Fleet Transport May 201818 webfull

IRELAND'S LEADING COMMERCIAL VEHICLE MAGAZINE Inside!

GROUP CAB TEST

REPORTS

- Seventh Heaven!

AGM & Conference

INTERVIEW: TV personality Guy Martin

FIRST DRIVE: New Generation Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MAY 18

PROFILE: Irish School of Motoring UPDATE: Volvo Trucks on a charge!

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Contents MAY 18

Fleet Transport Magazine, D’Alton Street, Claremorris, Co. Mayo, Ireland. F12 E7P2 Tel: +353 (0)94 9372819/ 9372826 Fax: +353 (0)94 9373571 Email: enquiries@fleet.ie

4 News • Volkswagen Truck & Bus partners with Hino Motors • Significant investment for Vauxhall’s Luton plant • Wheels turn in with IEA GDP Passport • Introducing Circle K at a Service Station nearby • Appointments at FTAI & Renault Trucks • Tyre care is essential and life saving

32 Fuel Prices Worldwide costings for the IRU

8 Interview With Guy Martin - TV & Motorbike Star

38 Report Speeches and pictures from the 45th IRHA AGM & Conference

Subscription Hotline: 094 93 72827 Editor: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie Contributors: Sean Murtagh, Paul White, Cathal Doyle, Jonathan Lawton, Donal Dempsey, Howard Knott, Jerry Kiersey, HSA, Dr. Betty Maguire, Rob Van Dieten, Commercial Motor, Eamon Murtagh Photography: Jarlath Sweeney, Paul White, Cathal Doyle, Rob Van Dieten, Howard Knott, Newspress, GEM, Tom Lee, Paul Sherwood Administration: Denise Owens, Paula Mullarkey Email: enquiries@fleet.ie Advertising: Mary Morrissey - mary@fleet.ie Sponsorship/Events: Orla Sweeney - orla@fleet.ie Design: Eamonn Wynne Printed in Ireland

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

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

10 Update Latest from Volvo Trucks - on and off-track!

Fleet Transport Official Irish Jury Member of the International Truck of the Year Award

Official Irish jury member of the International Forklift Truck Award follow us on twitter.com/fleettransport

34 Review II FPS Expo 2018, ExCel, Liverpool 36 First Drive Third Generation Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

42 Legal Drugs Policy anyone?

12 New Fleet Proud new Renault, DAF & Mercedes-Benz owners

43 Finance Tyre maintenance

14 Comparision Truck Cab Test x 7

44 Opinion Viewpoint from IRHA AGM

18 Fleeting Shots Featuring Circus trucks, MXGP racing and VWCV Production

45 Comment Export industry evolving

20 Profile Irish School of Motoring

48 Shipping & Freight Developments at Ports and event happenings

22 Health Matters Flu Vaccine

50 Times Past Display at Scania’s HQ in Södertälje

23 Safety Matters HSA Transport Safety Seminars

52 Preview Tip-ex & Tank-ex 2018, Harrogate, UK

24 Data Protection GDPR is here and now!

54 Soapbox Deviating from the norms

26 Review I CV Show 2018, NEC, Birmingham

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Disclaimer: Fleet Transport Magazine management can accept no responsibility for the accuracy of contributed articles or statements appearing in this magazine and any views or opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Fleet Transport management, save where otherwise indicated. No responsibility for loss or distress occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of the material in this publication can be accepted by the authors, contributors, Editors or publishers.

The Editor reserves the right to make publishing decisions on any advertisements or editorial article submitted to the magazine and to refuse publication or to edit any editorial material as seems appropriate to him. Professional legal advice should always be sought in relation to any specific matter.

www.fleet.ie | 3

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Transport Barometer: Data from 17/03/2018 - 15/04/2018

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TimoCom at Multimodal 2018 From 1-3 May, 2018, TimoCom representatives Maria Toft Madsen, Country Manager, Mikael Andersson, Account Manager, and attending for the first time this year, Carmelia Petrowski, Sales Manager, were on location at the NEC, Birmingham for Multimodal 2018.

The trio were happy to greet visitors at stand 4025 in hall 4, where they particularly focused on assigning transport orders digitally. Why? Because it makes international road transport operations work more efficient, more secure and more agile! Of course, they also were pleased to answer questions and provide tips on any other issues relating to digital transport transactions.

4 | NEWS 1

Volkswagen Truck & Bus and Hino Motors enter strategic partnership

T

welve years ago, Hino Motors, Ltd. signed a strategic partnership with Scania which led to the Swedish brand’s trucks being sold in Japan, wearing dual badging from both marques.

Last month that business relationship was strengthened as Scania’s parent, Volkswagen Truck & Bus GmbH signed a broader agreement with Toyota-owned Hino Motors, aiming to build a mutually beneficial strategic long-term partnership on many levels.

A joint statement said that based on their common ideas, both companies will further explore each other’s capabilities to cooperate in logistics and traffic solution research, using existing and new technologies as well as co-operating in procurement. The evaluation of technology cooperation will focus on conventional powertrains, hybrid and electric powertrains, as well as connectivity and autonomous driving systems. Both partners aim to enhance their respective market positions in the global transportation business, and will jointly develop innovative technologies to offer customers the highest value.

Commenting on the alliance, Yoshio Shimo, President & CEO of Hino Motors, Ltd., said: “Th is agreement was made possible because Hino Motors and Volkswagen Truck & Bus respect each other and share the same aspiration to offer customers the

highest value. Hino Motors invented the company slogan ‘Trucks and Buses that do more’. To do justice to that, Hino Motors will pursue regional business cooperation and joint utilization of technologies with Volkswagen Truck & Bus to offer customers better products and ultimately customized total support. It will also be a strong tie-up at times of new challenges in the field of transportation due to the rapid growth of e-commerce.”

Andreas Renschler, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG and CEO

of Volkswagen Truck & Bus, (pictured with Mr. Shimo) said: “We are delighted to enter into the agreement with Hino Motors as we are teaming up with one of the leading truck and bus companies, whose presence is especially strong in Asia. It is an excellent fit in terms of regional footprints and products, but also concerning common ideas on how to shape the future of transportation together.

The cooperation with Hino Motors will also contribute to our strategy to become Global Champion in the transportation industry by providing the highest value to our customers.”

New van production welcomed at Vauxhall Luton

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he leader of Unite, the UK’s biggest union, has hailed the proposed investment into Group PSA’s Luton van plant as a ‘deserving tribute to a dedicated workforce’.

Speaking at the Vauxhall Luton van plant, where French owners PSA announced that there would be investment of £170 million to bring a new model to the UK and create 450 new jobs, Unite’s General Secretary Len McCluskey said: “It is great news that this new product should see van production at Luton for the next ten years to come.

“This is a very welcome investment in Luton by PSA, and a deserving tribute to a dedicated workforce. It will steady nerves at the plant after years of uncertainty.”

FLEETTRANSPORT | MAY 18

“However, I do want to raise one matter with Carlos Tavares, Group PSA’s CEO directly. The investment into Luton is very welcome, but we do expect to hear of similar plans for Ellesmere Port, where the workforce has been just as loyal and is just as deserving of a secure future but continues to live with a cloud hanging over it.

“Vauxhall is a highly regarded brand with over a century of motor manufacturing with a strong and loyal customer following. Add to this the excellent productivity at our plants and the case for PSA to build a long-term home in the UK is a compelling one. I look forward to sitt ing down with Mr. Tavares very soon to bring good news to Ellesmere Port too.”

NEWS II | 5

Wheels Platinum awarded Irish Exporters GDP Passport accreditation

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ictured accepting the Life Sciences International’s GDP Passport award at W heels Platinum’s Dublin HQ from Fiona Luciani, Training Division Manager at the Irish Exporters Association (IEA) division were Joe Brannick, Director at Wheels We Deliver, and Michelle Chaney, General Manager at Wheels Platinum.

The GDP Passport, a training initiative by the IEA is the first of its kind and ensures patient safety by compliance throughout all stages of the supply chain which safeguards the quality of medicinal products. Manufacturers can now ensure that pharmaceutical and medical devices/products are transported, stored and handled according to GDP regulations and guidelines by dealing with GDP Passport

holders only. The GDP Passport involves training all levels of personnel involved in the supply chain. The key to success is the full suite of standardised and certified training which is to be undertaken by all those engaged either directly by the manufacturer or indirectly by the service provider in distribution activities.

On receiving the GDP accreditation, Michelle Chaney, General Manager, Wheels Platinum, stated: “We at Wheels Platinum are committed to providing our customers with the highest levels of personalised Service. Having the GDP Passport ensures that we are dedicated to providing our customers with a service that is compliant and safe. Patient safety is paramount whilst working with life sciences and working with

the Irish Exporters Association to achieve our GDP Passport will allow us to provide the professional, safe and compliant service that our customers deserve.”

From Shell to Topaz and now to Circle K

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ew Topaz owners - the Canadian convenience store group Alimentation Couche-Tard (ACT), is to rebrand all of its service stations in Ireland to Circle K. Over the next 18 to 24 months, over 420 service stations will be rebranded with all Topaz canopies changing to Circle K. The Re.Store brand will be replaced, however the existing and renowned food offering will remain. Circle K will look to further enhance its existing range with some exciting announcements in the coming year.

At the official launch at Dublin’s Convention Centre significant investment was announced with job creation in the Irish market. The global fuel and convenience retail giant is set to invest €55million over the next two years in addition to creating 240 new jobs.

€35million of the investment is going towards the development of four new Circle K Ireland sites. These include two new sites in County Kildare as well as sites in Gorey in County Wexford and Athlone in County Westmeath.

The investment in these new sites and the completion of recent newly developed sites at City North beside the M1 in Dublin, and Junction 14 on the M8 in Fermoy will create a total of 240 new jobs. €20million is being invested in the physical rebrand of all Circle K sites and fuel distribution vehicles, as well as in-store renovations across the network and all marketing activity.

Commenting on the development Jacob Schram, Group President of European Operations at Circle K said: “We have always

been deeply interested in Ireland and for years we watched the growth and success of Topaz from afar. To stand alongside our new partners in Ireland and formally introduce the Circle K brand is very satisfying and is testament to the hard work of many people both here and in the wider Circle K organisation.”

“Ireland is at the cutting edge of forecourt and convenience retailing and we have big plans to build on the established position of the business in Ireland and bring our own global insights to the fore for the benefit of Irish consumers.”

“Circle K is committed to the Irish market which is why we have invested so heavily in its development to date and will continue to do for many years to come.”

www.fleet.ie

6 | NEWS III

Tyre-related deaths and injuries preventable

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lmost three quarters of UK motorway incidents related to tyre failure could be prevented if drivers carry out simple checks, according to new research unveiled at the CV Show by Highways England and tyre company Bridgestone.

More than 30 people were killed or seriously injured in motorway accidents in 2016 due to illegal or faulty tyres.

The 18-month study revealed that commuters, commercial drivers and other road users can do a lot more to help reduce accidents through regular checking.

“England’s motorways are the safest in the world but we’re determined to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on them. Th is important research confi rms our view that road users must play a bigger role and get into the habit of checking tyre pressures and tread depths and looking out for nails and other debris stuck in tyres before sett ing out on journeys. These simple checks could save lives,” explained Richard Leonard, Highways England’s head of road safety.

During the project, staff working for Highways England at depots across the West Midlands provided more than 1,000 pieces of tyre debris from motorways to a technical engineering team from Bridgestone to analyse. The fi ndings from 1035 tyre segments retrieved from the M1, M6, M40, M5 and M42 revealed: • 56% of tyres failed due to road/yard debris penetration • 18% failed due to poor inflation • 8% failed due to poor vehicle maintenance • 1% of tyres failed due to manufacturing defects • 1% of tyres failed due to excessive heat • 16% of the tyres couldn’t be specified to one particular problem The tyre debris was taken from cars, vans, commercial vehicles and motorbikes, with under-inflation of tyres a key theme, along with poor vehicle maintenance, both of which accounted for 26% of the entire sample.

Further details on www.fleet.ie

FTAI appoints new Business Service Manager

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he Freight Transport Association Ireland (FTAI) has appointed Jerry Meredith as its new Business Service Manager.

“We are delighted to welcome someone of Jerry’s calibre to the FTAI team, since he brings a wealth of business experience and knowledge to our operation.

His experience working in education and apprenticeships will be hugely beneficial to the Logistics Apprenticeship Alliance, of which FTAI is an integral member, and I am certain that he will help us drive awareness and knowledge of the need for vocational training to benefit the entire sector in the coming months,” said Aidan Flynn, General Manager, FTAI. “FTAI has built a reputation for excellence across the industry,” commented Gerry, “and I am looking forward to spreading the word about the Association’s benefits, driving up the membership base and introducing its professional advice and services to those across the country looking to improve their business operations. Logistics is a key sector if the nation’s economy is to continue to grow and prosper, and I couldn’t join them at a more exciting time, with Brexit and the opportunities it offers just around the corner.”

Network Truck & LCV Director appointed at Renault Trucks

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enault Trucks has announced the appointment of Gareth Lumsdaine to the role of Network Truck and LCV Director for the UK & Ireland.

Reporting to Nigel Butler, Renault Trucks’ Commercial Director, Gareth’s brief is to drive retail volume through the Renault Trucks dealer network to contribute to the overall growth strategy of the business.

Commenting on the new appointment, Nigel Butler, said: “Gareth brings with him a wealth of experience in brand repositioning, competence development and proven retail sales growth. We have ambitious targets for growth that we will deliver by enhancing the value that we offer to our customers in a challenging and changing market; Gareth has an impressive track record and we are delighted to have him on board.”

On joining Renault Trucks, Gareth Lumsdaine added: “I am looking forward to taking on new challenges, maximising on the exciting opportunities provided by the Renault Trucks robust and efficient product range to deliver increased volume through a more profitable dealer network, today and for the future.”

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8 | INTERVIEW

One-to-One

Prix. In a world where a split second mistake could cost points, let alone a race win, Guy was tasked with removing the left-rear wheel in the race, but what did he think of the pressure?

“I was alright really, I knew what I had to do, and it was bloody great. The work those boys put in behind the scenes and the hours, fair play to them.”

with Guy Martin, The right guy for the Morris Lubricants job!

When it comes to motoring, working on trucks and motorbikes gives Guy a great view of the different technologies, but what’s his favourite?

“All sorts really,” he said. “Trucks are interesting as the technology is way ahead of cars in some ways, I like building my own cars and bikes my way, as conventional stuff, especially in bikes, hasn’t changed much.”

O

ne minute he may be under a truck, the next, racing around a road circuit on a superbike or taking part in another challenge for TV. Now however, Guy Martin is about to take on a new challenge as brand ambassador for Morris Lubricants, putting his talents to work promoting both the company and its products.

Despite being a big media personality, you’ll always find Guy getting covered in grease and oil underneath a truck. “I got interested in fi xing engines as a two-year-old, or maybe younger as I was in a nappy,” he said. “I used to sit on the workbench and watch my dad spannering something.”

“Fixing trucks is a proper job, and I get satisfaction from working on something that is part of everyday life. If everything else I’m doing goes away, then I can still fi x trucks, and I like the way I can control that.”

