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INSIDE:
FEBRUARY 13
REPORT: ACEA Transport Policy Event, Brussels PROFILE: Macroom Haulage LAUNCH PAD: Volvo FH Series SURVEY: Supply Chain Efficiencies REVIEWS: Books x 3
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contents FEBRUARY 13 Fleet Transport Magazine, D’Alton Street, Claremorris, Co. Mayo, Ireland. Tel: +353 (0)94 9372819/ 9372826 Fax: +353 (0)94 9373571 Email: enquiries@fleet.ie Subscription Hotline: 094 93 72827 Editor: Jarlath Sweeney Contributors: Sean Murtagh, Cathal Doyle, Paul White, Jonathan Lawton, Donal Dempsey, Howard Knott, Jerry Kiersey, Rob Van Dieten, Michael Corcoran, Nigel Devenish, Warehouse Photography: Jarlath Sweeney, Cathal Doyle, Paul White, Rob Van Dieten, Howard Knott, Michael Corcoran, Marc O'Sullivan, ACEA Administration: Orla Sweeney, Denise Owens Advertising: Mary Morrissey, Orla Sweeney
4 NEWS • 46 tonnes in force in April • Big reduction in transport industry fatalities • Cappoquin make Truck Point with Bridgestone • Michelin correction • Scania still Number 1 • Vehicle Statistics 2011 • Global freight slows down • Solar powered Tail Lift lights • STL Awards at LIT • RSA Leading Lights honoured • Celtrak’s Charity cheque. 8 Interview With Aidan Kinsella, M.D. Dennison Trailers 10 Cover On Test: Scania P440 6x2 Tractor 12 New Fleet Two page spread of new ‘131’ registrations
Design: Eamonn Wynne Printed in Ireland Cover Pic: Paul White taken in Bohola, County Mayo.
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.
14 Report ACEA Annual Transport Police event, Brussels
Fleet Transport Official Irish Jury Member of the International Truck of the Year Award
29 Survey Supply Chain Efficiencies by Redshift Research 34 Fuel Prices/Safety Matters IRU Fuel Prices and Health & Safety Authority column 35 Comment The road ahead for the road transport industry 36 Times Past Model Trucks 38 Finance Business advice 40 Trailer Krone’s broad range 42 Opinion Another look at the Driver CPC 43 Launch Fleetmatics relocates HQ
18 Reading Matters Three Book Reviews
44-47 Fleet Maritime Shipping & Freight Newsletter
20 Profile Feature on Macroom Haulage – Irish Haulier of the Year 2013
48 Motorsport Full Report & Pictures from Dakar 2013
22 Preview FTA Ireland Transport Manager Seminar 2013 24 Launch Pad Dealer & Customer launch of the new Volvo FH Series 26 Case Study Dennison Commercials get return on IT investment
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
TimoCom's
50 Logistics Need for National Supply Chain Policy 51 Soapbox The UPS and TNT takeover debacle 53-68 Fleet Van & Utility Light Commercial Vehicle Supplement
P53
Transport Barometer below last year's level "In the 4th quarter TimoCom's transport barometer showed much fluctuation and reflected the year as a whole. Freight percentages on the European transport market continue to be below average, but the year ends with reconciliation and a glimmer of hope for the coming year, “ said TimoCom's Chief Representative Marcel Frings.
Fleet Transport represents Ireland on the Trailer Innovation 2013 and the European Transport Company of the Year 2013 adjudication panels.
