration vehicle certainly helped us to achieve that. “As a result we decided to order our first ever Olympus Twin Pack, which we took delivery of in December. Feedback from our crews has been positive and we have noticed a considerable difference in the efficiency of collections. Previously, we had to make two to three journeys back to the waste and recycling centre during each round, but the additional capacity of the Olympus Twin Pack means we now usually only have to make one trip, reducing down time as well as fuel consumption.”
PUbLiC SECTOR - ENGLAND
ON THE STRAiGHT AND NARROW iN READiNG Reading Borough Council has ordered 13 new vehicles. Although they have previously used the Dennis Eagle chassis, the 6x2 narrow rear steer chassis with Olympus 16 bodies are the first complete vehicles to be supplied. Eleven will be used for domestic waste collection, with the remaining two assigned to trade waste duties. Fleet Manager Ken Williams comments: “The majority of the vehicles are now in service. We chose Dennis Eagle for this contract as they were the only manufacturer that could offer us a narrow track complete configuration. The introduction of the new vehicles has gone well, as they are ideal for negotiating the narrow streets of Reading.”
REPLACEMENTS FOR RYEDALE Ryedale District Council has operated Dennis Eagle vehicles since 2008 and has recently invested in new Euro 6 models, helping to further improve the efficiency of its fleet. Last year, they took delivery of two Olympus 21 Elite 6 6x4 and one Olympus 27 Elite 6 8x4, both standard width, and they have since placed a further order for an additional two vehicles which are due to be delivered in July. All were purchased through the Procurement Lincolnshire Framework agreement and come with five year warranties. Mark Sissons, Transport Manager at Ryedale District Council, comments: “The new vehicles are everything we expected them to be and, based on the performance of our 2008 vehicles and the availability of the Procurement Lincolnshire Framework there was no reason not to choose Dennis Eagle for this contract. “The service and aftersales support provided by Dennis Eagle is excellent, as is the versatility offered by the vehicles. Previously, we were using different types of collection vehicles to carry out residual and green waste collections. However, the Dennis Eagle bodies are virtually bomb-proof and geared up for handling garden waste as well as domestic refuse, enabling us to standardise our fleet.”
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PUbLiC SECTOR - ENGLAND
ROLLiNG OUT ON THE STREETS OF bRUM Following the announcement in our last issue that we had secured a contract to supply vehicles to Birmingham City Council as part of its waste collection modernisation programme, we can now reveal over 100 vehicles have been ordered. All vehicles are due to be delivered by this winter, but we are pleased to say that the first of these have already hit the roads in Britain’s second city as the Council rolls out its new collection scheme. The Council used its Birmingham Business Charter for Social Responsibility to extract social value from the deal, and as part of this we are also supplying books featuring ‘Dennis the Dustcart’ to every 10-year-old in the city, helping to educate them on the benefits of reducing waste and recycling more. As a local supplier, we are proud to have formed this partnership with Birmingham City Council and look forward to working with them as they deploy
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the new service throughout the region over the coming months. Councillor Lisa Trickett, Cabinet Member for a Green, Smart and Sustainable City, comments: “Research shows that when local authorities procure services and supplies locally, every pound can be recycled up to as many as three times in the wider local economy. “This chimes well with the refuse collection service – our aim through the new wheelie bin programme is to recycle more, rather than throwing things away, and we are doing exactly the same when using our purchasing power to buy locally”. Read more on page 24.
PUbLiC SECTOR - ENGLAND
ST HELiER’S GREEN GODDESS Another eye-catching refuse collection vehicle has hit the roads in St Helier, keeping streets in the parish clean and tidy while helping to support a worthy cause. The ‘Green Goddess’ features a mobile billboard carrying adverts for the Samaritans on both sides, letting people know that the charity is available for anyone struggling to cope, whoever they are, however they feel and whatever life has done to them.
of this latest Dennis Eagle vehicle is part of a rolling replacement programme designed to help standardise our fleet. The ‘Green Goddess’ is likely to be in service for many years to come and its billboards are an effective way of communicating important messages to residents, so it is great that we are able to support the Samaritans in this way.”
The Olympus 10 4x2 narrow is one of seven vehicles out on the roads each day and will be joining forces with the ‘Pink Lady’ and the ‘Purple Princess’, which are designed to raise awareness for breast, cervical screening and diabetes respectively. Its duties involve collecting cardboard for recycling each morning and commercial waste every afternoon. Piers Tharme, Facilities and Resources Manager for The Parish of St Helier, comments: “The addition
EAST RiDiNG’S 4-YEAR FRAMEWORk Dennis Eagle first won a contract to supply vehicles to East Riding of Yorkshire Council in 2012. Following a competitive tender, it is now set to deliver the first of up to 40 additional vehicles as part of a four-year framework agreement. East Riding currently has a total of 69 refuse collection vehicles in its fleet, 29 of which are Dennis Eagle. The first of the new Olympus 21 6x2 mid steer vehicles have now been delivered and will be carrying out a combination of dry mixed recycling, residual and organic waste collections, helping the Council improve on its impressive recycling figure. Paul Tripp, Group Manager for Environmental Services at East Riding of Yorkshire Council,
comments: “The vehicles that were delivered in 2012 have performed well. These were supplied in line with our
the market as part of a competitive tender process and Dennis Eagle was once again successful in meeting our requirements. “We implemented a new alternate weekly waste and recycling collection system in June last year and this is going very well. We are currently recycling 60 per cent of household waste and were named ‘Best Performer for Waste Collection’ in the recent APSE Performance Networks 2014 Awards.
required specifications, and Dennis Eagle has fulfilled its commitment to aftersales service as set out in the original tender document. When seeking a supplier for our fouryear framework we approached
“We are continually seeking to improve our recycling rate, and the new vehicles will play an important part in helping us to achieve this.”