Fame isn’t changing Of course, Guy is in the public eye for more than just his abilities with a spanner, but having always maintained that he’d never give up his day job, it’s more the opportunities his life in the public eye offers rather than the fame that he enjoys.

“I get a lot of attention if I go to certain places and events, so I try to avoid them. I didn’t want to be famous, but the opportunities I’ve had to do all this mad stuff has been great and I’m lucky to have the support,” he said. But what keeps him rooted? “The truck job keeps my head away from my own arse!”

He does accept how things have changed, however; “I can’t even pop to the shops for a bottle of milk without being recognised, but folk mean well and are always friendly.”

Despite not looking for the fame, Guy was thrust into the spotlight after being approached while taking part in the Isle of Man TT races in 2009. “A new lot called North One Television FLEETTRANSPORT | MAY 18

came in to cover the racing,” he remembered.

“Like other riders, they’d filmed with me before the racing and then some more at the TT itself. One of the Producer bods called Andy Spellman said he reckoned I could do more than talk about bikes, and he came and saw me after the TT, and we got a plan with Neil [Duncanson], the boss at North One TV. I didn’t think anything would come of it, but in 2010 we started making ‘The Boat That Guy Built’ series for the BBC. Spellman and Neil have been working with me since.”

The TT may be where it all started for Guy regarding his television career, though he had been competing at the famous road race since 2004. But what led him to the world of bike racing?

“I crashed my Kawasaki AR50 (I’d bored it out), on the road one year, and thought I’d better get on the track before I ended up really hurting myself!”

New adventures On TV, Guy has done everything from building boats to exploring China, but his best adventures have also been his most competitive and challenging. “Racing at Pikes Peak was the best thing ever,” he claimed. “Doing the Wall of Death, and going up against David Coulthard in his F1 car were also brilliant too. But The Tour Divide [an 18-day mountain bike trail across America] was probably the best thing I’ve ever done. I know how lucky I am to be doing these things!”

As for his favourite vehicle of all time? Again, Guy is down to earth: “Britten motorbike is up there, my Volvo Amazon is spot on, but you can’t beat a Tranny [Ford Transit] van,” he comments.

But there is one mode of ‘transport’ Guy owns which can be described as an indulgence. A Rolls Royce Merlin engine, which was once found in the Spitfire and Lancaster Bombers of the Second World War. “I’m from Lincolnshire, RAF Scampton, Waddington, Conigsby are all close by, and the RA F has always been part of where I grew up,” he explains. “I’ve always been fascinated by the Merlin engine and Spitfire; I was named after the fighter pilot Guy Gibson.

“So I found one that was on a trailer, with a full-size propeller, controls and a seat. It didn’t need any work, and it’s bloody amazing. I had it at work for a while and used to fire it up sometimes.”

Working with Morris Lubricants is a new opportunity for Guy. “I like the fact they have a range of everything you could need. They sent me a load of samples, and I didn’t know how many products they had and it’s all good stuff.

Whether it’s on the trucks, cars or bikes, even my tractor, the quality is spot on.”

With the oil and lubricant company’s exploits across motorsport sponsorship, including in truck racing, would that be another adventure Guy would like to take on? “Never say never, I’ve raced a lot of interesting cars and bikes so maybe,” he concluded.

Perhaps one of his most ‘pressured’ tasks was taking part in a Formula 1 pit stop with the Williams team at the 2017 Belgian Grand Text: Rob Van Dieten - rob@fleet.ie

10 | UPDATE

Volvo Trucks – Racing Ahead!

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n welcoming press delegates to the headquarters of McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, Surrey, Mike Corcoran, Commercial Director of Volvo Trucks, UK & Ireland outlined another great year recorded by Volvo Trucks in the UK & Ireland. “In 2017 we are continuing to grow sales invoicing to just short of 7,000 units, which means in the five year rolling period from 2013 to 2017, we have invoiced well over 30,000 vehicles. During 2017, we achieved 28.5% market share in Ireland (up nearly 6%) and giving us a number one position in heavy duty trucks, edging out the number two (Scania) by just seven units, according to our records. 2017 saw an increase in our orders, invoices and registrations for the third consecutive year which was great to see. We have had a large focus on improving our rigid sales in recent years …. this has shown in increased orders for the last few years and we are seeing that come through in our market share.”

Regarding Used Volvo Truck product, sales continue to be buoyant on both sides of the Irish Sea. Mike mentioned a fleet of rather special trucks coming into the marketplace – top spec, silver Volvo FH.540s with low mileage being replaced at McLaren to a series of 2018 reg units. Already, even

before going on sale officially, over half of the 24 Globetrotter XL tractor-units have been sold.

Regarding the Volvo Truck Dealer Network, which Mike described “as one of the strongest and most valuable assets of our brand,” he commended privately owned dealers such as Irish Commercials, which has opened a new premise in Santry, Dublin.

“From a product point of view, we continue to promote a well-established product range which from 10 tonnes right up to 150 tonnes can provide a bespoke transport solution for just about every application within that weight range.”

He gave special mention to the FH 540 model with the latest dynamic steering and dual clutch systems. “The benefits of lighter steering and improvement in hill climbing and/or journey times are helping to establish these options in the marketplace and those who have experienced the benefits of dual clutch are now taking it on board as part of their replacement programme.”

“In terms of driving progress in transmission design, autumn 2017 saw the last manual gearboxes being produced for the European market in our heavy range. So, 50 years on

from giving the market the modernity of the 4 over 4 synchromesh gearboxes, we have completely redefi ned truck transmissions again with a complete offer of two pedal systems including – I-Shift, I-Shift Dual Clutch and I-Shift crawler gears, and upgrades in soft ware such as I-See map.

Th is year we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the FH with a special edition available for deliveries towards end of September.”

As well as exhibiting various events and shows, Volvo Trucks will continue to develop its partnership with McLaren Formula One, together with local involvement with the ongoing Volvo Ocean Race, which has a stopover in Cardiff in June.

Volvo Trucks plugs-in to zero emission delivery with FE Electric

H

aving gained vast experience in developing electric driven buses within the Volvo Group, its truck division has joined the zero emission campaign in the urban distribution environment with the introduction of the Volvo FE Electric.

From mid-April, two examples entered operation with Volvo Truck customers Renova and TGM in Gothenburg (the headquarters of Volvo Trucks) with series production and sales beginning across Europe from 2019. “We are immensely proud to present the fi rst in a range of fully electrically-powered Volvo trucks ready for regular traffic. With this model we are making it possible for cities that aim for sustainable urban development to benefit from the advantages of electrified truck transports,” said Claes Nilsson, President Volvo Trucks.

FLEETTRANSPORT | MAY 18

Volvo Group’s expertise in electrified transport is well known as Volvo Bus has sold more than 4,000 diesel/electric hybrid or fully electric buses across the world since 2010. With 2,000 units in operation in the UK alone from the outset, the technology used for propulsion and energy storage in the new Volvo FL Electric has been thoroughly tried and tested.

“From experience we know how important it is that cities, energy suppliers and vehicle manufacturers co-operate in order for large scale electrification to become a reality. With att ractive incentives, agreed standards and a long term strategy for urban planning and expansion of the charging infrastructure, the process can go much faster,” explained Jonas Odermalm, Head of Product Strategy Volvo FL and Volvo FE at Volvo Trucks.

Specification of Volvo FL Electric in brief; • 16 tonne GVW fully electric powered truck for urban distribution/refuse collection • 185 kW electric motor/130 kW (177hp) 425 Nm • 2-6 lithium batteries, totalling 100300 kWh • Range: Up to 300 kilometres • Charging time: Fast 1-2 hours/ overnight 10 hours/AC & DC charging capability Text: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

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12 | NEW FLEET

Flagship heavy-haul Renault for John O’Neill

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ohn O Neill Heavy Haulage, based in Brittas, County Dublin has added this iconic Renault Trucks’ C520 8x4 tractor-unit to its already impressive fleet.

Th is highly specified double-drive comes fitted with a 100-tonne Palfi nger crane and will operate on a range of projects including construction and windmills, among others.

The vehicle was sold by Renault Trucks’ dealer Setanta Vehicle Sales (Dublin) and is the second C520 8x4 tractor purchased by John O Neill, the previous one being in 2016.

Recent new deals conducted by DAF Trucks Ireland New DAF CF Construction for David O’Neill Woodchip

Two Top DAF Used trucks for N&C Enterprises Ltd

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F

ic t u r e d a t DAF Trucks Ireland's HQ , in Baldonnell, Dublin, is salesperson John McCann presenting the keys of a new DAF CF.400 8x4 (FAD) Construction to David O’Neill, owner-operator of David O’Neill Woodchip (Wicklow). The new 8x4 features an insulated steel tipping body, supplied by Keltruck Bodies (Carlow).

Special new DAF XF for Zeelantic Transport

Z

eelantic Transpor t Limited, which specialises in high volume international transport has purchased this new DAF XF.480 Low Deck with Super Space Cab and 12-speed ZF TraXon automated gearbox from John McCann,

leet Transport Award winning N&C Enterprises, based at Kilmeage, Count y K ildare has purchased two prime examples from DAF’s Quality Used Tr u c k s programme. The pair of mid-2014 registered DAF CF.460 (FTG) 6x2 tractor-units featuring the company’s new livery are pictured alongside Seamus Sheridan, N&C Enterprises; John McCann, DAF Trucks Ireland and Michael Gavin, MD, N&C Enterprises.

DAF Trucks Ireland, pictured here with Niall Dowd from Zeelantic Transport at the handover. Its specification features air-suspended cab, luxury air suspended seats for driver and co-driver, rear air suspension, skylights, refrigerator, DAF Night Lock to mention a few!

Trio of Mercedes-Benz Actros for Fleetplan

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leetplan Hire Limited, the prominent Dublin-based van, truck rental and contract hire company has boosted its Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle offering with the recent addition of three new Actros 1845LS 2.5 Big Space tractor-units.

Now in operation by Fleetplan’s customers, the introduction of the new units brings high levels of additional driver comfort, safety and design features to the fi rm’s truck fleet that Managing Director, Jarlath Kelly describes: “Reaches new heights in terms of luxury and operational appeal.”

Included amongst the many features of the new Actros trucks are flat floor, air suspended cab, full factory paint, long-haul fuel tank capacity, air conditioning, night heater, fridge, twin bunks, FLEETTRANSPORT | MAY 18

FleetBoard telematics, high performance engine brake and Predictive Powertrain Control.

Text: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

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Company Address: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Telephone: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mobile: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Email: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Website: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. of Vehicles: . . . . . . .

Category Entering - please tick boxes National Haulier of the Year International Haulier of the Year Own Account Transport Operator of the Year Owner Driver Haulier of the Year Regional Transport Operator of the Year Best Van Fleet Award Best Livery Award Best Safety Practice Award

Innovation Award Environment Award Fleet/Transport Manager of the Year Women in Transport Award Excellence in Warehousing & Product Handling Customer Service Excellence Award Technician of the Year Best On-Line Transport Company Award Services to the Transport Industry

‘I have read and understood the terms and conditions of entering the Fleet Transport Awards 2019’.

Signature: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Please send completed Entry Form plus additional material by Friday 29 June 2018 to Competition Secretary, Fleet Transport Awards 2019, D’Alton Street, Claremorris, County Mayo. Alternatively it is much simpler and quicker to enter online at www.fleettransportawards.com Tel: 094 93 72819 Email: awards@fleet.ie

14 | COMPARISON

Group Cab Test - Sleep Over

T

he moder n d r iver ’s expectations of in-cab comforts have increased, and they are no longer willing to accept a low roof cramped cab for even daily use. With that in mind Fleet Transport was invited by Road Transport Media to join a cab test at the UK’s Motor Industry Research Authority’s (MIRA)

DAF XF Super Space Cab

Proving Ground near Birmingham. The test involved spending the day assessing each unit and then sleeping overnight to get the full experience - after which we then chose a winner based on the merits and flaws of each of the seven entrants.

The trucks tested were DAF XF, Iveco Stralis, MAN TGX, Mercedes-Benz Actros,

Renault Range T, Scania R Series, and Volvo’s FH. All the trucks were measured against a standard set of criteria and were tested by experienced drivers and journalists who are familiar with nights out and incab living - so this was far from a novel experience. Following the assessments, the score sheets were totalled independently and a winner crowned.

As the name suggests, DAF Trucks Super Space Cab was designed to provide drivers with space. Gaining access to that space is adequate, although the door doesn’t open fully to 90 degrees.

The seats and steering column do move, allowing good access to an interior with a quality fi nish.

The manufacturers were asked to provide a regular high-cabbed fleet spec truck, so this Super Space Cab was somewhat over-specified. Nevertheless, while the big DAF has a cavernous interior, much of that space is high in the roof and not readily accessible.

Internal storage consists of three generous overhead lockers, with access to the external stowage areas from inside the cab. Under the bunk there is a fridge, and a sturdy table pulls out from the centre console, just above a useful oddments tray.

Increasingly important are a sufficient number of USB/power points, and here the XF meets the needs of most drivers. Equally important issues are

also considered with practical bott le and cup holders.

A night in the XF is an agreeable experience enhanced by good interior lighting options and easy to close curtains that prevent exterior light intruding.

Another appealing aspect of sleeping in a DAF is ‘DAF’s Night Lock’ which independently secures both doors.

From the bunk there are night time controls for lights, roof hatch, and a night heater which was not the quietest, though it did keep a comfortable temperature throughout the night. DAF’s XF remains a driver’s favourite, and lest we forget, the latest CF and XF models are the reigning International Truck of the Year 2018 title holders.

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COMPARISON | 15

Iveco Stralis AS Hi-Way

Iveco’s styling gives Stralis a businesslike appearance, and once inside, we’re reminded that this truck is deceptively spacious. The truck is the widest of the entrants, and Iveco makes good use of its superior dimensions. An internal height of 1930 mm allows the majority of drivers ample room to stand upright, and while the floor is not flat the engine hump does not impede movement. It is readily accepted that many drivers prefer a slight ridge on the floor to prevent dirt and dust from being blown about the cab.

Just below the three overhead lockers there are two recessed parcel shelves.

Additional storage is available under the bunk and the lockers are accessible externally. Also, under the bunk there is a decent sized fridge, beside which there is a bott le holder and an oddment bin.

Stralis comes with some nice touches such as a credit card holder, though some extra thought could be given to a suitable table for dining or using a laptop/TV.

MAN TGX XLX

Interior lighting is decent with additional controls at one end of the bunk. Privacy is provided courtesy of an electric blind covering the windscreen and curtains for the side windows. With litt le noise intruding from outside, a good night’s sleep was had on a matt ress that might be described as fi rm. Cab temperature was not an issue on what was a very cold night, and the cab remained comfortably warm.

Operating as a long-haul or fleet spec tractor, Stralis performs well in catering to the driver’s needs, and with a high level of trim as standard is a well-considered choice.

MAN’s original TGX was a leap forward in cab and driver comfort. Since then TGX has remained for the most part largely untouched - a testament to good design.

Access to the TGX cab is excellent, thanks to the wide door opening, well placed grabhandles, and broad top step. Cross cab movement is easy despite the housing for the gear selector and parking brake being floor mounted.

Although the MAN came with the lowest internal height, there was only a marginal difference of 220 mm between the lowest and highest cabs. Similar to most of the trucks the TGX comes with three overhead lockers. Below them are two shelves big enough for an A4 folder.