Data from 16-12-2012 to 14-01-2013
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FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13
3
NEWS 1
46t weight limit to be introduced on 1 April
O
ver 12 months since fi rst mooted, the maximum permitted weight for heavy goods vehicles will extend to 46 tonnes on 1 April next. The delay in increasing the overall weight on a 6 axle truck/trailer combination to 46 tonnes was down to objections by stakeholders to the original proposals submitted by the Road Safety Authority to the Department for Transport. ”If the original proposals were accepted by Minister Varadkar only a handful of vehicles could have availed of the revised weight due to the excessive measures proposed by the RSA,” said an IRHA spokesperson. “The IRHA objected to these proposals and thankfully commonsense did prevail. It was worth waiting
for to ensure that the right measures were brought in at ground level,” he added. Criteria for operation at the revised weight include that tractor-units and semi-trailers already in service will require EBS – Electronic Braking System. Newly registered trucks will need to have ESP / ESC – Electronic Stability Programme / Electronic Stability Control from the date on which the regulations take effect. The same situation arises for newly constructed semitrailers, requiring EBS and ESP to be fitted. The issue of the new regulation applying to Euro 6 engined trucks has been rescinded as
has Advanced Emergency Braking Systems (AEBS) or Lane Departure Warning Systems (LDWS). These additional safety systems will only be required on new vehicles from the dates from which they will become mandatory under European Whole Life Vehicle Approval. “FTA Ireland has always been in favour of this initiative to allow a mass weight of 46 tonnes with the requisite safety features. However, it is disappointing that the introduction date now looks to be almost a year from that originally planned, being mindful that some operators would have planned for this in their 2013 budgets,” commented Declan McKeon, FTAI.
Transport & Storage sector records biggest reduction in workplace deaths orty seven people lost their lives in workplace accidents last year according to official figures released by the Health & Safety Authority (HSA). This is a 15% reduction compared to 54 in 2011.
F
years. During 2013 the Authority will continue to work closely with the Road Safety Authority and the Gardai with a view to increasing awareness of the many hazards associated with workplace vehicles,” according to the HSA statement.
While the agricultural sector recorded the highest number of deaths for the third year in succession, with 21 occurring in 2012, the Transport and Storage sector reported the biggest reduction in fatalities with 1 death compared to 7 in 2011. There were however some incidents relating to transport in the other work environments mentioned. Accidents involving vehicles at work accounted for 19 fatalities in 2012. “Th is is consistent with fatal accident trends for previous
Each year there are about 7,000 non-fatal injuries reported to the Authority. Speaking about the Authority’s initiatives to reduce non-fatal accidents, Martin O’Halloran, its CEO said, “The Health and Social work sector has experienced a particularly high level of non-fatal injuries in recent years. Incidents involving manual handling and slips, trips and falls tend to be the most common cause of injury. We’re now halfway through our 5 year plan to reduce work related
Cappoquin Transport signs up with Bridgestone Truck Point
C
appoquin Transport Ltd., based in Cappoquin, County Waterford, is the latest haulage fi rm to sign up to Bridgestone Ireland’s Truck Point Network. Dungarvan Tyres, the local Truck Point service agent fitt ing a range of Bridgestone premium tyres, will service Cappoquin’s vehicle fleet. On the new contract, Conor Curran, National Fleet Executive Ireland/Scotland, Bridgestone Northern Region, said: “The decision by
4 FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13
Cappoquin Transport to fit Bridgestone premium tyres reflects our commitment to establishing relationships with quality local companies and to ensure that they benef it f rom a f u l l range of services relevant to their operations.”
accidents and illhealth in this sector and will continue to work with the relevant bodies to help address the key hazards.” Examples of transport related fatalities during 2012 include a 47 year old maintenance fitter who received crush injuries while carrying out maintenance work on a refuse truck. Another incident happened at a domestic dwelling where a truck rolled over the victim (a 50 year old male) causing fatal injuries. In October, the deceased, a general warehouse operative (38), was in the process of stacking materials in a warehouse when he fell approximately 4.2 metres to the ground.
MICHELIN MIX-UP
J
ust to set the record straight, our reporter got in a muddle over the name of the new tyres from Michelin that we featured on page 44 of the November issue. The new tyres we tested were the “X Line Energy,” a long distance, fuel-saving tyre, and not Michelin’s “X MultiWay 3D” product as stated in the story. That is a separate high grip product intended for regional and national operators where vehicles use a mix of local and major trunk roads.
NEWS II
Scania retains top sales spot
I
n the ongoing battle for dominance among the Swedish brands in the new truck sales leagues in Ireland, Scania has once again retained the number one position. As Scania has proven to be the most popular truck brand, its national importer Westward Scania and its dealer network managed to increase its marketshare in a stagnant marketplace.