EAGLE EYE | ISSUE 01 | 2015
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Public Sector - ENGLAND
A UNITED FRONT IN NOTTINGHAMSHIRE Nottinghamshire Vehicle Consortium members are continuing to reap the rewards of a more joinedup approach to procurement. Made up of 11 local authorities, the Consortium is currently three years into a second renewed four-year framework agreement with prime contractor Terberg Matec UK and their contract partner Dennis Eagle. With Nottingham City as founding and current members, the Consortium also comprises Derby City Council, the District Councils of Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Bolsover, Mansfield, Newark and Sherwood and Broxtowe, Erewash, Gedling and Rushcliffe Borough Councils. The Nottinghamshire Vehicle Consortium was formed with the aim of delivering greater efficiency through the formation of strong partnership arrangements with suppliers. The organisation’s relationship with Terberg Matec UK and Dennis Eagle was formed in 2008, when Terberg Matec UK was awarded the contract to be a sole supplier to the Consortium. The bin lift manufacturer partnered with Dennis Eagle to supply the complete vehicle solution and the relationship has since gone from strength to strength. The initial contract covered the four-year period from 2008 to 2012, with approximately 120 vehicles supplied to the Consortium during this initial term. In 2013, following a competitive tender process, Terberg Matec UK was successfully awarded a second four-year contract, again partnered with Dennis Eagle, for which a similar number of vehicles are expected to be delivered up to 2016. Andrew Kirk, Business Manager at Newark and Sherwood District Council and Chairman of the Consortium, comments: “The partnership is going well. Purchasing, day-to-day servicing and backup has improved since forming the Consortium, as well as collectively making us cashable savings. We are very pleased with the level of service provided by our partners on this framework.”
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Rob Colby, Director at Terberg Matec UK adds: “We’ve been working in close partnership with Dennis Eagle and the Nottinghamshire Vehicle Consortium for some eight years now, and the arrangement is delivering significant advantages for all parties. “A large part of our success is owed to the fact that we have a dedicated contract support team who are all based at Terberg Matec UK’s North Nottinghamshire facility. “This, combined with the great support received from our partner Dennis Eagle, means we are able to assist and respond quickly to any situation which all helps to keep refuse collection services across Nottinghamshire running smoothly. “In addition, Consortium members benefit from a more streamlined procurement process with a single point of contact for bodies, chassis and bin lifts.”
PUbLiC SECTOR - ENGLAND
bACk ON THE TYNE Dennis Eagle vehicles are back on the streets of North Tyneside once more after winning a successful tender, which saw the Council take delivery of nine new vehicles, including two Olympus Twin Packs. Steve Whitworth, Operations and Logistics Manager for North Tyneside, comments: “We haven’t had any Dennis Eagle vehicles in our fleet for a number of years. However, it’s a good brand and when we went out to tender for this contract they delivered on product, price and back-up. “One of the reasons we chose Dennis Eagle was health and safety – the low entry cab design makes it easier for crews to climb in and out of the vehicles, minimising the risk of injuries. The feedback from our collection teams has been positive.” The vehicles have also been fitted with 360 degree cameras which has benefitted the service in protecting the teams and provided information against insurance claims.
bEDFORD bROADENS FLEET Having previously supplied Bedford Borough Council with narrow track vehicles, Dennis Eagle has recently won a tender to supply four Olympus 21 6x2 rear steer wide replacement vehicles for domestic waste and recycling collections across the borough. A spokesperson for Bedford Borough Council said: “We have a good relationship with Dennis Eagle and the narrow vehicles we have purchased from them in the past have been working well. We invited tenders from a number of manufacturers for this contract but chose Dennis Eagle based on the quality and value for money they offered in line with our requirements.”
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PUbLiC SECTOR - SCOTLAND
SCOTLAND DENNiS iN DUNDEE As the home of the ‘Beano’, Dundee is famous for giving us ‘Dennis the Menace’ and the ‘Bash Street Kids’. However, the comic strip schoolboy isn’t the only ‘Dennis’ on the block thanks to Dundee City Council’s fleet, which includes 36 Dennis Eagle refuse collection vehicles.
SCOTLAND’S CAPiTAL bOLSTERS FLEET As Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh has a rapidly growing population. Statistics from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) show that its population is expected to increase at more than three times the rate for Scotland as a whole, rising to a projected 618,978 by 2037. The City of Edinburgh Council, one of Dennis Eagle’s largest customers in the area, has recently taken delivery of eight new replacement vehicles that will play an important role in helping to keep refuse collections running smoothly in the face of growing demand for public services over the coming years. Delivered earlier this year, the vehicles include three Olympus 13 Elite 6 4x2 and five Olympus 20 Elite 6 6x2 rear steer, all standard width. They will be operating in a fleet of 49 refuse collection vehicles, 45 of which are Dennis Eagle. Pat Traynor, Fleet Manager at the Council, said: “This is the first order we have placed for some time, for a variety of reasons, but we will be looking to replace the rest of our fleet in due course to ensure we continue to operate as efficiently as possible.” 10
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Last year, the Council took delivery of five new Olympus 21 6x2 rear steer standard width vehicles which have been carrying out domestic, trade waste and recycling collections across the city. Stewart Dodd, Assistant Fleet Manager at Dundee City Council, comments: “The new vehicles are doing well and we are pleased with their performance. The city’s recycling rate is improving and we have new initiatives in place to help boost this.”
PUbLiC SECTOR - SCOTLAND
REPLACEMENTS FOR EAST LOTHiAN East Lothian has ordered two new Dennis Eagle replacement vehicles which will be used for frontline domestic refuse collections. The Council currently has a dedicated fleet of 26 refuse collection vehicles, 21 of which are Dennis Eagle.
CHECkiNG iN WiTH THE WESTERN iSLES Back in 2013, the Western Isles took delivery of two Olympus Twin Pack 22 6x2 rear steers. We caught up with Ivor MacLean at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to find out how the vehicles have been getting on. Ivor comments: “The vehicles were ordered to assist the continuation of our existing collection service, but they were the first rear steer models we have ever had in our fleet. The manoeuvrability they offer has helped a lot when it comes to negotiating the narrow town streets and winding rural roads of our region.”
Commenting on the decision to order these latest vehicles Tom Reid, Waste Services Manager for East Lothian, says: “We selected Dennis Eagle on the basis of product quality and suitability for our service needs, along with the high standard of back-up support we receive from Tom Fullerton, Regional Sales Manager and Mick Mclean, Service Centre Manager at Falkirk Depot.”