Further down into the cab the dash is well laid out and we have always liked MAN’s idea of clustering the switch gear on one panel. To the left there are two wide pull out drawers and an additional oddments tray, which combine to provide ample storage.

Under the bunk there is a sizeable fridge which doubles as a dining/work table and includes a footstep to access the top bunk. The bunk was judged to be a good compromise and the tester recorded a good night’s sleep. Getting to bed was trouble free and the curtains worked as they should, as did the night heater.

On the recently facelifted version MAN revised the interior’s trim colours, moving from a black/grey to a more restful beige.

This did revive the inside ambience and creates a more relaxing environment for resting drivers. TGX does score high on practicality and comfort and should work well for drivers.

www.fleet.ie

16 | COMPARISON

Mercedes-Benz Actros L Big Space

Once inside the Mercedes-Benz Actros there is an instant feeling of roominess.

The work and rest areas of the ‘StyleLine’ test truck are defi ned by a dark grey and soothing beige colour scheme.

Having an internal height of 1950 mm and a fully flat floor allows drivers to make best use of the available space. For storage, Actros has three generously sized overhead lockers, one being lockable, below which are two shelves. Lower down the dash are 12 and 24V power points, and appropriate space for pens, papers and cup holders.

There are two large bins accessed by lift ing the bunk, or from outside. Also, under the bunk are two deep roll out drawers, one of which houses a fridge.

These drawers double as a work space or dining table, with additional storage moulded into the cab’s side panels.

back wall housed controls for radio, roof hatch, interior lights and the night-heater which performed well throughout the night. There was a small parting between the cab-wall and curtains, and another slight issue with the reading light in the bunk. However, the option of soft blue interior lighting does set a relaxed atmosphere.

Since the launch of Actros in 2011, other manufacturers have revealed new or revamped models. Yet Actros remains a benchmark for so many aspects of cab design.

While any mattress is a matter of personal choice, we found Actros managed to strike the right balance. The matt ress quality is good plus the bed has an adjustable backrest. A small panel on the

Renault Trucks Range T 520.26

Range T’s internal height was smaller than the other trucks tested with the exception of the MAN. However, we are talking a few millimetres here between the fi rst and last placed trucks, and few drivers are in reality that tall. That said, the Renault Trucks Range T is a clear winner when measuring the cab from rear wall to windscreen. Th is is arguably more important as it is the main space used by drivers. Range T also scored high on access and egress thanks to well-designed grab handles.

The driver’s seat and steering column move well out of the way, improving access into the cab and easing movement over the raised floor. The angled dash of Range T separates the work and rest areas, and both are well served with power sockets and USB ports.

Storage is suited to the task with three decent sized overhead lockers plus a smaller locker and parcel shelf. Under the bunk there is a large fridge and on top a thick and comfortable matt ress.

FLEETTRANSPORT | MAY 18

Once in bed all necessary functions such as audio controls, door locks, and roof hatch were available on a remote control, with additional options for choosing interior lighting. There were no complaints about the curtains, and good sound insulation made for a silent night.

The cab heater worked quietly to keep the cab at a comfortable 18-20 degrees.

Overall, we found Renault Trucks Range T to be a pleasant and calm place to be for a day’s work and an equally calming place to spend the night.

COMPARISON | 17

Scania R500 Highline

Scania’s entrant was the newest cab on test and is still managing to hold onto its ‘Next Generation’ tag. As the truck is the most recently updated, expectations are that its interior should make it a strong contender, remembering that the outgoing version had been well liked despite being around for quite a while.

Access to Scania trucks has always been excellent thanks to a clever top step design, and once inside the truck feels quite spacious. Initial impressions were somewhat muted, and especially at this trim level. Surprisingly, after a short time the truck begins to reveal itself as having more to offer.

Despite the engine hump and the dark trim, the truck’s cab feels spacious, light, and airy. There is a sense of quality about the materials used and the way they are put together. There is useful storage provided by three overhead lockers and a number of small but important features that make a driver’s day easier. Features such as practical oddments drawer,

Volvo FH Globetrotter

Volvo’s original Globetrotter cab was designed solely to meet driver’s needs and this descendant of the original continues the legacy. Access to the FH cab is good though not as good as some of the other entrants. Once inside it is not possible to fully dump the air from the seat which slightly impedes access.

There is now an option available to move the gear selector to the dash which would allow even more room. Nevertheless, the FH was the highest truck in the test at 1,980mm apart from the Super Space Cab at 2,100mm.

The well-designed storage compartments ensure more than adequate space and the now familiar and pleasant dashboard comes with enough power points to cater for most driver’s ancillary devices. It is clear that a cheap and tacky cab does not respect the driver or the overnight experience. However, the use of quality fi xtures, materials, and fi nish has always been a hallmark of Volvo trucks and is an important factor in making the night

Verdict In many ways our expectations have shifted dramatically. We no longer talk about cabs where a driver cannot stand up from floor to roof. A high roof is the new minimum

standard for anyone expected to stay out overnight. It is difficult to pick one truck out of the seven and award it as the overall winner. In reality, each of the seven trucks are winners of the individually marked categories.

Text: Paul White - paul@fleet.ie Photos: Tom Lee

decent cup holders and a small fold out table are featured on the passenger side.

The driver’s seat is easily moved forward and the fold up passenger seat offers more floor space. The bunk is wide and comfortable and the night heater not only worked well but was the quietest by a significant margin at 39 dB compared to the nearest rival, the Actros at 49 dB. In addition the R500 Highline also recorded the lowest idle noise. Overall Scania has done a fi rst-class job on the Next Generation cab which will ensure it remains a driver's favourite through to their next - ‘Next Generation.’

away more pleasant.

With a minor note about the closure of the curtains there were no complaints from our tester who recorded a good night’s sleep. Other comments were in praise of the quality of the matt ress, interior lighting, and the quiet operation of the night heater once it got fully fi red up.

Now in its sixth year Volvo Trucks FH cab is not showing any signs of ageing.

It remains a well-built quality product with the needs of the driver very much in the thoughts of the designers.

Nevertheless, there has to be a winner, and this year the test group decided to bestow the title on Scania’s Next Generation R-series.

www.fleet.ie

18 | FLEETING SHOTS

Trucks galore at Tom Duffy’s Circus

T

o most circus attendees the entertainment inside the Big Top is the main attraction, but for some what’s parked outside is what draws the senses and stirs the emotions. Tom Duff y’s is one of the world’s longest-established circuses, providing amazement, laughter

and pleasant memories for families for over three centuries.

On a recent visit to Claremorris, County Mayo, Duff y’s broad range of commercial vehicles that bring the cavalcade around the country were explored.

enthusiasts.

David Duff y, who looks after the vehicles with great passion, explained that the vibrant livery on the trucks and trailers has to be touched up regularly due to the rough and tumble nature of the logistics involved in the business.

Over 20 trucks, some of which fall into the classic or vintage categories at this stage, included a mixture of tractor-units and rigids with semi-trailers and drag trailers. Among the brands featured were MAN, Volvo, Renault, Iveco, DAF and Mercedes-Benz alongside a couple of iconic ERFs. Both the ERF ECX and EC11 Celect stand out for the

Fiat Professional in action at FIM MXGP Motocross World Championship ….. again!

F

or the third consecutive year, Fiat Professional, the FCA Group commercial vehicle brand, is the Official Sponsor of the FIM MXGP Motocross World Championship. The series has now moved to Europe after kicking off in Argentina.

Defending champion Tony Cairoli is brand ambassador, as the nine-times World Champion epitomises the ambition of a fastevolving brand. Supporting the world champion are a Fullback Cross and a Ducato 4x4.

of the Championship will be offered five total years of warranty if they purchase a new commercial vehicle from the range.

High-spec Fiat Fullback Cross and Ducato, together with the other vehicles of the range, will be on show on the Fiat Professional stand in the paddock area at all MXGP Championship races.

Fiat Professional has created a special offer for all MXGP championship enthusiasts. Spectators to any of the European stages

Two-millionth Volkswagen Caddy produced in Poznan ∕

I

n 1978, a Golf with an open cargo bed was unveiled in the USA before Volkswagen began production of the Caddy for the European market in 1982. The second generation came onto the market in 1995 and since 2003 the Caddy (third and fourth generations) has been built at the Poznań plant in Poland. Recently, the Antoninek factory produced its two-millionth Caddy - a fourth generation Caddy Maxi Trendline 7-seater in Candy White (with 1.4 TSI engine). In the past year alone around 165,000 Caddy vehicles were produced (+3.8 per cent), the highest ever number since the formation of Volkswagen Poznań in 1993.

FLEETTRANSPORT | MAY 18

The landmark vehicle went to Polish aid organisation ‘St. Brother Albert’. The employees of Volkswagen Poznań and Volkswagen Group Polska also collected donations (including clothing) for the aid organisation and handed them over to people in need. Currently the Antoninek plant assembles around 720 commercials a day.

Back in 2003 it was around 520. In addition to the Caddy, variants of the Transporter T6series are also made at Volkswagen Poznań.

The company is the largest employer in the Wielkopolska region with a workforce of nearly 11,000, of which around 2,700 work in the new Crafter plant in Białężyce near Września, about 50 km east of Poznań.

Text: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

A FOUR YEAR WARRANTY for the 8x4 market

MAN 8x4 Extended Warranty: For a limited time only, we’re offering the 8x4 market something a little different – a four year comprehensive warranty* that is included free of charge in the price of a new TGS 8x4. We call it the 8x4x4. The warranty applies to almost any 8x4 product – any weight, any engine, any cab. The offer applies to all 8x4 trucks ordered any time up to and including 30th June.

For more information on this special offer please call us on 01 419 1300, or contact your local MAN dealer: Dublin: MAN Importers Irl, Dublin 12.

Tel: 01 419 1300 Limerick: Dennehy Commercials, Limerick.

Tel: 061 229900 Wexford: MS Commercials, New Ross.

Tel: 051 422277 Westmeath: O’Reilly Commercials, Ballinalack.

Tel: 044 93 71360 *Terms and conditions apply.

www.truck.man.eu/ie

Donegal: Newtown Trucks, Newtowncunningham.

Tel: 074 91 56666 Galway: Athenry Truck Centre Ltd., Galway.

Tel: 091 849 375 Cork: Walker Commercials, Rathcormac, Cork.

Tel: 025 87770

20 | PROFILE

Irish School of Motoring:

B

ack when John Walsh established the Irish School of Motoring (ISM) in 1961, the national landscape and the automotive industry looked dramatically different to where it is today. Certainly a future involving driverless cars was far from the thoughts of those tasked with educating and training new drivers in those days.

Just as everyday motoring and road transport has evolved with advanced technology and wide ranging legislation, so too has ISM substantially broadened its portfolio expanding beyond driving tuition to incorporate numerous courses and training programmes. Significant investment has been made in providing facilities for these training sessions, together with ongoing vehicle fleet renewals.

In recent years over €1 million has been invested by ISM, now headed up by John’s son, Karl. This has culminated in the opening of a new purpose built training premises in Tallaght, Dublin, in addition to refurbishments made at its headquarters in Finglas.

As Ireland’s longest-established driving school, ISM boasts an overall pass rate of 90%, the highest average for any driving school in the country. “With over 50 years’ experience at gett ing learners through the driving test, ISM’s reputation for success is unmatched,” explained Karl Walsh, Managing Director, Irish School of Motoring.

“As Ireland’s only nationwide driving school, we offer our students the benefit of our decades of experience, unparalleled local knowledge and access to a huge range of

Seamus Cullen, Head of Training Services & Recruitment Services FLEETTRANSPORT | MAY 18

resources to help learners succeed fi rsttime.”

ISM offers lessons in cars, motorbikes, buses and coaches, and artic and rigid trucks to drivers of any skill level, ranging from the absolute beginner to advanced commercial professional drivers. “As the market leader in Ireland, our brand new national call centre and upgraded website now make it easier than ever to fi nd an ISM instructor around the country to book a lesson,” added Karl.

On that website, there is a vast array of information not only for the qualified driver-to-be, but also opportunities to become an instructor or even to form a business by taking on an ISM Driving School franchise.

PROFILE | 21

Meeting every turn for over 55 years

While the ISM has become prominent in the Irish marketplace in the learner driver section, it has developed and maintained close relationships and partnerships with many SME’s and multinational companies and organisations. “These customer relationships have been built on trust, expert advice and delivery, and an exceptional level of service,” emphasised Karl.

These partnerships can best be seen through the expansion of its products and services, particularly in road transport. Six years ago ISM Recruitment and ISM Driver Recruitment was formed. Since then it has become the leading and most successful driver recruitment agency, supplying trained staff to over 160 of Ireland's road haulage, distribution and warehousing providers.

Clients include Dominos, Musgrave, Sam Dennigan, Keelings, Martin Brower, Pulse Logistics and Gate Gourmet to mention just a few. Up to 300 job requests are dealt with each week.

Safety First is the priority at ISM Training & Recruitment as this testimonial verifies: “ISM Training & Recruitment have been supplying us with drivers for a number of years and to date we have been very happy with the high level of service. The high standard and the professionalism of their pre-assessed drivers (ISM Drive Safe Approval) assure us that we are gett ing the best drivers. We recommend ISM to other haulage companies.”

jobseekers alike has contributed to our growth over the past number of years, and has taken our business model into other specialist industries such as healthcare and construction industries.”

“ISM Driver Recruitment is the fi rst of our recruitment brands and was initially established to address the needs of training clients for a specialist driver agency. As ISM Driver Recruitment is a division of the Irish School of Motoring Group, we have unique access to a fleet of our own HGV’s coaches and vans, ADI trainers and a wealth of driver knowledge and training courses available to companies and jobseekers. All our clients and jobseekers get 10% reduction off all ISM driver related training courses,” he added.

Seamus also mentioned that the company has developed in-house a smart phone app for the convenience of professional drivers undertaking the daily vehicle inspection check.

For the warehousing sector, the need for improved Heath and Safety for all employees working inside and outside the facility has been addressed by ISM’s Forklift & Industrial Recruitment division, which

supplies fully qualified and licensed forklift and warehouse personnel – all accredited to the UK’s RTITB standard bearing Forklift Training programmes.

“We provide access to our own counterbalance, reach, power-pallet, teleporter and Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP) (cherrypicker) vehicles, and a wealth of forklift knowledge and training courses are available to companies, jobseekers and employees that wish to progress their careers or move to a different area in the business,” said Seamus.

He referred to a number of glowing customer testimonials from ISM’s website. Also related to transport are training courses on Driver CPC, Manual Handling, Dangerous goods Carriage (ADR), and Fleet Driver Training – where a Pro Driver Certification can be gained.

While visiting the new training facility at Broomhill Road, Tallaght, forklift training was in session, which involves both class based tutorial and practical driving advice.

Other courses conducted here include Driver CPC, Safe Pass, Manual Handling, Digital Tachograph, Fire Warden training, Security and Medicare.

Seamus Cullen, Head of Training Services & Recruitment Services explains: “Our in-house developed five-point screening process and commitment to client and Text & Photos: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

www.fleet.ie

22 | HEALTH MATTERS

The Flu Vaccine A Look Back You took the influenza (flu) vaccine and you still got the flu!