Mercedes-Benz claimed the fi nal top 5 spot ahead of MAN. From the figures provided by SIMI – Society of the Irish Motor Industry there has been litt le change in the overall positions of the main players in the field or for the market in recently years. UK municipal marque Dennis Eagle re-entered Ireland through Setanta Vehicle Sales, the Renault Trucks importers, focusing on the Waste Disposal market with some initial success. By this time next year, Euro 6 engine emission controls will have been introduced and all truck brands across Europe are gearing up for a splurge of sales of Euro 5 heavy goods vehicles in the lead up to 2014.
With 245 new Scania trucks registered in 2012, equating to 21.88% of the total overall sales of 1120 units, Volvo came a close second (again!) with 229 units (20.45%). DAF Trucks and Renault Trucks fought hard for the third step on the podium and in the end had to share that position with 10.45% from 117 units sold. SIMI New HGV Registrations 2012 (& 2011) Position
Marque
1
Scania
2
Volvo
3=
Renault
3=
Registration
Facts ‘n Figures Irish Bulletin of Vehicle Statistics 2011 •
Total number of Licenced Vehicles at 31 December 2011 was 2,425,156
•
Exceeds the 2010 level by 8,769 (+0.36%)
•
320,966 were Goods Vehicles
•
82.3% of Goods Vehicles are 4 years old and over (264,174)
•
57% are 6 years old and over (185,378)
•
11,188 new Goods Vehicles were registered in 2011
% Share
2011
% Share
Position Difference
•
Up from 10,510 units in 2010 (+6.45%)
245
21.88
182
15.95
=
•
229
20.45
175
15.34
=
117
10.45
120
10.52
+1
939 General Haulage Tractors/Dumpers were in operation in 2011, 70 units less than 2010
DAF
117
10.45
148
12.97
=
•
5
Mercedes-Benz
107
9.55
100
8.76
=
6
MAN
86
7.68
60
5.26
=
7
Hino
48
4.29
36
3.16
-1
Age of Goods Vehicles: 2007 - 40,214 2006 - 38,582 2005 – 34,595 2004 – 27,453
8=
Iveco
31
2.77
55
4.82
-1
8=
Dennis Eagle
31
2.77
-
-
-
Comparison Totals: 2012: 1120
2011: 1123
2010: 1056
Global Freight Data Show Trade Slowing Down
L
atest global freight data collected by the International Transport Forum at the OECD shows global trade volumes are slowing down. The International organisation helping governments tackle the economic, social and governance challenges of a globalised economy state that total external trade by sea (in tonnes) has remained stagnant below pre-crisis levels in EU27 and the United States (-2% and -10%) according to its seasonally adjusted preliminary estimates of goods carried until August 2012.
Exports and imports by sea display different patterns. Total exports remain above pre-crisis levels (USA 8%; EU27 23%) although exports to Asia show signs of slowing down. Total imports have stagnated below pre-crisis levels. Air freight tonnes, considered a lead indicator, show further decline since the previous quarter. USA total external trade by air fell to below pre-crisis levels, with exports at 4% above and imports at 5% below the pre-crisis peak. EU27 exports fell to 6% below the pre-crisis peak, while imports fell below the pre-crisis level for the fi rst time since the recovery in Q1/10. Th is reflects the on-going economic hardship faced by many European economies and overall weakening conditions globally. However, considering values instead of freight tonnes transported produces
a more mitigated picture. China continues to show resilience with external trade by sea and air (measured in values) reaching 38% and 34% above the pre-crisis peak, although growth levelled off over the last year. Overall external trade for both modes showed spectacular recovery through August 2011, with import growth outpacing export growth considerably. This ref lects rising domestic consumption and the gloomy global economic situation reducing external demand for Chinese goods.
Is this the first ever Solar Powered Tail Lift Warning Light?
P
arts-4-Tail Lifts has just launched its new and exclusive Solar Powered Platform Flashing Light and is promoting this as an alternative to the conventional Platform Flags which are fitted onto most Tail Lifts.