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PUBLIC SECTOR - SCOTLAND
MAKING TRACKS IN MIDLOTHIAN Last year, Midlothian Council took delivery of three Olympus 21 6x2 rear steer wide vehicles, along with an additional three 6x2 rear steer wide chassis. Replacements for existing products in the 23-strong refuse fleet, the new vehicles are tasked with carrying out household refuse and recycling collections across the region. Trevor Docherty, Travel and Fleet Services Manager, comments: “Our vehicles need to be able to operate efficiently in both urban and rural areas, including narrow and winding roads. The rear steer setup of the Dennis Eagle chassis suits our needs, which is why we are standardising it across our fleet of large refuse vehicles. “The vehicles look good, and on a practical level the Euro 6 engines are contributing to the Council’s overall carbon emission reduction targets. Our drivers are very happy with them and so are our maintenance teams, who are now very familiar with Dennis Eagle products.”
ACCESS ALL AREAS IN ANGUS Angus Council took delivery of its first two Dennis Eagle vehicles in December 2014, opting for Olympus 19 6x2 narrow rear steer vehicles. Fleet Services Manager Graham Robertson explains more: “We have around 25 refuse collection vehicles in our fleet. However, Angus has a significant number of small villages and tight streets, and negotiating these in standard width vehicles can sometimes be challenging. “One of our Operations Managers had worked with Dennis Eagle in a previous role at a different Council so, when the time came to order new vehicles, the company’s narrow track models seemed an obvious choice. Trials of the new vehicles are going well, and feedback from our drivers has been positive.”
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PUBLIC SECTOR - NORTHERN IRELAND
N.IRELAND DENNIS EAGLE DOCKS IN BELFAST
NEW COLLECTION SERVICE FOR FERMANAGH
Seventeen new vehicles have been delivered for a 1 April contract start with Belfast City Council.
Fermanagh District Council is introducing a new brown bin food and garden waste collection service to 11,000 households in Enniskillen, Irvinestown and Lisnaskea. As part of the scheme’s roll-out, the Council has purchased a new Dennis Eagle complete vehicle, bringing the total number of refuse collection vehicles in its fleet to 20.
The order comprises a mix of 6x4 and 4x2 domestic and trade waste vehicles, eight of which are likefor-like replacements and seven of which will help the Council to carry out collections in new areas it is about to gain under the Local Government Reform programme. Two 6x4 vehicles with food waste pods have also been supplied to assist the Council with the implementation of a commercial waste recycling scheme. Philip Croft, Fleet System Co-ordinator for Belfast City Council, comments: “We have around 60 refuse collection vehicles in our fleet at present, 45 of which are Dennis Eagle. The latest vehicles have been prepared for operational service and we hope they will play an important role in reducing vehicle off-road (VOR) time and therefore improving refuse collection delivery times.”
Fermanagh District Council’s current recycling rate is 39 per cent and waste in green bins is the single biggest source of waste landfill in the district, producing approximately 13,000 tonnes each year. The brown bin collection for the organic element of green bin waste, which incidentally forms the heaviest part, is therefore designed to help the Council achieve EU recycling targets of 50 per cent by 2020. Fleet Manager Keith Kettyles comments: “The new vehicle will play an important part in helping the Council to implement the new service and boost recycling rates across the region.”
NEW COMPLETE FOR COOKSTOWN A new complete vehicle has been supplied to Cookstown District Council to assist with the rollout of a new brown bin food and garden waste collection service in the region. The Olympus 6x4 is one of eight Dennis Eagle vehicles in the Council’s fleet and will be working on one of three new routes as part of the scheme, collecting around 3,500 bins per week. John Henry, Fleet Supervisor for Cookstown District Council, comments: “The new vehicle went into service earlier this year and is mainly operating around rural areas and small towns in the district. By introducing this new scheme we hope to increase the amount of organic materials collected and reduce the volume of waste sent to landfill.” EAGLE EYE | ISSUE 01 | 2015
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EXPORT
EXPORT GOOD FORTUNE IN CHINA WITH NEW JOINT VENTURE Last year, Dennis Eagle signed an agreement to form a 50/50 joint venture with Brilliance Auto Investments for the manufacture of refuse collection vehicles in the Chinese north eastern coastal city of Dalian. Brilliance is one of China’s largest state-owned automotive manufacturing companies and also has a very successful 50/50 joint venture with BMW. Under the agreement, the Olympus and new Mini Olympus will be manufactured for the mainland Chinese market, where annual growth has been nearly 15 per cent over the past few years, with vehicles also supplied to Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. Initial production and sales are due to start imminently, with production capacity being laid down to support sales of 400 units in the first full year, growing to 800 units by 2018 within a factory area of around 6,000 square metres. Further potential plant expansion will create capacity to manufacture 1,500 units per year by 2019. Manufacturing facilities and parts are mainly locally sourced to drawings and specifications from Dennis Eagle and Ros Roca, while production training and the tailoring of vehicles to meet the Chinese market needs and legislation is carried out by engineers from Europe supporting the newly recruited Chinese engineering team. The joint venture currently has 29 newly recruited Chinese employees covering all business functions under the leadership of a jointly appointed British General Manager. 14
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EXPORT
DRIVING SALES IN DUBLIN Dennis Eagle Ireland has grown to become the market’s leading supplier of complete refuse vehicles and combination units to the waste industry in Ireland, with over 100 vehicles sold to date. Major customers include Killarney Waste Disposal, Country Clean Recycling, the City Bin Co, Mc Elvaney Waste and Mr Bin Man, as well as Panda, which has around 60 Dennis Eagle vehicles in its fleet. Recent orders include three 6x2 rear steer vehicles delivered to Thornton’s Recycling, a Dennis Eagle Olympus body on a Renault chassis supplied to Wiser Recycling and a Euro 6 complete Dennis Eagle vehicle for Key Waste. Dennis Eagle Ireland is also building four units for Panda, with an additional 15 units to be supplied during 2015. These units are all additional to the company’s fleet and will support its expansion plans within the domestic waste collection market.
FIRST FOR FINLAND Dennis Eagle has delivered its first ‘forever’ vehicle to Finland-based partner TTK OY. The business, which specialises in solutions for the construction industry, has ordered an Olympus 21 in a bid to diversify its company strategy. The vehicle is fitted with a Europa winch lock and shake bin lift, as well as a front-mounted winch lift. Andrew Christie, Export Development Manager for Dennis Eagle, comments: “This is the first vehicle we have supplied to TTK OY. It will be used by the company as a demonstration vehicle and highlights our capabilities in terms of providing tailored solutions to meet the bespoke requirements of customers in different markets around the world.”