No, you didn’t need to go to hospital, but you felt rotten for a few days and still aren’t right. The flu vaccine seems to have been a bit of a waste of time.

Th is year’s flu vaccine did not work to the same extent that it did in other years. Nobody quite knows why, but a quick look at the facts behind the manufacturing process may explain some of the puzzling things about the relative failure of the vaccine.

As the flu is a major player in the mortality stakes every winter, vaccine which protects against the flu is recommended to us by the public health authorities.

Th is advice, which is based on the highest quality scientific data which is openly and objectively derived, is to suggest strongly that everyone who can take the vaccine should do so, in the hope that the ‘herd immunity’ of the community will rise.

Because the viruses which cause the flu change from year to year, the vaccine must also change to target whichever the prevailing viruses are in situ. Th is means that an anti-flu injection usually has to be taken every year.

Th is year the efficacy of the vaccine was stated to be about 15 percent. Th is is a huge drop from the usual 60 percent efficacy, and it meant that many more people got some form of flu even those who were vaccinated against the disease. It is probable that the 15 percent mitigated the severity of the illness in some of the elderly or chronically ill, but it will take some months before statistics will be available to confi rm this.

We get a warning about all this, as the Australians get their winter before we do, as well as their flu epidemic. It then rolls up to the Northern Hemisphere, and all going well those who have availed of the vaccine will be 60 percent immune to current viruses. Th is is what we can usually expect of our flu vaccine.

However, in spite of exhortations, many refuse to take the vaccine, (“I took it last year and it gave me the flu”) so another way to reduce the risk of major illness during the flu season is by offering vaccination against pneumonia. Th is is a five year protective vaccination unlike the yearly flu vaccination. It is another weapon against disease, as pneumonia can be a flu related complication which is very difficult for the elderly or frail people in the community to overcome, and is often the end stage for the vulnerable patient.

The flu vaccine is composed of inactivated flu viruses, which when administered will stimulate the patient’s natural resistance, and produce immunity to the inactive flu viruses in that particular dose of vaccine.

The 2017 vaccine, which was made with the viruses which were in full flood then, has shown a drop in efficacy. Th is poses several FLEETTRANSPORT | MAY 18

questions including was the identification of the culprit viruses correct in the fi rst place? Secondly, did the viruses change or mutate in the meantime? (they sometimes do), and thirdly, when the viruses were being grown and multiplied to create the vaccine, did this process weaken them too much? Th is also can happen.

The goal at present is to achieve at least 75 percent efficacy but 93 percent efficacy would be needed to prevent any form of flu season erupting. 75 percent protection is rarely achieved from the flu vaccine, and we have only had 15 percent protection this year. So is it a lost cause before it begins? Why bother at all?

The ultimate aim of the public health authorities is to have a universal influenza vaccine, which will lead to increased effectiveness and substantially reduce the number of deaths from flu, as well as from the general toll – weakness, exhaustion, general debility for at least three weeks in the winter - that the infection takes on those who get the disease but survive to tell the tale.

It has also been suggested that some who survive a bad dose of flu will subsequently develop Parkinson’s Disease as a result of the viral illness.

In spite of all the uncertainty surrounding this topic it appears that it is better to take the vaccine, as even 15 percent protection might mean the difference between surviving a bad dose of flu or not.

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opied c s e tim Some Equalled r Neve Cork - Roy Dublin - Micheál Belfast - Mark Mob (087) 2575116 Mob (087) 1765864 Mob (0791) 2631524 Your Efficiency Is Our Challenge Text: Dr. Betty Maguire - contributor@fleet.ie

SAFETY | 23

Safety Matters . . .

Safety Matters . . .

Health and Safety Authority Transport Safety Seminars - May 2018

Protect your employees and others from vehicle related harm

T

he Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is running a series of regional seminars in May to highlight the importance of managing vehicle related risk. The seminars will be of interest to all employers that operate vehicles in the workplace and on the road.

Why attend?

Every year, people are killed by accidents involving vehicles in the workplace and on the road. On average, vehicles are involved in almost half of all work related deaths reported to the HSA each year. Thousands are injured as a result of vehicle related activity in the workplace and on the road every year. A lot of damage is also done to vehicles, cargo, property, and company reputation. Th is can have an adverse effect on a business’s balance sheet. Better planning, training, awareness, along with workplace arrangements, procedures, appropriate selection and use of vehicles, can prevent vehicle related accidents at work.

Seminar content Attendees will be provided with information, guidelines and tools to understand and manage Work Related Vehicle Risks. As well as highlighting the legal, safety and business cases for action, the seminars will outline: • The key elements of a workplace transport risk management system; • How to achieve and maintain a safe workplace for vehicle related activities; • The key steps to keeping people safe in workplaces where vehicle and pedestrian movement takes place; • Risk associated with common vehicle activities in the workplace and how to control them, such as manual handling and vehicle related slips, trips and falls; • Risks and control measures associated with the use of vehicle tail lifts and truck loader cranes; • The key issues to consider when managing drivers; • A practical company case study.

• Content will be delivered in a practical and easy to understand format and no specialised knowledge or expertise is required.

Who Should Attend?

The seminars will be of interest to all employers that operate vehicles in the workplace and on the road. They will be of particular benefit to: • Business owners • Logistics/Fleet/Depot Managers • Industry Organisations • Truck and Van fleet operators • Vehicle leasing providers • Transport managers

• • • • • • •

Retail and Distribution centre managers Warehousing managers Waste industry fleet managers Insurance risk managers Transport operators Health & Safety Managers Safety Representatives

Venues: Wednesday 16 May Thursday 17 May Wednesday 23 May Thursday 24 May

Limerick City, Strand Hotel Waterford City, Tower Hotel Sheraton Hotel Carlton Hotel, Dublin Airport, Santry, Dublin 9

Agenda: 08.00 Registration/Tea & Coffee 08.30 Opening Address Work Related Vehicle Safety in your business The main issues of concern.

Deirdre Sinnott , Senior Inspector WRVS Unit, HSA 08.45 Workplace Transport Risk Management priorities in deliveries and collections Load securing, tail lifts and lorry loaders Michael Walsh, Inspector, HSA 09.15 Preventing Vehicle related Slips, Trips and Falls Eamonn O’Sullivan, Inspector, HSA 09.35 Managing Vehicle risks in the workplace Forklifts, pedestrians, reversing, manoeuvring Deirdre Sinnott , Senior Inspector, HSA 09.55 Break 10.15 Ergonomics Risk Management in Transport Operations Frank Power, Inspector, HSA 10.45 Vehicle maintenance Michael Walsh, Inspector, HSA 11.00 Employer case study, Vehicle related risk management, what it looks like in practice - TBC 11.30 Questions and Answers (Close of seminar at approximately 12 noon) Th is seminar is free of charge but due to a limited number of spaces we would ask that you pre-register for this event.

For Bookings: Please see htt p://www.hsa.ie/eng/News_ Events_Media/Events/ for further details

www.fleet.ie

24 | DATA PROTECTION

Hear Ye, Hear Ye GDPR is upon us!

T

he implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR” or the “Regulation”) is NOW, and not the 25 May 2018. The enforcement date of GDPR is 25 May 2018. However, you must have procedures in place before this date.

Given the seriousness of non-compliance, employers should ensure their organisations have the right procedures in place to store, process, detect, report and investigate a data breach. It is essential that employers plan ahead, as the GDPR will affect many parts of their organisation, from applicant records to employee details, customer records and marketing email lists all of which are covered by the new rules.

The GDPR gives data protection authorities more robust powers to tackle non-compliance, including significant administrative fi ning capabilities of up to €20,000,000 (or 4% of total annual global turnover, whichever is greater) for the most serious infringements.

The GDPR also makes it considerably easier for applicants, employees and former-employees and customers to bring private claims against employers when their data privacy has been infringed. The GDPR will also afford applicants and employees, who have suffered nonmaterial damage, to bring a claim for compensation, because of an infringement.

The GDPR replaces the Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC (the “Directive”) and was designed to harmonise data privacy laws across Europe, to protect and empower all EU citizens’ data privacy rights and to reshape the way employers across the region approach data privacy.

Companies need to understand what personal data is. It is anything that can identify a living person who is a European citizen, name, address, PPS number, credit card, or image on cctv. Th is will include data held within a company of staff, customers and contractor.

Personal data is collected by a “controller”, each piece of data must have a legal basis for being collecting. Th is data then is passed to a “processer” who is any who has access to the personal data. A company can be both a “controller” and “processer” as defined within the regulation and as such will need to implement procedures to satisfy the Commissioner of compliances.

To ensure compliance, employers should fi rst identify what aspects of the business GDPR most applies to, consult with senior personnel and identify key risk areas and where gaps may exist from an early stage.

Key considerations when conducting a review as to your status pre-implementation is to identify what personal data is held within your business on applicants, employees and customers, where it is located, the purpose for holding such data, where it is transferred to and from, to include third parties. Data records within the regulation covers both in digital and paper formats. Employers should put in place clear policies and well-practiced procedures to ensure that they can react quickly to any data breach.

A framework for accountability should include the consideration of appointing a Data Protection Officer (“DPO”) and training staff to understand their obligations under GDPR. Companies handling certain categories of data require the appointment of a DPO. To assist companies prepare for the changes in the GDPR, a list of 12 steps has been set out by the Data Protection Commissioner. Th is introduction to the changes is not an exhaustive list and companies should take account of all requirements to bring their company into compliance with the new law.

Awareness: Employers should review and enhance their company’s risk management processes and try to identify problem areas now. Implementing the GDPR could have significant resource implications, especially for larger and more complex companies.

Information Employers hold: Employers should make an inventory of all personal data they hold. Why do they hold it, do they still need it, and is it safe? If the company has inaccurate personal data and has shared this with another company, they will have to notify the other organisation, so it can correct its records. Th is can only be done if the company knows what personal data is held, where it came from and who it is shared with. Documenting these details will help to comply with the GDPR’s accountability principle requiring organisations to be able to show how they comply with the data protection principles, for example by having effective policies and procedures in place.

Communicating Privacy Information: Employers should review all their data privacy notices and make sure they keep service users fully informed about how their data is used. The current privacy notice is used when personal data is collected, it details the company’s identity and how it intends to use the personal information. Under the GDPR there are some additional items - it will need to explain the legal basis for processing the data, the data retention periods and that individuals’ have a right to complain to the DPC if they think there is a problem with the way their data is being handled.

Individuals’ Rights: Employers should ensure their procedures cover all the rights individuals are entitled to, including deletion

FLEETTRANSPORT | MAY 18

DATA PROTECTION | 25 and data portability. Can the company respond appropriately to a request to have personal data deleted and would current systems and procedures help to locate and delete the data?

Subject Access Requests: Employers should plan how they will handle all requests within the new timeline of one month. There will be different grounds for refusing to comply with subject access requests – unfounded or excessive requests can be charged for or refused. For refusals, policies and procedures must be in place to demonstrate why the request meets these criteria.

Legal Basis for Processing Personal Data: Is the employer relying on consent, legitimate interests or a legal enactment to collect and process data? The legal basis for processing personal data must be explained in the privacy notice and when a subject access request is answered.

Consent: Employers should review how they seek, obtain and record consent. Consent must be a positive indication of agreement to personal data being processed – it cannot be inferred from silence, pre-ticked boxes, “opt out” boxes or inactivity. If an individuals’ consent to process their data is relied upon, employers must ensure that it meets the standards required by the GDPR. Employers should note that consent must be verifiable and that individuals generally have stronger rights where a company relies on consent to process their data. The GDPR is clear that controllers must be able to demonstrate that consent was given and must review the systems used for recording consent to ensure there is an effective audit trail.

privacy by design as a default approach, privacy by design and the minimisation of data have always been implicit requirements of the data protection principles. However, the GDPR will make this an express legal requirement. It is not always necessary to carry out a DPIA – but one is required in high-risk situations, for example where a new technology is being deployed or where a profi ling operation is likely to significantly affect individuals.

Data Protection Officers (“DPO”): Will the company be required to designate a DPO? If so, it is important to ensure that the DPO (whether it is someone appointed from within the organisation, or an external data protection advisor) takes proper responsibility for data protection compliance and has the knowledge, support and authority to do so effectively.

International – the GDPR includes a ‘one stop shop’ provision which will assist those data controllers whose companies operate in many Member States. Companies should identify where their Main Establishment is in the EU to identify their Lead Supervisory Authority. Companies may also need to review how transfers of personal data outside the EEA will continue to be permitted.

GDPR will require a culture change within your company.

No individual technology system will guarantee compliance.

You will need to combine People, Process and Technology to ensure compliance. All storage and sharing of data structured or unstructured, such as personal data on Excel spreadsheets must now be reviewed. Companies will need to consolidate their systems and develop personal data management systems to track the flow of personal data within their company.

Children: Although unlikely to arise in an employment relationship, employers should be aware that adequate systems must be in place to verify individual ages or gather consent from guardians. Th is aspect is likely to be more of an issue for commercial internet services like social networking sites. If a company collects information about children – generally those under 16 years of age, but Member States are given discretion to lower this to 13 years of age – then a parent or guardian’s consent will be needed to process their personal data lawfully.

Data Breaches: Is the company ready for mandatory breach reporting? Employers should ensure that they have procedures in place to detect, report and investigate data breaches. The GDPR will bring in a breach notification duty for all companies. Not all breaches will have to be notified to the DPC – only those where the individual is likely to suffer some form of damage, such as through identity theft or a confidentiality breach. In some cases, the individuals whose data has been subject to the breach directly will need to be notified, for example where the breach might leave them open to fi nancial loss. Larger companies will need to develop policies and procedures for managing data breaches. A failure to report a breach when required to do so could result in a fi ne, as well as a fi ne for the breach itself.

Data Protection by Design and Data Protection Impact Assessments (“DPIA”): A DPIA is the process of systematically considering the potential impact that a project or initiative might have on the privacy of individuals. It will allow organisations to identify potential privacy issues before they arise, and come up with a way to mitigate them. It has always been good practice to adopt Text: Eamon Murtagh - contributor@fleet.ie

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www.fleet.ie

26 | REVIEW I

CV Show 2018 – NEC, Birmingham, UK

T

he letter ‘V’ in the CV Show title was significant as the 2018 edition mainly stood for vans and all things light commercials, with models of all shapes and sizes positioned around three halls of the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham. Truck brands were conspicuous by their absence with only one manufacturer having a factory representation. On the other side, trailer builders were in abundance and were keen on talking to the many Irish attendees to attract business. Jarlath Sweeney, Cathal Doyle and Gerry Murphy were there for Fleet Transport.

version, new Fiesta Van is powered by a 1.0 litre EcoBoost or 1.5 litre TDCi diesel and offers a 1m 2 and a 500 kg payload. Revised versions of three ‘blue-oval’ vans also debuted in Hall 5. The bestselling Transit Custom gets a new face, in line with other Ford models, as does its interior. Transit Connect benefits from same and new Euro 6B 1.5 litre EcoBlue diesels producing 104 hp. Lower down the weight weight scale, the Transit Courier also gets this new powertrain with a revised 1.0 litre petrol EcoBoost. Lunar Campers all-new Ford Terrier 3 was unveiled for the fi rst time and att racted much attention.

Show Stoppers!