“CE regulations state that Tail Lifts should be visible in poor light conditions and it is industry practice to fit a flag with a reflective strip to comply with this statutory requirement,”
said David Conman M.D., “However, the flags visibility very quickly becomes compromised due to road dirt and wear and tear and so requires changing frequently. We feel that our light is a much brighter, modern and more cost effective alternative because it remains highly visible for its entire life.”
Panel will charge the light even during the dullest of winter’s short days.
An internal switch turns the light off when the platform is stowed and it is claimed that the Solar FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13
5
NEWS 111
STL Logistics Award presented at LIT Limerick *For excellence on the Bachelor of Engineering in Road Transport Technology & Management
L
imerick Institute of Technology’s Department of Mechanical and Automobile Engineering has presented the inaugural STL Logistics Award, “For Excellence on the Bachelor of Engineering in Road Transport Technology & Management”, to Sergeant Kevin Bourke by Michael O’Riordan M.D., of STL Logistics.
Institute of Logistics & Transport Managers CPC Exams in Road Haulage and Passenger Transport. Limerick headquartered STL Logistics has been synonymous with Transport in the mid-West region
STL’s Seamus Hennessy commented on how STL Logistics was keen to support education in Transport and Logistics and welcomed the opportunity to get involved with the programme at LIT. The Transport Technology & Management programme at LIT offers students a unique insight into the world of transport where they gain management qualifications along with a Bachelor in Engineering (BEng). They cover modules in Heavy Vehicle Technology and Logistics along with sitting the Chartered
and in recent years developed a major national distribution centre in Annacott y. Contracts with globally recognised companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Guinness Ireland, Ballygowan, Kerry Group, Vistakon, Wyeth Nutrition, Langdon’s, Dairygold, GlaxoSmithKline and Chattem Global prove STL’s commitment to professionalism in transport services provision to its clients. STL Logistics has in recent years offered LIT students employment and internships where they assisted in project design and implementation. Pictured left to right: Ailbe Burke, LIT; Shane McAuliffe, LIT; Timmy Donoghue, STL; Michael O’Riordan, M.D., STL; Sgt. Kevin Bourke, Dr. Philip Ryan, LIT; Eddie Nolan, LIT; Deirdre Sinnott , HSA, Brendan Condon, PSV. Also present at the lunch were Seamus Hennessy, STL and Patrick Walsh, LIT.
Road Safety Authority (RSA) presented ‘Leading Lights in Road Safety’ Awards
F
or the past four years the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has hosted its annual ‘Leading Lights in Road Safety’ Awards to recognise and honour the contribution made by people nationwide to reducing deaths and serious injuries on our roads. Awards will be presented to businesses, educational institutes, media, community groups, and public services that have demonstrated a commitment to keeping Irish roads free from deaths and serious injuries A total of 36 awards were presented at a special ceremony attended by almost 200 award winners, held in Farmleigh, Phoenix Park and hosted by RSA Chairman, Gay Byrne. Due to the significant number of entries received this year, the RSA chose to honour an additional 24 individuals for their contribution to road safety with a new ‘Special Recognition’ award. Among the recipients of this new award was
recipient of the Safety category in the Fleet Transport Awards 2013 while the CPC Training Organisation of the Year went to FÁS and Paul Gillespie, Bus Éireann winning CPC Trainer of the Year title.
Scania Young European Truck Driver of the Year, Gabriel Warde and the members of the Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) Stakeholder Forum and the Certificate of Professional Competency (CPC) Review Group.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Gay Byrne, Chairman of the Road Safety Authority expressed his gratitude and admiration for the ‘Leading Lights’ winners: “As always, I am extremely proud and honoured to be here today to present these awards and recognise the outstanding efforts of individuals and organisations who have selflessly given of their time to promote road safety. And I think I can speak for the other members of the judging panel when I say that this year, we found it extremely difficult to choose a winning entry in each category, such was the standard of entries we received.”
Other winners on the day included Iron Mountain’s Van Driver Management Business, a recent
Pictured above are Management and staff from Iron Mountain with Gay Byrne, Chairman RSA.