BOOSTING BUSINESS IN BELGIUM Since Dennis Eagle appointed Terberg as its distributor for the Benelux region in 2009 the company’s presence in the region has grown significantly. Twenty one vehicles have been supplied over the past few months for customers in Belgium, including five Olympus 21 and ten Olympus 20 wide bodies for Flemisch Intercommunal Organisation IOK. Dennis Eagle has also supplied a further six Olympus 20 wide bodies. These include 13 for IGEAN, two for Interrand and one for the City of Leuven, all of which have been fitted with Terberg bin lifts. Kristien Arts-Leeten, Managing Director at Terberg Matec Belgium, comments: “Our relationship with these customers is well-established. When selecting new vehicles, the Dennis Eagle body combined with the Terberg bin lift was a popular choice, so we are delighted to be working with Dennis Eagle to fulfil these orders.” EAGLE EYE | ISSUE 01 | 2015
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CONTRACT & SPOT HIRE
GULLIVER’S: INVESTING IN THE FUTURE GULLIVER’S HAVE COME A LONG WAY SINCE STARTING OUT AS A CAR HIRE BUSINESS WITH JUST TWO FORD ANGLIAS OVER 50 YEARS AGO. SINCE THEN, THEY HAVE GONE FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH AND NOW HAVE A NATIONWIDE FLEET OF MORE THAN 5,000 VEHICLES. The original principles that made the family business successful in the first instance remain at the heart of its ethos, while its ongoing commitment to service and investment has helped to place it at the forefront of the vehicle solutions industry. Sales Director Neil Jeremiah explains more: “At Gulliver’s, we firmly believe that ‘a promise is a promise’, and we always deliver on our promises. Personal service, expertise, flexibility and added value services remain at the centre of everything we do and have helped us establish a leading position in the market. “We consider ourselves to be the ‘Marks and Spencer’ of the truck rental market, offering quality products and exceptional service at a competitive price. By working with like-minded suppliers we are able to help our customers improve efficiency and meet targets. “Dennis Eagle vehicles make up around 80 per cent of our RCV fleet, and our relationship with the company goes back many years. As well as 16
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offering high quality vehicles backed-up by good aftersales service they share our core values, so we know we can rely on them to help us fulfil our commitments to customers. “As a business, investment is important to us. Last year, we spent £86-million on new equipment, and a greater spend is planned for 2015. Not many businesses will invest so significantly, particularly when a proportion of spend is dedicated to uncommitted forward orders. However, this bold approach means we can achieve the best possible pricing for volume, supporting natural business growth and giving our customers unrivalled access to a wide range of the latest products. “We have recently made a significant investment in Euro 6 vehicles from Dennis Eagle and, in addition to our general spot hire fleet, we also finance around 100 – 120 Dennis Eagle assets per year for our customers, which currently include Biffa Waste Services, Urbaser, Rutland County Council and the City of Cardiff Council to name but a few.
CONTRACT & SPOT HIRE
“Euro 6 represents a huge commitment for us and, understandably, we do have to pass some of these costs on and per vehicle, this can amount to an additional hire charge of £50-75 per week. However, although market price is sensitive and it can sometimes be difficult to pass costs on due to budget restraints, many customers are switchingon to the fact that the added value they gain in return stretches far beyond financial benefits. “Investing in Euro 6 means we can offer customers cutting-edge technology with the latest compliant vehicles. These deliver a host of advantages, including lower emissions; enhanced efficiency; improved accuracy through the use of on-board weighing systems; and increased health and safety through the use of built-in cameras and design features such as sideguards, which meet cyclist safety requirements in line with Whole Vehicle Type Approval legislation. “Reliability is essential and, when you consider that it can cost in the region of £180 per day – plus
crew labour costs – when a vehicle is off the road, the value of working with a reputable supply chain really comes into its own. At Gulliver’s, we attend all breakdowns within 90 minutes of the call being taken and our latest contract hire package also covers tyre damage. Should the vehicle not be useable, a replacement will be provided within 24 hours, and the back-up and support we receive from manufacturers such as Dennis Eagle is instrumental in enabling us to deliver this level of service. “The bottom line is; we understand the pressures our customers face. They too must deliver the best value in their market and deliver it on time, every time. As a national company with a distributed network of sales and support centres, this is the benefit we can bring to them. By working closely with our partners, we can ensure that our service helps customers to manage their own business better, making them more competitive, and this, essentially, is the key to our success.”
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CONTRACT & SPOT HIRE
A GROWING CONTRACT MARKET In other contract hire news the market continues to grow, with orders from a number of major operators highlighting ongoing opportunities in the sector as end users seek vehicles that offer the latest in technology and performance.
NOBLET Noblet has entered into a five-year contract with Cumbria Waste Group to supply vehicles for commercial and domestic wheeled bin waste and recycling collections. The five Olympus 19 6x2 narrow rear steer vehicles were delivered last year and are now in service.
SFS A new 6x4 Euro 6 Dennis Eagle refuse collection vehicle has been delivered to Collett Transport Services (a division of SFS), strengthening the company’s spot hire fleet and helping it meet the demands of its customers. Managing Director Bob Sweetland comments: “We currently have around 120 spot hire vehicles, along with a contract hire fleet in the region of 600. Approximately 80 per cent of these are Dennis Eagle vehicles as, typically, if customers are hiring domestic waste vehicles they tend to want the Elite chassis. “In general, we are now starting to see more opportunities in the market. On 1 April, we supplied a new fleet to Teignbridge District Council as part of a seven-year deal. This is the third time running we have successfully won this contract, and the last time we provided the Council with a new fleet they were the first local authority to meet Euro 5 emissions standards, with vehicles supplied by Dennis Eagle.” 18
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John Walmesley, Collections and Recycling Director at Cumbria Waste Group, comments: “We’ve worked with Noblet for some time now and are happy with the service they provide, which is why we have chosen to appoint them for this latest contract. All the vehicles are now fully operational and are helping us to meet the waste and recycling needs of around 3,000 customers across the region.”