Mitsubishi Motors created a stir with the European debut of the all new Pajero (Shogun) Sport Commercial, which in effect comes in to substitute for the discontinuation of the Pajero model. Within its curvy and attractive dimensions a flat floor load space of 1,500 liters is offered as is a 3.1 tonne (braked) towing capacity. It is powered by a 2.4 liter turbo diesel. Mitsubishi Ireland is seriously looking at bringing it into the Irish market.

Renault Pro+ showed off broad elements of its commercial vehicle range with the focus being on its electric drivetrain and leisure pursuits. The all-electric Master Z.E. leads the zero emission charge, so to speak, supported by the extended range Kangoo Z.E. and Twizy Cargo.

Mobile leisure fun dreams can be realised by the latest developments at Wellhouse Leisure in Huddersfield, now owned by caravan specialists Lunar, with a trio of campervan conversions excellently carried out and displayed at the Ford, Renault and Toyota stands.

Isuzu’s press conference was well attended as details of the latest Arctic Trucks AT35 were released. Dressed in all black, a mere ten units of the so called Stealth versions of the D-Max will go on sale with orders coming in fast! Priced at £44,000 plus, among its eye catching features include exterior enhancements and bulging sound system.

Surprise of the Show was the revival of the Fiesta Van after Ford discontinued it two years ago. Based on the three door passenger FLEETTRANSPORT | MAY 18

Although not revealing anything majorly new LDV did show additional variants of its all-electric versions of the eV80, as the focus on this occasion was very much on zero-emissions. Further advancements made by the Chinese brands distributor's The Harris Group were provided by Mark Barrett who announced that the company is to market LDV in right hand drive countries such as Malta, Cyprus, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. Regarding the eV80, high profi le retailer IKEA has taken delivery of two units while the Royal Mail is to test trial a demo version for 6 months around London. A new model V80 is due next year, as is the T60 Pick-up truck with the D90 SUV making its way over to Europe around then also.

REVIEW I | 27

While at the event, LDV Ireland announced the appointment of Munster Van Centre, Cahir, County Tipperary as its new dealer for the region. Pictured are Deirdre O’Grady; Munster Van Centre, Mark Barrett; LDV Ireland, Jonathan O’Grady; Munster Van Centre, Mrs. Denise Harris; The Harris Group and Liam O’Neill; The Harris Group.

The Toyota Hilux marked its 50th anniversary with a refreshed model announced. With its go anywhere att itude, the one-tonne Pick-up benefits from new frontal treatment. Th is includes a new grille with gloss black inserts and contrasting chrome frame, plus a new-look front bumper, fog lights and silver under-run. The striking styling continues at the rear where there is a new step and a silver under-run beneath the licence plate. The 2018 Commercial Vehicle Show appearance from the Japanese manufacturer also featured the Hilux AT35 conversion by Arctic Trucks plus the new Land Cruiser Utility Commercial, Lunar Toyota Proace Lerina campervan conversion and Britvic-liveried Proace van.

LUNAR Campervans

Star of the SsangYong stand was the arrival of the all-new Musso Pick-Up truck, fresh from its world premiere at the recent Geneva Motor Show. Sharing same design styling and under pinning from the new Rexton SUV, the four wheel-drive machine combines a five seat crew cab body style with a load deck that will carry a Euro pallet and is capable of a 1-tonne load capacity. Powered by a 2.2 litre e-XDi220 diesel (180PS/420Nm), it can tow up to 3.5 tonnes, bringing it up to meet the growing competition in the segment.

Another surprise debutant at the event was the new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, which was on display on the Paneltex stand. The Hullbased converter used the all-new model to show off its fi rst-ever refrigerated body, with the van wearing a camouflage wrap ahead of its official debut later this year.

Ford Transit Terrier 3

Renault Trafic Esterela

Toyota Proace Lerina www.fleet.ie

28 | REVIEW I

Nissan has added more muscle to the award winning Navara with the launch of the special edition Off-Roader AT32. It is the first time a Navara has been developed with a partner brand Arctic Trucks for pan-European markets. It features include bespoke suspension that increases ride height by 20mm, full protection of key underbody components and larger off-road tyres. For the ultimate performance, optional extras include a snorkel to improve wading depth and a front differential lock.

On the other extreme, thanks to new battery pack, the latest eNV200 electric van boasts an increase in range between charges. The 40 kWh battery pack delivers this distance without any loss of payload or cargo capacity. Interesting to note that Britain’s expanding infrastructure has more than 13,000 charging points. “Nissan Fleet Means Business” was its theme.

design. The Hydraulic Lifting Deck Curtainsider which is currently undergoing ENXL approval, has a lightweight deck design and is suitable for 52 pallet operations which provides many economic benefits to the operator.

SDC’s Chief Executive Officer, Enda Cushnahan, said at unveiling of this trailer at The CV Show: “We are delighted to be exhibiting the fi rst SDC Hydraulic Lifting Deck Curtainsider at The CV Show. We are always looking for solutions to meet the needs of the operators in the industry and we are very confident that this trailer is one of the most innovative and industry changing trailers on the market.”

Mike Wilkes, MD, Trans UK

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles facilitated the UK debut of the eCrafter, the zero-emission version of the IVOTY 2017 winning Crafter, ahead of real-world testing beginning this month. eCrafter has been developed specifically to meet typical city ‘last mile’ operations with its 100 kW power output, a range distance of 160 km and a top speed limited to 90 kp/h.

SDC marked 40 years in the trailer manufacturing business by highlighting its fi rst Hydraulic Lift ing Deck Curtainsider. The design of this trailer was one of the largest projects the engineers at SDC have worked on. They spent many hours researching and designing various concepts of the trailer before fi nalising the FLEETTRANSPORT | MAY 18

Set to make in-roads into the UK and Ireland trailer markets is KÖgel with a selection of bespoke models to suit various operations and applications. Strongly built, its Cargo curtainsider displayed featured additional load securing lashings and an anti-slip floor, yet comes in lighter than the competition. Trans UK has been appointed dealer for Britain and Ireland.

Innovative double-deck trailers from Tiger Trailers occupied its stand. The new three-quarter length, moving deck curtainside trailer illustrates Tiger’s forward-thinking approach to design, featuring a host of new ideas and unique engineering solutions.

Trailer maker and body builder Cartwright, which recently appointed TC Trailers as its Irish dealer continues to diversify (see picture), having enjoyed a record-trading year in 2017. The company not only extended its presence within the refrigeration sector, following its substantial investment in a new panel plant, but continued to diversify its operation with the acquisition of aircraft

REVIEW I | 29

Tiger Trailers

ground support equipment manufacturer, Emtek Services together with the launch of Cartwright Fleet Services in Glasgow following the acquisition of Iveco dealership, Kerr & Smith.

Gray & Adams

featuring wind cheating efficiencies. In Waitrose colours, G&A’s ultralow carbon trailer featured a boat-tail design with slightly tapered sidewalls and a smooth underside. It also had an aerodynamically efficient sloping rear roof profi le. The company’s diversity in product line was also exampled in the light commercial vehicle segment.

Cartwright - TC Trailers - Tom Carroll & Brian Groome

Another show debutant in trailer form was from French manufacturer Chereau, with its new multiplex refrigerated semi-trailer called NEXT. Representing a technological breakthrough, it offers a large number of original features such as connectivity with the tractor-unit and transmission of data from the trailer to the truck’s dashboard and a telematics socket.

Sustainability and aerodynamic efficiency was the theme at the Gray & Adams stand in the Cool Zone with a pair of semi-trailers

Chereau

Coolkit, the Lancashire-based specialist in ultra-light insulated bodywork for temperature-controlled transport has secured sole rights to distribute the range of insulated and temperature-controlled containers produced by Italian manufacturer Melform for the UK & Ireland and displayed at the CV Show for the fi rst time.

An 1180 hp Ariel Hipercar prototype certainly raised eyebrows at the Eberspächer stand. The climate control specialists designed and built this concept, capable of 0-60 mph in under 2.5 seconds with a complex battery cooling technology and air-conditioning system. A number of products and systems it supplies to many vehicle manufacturers and coachbuilders were on display alongside.

MAN was the only official truck manufacturer present from a national distributor point of view. Highlighted on its stand was the revised TG (Truck Generation) range with new drivelines and changes to the interior to enhance driver comfort and convenience.

The switchgear layout has been rearranged with the gear selector moved from the floor to the main dash area, while the centre console gets a two tone treatment. On the medium duty TGM, a new SCRonly D08 has been developed in 4 & 6 cylinder forms with power ratings from 160hp/600Nm to 320hp/2,500Nm. Interestingly, on the TGS 35 8x4 chassis, which is 200kg lighter than before, a fouryear warranty is offered. www.fleet.ie

30 | REVIEW I

Eberspächer

distance. The low weight class beating Stralis X-Way 8x4 was also showcased alongside a couple of award winning Daily vans.

No stand from DAF Trucks at the CV Show this year, but 2018 is still going to be a noteworthy year. DAF celebrates its 90th birthday this year, albeit it will be 2019 before it can mark seventy years of truck making - the first twenty were concentrated on the production of lightweight trailers and the ‘Trado’ double drive car and truck conversions for off-road capabilities.

MAN

Looking to Renault Trucks, local dealer the Allsports Group, premiered the highly anticipated Renault Range T High flagship with its flat floor, fi lling the void in the line-up since the demise of the much-admired Renault Magnum. Orders are flowing into Renault Trucks UK & Ireland dealers, especially from international hauliers.

Speaking at the traditional pre-event press dinner, Robin Easton, Managing Director of DAF Trucks UK & Ireland said the company continues to deliver timely and well-engineered innovation that meets customers’ needs and expectations. Looking to the future he said the industry is going to see considerable change. “DAF is actively working both independently and collaboratively to investigate and develop technologies that our industry will need for tomorrow and the future,” he stated, adding that electrification, hybridisation and platooning were among the opportunities being explored. “Watch this space over the coming months” were his words in relation to forthcoming announcements on how the brand will meet the changing demands of the market.

Another truck (and van) brand represented by its biggest dealer was Iveco, through Guest and Sherwood Truck & Van, which had six examples from the Italian manufacturer including a Stralis powered

by CNG and featuring Agility fuel composite tanks to add to its range FLEETTRANSPORT | MAY 18

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

REVIEW I | 31

Telematics at the CV Show 2018 ProVision T he Irish company is making strong inroads into the UK market, with the focus at the Show on a new browser and app-based ‘Command Centre’ to its CameraMatics platform, as well as apps to help with tracking fleet risk compliance and management. The company now offers specific products for vans and HGVs, with the additions to the CameraMatics platform integrating key fleet data points including fleet risk management, accident prevention and fleet compliance into a single package. New apps include Vehicle WalkAround, making specific details of a vehicle check carried out prior to an incident easy to recall and codify, and an Accident Reporting App that allows the driver to log all critical information, such as taking photos and video of the scene, recording third-party witness and police information, and pinpointing the specific footage recorded by the in-vehicle cameras.

TomTom / Traffi log One of the more significant launches at the show was a collaboration between TomTom Br idge a nd telematics provider Traffi log. Sales Director at Traffi log, Howard Young explained that the TomTom Bridge Hub combines hardware and mapping from the navigation giant with Traffi log’s soft ware to offer an open, fully customisable device with features including Push to Talk, providing the ability for fleet managers to send out group messages to drivers that can only be read and responded to when the vehicle is stopped.

Walk Around Checks, POIs, Driver feedback reports and online accident reporting are all provided, as is the ability to provide tacho downloads, and a dash camera.

Geotab Canadian company Geotab is a global leader in providing open platform f leet management solutions. It provides data to many of the largest fleets in the world, and its devices connect to any vehicle including electric cars. It processes over two billion records a day, and has over 1.1 million connected vehicles. Edward Kulperger, Vice President, Europe (pictured) said that the deep granular engine data that Geotab has access to is a big competitive advantage, as is its data protection. The company markets its products through resellers such as AT&T and Telefonica. It is looking for an agent in Ireland.

Tranzaura ‘Connecting w ith the Disconnected’ was Limerick company Tranzaura’s theme at the CV Show where it presented its new branding.

The company has repositioned its award-winning KATE product to Driver Connect.

The five products offered under KATE are still offered, but now under one platform. Marketing Manager Emma Gill explained that it now offers extended facilities to include simple things like friendly messages for drivers to help them feel connected to the team. Pictured are Liam Parry, Emma Gill and company founder Mike Price.

Brigade A host of new systems from safet y technology experts Brigade – to meet the demand for more integration to reduce driver information overload, the company launched Ultrasonic Detection On-ScreenDisplay (OSD) which warns the driver of obstacles by overlaying three stage audible and visual data onto the camera image on the vehicle’s monitor, thereby eliminating driver distraction because the information is in one view.

Mandata A new cloud based telematics solution, TMS Go!, is targeted at s m a l ler operators.

Compared to the full TMS offering it’s not as configurable, but offers a payas-you-go payment system with job scheduling, the ability to send instructions to drivers, proof of delivery receipt, and emailing invoices.

Mandata says the system can be up and running in a couple of days, and is easy to upgrade.

Text & Photos: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie

www.fleet.ie

32 | FUEL PRICES (WEEK 17) Country

Currency

95 Lead Free

98 Lead Free

Diesel

Albania

ALL

179.00

-

179.00

Andorra

EUR

1.119

1.184

0.993

Austria

EUR

1.204

1.351

1.154

Belarus

EUR

0.538

-

0.542

Belgium

EUR

1.463

1.542

1.453

Bosnia-Herzegovina

BAM

2.15

2.26

2.14

Bulgaria

BGN

2.15

2.43

2.17

Croatia

HRK

9.83

10.41

9.30

Czech Republic

CZK

30.23

32.41

29.17

Denmark

DKK

10.89

11.48

9.19

Estonia

EUR

1.289

1.387

1.239

Finland

EUR

1.483

1.564

1.334

France

EUR

1.500

1.565

1.422

Georgia

GEL

2.31

2.45

2.31

Germany

EUR

1.364

1.583

1.206

Greece

EUR

1.555

1.633

1.326

Hungary

HUF

370.30

-

376.10

Ireland

EUR

1.399

-

1.279

Italy

EUR

1.614

-

1.483

Kazakhstan

KZT

150.00

164.00

129.00

Latvia

EUR

1.219

1.274

1.129

Lithuania

EUR

1.199

1.272

1.130

Luxemburg

EUR

1.250

1.250

1.065

Macedonia

MKD

68.00

69.50

60.00

Moldova

MDL

18.35

19.25

16.25

Montenegro

EUR

1.250

1.320

1.110

Netherlands

EUR

1.714

1.745

1.395

Norway

NOK

15.88

16.87

14.94

Poland

PLN

4.76

5.03

4.67

Portugal

EUR

1.578

1.613

1.376

Romania

RON

5.21

5.42

5.29

Russia

RUB

42.19

-

40.73

Serbia

RSD

144.40

-

153.40

Slovakia

EUR

1.314

-

1.173

Slovenia

EUR

1.299

1.378

1.232

Spain

EUR

1.261

1.402

1.184

Sweden

SEK

15.11

15.71

15.01

Switzerland

CHF

1.540

1.600

1.640

Turkey

TRY

6.09

6.12

5.64

Ukraine

UAH

29.08

30.23

26.84

UK

GBP

1.218

1.320

1.245

USA

USD

0.726

-

0.821

Reduce your risk

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34 | REVIEW II

FPS Expo 2018, ExCel, Liverpool

I

rish accents were to be heard at practically every stand within the walls of Liverpool’s Exhibition Centre for the 2018 edition of the FPS Expo. Organised by the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers, a strong Irish presence was also to be seen on the other side of the counter, with many exhibitors making their way across the water to display their wares and meet and greet attendees. Jarlath Sweeney made the annual trip – his fi fteenth visit to the FPS Expo in succession to report on same.