Gavin O’Hagan Trust benefits from Celtrak party
A
s part of Celtrak’s Christmas Charity giveaway, the Gavin O’Hagan Trust was presented with €400 through KTL (Killarney Communications Ltd), a Celtrak customer. Celtrak, Ireland’s original provider of GPS vehicle tracking solutions, presented their customers throughout Ireland and England the opportunity to nominate a charity to win £400 (€485). Three charities were nominated and posted on Celtrak’s Facebook page. 6
FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13
Whichever Charity received the most ‘Likes’, won the money. KTL nominated Gavin O’Hagan Trust, an organisation close to their hearts – gavinohagantrust.org Pictured at the Celtrak Charity Giveaway are: Geraldine Moran, KTL, Caoimhe McWeeney, KTL and Nicola Jones Celtrak
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INTERVIEW
One-to-One
JS. With the more stringent laws for roadworthiness coming in; do you think it will be of big concern to the big trailer fleet operators?
with Aidan Kinsella, Managing Director, Dennison Trailers by Jarlath Sweeney – editor@fleet.ie
JS. 2012 ended well for Dennison with the 40,000 th trailer produced and the Exporter award, how significant were these milestones? AK. We considered it very significant and marked the milestone appropriately. It was great also for the Dennison family and George (with his late brother Jim) who manufactured the fi rst trailer when he was 17 to mark the occasion. As is common in the transport sector a lot of families are engaged in some aspect of the business from a young age. There were three generations of the family there on the day (pictured below). Th ree of the next generation are heavily involved dayto-day, David who is Naas based and deals with Innovation and James and Jane who are Lancaster based and involved in Sales and Legal/HR. The other significant event at the back end of the year was that we won the ‘Emerging Exporter’ award to Germany organised by the German Irish Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise Ireland.
AK. Laws and regulations are always a concern as they usually increase the cost base of businesses. The biggest issue recently from our perspective is the European Whole Vehicle Type Approval, some operators are not happy with some of the changes.
who helped build the business retired. What’s great about the business at the moment is there are plenty of new ideas as the new team come to the fore. From my own perspective, I have had a very varied career in the company having started in the Accounts department. I have also worked in both plants having been in Lancaster for six and half year’s. JS. Product wise, any significant developments on the horizon? AK. We are always looking at new developments, and we put a tremendous amount of time into improving the products the whole time. There are some new products being worked on but it is too early to disclose. JS. At present, what is your most popular trailer sold? AK. Our skeletal range is always popular but we have a big range and we get repeat business for most models.
JS. Looking outside the Irish & UK markets, where do you see growth potential?
JS. How is the used market holding up?
AK. We see growth potential in niche products in the “near European” countries such as Germany.
AK. The used market is quite strong at the moment. Good used equipment is scarce due to the lower levels of production in 09/10.
As manufacturers and industry groups, we need to keep close to the various draft proposals and put our views forward on what is practical and works. JS. Will Naas continue to play a major role in your manufacturing functions? AK. Absolutely! Both Plants (Lancaster and Naas) are integral to our plans. We are a significant local employer in the Naas area and very proud of it. JS. What are the main differences between Naas and your Lancashire production facility? AK. The main difference is that all the steel fabrication is done in Naas. Other than that both plants have a similar set up and the same skill sets. Both plants have built up significant skill sets and the bulk of the staff in these plants have 10 years service or more. JS. Attending any Shows/Exhibitions overseas this year? AK. Yes. The next show will be Multimodal at the NEC in Birmingham. We attended for the fi rst time last year and we got some significant enquiries and orders. We are also finalising plans for other shows in the UK and on the Continent but we have not fi nalised plans as yet.