RIVERSIDE Riverside Truck Rental has boosted its fleet with a number of new Dennis Eagle complete vehicles. These will be based at the company’s sites across the UK, which include depots in Widnes, Basildon, Manchester, Daventry, Barrow-in-Furness, Colchester, Solihull, Stratford-upon-Avon and Scotland. Russell Markstein, Sales Director for Riverside Truck Rental, comments: “This latest order represents a significant investment in Euro 6 refuse collection vehicles, ensuring our customers have access to the latest products and technologies.”
PRIVATE SECTOR
BIFFA MUNICIPAL IMPLEMENTS NEW SERVICE Last year, following a 14-month procurement process based on the Competitive Dialogue method, Biffa Municipal was awarded a 10-year recycling, refuse and street cleaning contract by Epping Forest District Council. The new contract kicked off in November and initially involved a continuation of the Council’s existing service. However, Biffa Municipal are now gearing up for the introduction of a new refuse collection programme and have ordered a number of Dennis Eagle Olympus bodies to help implement this. David Maidman, Operations Director for Biffa Municipal, explains more: “Glass collections are currently carried out separately. However, from May onwards we will be implementing a one-pass solution. Glass, other recyclable materials and refuse will be collected fortnightly, with food and garden waste collected weekly.
“As a result of these changes we will be able to deliver an improved service with more efficient use of resources. Previously, four vehicles were required to collect all the different waste streams from each property but as a result of the changes we will only require three. “We will also be moving from a five to a four day week, with collections taking place from Tuesday to Friday, meaning there will no longer be any requirement for changes in collection days following Bank Holiday Mondays. “This latest order represents a continuation of our strong relationship with Dennis Eagle. In addition, Riverside Truck Rental will be providing maintenance support as part of the contract, while five of the vehicles are to be wrapped in striking livery supplied by Epic Media Group, helping the Council communicate key messages regarding the new collection service.”
VEOLIA LAUNCHES NEW GARDEN WASTE SERVICE FOR BRENT Veolia has entered into a renewed agreement with Brent Council after successfully winning the contract for a third consecutive time. As part of this, it is rolling out an enhanced organic waste collection service with help from a new fleet of 19 Dennis Eagle Twin Packs. Under the new scheme organic waste will be separated into garden and food waste collections, with dry mixed recycling collected weekly in a bid to boost recycling rates in the region.
Gary Clark, Head of Fleet London Region for Veolia, comments: “At Veolia we pride ourselves on offering a bespoke service tailored to meet the needs of our clients. It is through our relationships with suppliers such as Dennis Eagle that we are able to successfully deliver this, and the renewal of our contract with Brent Council is testament to the value that our customers place on this approach.”
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INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS Whether you order 100 vehicles or one, you can expect the same commitment to exceptional product quality and service from Dennis Eagle. As well as working with large private sector companies and local authorities, we’re proud to support our independent customers across the UK. Here’s a round-up of some of the latest orders:
WEIR WASTE
BELL WASTE
Approved Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle dealership Midlands Truck and Van has ordered six Dennis Eagle Olympus bodies on MercedesBenz chassis as part of a fiveyear contract hire agreement with independent recycling and waste management specialist Weir Waste.
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Alan Whateley, Truck Sales Executive for Midlands Truck and Van, comments: “Weir Waste specified the vehicles, which include one Olympus 13 and five Olympus 23 bodies. “These are due to be fitted to the chassis at Dennis Eagle’s Warwick site, and we look forward to taking delivery of the finished products.”
Privately-owned waste management company Bell Waste Control is no stranger to Dennis Eagle, having previously purchased second hand vehicles. However, it recently took the decision to buy its first two brand new Dennis Eagle vehicles - 6x2 rear steer Olympus models. Operations Director Steve Kent comments: “As a business, we made the decision to invest in low-entry cabs. Our drivers like the vehicles, and our customers benefit from the reliability they offer.” The new vehicles will each be carrying out commercial waste and recycling collections, serving over 1,000 customers per week in North Lincolnshire.
WASTECYCLE East Midlands resource management and recycling company Wastecycle has ordered a number of new Dennis Eagle bodies, which will form part of its fleet of 10 refuse collection vehicles. The company operates two daily shifts and services a range of accounts, including the University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University, Loughborough University, the University of Leicester, Highcross Shopping Centre and Nottingham City Hospital. It provides coverage throughout the East Midlands, from Retford in the north and Newark in the east, to Derby in the west and Leicester in the south. Wastecycle Commercial Manager Steve Duly comments: “We chose Dennis Eagle based on recommendations from third parties, along with the fact that they were able to meet our delivery timescales. We are looking forward to receiving the vehicles, which will enable us to continue working with our customers to increase recycling rates and decrease carbon emissions”.
TOM WHITE WASTE Midlands-based business Tom White Waste has a multi-million pound portfolio of waste collection vehicles and has recently ordered a new complete vehicle, taking the total number of Dennis Eagle trucks in its fleet to five. The vehicle will be carrying out commercial waste collections, servicing over 500 local businesses in the Coventry and Warwickshire area. Managing Director Ian White comments: “The reliability of the products and the service back-up we receive are major factors behind our decision to choose Dennis Eagle. We are a very ‘hands-on’ business and have continuous feedback from our operators, so ensuring they are happy with the vehicles we buy is very important to us.” 20
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Product News
A BETA SOLUTION Last year represented a record year for Dennis Eagle’s Beta 2 bin lift with over 200 orders secured. Specifically designed to complement the Olympus body range, the versatile design is easily adapted for a variety of bin weighing solutions, including AMCS and VWS, and simply bolts on to the rear of the Olympus tailgate with no need for welding or adaptation. Remaining a firm favourite with the key waste operators and independents, the Beta 2 is up to 30 per cent lighter than most conventional bin lifts due to the fact it does not require an adaptor frame and has a relatively short rear overhang. This results in a reduced elective rear axle load, delivering significant payload advantage. With a lifting capacity of 500kg it can be supplied as a lip lift for wheeled bin operation or with Paladin or DIN arms, and features an automatic two-speed operation for optimum safety. Features and benefits: •
Lip clamp: heavy duty lip clamp designed for industrial use.
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Drop down rave: can be lowered to 120cm for manual loading of large items and up to 140cm for continuous operation.