Carbery & Davant

Carbery & Davant Cork based tank supplier Carbery Plastics celebrates 40 years in business. Shipments of its storage tanks from 650 litres to 6,000 litres make their way across the Irish Sea through its UK agents, Davant. Jill Turner and Cal McCarthy were on duty.

Envirostore Tanks Ltd For the tenth consecutive show, Envirostore exhibited at FPS Expo, following the event from Harrogate to Liverpool over the years. Richard Marsh demonstrated the newly designed 1,000 litre compact AdBlue tank.

DreamTec Soft ware

Corrib Oil Team One of Ireland’s leading oil and fuel distributors with an expansive service station network, Corrib Oil Ltd had a large management and staff contingent at the Liverpool Show.

GreenChem

Envirostore Tanks Ltd

DreamTec Soft ware DreamTec Soft ware based in Clondalkin, Dublin provides specialist expertise and support in operation systems, helping operations managers take full advantage of the investment in equipment. Over 1,000 customers use its systems.

Greenergy FLEETTRANSPORT | MAY 18

GreenChem As the requirement for AdBlue increasingly extends to cars and vans, the need for top-ups at service stations through handy-cans are a must. But no more, through GreenChem’s hose based dispensing system.

Kingspan

PREVIEW II | 35 Greenergy Last July, Greenergy purchased Inver Energy, the Irish based independent fuel supplier.

The deal included takeover of its import and storage facilities, fuel supply operations as well as its growing retail dealer network.

Morgan Fuels Fiona McKenna, Michael Morgan and Russel McGivern represented the Armagh fuel company and fuel card provider which has its own sites and over 4,500 service network partners across 16 countries in Europe.

Sentinel When it comes to safety surrounding working vehicles, Sentinel has a range of innovative products to protect the vulnerable road user including 4G Mobile CCTV, Radar Reversing Systems and Cyclists’ Protection.

TEC Industrial Another Irish company, with TEC Industrial exhibiting a broad range of hose assemblies and fitt ings for use in all fluid transfer applications including Fuel-TEC II domestic oil truck reeling hose.

TEC Industrial

Maxol Ireland’s oldest independent oil company is set to re-establish its lubricants brand in the UK after a twenty-year absence. Sales Executive, Richard O’Kelly was actively seeking new distributors at the Expo.

Valero

Kingspan A double-sided display stand from the Cavan headquartered global company, that on one side develops fuel management solutions and on the other - site assessment, fuel polishing, tank cleaning and energy storage.

Scania Apart from a number of truck brands on display through fuel tanker builders and suppliers, Scania (GB) Ltd was the only official truck manufacturer present, displaying its new lightweight P450 6x2 with lift ing mid-axle.

Valero To Ireland, Valero means Texaco. There's much more though, as Valero is one of the world’s largest independent refi ners and

Sentinel

Netwatch Systems John Kennedy and Colin Hayes informed visitors of the Carlow company’s 15 years’ experience in developing security soft ware systems in-house to defend businesses against intrusion and liability claims.

Scania

Renault Trucks Representing Renault Trucks Irish distributor and retail network were staff members f r o m S e t a nt a Vehicle Sales and Shaw Commercials (Castlebar).

marketers of finished oil products. Its supply network takes product directly from its Pembroke refi nery to Irish terminals.

Netwatch Systems

Maxol

Morgan Fuels

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

www.fleet.ie

36 | FIRST DRIVE

Generation Three Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

‘F

uture proofed’ is a good way to describe the new generation Sprinter from Mercedes-Benz vans. It’s much more than a load carrier, as the new range (which extends to 1,700 variants) is packed full of functionality and connectivity. Every feature is developed to ensure operators gain efficiencies and help reduce total cost of ownership. The ‘WiFi on-board’ sticker can also be applied.

A significant addition to the new range is the installation of the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) multimedia connectivity package as recently introduced on Mercedes’ latest passenger cars. Also featuring is the Mercedes PRO fleet management system.

The introduction of a new 3.0 litre V6 190 hp diesel, together with upgrades to the 6-speed manual gearbox and the development of a new 9-speed automatic transmission, is also noteworthy, while front wheel drive is being offered for the first time. This new gearbox is primarily aimed at the e-commerce courier business and campervan markets.

New Sprinter plans to build on the success of the previous generations. Remarkably over 3.4 million units have been sold in every major

FLEETTRANSPORT | MAY 18

intriguing aspect with the integration of a fast finding address module courtesy of new start-up company ‘what3words’. Through its App, an address can be broken down to three words for quicker download and access. Land Rover and the Red Cross use this service on an ongoing basis.

During the day-long drives, three versions of the new Sprinter were trialled – a 3.5 tonne 316 CDI RWD dropside, 314 CDI panel van with RWD, and a 314 CDI FWD 6-seat crew cab. On the 163 hp 316 CDI dropside, the 7G-Tronic Plus auto transmission worked a treat, moving through each gear effortlessly.

Steering feel was very positive and all-round visibility is excellent. Interaction with the 10.5” screen was undertaken effortlessly and without much distraction.

market across the globe. Interestingly, 60% of all Sprinters sold are fitted out or converted by a specialist body builder. 220,000 units were delivered to customers last year.

During the development process, preproduction tests were undertaken in eight locations across four countries, taking in high and low temperatures as well as high altitude, covering over nine million kilometres in the process.

What has resulted is a superbly refined drive as exclusively experienced on a scheduled return route from Amsterdam to Rotterdam. To say that the newly designed interior is a revelation is an understatement. From the spot-on seating position to the conveniently laid out interactive control area on the dash, the new layout is miles apart from the prett y staid flat console on the outgoing model.

Buyers have a choice of specifying a 10.5” or 7” infotainment touch screen system. The MBUX system, a two-year development project in collaboration with the car division is as simple to use as an I-Pad, with speech control elements added for additional safety and convenience. On the Sat-Nav there is an

The more basic 3.5 tonne panel van with similar 2.1 litre block had the new 6-speed manual with the 7” touch screen display, while the 314 CDI 7G-Tronic was impressive. Noticeable on this FWD model is that the load sill and entry step is 80 mm lower than the standard RWD type and offers 50 kg more payload.

Other key elements included in the new generation vehicle are keyless entry and reversing camera. Rear air suspension is available, especially for the minibus versions, while the larger AdBlue tank (from 18-22 litres) will satisfy all users.

As before, the weight capacity stretches from 3.0 to 5.5 tonnes with payloads offered from 2.0 tonnes (FWD) to 3,150 kg for the range topper. Up to 17 cu.m of load space is provided and the 5-tonne version can have super single tyres in the rear. A new initiative in the creation is that the rear springs are made from GRP (reinforced plastic) instead of the conventional steel option, again to suit certain applications.

Next up is to drive the all-new zero-emission e-Sprinter this summer.

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

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38 | REPORT

45th Irish Road Haulage Association AGM & Conference, Citywest Hotel, Dublin Excerpts from IRHA President Verona Murphy’s speech - IRHA Gala Dinner 2018

"T

aoiseach, your Excellency British Ambassador Robin Barnett, colleagues and ladies and gentlemen. You are all very welcome to the IRHA’s 45th Gala Dinner.

Th is is the fi rst time our Association has had the honour of welcoming a sitt ing Taoiseach at our annual dinner so it is a very special and hugely significant moment in the history of the IRHA and indeed the haulage industry. As all of us here know and remember, Taoiseach Varadkar attended our Dinner in 2013 as the then Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and it is wonderful to welcome him back, this time as the leader of the Government.

The Taoiseach has demonstrated an understanding of the importance of our industry to the Irish economy. He recognises that the licensed haulage sector plays a vital role in the efficient distribution of goods within Ireland, and that we service the country’s international mercantile trade.

The Taoiseach’s presence here this evening is a clear acknowledgement that he and his Government recognise the critical role licensed hauliers play in the functioning of our economy.

This critical role was highlighted only recently during the weather crisis when people felt the dramatic impact on their daily lives when dangerous road and weather conditions created a momentary interruption in the thousands of deliveries made daily by Irish hauliers, and in the last few weeks, in the lifeline afforded to our agricultural industry through the delivery, by licensed hauliers, of animal feed during the fodder crisis.

We are a vital element of national economic infrastructure. We are also an industry that will be to the fore in facing the immense challenges posed by Brexit. As every licensed haulier in this room will acknowledge, Brexit is already casting a long shadow over our sector and introducing concerns and uncertainties which we will face. Currency fluctuations have already created challenges for licensed hauliers competing with hauliers from Northern Ireland or operating in Great Britain. These challenges will be compounded with the real threats posed FLEETTRANSPORT | MAY 18

on the transit of goods across the Border to Northern Ireland and across the Irish Sea.

•

The Sector needs the Government to pursue a strategy to reduce upward cost pressures, particularly in light of Brexit, and this includes avoiding any additional State-imposed charges or costs, which are unnecessary or not properly grounded.

We are pleased that you, Taoiseach, are maintaining a direct interest in the operation of the newly established structured engagement initiative. Our initial priorities include looking at the following issues; • Fuel costs, the fuel rebate and the prospect of a carbon tax – the prospect of higher fuel costs are an appalling vista for our members.

• The utterly misconstrued Waste Tyre Levy.

• The completely unjustified imposition of a de facto increase on the M50 Toll for licensed hauliers by TII following the abolition of VAT – this effectively constitutes highway robbery.

• The 42-tonne weight laden limit – an issue that has been on the agenda for many years, but which is disproportionately impacting on licensed hauliers dealing with the agri-sector.

•

Relations with the Road Safety Authority (RSA) - I want to see a more effective and meaningful working engagement with the RSA in order to fi nd practical solutions to a myriad of concerns which our members have raised, relating to regulation and compliance that are directly damaging the competitiveness of our sector and unnecessarily adding to our operating costs.

The advent of Brexit is a key issue for the IRHA and remains a priority for our engagement with Government. We are also looking at the many issues that are coming at our sector from Brussels as part of the EU’s business as usual issues – this includes the EU Mobility Package.

To that end, the IRHA is continuing to make significant investment to ensure that our voice is heard by European law makers, through our European Team, Dan and Laure of Eurotrans.

There are of course, many, many other issues facing our members. Most notably our continuing struggle with the spiralling cost of insurance and the blight of phoenix trading causing so much damage to our sector."

REPORT | 39

Excerpts from An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s speech at IRHA AGM

W

ith trucks and road haulage in his genes, An Taoiseach felt very much at home attending the 45th IRHA AGM & Conference at the Citywest Hotel, Dublin. He mentioned during his opening address at the Gala Dinner that he still has his grandfather’s silver metal haulage licence plate that he received from the Department of Transport, and which is now proudly framed in his office.

As the nation’s economy “is very much back on track,” Mr. Varadkar commended the road haulage industry for its resilience during the difficult times and also thanked the industry for the contribution it made to the economy and to society. He said; “We saw this to great effect during the recent storms, where you kept the country well supplied with essential staples.

Those couple of days gave people a real insight into the importance of haulage and logistics and distribution.”

“I know that modern infrastructure and particularly roads and ports are very high up on your lists of concerns as well. So investment in our infrastructure is going to increase Ireland’s resiliency as an economy as well, improve our society, and also provide capacity for further growth. Project Ireland 2040 provides for €160m worth of investment in our infrastructure over the next ten years.

The kind of priorities that we have identified include €7.6 billion to be invested in the national road networks in the years ahead. Those include projects such as the M20 linking Cork and Limerick by motorway, the long needed and long awaited Galway Ring Road and the M28 linking Cork to Ringaskiddy which is so important for access to Cork Port and of course better road access to Shannon Foynes and to Rosslare Europort.

So by 2026 we’ll have substantially completed the Atlantic Economic Corridor which is essentially a motorway linking Cork, Limerick and Galway with an improved road from there on to Sligo and that’s very much part of the Government’s wider philosophy of rebalancing economic growth development and investment from the east coast to the west coast which can only be done if we invest in infrastructure, in roads and broadband as in higher education.

When it comes to our ports, many have special Photos: Paul Sherwood

plans at Dublin Port to Foynes and also Cork and the regional local roads programme will benefit from an estimated investment of €4.5 million allowing us to catch up on some of the under investments that occurred during the recession.

There is probably no group of people in Ireland who understands the challenge of Brexit better than those involved in road haulage. Whether you are travelling north-south, crossing over to Britain or continental Europe, you understand what’s at stake if politicians get this wrong.

Certainly the Government is under no illusions about the challenges in consequence of Brexit and there is certainly no complacency about it in the corridors of power.

So detailed work is continuing as we prepare for the UK’s exit, in parallel to the detailed work happening in Brussels, and I’m pleased that your Association is increasing your presence in Brussels for contingency planning for all possible scenarios.

So far through the All-Island Civic Dialogue and twenty Sectoral Dialogues have taken place in locations across Ireland and the IRHA has been active and vocal and constructive partners and participants in all of those discussions.

At the moment the Irish Maritime Development Office is conducting a study into the use of the UK landbridge. That will provide information on possible alternative routes that could be considered should the UK landbridge to mainland Europe become unattractive because of the UK’s exit from the EU. Another element of our Brexit response is the market diversification and this is well underway.

The UK now accounts for less than 20% of our trade with 80% of it being with the Euro Zone, the US and China, but of course that doesn’t tell the full story, some industries such as Agri foods and some areas such as the Border areas are much more exposed than others. But even when it comes to agriculture and food, our exports to the UK for the first time have fallen below the 35% mark. Nonetheless, the UK is our large neighbour and therefore will always be our closest and most important market. The best outcome for all of us here in Ireland, the UK and across the European Union would be for the UK to remain a single market or at least something very close to it. That of course ultimately is a decision for the British Government and European

Parliament. So whatever happens, we want the future relationship between the EU and the UK to be as close as possible.

Another global challenge facing Ireland and indeed your sector is that of Climate Change and we are going to require a total transformation of our economy in the decades ahead to deal with that. The investment in Project Ireland 2040 alongside existing policies and technological advancements means we are at the stage when we can talk about the transport sector that has sustainability and decarbonisation at the heart of its operations. From next year, any new bus bought by Bus Éireann or Dublin Bus will be a low emissions vehicle. In 2025, we will stop burning coal in power stations. From 2030 we’ll ban the tail pipes on cars meaning that the sale of petrol or diesel cars will no longer take place and we are continuing to invest in renewable energy.

So we need to discuss some of the practical challenges that hauliers are going to face in playing your part in reducing those carbon emissions.