JS. Concerned about the state of the European marketplace? AK. From the people we speak to, people are gett ing on with it. They need new equipment and having postponed the decision for two to three years are now investing. JS. Are you part of a new Management Team going forward? AK. The business has restructured over the last few years, at Board level we have brought in nonExec Directors to strengthen and complement our internal skillset. In addition at Management level some of a new generation of Managers have moved up into more senior positions. Th is was a natural process as some of the original leaders
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FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13
COVER
Scania ‘P440 -
Perfect for Ireland ’
W
hile Scania is celebrated for trucks powered by its legendary V8 engine, the Swedish company does make ordinary trucks as well. We must not forget that most operators don’t need to hear the unique growl of a Scandinavian 16-Litre, for them, a quiet 13 litre in-line six, will do just nicely. So the opportunity to take one of the more standard listings from the Scania catalogue for a spin was welcome.
the driver’s seat in urban traffic is superb. The lower seating position keeps the driver more ‘in-touch’ with what is happening around the cab, especially regarding pedestrians. Scania has always fitted its trucks with quality mirrors and the mirror arrangement is arguably the best on the market. That's important for this type of cab which is targeting national work and the distribution sector, where the trucks often spend time mixing with passenger vehicles and pedestrians in towns and cities.
The P440 hitched to a tri-axle Krone box trailer was waiting for us at Westward Scania, Strokestown. Walking towards the truck the P-series appears small, and with the combination weighing in at just over forty tonnes, the question arises, will it be able? Th is thought crosses your mind even with a 13 litre under the cab and 440 badge on the front grille.
As the P-series cab has a lower centre of gravity, it enhances the already assured road holding and stability. Th is combined with the four-point air suspended cab, makes the six-wheeler’s ride comfort excellent, and performance through the corners very accurate. So the overall experience for the driver is calm and positive. With discs all round and running on six axles, stopping was never an issue, and there is a good responsive feedback from the pedal. One criticism was that this test unit’s exhaust brake was operated by a footswitch on the floor. The criticism being that we found this switch unnecessarily difficult to operate. Maybe we are somewhat spoilt, and getting a bit soft with the abundance of high-powered engine brakes and retarders on trucks.
After climbing the two steps into the Highline cab, you are welcomed by a sense of space that is pleasantly surprising considering the appearance of the truck from the outside. The large engine tunnel in the centre of the cab does intrude, but would only make a significant difference if the driver was to spend long periods in the truck away from home - and the P-series was not designed for this. The plan was to head off on a typical route around the West. The typical run was complimented by typical weather, grey, dull, windy and wet. After sorting out seats and digi-cards, we turned the Opticruise to drive and the P440 moved the forty tonnes instantly and in a manner belying its small stature. The truck immediately gives a sense that it is not only able for the forty tonnes; it could handle quite a bit more. Sett ing off through Strokestown, visibility from 10
FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13
The in-line six-cylinder DC13 112 engine delivers 440hp (324kW) at 1,900 rpm, and comes with an impressive torque rating of 2,300 Nm. The max torque
of 2,300 Nm is available across quite a narrow band, which begins at 1,000 and remains until 1,300 rpm. So drivers need to be conscious of the tachometer to achieve the best possible fuel performance from the vehicle if driving a manual version. For those with the Opticruise transmission, Scania’s soft ware should ensure the optimal gear ratios are selected every time. The 12.7 litre charge cooled diesel uses SCR to achieve its Euro 5 rating, and never felt under pressure throughout our drive. It always gave a sense of having a lot more in reserve in needed. For many the debate on the pros and cons of automated transmissions still rumbles on, and despite their increasing popularity Europe wide, some drivers and operators are still holding on to the gear selector firmly with both hands, lest it be taken away and replaced with a button. Our test truck came with Scania’s 12 (+2) Speed Opticruise, which has been dramatically improved since its fi rst incarnation. In our test unit, the Opticruise worked well and was as smooth and precise as
COVER
anyone could wish for - or expect. Nevertheless, some operators will prefer to remain with the manual version, and many who do so, tend to have well reasoned arguments for their point of view - often born from previous experience. However, the principal target audience for the P-series tractor unit, are the larger fleet and distribution companies, where an automated manual transmission (AMT) is defi nitely the answer. Fitt ing an AMT will not make the good drivers any better, though it can bring the weaker ones closer to the performance levels of the stronger drivers. Where this P-series impressed most was how well Scania has matched the drivetrain to suit Irish conditions. The specification sheet stated it came with a 3.08 rear axle ratio, which should improve pulling power, but could mean a possible fuel penalty. Currently some OEMs are deciding on a lower rear axle ratio to reduce rpm, and so save fuel. For vehicles that mainly work on motorways, this is not a problem. The benefits gained from a prolonged constant cruising speed at low rpm, can outweigh the small drop in pulling power for the few kilometres travelled on national roads. Unfortunately Irish operators are cursed with not enough of one, and too much of the other whichever way you look at it. Simply we do not gain a large enough benefit on the motorway, to outweigh the losses on national roads. Equally, we do not travel long enough distances on national roads to demand a lower rear axle ratio. Scania’s choice of 440hp linked to the 12 speed Opticruise driving through a 3.08 rear axle ratio appears to suit Irish conditions perfectly. At 80 Text & Photos: Paul White - paul@fleet.ie
kp/h the truck sits at just under 1,200 rpm, which is a little higher than some competitors. However, when the twisty national road sections with some hills come into the equation, the P440 has the power to perform, without affecting the overall fuel consumption excessively.