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Multi-position bump bar: designed to suit a wide range of bins and with skids for roll top container lid opening.
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Paladin arms: in addition to the standard lip clamp, paladin arms can be fitted with automatic bin sensor and clamping.
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COMPANY NEWS
SEAL OF APPROVAL Last year, we launched a new website dedicated to the sale of quality ‘Approved Used’ Dennis Eagle Refuse Collection Vehicles. We caught up with Phil Worthington, General Service Manager (North), to find out how things are progressing: “We have started the new year with a very strong order book and have confirmed sales for 14 vehicles. This includes three units for FCC Environment and two units for Cory Environmental in Cornwall. Following a tremendous first year of trading, which exceeded all expectations, we anticipate the business will double throughout 2015. “Approved Used is clearly a beneficial addition to Dennis Eagle, allowing us to offer a comprehensive package to our expanding customer base. We have the unique advantage in this new sector in that we can track and acquire second hand new stock which is specific to our customer needs. “Typical customers are private waste contractors looking to find their way into the waste collection industry or local authorities seeking to support new initiatives or green waste collection schemes. Customers are finding that they can depend on Dennis Eagle’s support to the same high standard as they would expect when purchasing a new refuse collection vehicle.” Recent stock acquisitions include four 6x4 and 12 4x2 ‘58’ registered wide vehicles, two ‘59’ registered 50/50 Twin Packs and two 6x2 narrow vehicles. All current stock is available to view on www.denniseagleused.co.uk.
STRENGTHENING THE SALES TEAM We are pleased to announce the appointment of Ben Hoadley to the role of Regional Sales Manager. With 16 years’ experience in the municipal vehicles sector, Ben joins us from Scarab Sweepers, where he started out as an apprentice before becoming a Regional Sales Manager in 2009. Ben will be looking after our customers in the south of the UK, with a particular focus on private independent companies. Ben comments: “This is a great opportunity. Dennis Eagle is a respected, well-structured business and I’m excited to be working with new products and new people to support the growth of the company moving forward.” Sales and Marketing Director Richard Taylor adds: “This is an exciting time for Dennis Eagle as we continue to lead innovation and product development. Ben’s experience will be an asset to the company and I would like to wish him every success in his new role.”
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SUPPLY CHAIN
INVESTING IN LOCAL BUSINESS At Dennis Eagle, we are firmly committed to investment in the future of UK manufacturing. As part of this commitment we are keen to support local suppliers, forging mutually beneficial relationships to support business development and boost the regional economy. Goodflex Rubber Co. is one of 13 suppliers based in the Midlands area and currently supplies specialist hoses, mouldings and gaskets in a wide range of rubbers such as Silicone, Nitrile, EPDM, ECO, AEM, etc. We spoke to Sales Manager Mike Crowther to learn more about the company’s relationship with Dennis Eagle: “Goodflex supplies Dennis Eagle with air intake, radiator and charge air hoses and has been working with the company since 2008. “The Goodflex sales team works closely with Dennis Eagle’s design engineers and has recently supported them with prototype designs through to production parts for the new Euro 6 vehicles. Our in-house CAD design team supports the development of new products and production methods to
boost product reliability while offering cost effective solutions. “As an ISO 9001:2008 registered supplier, we have a barcoded quality management system to provide Dennis Eagle with traceability and quality assurance for their parts. This, coupled with our exemplary delivery performance, gives them peace of mind when fitting our products to their vehicles.” Goodflex Managing Director, Mark Dufty, adds: “The business from Dennis Eagle has supported Goodflex, as a 12 year old SME, to develop. As a result, we are currently expanding our production facility by over 50 per cent to increase efficiency and develop our product range further. “The company’s strongest asset, however, is the team. Since we began working with Dennis Eagle in 2008, staff numbers have grown from 10 to fast approaching 30 today and we pride ourselves on the personal service that our customers receive.
“As a UK-based manufacturing business we are proud to be working with other proactive manufacturing companies and I believe Dennis Eagle should be rightfully proud of their investment – not just in British businesses, but in local businesses too.”
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INDUSTRY ISSUES
THE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY NETWORK When it comes to awarding contracts, cost has often been taken at face value. This was particularly evident during the depths of the last recession, with both the public and private sectors under pressure to deliver short-term savings.
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Local employment: providing employment and training opportunities for local people, especially in target areas where unemployment is high.
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Buy Birmingham First: endorsing this principle throughout their supply chains.
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Partners in communities: playing an active role in Birmingham’s neighbourhoods, working with community support organisations, especially in areas of the city in greatest need.
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Good employer: supporting staff development and welfare, adopting the ‘Living Wage’ within their organisation.
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Green and sustainable: protecting the environment and minimising waste and energy consumption while using other resources efficiently.
The Public Services Act is not prescriptive but, despite its introduction and the potential benefits it can offer, a survey conducted by the Social Value Portal in July 2014 highlighted that fewer than 30 per cent of local authorities had a relevant policy in place to guide procurement and contracting teams, with some even being unaware of its existence.
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Ethical procurement: employing the highest ethical standards in their own operations and those within their supply chain (paying their fair share of taxes, not supporting child labour, paying suppliers on time etc.).
The survey also showed that 80 per cent of those who are aware of the Act have asked for additional guidance on measurement, legal issues and procurement advice, with 75 per cent believing that businesses are not yet prepared to respond. However, contrary to this there are positive examples that showcase how the public sector is working alongside suppliers from the private sector to put the Social Value Act into practice.
Over 90 businesses are now accredited as part of the scheme, and we are proud to say that Dennis Eagle (Cert. No. 17) was an early adopter.
However, the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 has challenged this mindset, encouraging a longer-term view and helping to facilitate a more sustainable approach to procurement by ensuring value for money is delivered in the longer term. The legislation, which came into force in January 2013, imposes a duty on all public bodies in England and Wales to consider how the services they commission or procure can be used to improve the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the area, both now and in the future. In turn this means that suppliers also have a duty to demonstrate how they can deliver tangible and lasting benefits when tendering for public service contracts.