While I think there are real and significant challenges ahead, I think Ireland’s future pathway should provide opportunities for all of our citizens, and for all parts of our country, and a vibrant and sustainable transport industry is crucial in doing that. You are a vital sector, enhancing connectivity with other markets and as a Government we are committed to supporting you – though we might not always agree, we will always listen and try to take your advice and interests on board and we believe that working together will help you to succeed in your ambitions.”

www.fleet.ie

45TH IRHA AGM &

FLEETTRANSPORT | MAY 18

Conference 2018

www.fleet.ie

42 | LEGAL

You have an Alcohol Policy; Do you have a Drugs Policy?

A

n Garda Sióchána has carried, and continues to carry out a series of successful raids to seize drugs imported illegally into the Republic. On occasion these raids result in the recovery of an alarmingly high quantity of drugs, a tribute to the efficiency of the Irish Police Force. The downside of this, of course, is that those who seek to import these drugs believe that there is an established market.

Today, the position is further complicated by the introduction of so called, ‘legal highs’, chemical compounds sold in garish packets with improbable names, designed to mimic the effect of the so called ‘hard drugs’ without involving the consumer in an illegal activity. Legal control of these legal highs is difficult because the compounds that are used are changing all the time, but once a consumer becomes a driver then he or she may be driving under the influence of drugs, a serious criminal offence.

In the Republic Drug Driving provisions were introduced in the Road Traffic Act 2016 and these provisions were brought into effect on 16 April 2017. Gardai may now establish Mandatory Impairment Checkpoints (MIT) at the roadside. One means of checking is to use the Drager Drug Test 5000 to analyse a driver’s saliva at the roadside for the presence of cannabis, cocaine, heroin, morphine, and benzodiazepines. In 2016, 24 percent of the tests proved positive for drugs.

It is clearly important that drivers of HGV’s should not be driving whilst they are under the influence of either alcohol or drugs. As with other problems directly affecting the public, it is the employer who has the primary duty to ensure that employed drivers neither drink nor take drugs whilst they are working.

In the event of a fatal or serious accident involving an employed driver, when the presence of alcohol or drugs is found to be a contributory factor, it is inevitable that the Gardai will want to be assured that the employer has an effective drink and drugs policy. On inspection, the walls of the traffic office would be expected to display material underlining the risks of driving having taken alcohol or drugs, maybe obtained from the Road Safety Authority (RSA). It should be possible to produce letters or memoranda sent to individual drivers warning of these risks, and, if a driver has been dismissed for drug or alcohol offences, there should be a record of that fact.

The decision to operate on a drug and alcohol free basis should always be a collective decision taken by the employer and the drivers.

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Every transport undertaking, whether big or small, should have a clear drink and drugs policy, ideally in writing, with a copy given to each driver. Major problems usually arise when a driver has been drinking or taking ‘recreational drugs’ the day before they come to work. In the fi rst instance managers should be observant. Does a driver smell of alcohol, or is there some aspect of his/her behaviour which is unusual? Unless the circumstances are exceptional the fi nal sanction used by the employer should always be dismissal.

When a reference is requested for a driver who has been dismissed for a drug or alcohol offence that fact should always be disclosed in the reference.

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There is now an immediate non-intrusive test for drugs that is readily available to employers. The question is whether or not it should be used, and that must always be a decision for the management of a company. The ‘Intelligent Fingerprinting’ system requires only that each employee provides a set of fi ngerprints. The sweat from the fi ngertips is then analysed and the presence of cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and cannabis will be detected. At the moment however, manufactured chemical compounds used to manufacture the so-called ‘legal highs’ escape detection because the compounds are constantly changing. Your local Garda will be able to tell you what products are currently in use in your area.

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FINANCE | 43

Reducing Maintenance and Tyre Costs

A

s a rule most transport companies carry out some element of tyre maintenance and replacement inhouse. From review of internal costs versus the cost of contract maintenance (either full contract hire of contract maintenance alone) the actual cost of external contract maintenance is often lower than in-house maintenance when considering the full cost per hour of internal work, including an overhead for the cost of internal workshop tools and consumables.

Tyre dealers that offer contract maintenance have the added advantage of maximising the utilisation of workshop time and personnel. Technicians trained in one make should be more efficient and their support from the brand’s warranty and recall items allows more efficient utilisation of the vehicle and less downtime.

Biggest factors in tyre wear include vehicle/trailer maintenance, weight carried, types of road surface, driver and tyre suitability.

Checking tyre pressure, rotation of tyres and monitoring of driving style all contribute to wear. The specification of tyre to application means a unit and trailer that runs on motorways with a light load can benefit from premium brand, extended life and reduced unit downtime. Light commercial vehicle tyre costs can vary by as much as 30 percent, so shop around. Heavy commercial premium brands can be purchased at discounted price when tyre manufacturers run volume discounts or change patterns. Premium brands may not always give the kilometres expected, due to product suitability with application and a system that monitors actual usage per tyre on units and trailers will highlight this fact. Usage of low cost tyres on trailer applications that are prone to tyre damage or low kilometre usage may be cost advantageous but consideration has to be given to safety and fuel economy. A review of annual tyre cost versus a full tyre usage deal with a set rate per kilometre, may highlight cost savings whereby the tyre distributor gains with volume sales over the life of the contract and hidden additional costs such as tyre monitoring, stock costs, and downtime are eliminated. Advances in technology recently seen at the annual CV Show in Birmingham combine tyre inflation, tyre security (loss of tyres due to loosening) and monitoring of hub temperature, all contributing to lower tyre cost and reduced downtime as well as the obvious safety factor.

sell directly to large fleet purchasers and appoint service and parts agents as opposed to full dealers, so increasing specialisation in sales and increasing the service levels to its customers. Many transport fi rms that have in-house workshops must access the cost benefit of own maintenance versus external maintenance, and also look at a second option of creating a commercial workshop as a profit centre for the business.

In review of maintenance costs one must take cognisance of the type of work undertaken. Hauling full weight loads on poor periphery roads, over a certain kilometre life of the vehicle, is it no longer economically viable to retain the unit regardless of how productive or efficient your workshop is? New units purchased commit a business to a five to seven year asset repayment schedule, and clearly if the most economic unit for a business is a new unit, then a contract hire arrangement made be fi nancially the best option.

In summary, review fi nancially the current cost of maintenance, assess fully the increasing complexity of in-house maintenance, and review with the fi nancial department the most appropriate and compliant maintenance procedures both internally and externally for your business.

Internal maintenance of units and trailers brings both fi nancial and compliance issues to bear. For internal maintenance, to be cost effective it has to be run with the same standards, expertise and control as a commercial workshop. Hidden costs in a commercial workshop involves the flow of work and productivity of technicians, while manufacturers and distributors aim to capture the after-sales market. Th rough specialisation of diagnostics units the actual dealers realise that sales of units are a factor of whole of life vehicle cost. The biggest factor in unit cost is fuel but a significant element in the purchase decision of a unit or trailer is the service backup and downtime likely with a brand of vehicle or trailer. As the cost per hour of commercial workshop rates drops and the flexibility of maintenance times and locations increases, the case for a fully contracted maintenance plan should be fully assessed.

With the volume of commercial vehicle sales stabilising and the likely decrease in the number of operators with under 10 vehicles going forward, it creates a situation where distributors now can Text: Donal Dempsey - donal@fleet.ie

www.fleet.ie

44 | OPINION

45th IRHA AGM & Conference – Much Achieved

F

or the fi rst time in recent years the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) held its 45th Annual General Meeting & Conference in Dublin. The Citywest Hotel, a venue often associated with All-Ireland winning team celebrations, hosted the usual distinct elements of the event, business and social. Members participated in three discussion sessions over the weekend, with Friday night featuring the fi nancial report, which was approved. During the Saturday morning session, the motions from the Branches around the country were debated and proposed and voted on, forming the policy for the following year. In all, twenty-nine motions were put forward, covering about twenty issues. All were approved, providing the Management Team with a busy workload.

All of the discussions were informative and, in some cases, lively, in particular, the comments made about insurance cover. Some horror stories were relayed about increasing premiums and what could only be described as arrogant behaviour by insurers. While one or two people did say they had seen a reduction in premiums, the vast majority reported increases. It was interesting therefore to hear the view from IRHA President, Verona Murphy as to the way the organisation is dealing with this problem.

In spite of a lot of public outrage about rising premiums, it is the view of the IRHA that the Government is dragging its heels a litt le. Moreover there seems to be litt le appetite on the Opposition benches for a fight here either. Last year, the Association went to the European Competition watch-dog and reported its concerns, which in turn led to the “dawn raids” seen last year. Ms. Murphy told delegates that the fi nal report had not been present and she hopes that it will have an effect. During the discussion many members seemed to think that the insurance issue could be high on the agenda during the next General Election campaign. I spoke to one or two insurance brokers over the weekend and personally I think they have a very difficult job as the go-betweens between the insurance company and in this case, hauliers. From their point of view, they see light at the end of the tunnel, particularly in terms of competition coming back. While those I spoke with accepted that it is still a very challenging situation, insurers were at least starting to appear interested in quoting and engaging. As one rep put it, “there is less of a take it or leave it att itude by underwriters” One topic that gave rise to strong opinions was the Driver CPC. The most interesting point in this discussion for me was that nobody was asking to get rid of it, but there is no doubt that they want it improved and made more relevant. Th is is a point that has been made before and something the Road Safety Authority (RSA) should listen to. Even though most drivers are attending the annual courses and becoming compliant, more thought, relevance and flair should be introduced.

Over the weekend the Association held a number of information seminars for members. On Friday night there were two presentations on GDPR and a focused presentation on employment law and in particular contracts of employment. Members received plenty of FLEETTRANSPORT | MAY 18

View from the Operators Desk by Sean Murtagh sean@fleet.ie practical and useful information on these matters. On Saturday morning there was a blueprint for a driver training project that will be organised in the South-east initially and it is hoped can be rolled out nationwide. For the moment the Apprentice Scheme that was being planned has been shelved.

The IRHA is in good shape at the moment. Its political influence has never been as strong, its reputation and respect within Government has never been as effective. While there are still some areas of concern with some State Agencies, I have no doubt they will overcome these difficulties. Something that occurred to me during the Gala Dinner, that demonstrated the high stature of the Association was that the Taoiseach was happy to attend. I remember a time when we had to rely on an official from the Department of Transport coming to read a prepared speech on behalf of the Minister. All the same - ‘A lot done, more to do’ to use a well-used political term!

COMMENT | 45

Are we hitting the point at which exports are transmitted, not transported?

From where I'm sitting - Howard Knott - howard@fleet.ie

A

t one of the early planning meetings for the Irish Exporters Association (IEA) Supply Chain event series, Patrick Daly from Alba Logistics mentioned that Blockchain was going to become the answer to Supply Chain prayers. At the time, apart from having a notion that Blockchain was something to do with Bitcoins, I had no idea what this was all about. Since then I have been trying to get my head around an ever-growing list of questions about Blockchain and its application in the logistics world.

Some weeks ago I read a note in the regular Newsletter from the European Shippers Council about the final event of the EU backed CORE project (http://www.coreproject.eu/) taking place in Brussels.

This would include a discussion on the IBM/Maersk Line Blockchain based shipping information pipeline so I decided to go along to learn more.

The project had been developed six years ago with the objective of meeting the ever-increasing security requirements within supply chains, and the need to deliver the products being transported in good condition and at a reasonable cost. That these needs were well accepted by participants in the Supply Chain, ranging from the European Commission through to individual transport operators and Freight Forwarders, was clearly shown by the fact that there were seventy partners in the project, mainly but not exclusively from within the EU. A significant grouping within the partnership has been the Customs and Regulatory Authorities, led by those in the Netherlands. These groups had, of course, been faced with the need to update systems to handle the arrival of the European Union Customs Code which is now in the course of implementation. This has greatly increased data input requirements. Now the 59 required data items on a shipment come from the shipper of the goods and all other parties involved in the transaction. Whereas previously the 30 pieces of necessary information were provided by the carrier who presents the documentation.

At the time that the CORE project kicked off, Brexit never seemed likely to happen. Speaking at the Brussels event, David Hesketh, a former Director of R&D at HM Customs said: “Data pipelines can also deliver a real Brexit dividend. When we leave the EU, import declarations will rocket from 70 million a year to 350 million, but data pipelines, in conjunction with customs self-assessment, could dramatically reduce that burden.”

Th is data pipeline seems to be what will enable trade involving third countries to continue. The IBM/Maersk Blockchain based system, even when launched this month as being an independent company, will only be one of the Data Supply Chains that shippers and their customers can use. A number of other participants in the project have developed other systems but the common factor is that, for every shipment there is a single trusted data pipeline from the point of loading the cargo at the manufacturers premises, through to the discharge of the consignment into the buyer’s premises. As the consignment makes its way along the Supply Chain all parties involved in transport or appropriate forms of regulatory control must be able to interrogate the data and to add real-time information. No data can be changed other than by the appropriate party so that errors do not creep in.

A key element within the data pipeline is the visibility that it gives to the parties involved of what exactly the consignment consists of and when it is likely to reach the point at which that party should intervene.

An example from the Maersk work was that, because the container terminals were part of the pipeline, they were in a position to advise the carrier and the consignee when the container in question would be lifted off the vessel and available either for collection or for Customs control. As truck driver shortages become ever more severe and the hours each driver has available to actually drive, reduce such accurate information could seriously drive down costs and congestion.

(The CORE project work includes the development of a number of physical innovations, see Handling Network’s Supply Chain column).

www.fleet.ie

ABOUT SHUTTER SPEED Ronan Kelly Head of Sales, Asset Finance Capitalflow

Profile

Ronan Kelly, the Rush native has over 25 years experience in the financial sector, having commenced his career in Bank of Scotland, where he remained for 14 years, as Senior Sales Manager. Ronan is now Head of Sales in Capitalflow - Ireland's Fastest-Growing Specialist Business Lender, where he manages a team of 10 Sales Directors.b We spoke to Ronan about his role in Capitalflow and why he thinks Capitalflow is the right fit for him,

First up Ronan, talk to us about what you are passionate about, what gets you up in the morning?

Its probably one of my 5 kids that literally gets me up in the morning sitting on my head! But, apart from my family, a key passion of mine is sailing. My father is a keen sailor so myself and my siblings, 3 brothers and 1 sister, started sailing at a young age, and the next generation have even started up. It's an amazing way for us to bond - working together, on the open seas, competing in, and even winning regattas on occasion! For me, sailing is so important as it's very much a team sport, you have to be able to trust each person to do their part.b It's taught me a lot that I can apply to my role in Capitalflow, where, as a new company that is growing at a phenomenal pace - with now 54 people on the team - it is literally, pardon the pun, all hands on deck. bWe work together to get deals over the line.b Last month in particular was one of our best months yet, and it was great to see people working out of their areas, coming together to get deals completed.

Tell us about your role in Capitalflow and what a typical day looks like?

We are all about people, and getting out to our customers, face to face, so I spend a lot of time out on the road, which I love. We hear over and over again from customers that the banks just aren't prepared to meet with people, or to make decisions in the time frame needed, and that's where we excel - we get out and meet the customers, get to know the business, and see where the potential is. And more importantly we make fast funding decisions, rather than having to fill out endless forms and seek approval from elsewhere.b In the office, I spend a lot of time mentoring the younger team which is a role I really enjoy - and the senior teambteam get stuck in growing the business.

In 2 years we have built up a really strong sales force nationwide with more decades of experience than I care to say!b What do you think has been the key to the success of Capitalflow to date?