Birmingham City Council is a leading example. A pledge in the Leader’s Policy Statement of June 2012 set out to produce the ‘Birmingham Business Charter for Social Responsibility’. This was subsequently drawn up following formal consultation with the business community, and features six main principles for signatories: 24
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As an ethical Midlands-based business committed to the future of UK manufacturing we employ a large number of local people. We invest significantly in their training and development, resulting in a highly skilled workforce that has helped to ensure the continued success of the Dennis Eagle brand in the UK, as well as in the export market. We also work closely with local suppliers, including Redditch-based bin lift manufacturer FAUN Zoeller with whom we have a long-standing relationship. This placed us in a strong position
INDUSTRY ISSUES
when bidding for the contract to supply new vehicles as part of Birmingham City Council’s waste collection modernisation programme. However, we recognised that we needed to offer something different to help the Council improve the local community and embrace the principles that underpin the Charter’s formation.
Initial feedback from the Council and the children who have received the book has been fantastic. We are confident that the implementation of this project will provide tangible results in terms of increased recycling and revenue rates for the city, and have an independent company project managing and auditing its success.
We teamed up with a fellow signatory, Skips Educational (Cert. No. 14) to commission a children’s book designed to teach the benefits of recycling and the positive impact this has on the environment. Skips Educational is a pioneering Birmingham-based company that creates imaginative and innovative books for schools. The content they produce is proven to bridge the gap between home and school through enhanced parental engagement, and they have recently been recommended twice by the Times Educational Supplement as ‘Resource of the Week’, so we felt this was an ideal partnership.
Ultimately we would like every 10-year old in the country to receive one of the ‘Dennis the Dustcart’ books. Although this edition is specifically designed for Birmingham City Council, we can alter the branding of the book to suit any other Council’s vehicle or bin colours.
As a result, we have produced a book featuring ‘Dennis the Dustcart’, a fun character that children can associate with the new vehicles they see on the streets, funding £20,000 of free copies to be donated to schools – enough for every 10-year-old in the city. As well as helping the Council fulfil the obligations of its Charter, we believe this will play a key part in educating the grassroots within the community, ensuring future generations change their views and perceptions of waste and helping to protect the environment for many years to come.
Should you be interested in finding out more, please contact: Lee Rowland, Sales & Marketing Manager (lee.rowland@dennis-eagle.co.uk). www.dennisthedustcart.com
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IN PROFILE
25 NOT OUT! RICHARD CELEBRATES A QUARTER CENTURY Richard Taylor is a huge sports fan, favouring rugby, football and cricket, and lives in Cheltenham Spa with his partner and four children. He joined Dennis Eagle in 1990 as a Management Trainee, leaving after two years to study for a degree in Business Studies and Marketing at the University of the West of England. On graduating with a BA Honours in Business Administration, Richard rejoined as Sales Office Manager and has been with the company ever since. During the past 25 years, Richard has gained indepth knowledge and experience of the worldwide waste management sector as well as every aspect of running Dennis Eagle, which has grown to become a multi-million pound, market-leading vehicle manufacturer belonging to Spanishowned Ros Roca Environment, part of the Ros Roca Group. In 2011, Richard was asked to join the Board of Directors and has since played a pivotal role in developing the business to adapt to the everchanging demands of the waste management industry. We caught up with Richard for a look back over the last 25 years: Q: What made you decide to join Dennis Eagle as a Management Trainee? A: Mainly to get my parents off my back – they wanted me to pay rent! I needed a job, so when an agency phoned me up and told me about the opportunity at Dennis Eagle I decided to attend the interview. I was interviewed by Norman Thoday, the General Sales Manager at the time, and a couple of other people. I had no expectations, but have to admit I was blown away by what I saw – the size and scope 26
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of the manufacturing facility and the fact they manufacture the complete vehicles. The interview went well, and I think the panel must have picked up on my enthusiasm because about an hour after leaving the building I got a call offering me the job. Q: What has been the biggest change you have seen in the industry during your time at Dennis Eagle?
A: The complexity of the tendering process, along with the vehicle specifications. The end product is also now much more complex, as constant new legislation means that there are greater technical requirements and a bigger demand on manufacturers to be compliant. It used to be a simple process. The specifications were crisp and clean, you’d send in a quote if successful an order would follow quickly afterwards. Now customers have procurement teams, rigid processes and legal teams. It used to be that the Transport Manager could make the decision there and then. Q: What has been the highlight of your career to date? A: It was an ambition of mine to be a Director of the company while I was still in my 30s and I managed it at 39 (phew!). I’m proud to work for a successful British manufacturing firm and have a passion for the heritage and achievements of the company. Q: If you were starting out as a Management Trainee again, what advice would you give yourself? A: Sleep on it – respond in the morning!
COMPANY NEWS
ON THE MOVE IN MANCHESTER This year marked the start of a new era for our Manchester Service Centre as it moved into a new site at Ashburton Point, enabling it to deliver enhanced services to customers in the region. Dennis Eagle has been established in the Trafford Park area of Manchester for at least 50 years, originally under the banner of ‘Old Trafford Motor Engineers’. The new 13,000sq ft site is larger and better equipped than the previous facility. It employs 16 members
of staff and is currently looking to recruit an additional two Service Engineers following the move. As well as providing field service support and major repairs, the depot also provides full Repair and Maintenance operations for customers in the Northern Region, including Veolia for which it carries out nearly 400 vehicle services per year. Phil Worthington, General Service Manager (North) for
Dennis Eagle, comments: “Dennis Eagle has an established heritage in this area of Manchester. The new site is less than a mile away from our previous depot, meaning we can stay true to our Trafford Park roots while delivering an even better and more efficient service to our customers.” An official opening and customer reception day is due to take place this spring. For more information, please contact the depot on 0161 8720314.
ELECTRIC DREAMS Never one to rest on his laurels, ex-Dennis Eagle Sales Manager Paul Hobday has launched himself into retirement with the development of a rather special musical project. A keen musician himself, Paul retired from the company in 2014 following 25 years of loyal service. The inspiration behind the project came while Paul was in hospital receiving treatment for cancer and he has spent the months following his retirement turning the dream into reality. Paul comments: “I was in hospital at the same time as Alison, both of us receiving cancer treatment. One day, we talked about our shared love of music - she being a singer and me a guitar player – and
we hatched a plan to make an album together involving as many local musicians as possible. “Planning the project was fun and we really enjoyed bouncing ideas around, texting each other at all hours – it kept our spirits up. Ultimately though, and very sadly, Alison lost her battle with cancer before we could begin the album. For me there was no other option but to set about completing the project as we had planned, and dedicate it to her memory.”
heart of the community and providing a fitting tribute to Alison. To hear tracks from the album please visit: https:// electriclandladyproject. bandcamp.com.
With a team of Alison’s friends, Paul worked to bring the project to fruition and in November 2014 the ‘Electric Landlady’ album was launched, showcasing music from the
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CONTRACT MAINTENANCE
‘DennisConnect’ is a revolutionary new telematics system specifically designed for Dennis Eagle products. Fitted as a standard feature to all new Elite chassis and Olympus bodies, its core purpose is to ensure that your vehicle achieves maximum uptime in the field by remotely monitoring its ‘health’. Should an issue develop, ‘DennisConnect’ will automatically transmit fault codes to our technical support centre, giving the location of the vehicle to enable engineers to respond quickly and efficiently. This allows us to diagnose the fault, and then convert the code into a list of parts that our engineer will need when they repair the vehicle – providing a better first-time fix rate and overall service level to our customers. The ‘DennisConnect’ technology also acts as a
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platform for further optional modules that are designed to increase operational performance, including the ‘Waste Operator Pack’. This includes driver behaviour management, Driver EcoCoaching, waste collection history reporting and live GPS tracking to improve driver performance. It also enables hydraulic pressures to be remotely set depending on the material type and round activity. Geoff Rigg, Aftermarket Director for Dennis Eagle, comments: “We are continually seeking ways to improve the service we deliver to our customers. DennisConnect is designed to meet the demands of modern fleet management and we are confident that it will deliver tangible benefits, reducing vehicle downtime and keeping fleets running as efficiently as possible.”
KEY FEATURES AND BENEFITS •
Remote diagnostics for chassis, drivetrain and body increases first-time fix rates - limiting downtime and damage to the vehicle.
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Real-time vehicle tracking allows Dennis Eagle to allocate the closest engineer with the most suitable skills for repair.
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Dennis Eagle can identify defect trends and introduce preventive maintenance programmes.
• Smarter service and maintenance scheduling for chassis and body. •
Real-time alerts by email or text, including engine overheating, low oil levels and other key distress measures.
LEGISLATION
LANE DEPARTURE WARNING AND ADVANCED EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM Improving the safety of our vehicles and ensuring they comply with the very latest legislative requirements is an important priority for Dennis Eagle, which is why we’ve spent the last 18 months developing Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS) technology. LDW and AEBS will be a mandatory requirement on all vehicles registered from 1 November 2015. However, these features will be available as standard on all Dennis Eagle vehicles built from August, enabling customers to stay one step ahead of changing legislation. Using camera and radar technology, the systems help monitor and regulate the trajectory and speed of the vehicle under certain
conditions. Using optical sensors that distinguish between black and white, the camera is able to detect road markings. If a vehicle moves over a white line above a certain speed and the indicator has not been activated the driver will be alerted by an in-cab warning sound. This is designed to stop vehicles straying across lanes unintentionally, helping to improve safety for other road users and cyclists. In conjunction with the camera, the technology also incorporates a radar system. This is designed to detect objects in the road ahead and ensure a safe distance is maintained at all times.
If the vehicle gets too close to an object in front and the driver doesn’t apply the brakes or turn in order to avoid it, the AEBS will automatically be activated, helping to slow the vehicle down to a safe speed and mitigate the risk of a collision. Keith Day, Engineering Director at Dennis Eagle, comments: “We have worked in close partnership with Volvo Group and Knorr Bremse throughout the development process, resulting in a system that integrates fully with the engine, brakes and instrument cluster of our vehicles to deliver enhanced safety for drivers, crews and other road users.”
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COMPANY NEWS
BUDDING ARTISTS SUPPORT NEW RECYCLING SERVICE Budding artists in Hemel Hempstead have put pens to paper as part of a competition to design a vehicle billboard to support the launch of Dacorum Borough Council’s new recycling service. The judges were looking for designs that promoted the benefits of recycling and explained the service changes, which involved a move to weekly food waste collections and alternate fortnightly mixed recycling and household refuse collections. The new ‘Recycle for Dacorum’ service was launched in November 2014 and was supported by the introduction of 13 new Dennis Eagle Olympus Twin Packs, along with an additional 4x2 Elite chassis. Over 300 residents and school children entered the competition and five winning designs were selected for use on the sides of the new vehicles. Dennis Eagle also supplied two iPad minis for the top entrants and £100 to the winning school. Councillor Julie Laws, Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services and Sustainability, comments: “The launch of the service has been a huge success, and the competition and billboards have really helped to raise awareness among residents. Due to the new Olympus Twin Pack vehicles we are able to offer a one-pass collection system, enabling us to tackle waste and improve recycling rates.”
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MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE Nine-year-old William Bateman is so fascinated by refuse collection vehicles that he once purchased one on eBay using his mother’s account, so when we invited him to visit our Warwick site it was an offer he simply couldn’t refuse! William, who dreams of becoming a Recycling Plant Manager, attracted national media attention when he bid £3,500 for the vehicle. His parents managed to persuade eBay to scrap the deal but, despite this, refuse collection remains a subject close to William’s heart. During his visit William was given the opportunity to help on the chassis line. He also enjoyed a ride in one of our vehicles, as well as a surprise appearance by ‘Burt the Binman’, star of a book written by his mother Fleur. Regional Sales Manager Bob Tottey comments: “It was great to welcome William to our headquarters. He took a keen interest in the vehicles and I have no doubt he has a bright future ahead of him in the waste and recycling world”.
THANK YOU FOR READING! IF YOU HAVE ANY FEEDBACK ON THE ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE, OR SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE EDITIONS, PLEASE EMAIL ContaCt.uS@DEnniS-EaglE.Co.uk ALTERNATIVELY, JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON OUR TWITTER PAGE @DEnniS_EaglE
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Dennis Eagle ltd. Heathcote Way Heathcote industrial Estate Warwick, Warwickshire CV34 6TE
T: +44(0)1926 458500 E: contact.us@dennis-eagle.co.uk twitter: @Dennis_Eagle www.dennis-eagle.co.uk