Its definitely people who have been key to our success - our customers who have helped us grow from scratch and have remained loyal advocates of Capitalflow, and our team who share the company ethos of putting people first. If you are not a people person, you will struggle in this office!

Also, our flat structure, if someone needs something done we have a conversation, face to face, and we get things done.

Haulage has been a key market for me over the last 20 years, and in that time I have built up strong relationships with dealers, suppliers and customers. We have built up a great level of trust that helps us grow our businesses together. At the end of the day,bwe want our customers businesses to grow and prosper, because their growth will fuel our growth, essentially we see ourselves as partners in our customers businesses.

In an ideal world, what does your future look like?

I guess I just want to keep enjoying going to work every morning, and for our business to keep on growing the way it has been - and of course most importantly, a happy healthy family. And, lots of sailing, in good Irish weather, now that would be the cherry on top!

For Better Finance, contact our Asset Finance Team todaybon: T: 01-5632400 E: info@capitalflow.ie W: www.capitalflow.ie

48 | SHIPPING & FREIGHT

Drogheda Port Company launches Masterplan Consultation

O

n the occasion of the launch of its Public Consultation document in which the Drogheda Port Company seeks to lay the basis for the development of a 20202050 Masterplan for the river Boyne, Port Company CEO, Paul Fleming said: “Drogheda Port is a major economic driver for the north-east region facilitating employment growth, imports, exports and investment. But, to remain so, it is essential that we examine the future needs of the region and plan to ensure that the Port can deliver on those needs.”

in Fingal and the North-East.

Ownership of the Drogheda Port Company has been transferred from the Department of Transport to Louth County Council, retaining its own Board and Management. It is designated under the terms of the 2015 Harbours Act as a Regional Port and serves the needs of mainly agricultural and construction-based businesses

There is a well-established network of regular services through the Port, shipping construction materials to the Benelux countries and importing steel, timber and other building products from ports as far away as Iskenderun in Turkey, Riga in Latvia and a number of Spanish Ports.

Motorways of the Sea Seminar planned

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hannon Foynes Port Company, along with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) and the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO), will host a seminar under the title: “Understanding the Opportunities from the EU” on Friday, 18 May. Speakers at the event will include Brian Simpson, EU Coordinator for the Motorways of the Sea Programme, who will speak about the opportunities to be harnessed in Ireland under the programme, and

Peter Balazs, the EU Coordinator for the North Sea-Mediterranean TEN-T Corridor, who will discuss what corridor status means for Irish Ports.

The North Sea-Mediterranean corridor is the only TEN-T corridor running through Ireland and it links four ports on the island of Ireland, Belfast, Dublin, Foynes and Cork, with EU Core Port status. Th is corridor runs through Britain en route to Ireland.

SAMSKIP pursues a strongly green agenda

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amskip is best known in Ireland as the operator of a range of LoLo container services linking Rotterdam with Dublin, Cork, Belfast and Waterford. Its Irish operations are managed by Richard Archer and it maintains offices in Belfast, Dublin and Cork. Samskip also offers multimodal services linking Ireland to Continental Europe via the UK land-bridge.

Samskip’s Dutch based operations are diverse, with many based around its Multimodal Terminal at Duisburg. It now operates a six

vessels in its fleet. The company claims that they are 65% more energy-efficient than vessels running on conventional marine fuel and meet all environmental controls presently in force or planned.

times weekly barge service linking the inland port and rail terminal with Rotterdam giving substantial environmental benefits compared with use of other transport modes. In 2017, Samskip acquired the Norwegian Nor Lines company which included two LNG powered

Another significant operator that will be introducing LNG-fuelled vessels to its fleet will be Volkswagen Group Logistics, which has announced that Siem Car Carriers AS will build two 6,500 vehicle capacity LNG powered Ro-Ro vessels for charter. These will be used for operations between Europe and North America.

Cork Ports to welcome record number of Cruise Ships in 2018

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he Port of Cork anticipates that with 94 cruise ship calls to Cork Harbour this year, the total passenger numbers visiting the City and County will be 188,844 and 80,000 crew.

Th is represents a 30% increase in calls over the 2017 season. As well as Cork, the Port of Cork also operates Bantry Bay Port Company, which will see ten cruise liners calling to the West Cork area this summer.

Bantry Harbour and Glengarriff can accommodate the smaller boutique cruise FLEETTRANSPORT | MAY 18

visits represent a 50% increase.

liners whose passengers tend to look for active expedition cruises. In 2017 just five liners called to West Cork, so planned 2018

Up to eight cruise liners will make their maiden calls to Cork, including Disney Cruise Lines MV Disney Magic in September, as well as the largest of the MSC Cruise Lines fleet, MSC Meraviglia carrying a maximum of 4,500 passengers. Royal Caribbean’s MV Royal Princess will call ten times in 2018.

The Port Company’s market research indicates that the average cruise passenger visiting Cork spends €81 during their time there.

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50 | TIMES PAST

Scania turns back the clock at Södertälje HQ

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rom its foundation in 1891, Scania’s culture of continuous innovation has made it one of the world’s leading manufacturers of heavy trucks and buses.

Follow us on a journey into the past, and meet the leaders, inventors and workers who have contributed to Scania’s history.

Scania-Vabis Type 3352 “Sörsjön” 1934

Dan Persson, Senior Engineer at Scania Heritage Scania-Vabis Type 3352 “Sörsjön”

The majority of the trucks manufactured by Scania-Vabis in the 1930s were sold to road building authorities and private hauliers carrying out road maintenance work across Sweden. One of these was the truck belonging to haulier Ivar D Matt son, which was commonly referred to as “Sörsjön”, after the town in central Sweden in the Dalecarlia province where he lived.

The truck initially had a type 1556 Hesselman engine, but during the Second World War it ran on producer gas. After the War a new type 16621 Hesselman engine was installed. The truck spent its fi rst 10 years doing heavy timber haulage, later snow-ploughing in the mountains in Western Sweden, while in the summers, it spread gravel and carried a scraper.

There is every reason to assume that the modest payload of 2,360 kg was regularly exceeded. The body holds around 2.6 cu.m. Loading gravel up to the top of the body sides pushes the payload to 5 tonnes.

When the truck was acquired by Scania-Vabis in 1957, it had clocked up 1,450,000 km.

Chassis Axle distance Kerb weight Engine Output Swept volume Bodywork Payload

Type 3352 3.80 m 6,580 kg Type 1556 6-cylinder Hesselman engine 80 hp 7.07 litres 3-way tipper platform 2,360 kg Scania-Vabis Type 2L12

Scania-Vabis Type 2L12 1947 “Since truck transport is unavailable in the market…” was a statement recalled at the meeting of the Bollnäs Town Council on 11 September 1946. So, the Council decided to invest 29,700 crowns (around €3,300) in a truck. Actually when the deal was struck, it included four Scania-Vabis trucks at a price of 20,883 crowns (€2,300) each.

After 12 years in Local Authority service, the truck featured here was traded-in by Scania-Vabis dealer Bil & Buss in Bollnäs. After standing unregistered for many years, it was acquired by ScaniaVabis in 1988 for the company’s vintage vehicle collection. The gross FLEETTRANSPORT | MAY 18

TIMES PAST | 51 weight is 8,500 kg and the power stems from a 90hp 4-cylinder pre-combustion diesel in the modular unitary engine family.

Chassis Axle distance Kerb weight Engine Output Bore Stroke Swept volume

Type 2L12 4.20 m 8,500 kg Type D402 pre-combustion diesel 90 hp 115 mm 136 mm 5.65 litres

Scania-Vabis LT75 1962 Launched in May 1958, the L75 was to become the longest serving model in Scania-Vabis’ history. During its life it was renamed 76,110 and 111, until it was phased out in August 1980. A new design from the ground up, it featured the new 10-litre, 165 hp engine, a new frame, dual-circuit air brakes, power steering and a differential lock.

In short, Scania-Vabis set a new standard in truck design.

Chassis Axle distance Kerb weight Engine Output Bore Stroke Swept volume

Scania-Vabis LT75 1962

Type LT75 (6x4) 3.80 m 22,000 kg Type DS10, turbocharged 205 hp 127 mm 135 mm 10.3 litres

Scania L110 1968 China Th is truck formed part of a deal for 200 identical two-axle tippers that were sold complete with Swedish Ilsbo bodywork to China in 1968. In 1970, the 200 trucks were delivered to Tanzania to assist in one of China’s fi rst big foreign aid projects in Africa – the Tanzania-Zambia Railway, TaZaRa, which was to form a link between the mining districts in inner Zambia and the harbour of Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania.

The Chinese authorities opted for Scania because they knew from their own experience that the trucks were sturdy and reliable and easy to service. In 1965 the Chinese Ministry of Forestry brought 10 Scania-Vabis timber trucks, with complete body kit with timberhandling equipment from Swedish specialists. Scania had no experience of operating conditions in China at the time, so the trucks were specified to cope with the toughest conditions imaginable by the manufacturer’s engineers.

Chassis Axle distance Kerb weight Engine Output Bore Stroke Swept volume

Scania L110 38 190

L110 38 190 3.80 m 19,000 kg Type DS11 turbocharged 275 hp 127 mm 145mm 11.0 litres

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

www.fleet.ie

52 | PREVIEW

2018 Tip-ex & Tank-ex plus Drain-ex Exhibitions 31 May - 2 June 2018: Harrogate International Centre, Harrogate, Yorkshire, England

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or anyone involved in the tipping, bulk haulage, tanker and bulk liquid transport industries - Yorkshire is the place to go. Head for the annual Tip-ex and Tank-ex Exhibitions at the Harrogate International Centre and surrounding streets off the King’s Road, as they are the only events dedicated to these markets. With over 100 leading manufacturers and suppliers on show, many of which only exhibit at Tip-ex and Tank-ex, these have become the must-attend events for operators in the dry bulk and liquid tanker sectors.

Among the exhibitors of Irish interest listed to date are bmi Trailers, Fitzgeralds, Freuhauf, Kelberg, Montracon and Muldoon Trailers.

Practically all of the major truck brands will be present also.

Opening Times: Thursday 31 May: 09.00-17.00 Friday 1 June: 09.00-17.00 Saturday 2 June: 09.00-17.00 Drain-Ex is back for 2018 Tip-ex & Tank-ex organisers are once again joining up with Drainex to bring this three day exhibition dedicated to vehicles, vehicle solutions and accessories for the drainage, water and wastewater industries. Get ‘hands-on’ with the latest pieces of serious kit, view demonstrations, and attend informative talks and seminars. Drain-ex is located in Hall G at the Harrogate International Centre.

Renault Trucks Construction Range at Tip-ex & Tank-ex

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or cost-conscious operators seeking robust, efficient trucks that carry more weight, Renault Trucks will be showcasing three vehicles from its highly-acclaimed construction range at Tip-ex & Tank-ex 2018 in Harrogate (31 May - 2 June).

luxury Recaro seats, which are leather, heated and air-cooled.

Additionally, the stand will feature a Range C430 8x4 fitted with an 11-litre engine, Night & Day cab and a Wilcox insulated aggregate tipper body - an ideal solution for the cost-conscious operator.

Visitors to the Renault Trucks stand (M14-16) will see two Range T 6x2 tractor units widely used in the construction sector that offer reduced fuel consumption whilst increasing payloads by up to 114kgs.

One is a lightweight 11-litre Range T460 6x2 with a mini mid-lift , ideal for aggregate or liquid applications with a factory-fitted PTO and tipping equipment. The Range T MML derivative, being up to half a tonne lighter than the standard 6x2 mid-lift, offers significant payload advantages for operators.

The second - a 13-litre Range T520 6x2 tag axle tractor unit in Thompsons of York’s striking carnation-red and black livery - has a 3200mm wheelbase making it particularly suitable for manoeuvring in tight spaces. Th is vehicle is equipped with a sleeper cab, a factoryfitted PTO and a wealth of options including Alcoa DuraBright Aluminium wheels, 24-litre fridge, Kelsa top light bar with six spot lights, leather steering wheel and the ultimate in driver comfort FLEETTRANSPORT | MAY 18

Renault Trucks returns to Tip-ex 2018 with a robust line-up of three vehicles from its highly-acclaimed construction range including a Range C430 8x4.

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

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THE BEST PLACE TO SEE THE BEST FOR TIPPERS AND BULK HAULAGE VEHICLES | PRODUCTS | SERVICES Harrogate Convention Centre | 31 May – 2 June 2018

To find out more and to register for FREE tickets, visit www.tip-ex.co.uk or www.tank-ex.co.uk

For all exhibitor enquiries, please contact Richard Bennett Tel: 07889 823060, Email: Richard.bennett@roadtransport.com

54 | SOAPBOX

Dysfunctionality and the State

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he Irish Road Haulage Association’s (IRHA) annual conference has never in its forty-five year history been honored by the presence of a serving Taoiseach or indeed a retired one. In the past we haven’t even had a Government representative at some AGM’s. That we did on this occasion says as much about An Taoiseach’s understanding and respect for our industry as it does about the respect the IRHA has earned in recent times.

Respect is not something won easily. IRHA President Verona Murphy has worked tirelessly on behalf of all of us and is the fi rst IRHA President to be asked to speak before the European Parliament. In fact, she’s the fi rst elected head of any road haulage organization to do so.

“I want to commend you in your industry, for your resilience during these difficult times, and to thank you for the contribution that you make to our economy and our society every day just by doing the job that you do.”

“I think that perhaps there is probably no group of people in Ireland who understands the challenge of Brexit better than those of you who are involved in road haulage.”

Ross and is a direct contradiction of the Taoiseach’s stated aims for our Nation, highlighting the dysfunctionality referred to by Verona Murphy. The Taoiseach has facilitated a structured engagement for the IRHA and Government, I hope Verona Murphy’s clear statement of the current dysfunctionality that exists will not have escaped his attention because it will only be eradicated through his leadership.

These are just two quotes from the Taoiseach’s address to attendees at the IRHA Gala Dinner, which is well covered elsewhere in Fleet Transport, and with the Brexit issue, herein lies the problem that Verona Murphy referred to in her hard hitt ing speech.

I have written before on the “All Island” dialogues that have taken place and I have felt attending them that fi nally we have everyone, both public and private sector pulling together for the sake of our small island Nation facing Brexit. Regrettably time has proven me wrong hence the hard hitt ing speech from Verona Murphy in her response to the Taoiseach’s address on behalf of the IRHA. Her address, for which she has been criticized as being too hard hitt ing by some, was in my view a reflection of the fact that whilst the Taoiseach has a value on our role, the various state bodies regulating our industry seem inured to Brexit and its impact on not just our industry but our Nation.

As a prime example of this dysfunctionality, the Taoiseach in his speech referred to the need to reduce our carbon emissions and to retain our national competitiveness, whilst at the same time the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and its Minister, Shane Ross TD., has just reduced the payload on a five-axle artic combination from forty-two tonnes to forty tonnes GVW. That fl ies in the face of what other countries including France are doing.

A major Irish co-op has stated that this measure will require its transport fleet 7,000 additional journeys totaling 1,500,000 kms per year. The cost and additional emissions generated by these extra and unnecessary hauls a year is directly att ributable to Minister FLEETTRANSPORT | MAY 18

Text: Jerry Kiersey - jerry@fleet.ie

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