performance, and fuel consumption. The P-series may not have an enormous Topline cab sitt ing on a sixteen litre V8. However what it shares with Scania’s R730, is the same engineering, design and build quality that produced Scania’s flagship - just on a smaller scale.
Interior trim levels are well thought out for a fleet truck and the driver is well catered for. As we said, while the P-series is not a long haul unit, spending a few nights out would not be in any way a problem. The bunk is comfortable and the internal height clearance of the Highline cab allows room to move around, despite the intrusion of the engine tunnel. The cab comes with two good sized lockers over the dash and a smaller unit over the drivers seat. There is also a sturdy pull-out storage drawer under the bunk, and more space Spec Check available in the moulded door panels. Trim colours are servicable and the Make / Model fabrics are easy to clean and durable. Configuration An important factor for fleets with Engine constant driver changes. Scania’s P-series is a great truck for national work or the supermarket distribution sector. It comes with easy access, a well fi nished spacious cab, great visibility, good road holding and is comfortable on the road. With its well matched driveline it performs well and is an enjoyable truck to drive. In recent customer trials in Ireland against similar spec vehicles the P-series has performed exceptionally well. Winning over both the drivers and the operator with driveability,
Scania P-series (Highline Cab) 6x2/4 Tractor Unit Scania DC13 112 - Euro 5 SCR
Displacement
12.7 Litre
Power Rating
440 hp / 324 kW @ 1,900 rpm
Torque Rating
2,300 Nm @ 1,000 – 1,300 rpm
Transmission
12 Speed Opticruise
Euro Rating
E5 , SCR
Rear Axle Ratio
3.08:1
Brakes
Discs - ABS, EBS
Retardation
Exhaust Brake
Suspension
Front Spring / Rear Air / Cab Air
Wheels & Tyres
Steel - Bridgestone 318.80 R22.5
FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13 11
NEW FLEET
Corrigan’s ‘Star’ Avia Oil Tanker
O’Donnell’s does the deal on Mercedes-Benz Actros
via Trucks Ireland, Tullamore has just delivered a new Avia D 100, to Corrigan Fuel Services, Moyne, County Longford. The 10 tonne truck has been fitted with a new 7000-litre oil tank supplied and fitted by Road Tankers Northern, Armagh.
A
M
The new Prague built D-Line replaces a 2003 Avia oil tanker in Corrigans fleet and will be used for the delivery of home heating oil.
The new 2542 4x2 which replaces a 2009 Actros 1841 includes the following specification; Classic Space Cab, water type retarder, Factory CB and Bluetooth radio, remote central locking, Stability Control Assist and of course, milk pumping equipment.
ark O’Connor from Mercedes-Benz dealers Surehaul (IRL) Ltd slapped hands with John O’Donnell on this new Actros 2542. John collects milk from farms in South Tipperary to Glanbia Creameries.
Highline & Topline Scanias for Ed Lundy and Campbell Carriers
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wo new high spec Scania tractor units have joined Edward Lundy’s fleet based in Ballina, County Mayo. The new R420 Highline 4x2 and a R560 Topline 4x2 trucks supplied by Westward Scania were specified for maximum comfort and fuel
economy. Both are painted in Ed’s distinctive company colours and have been fitted with Kelsa light bars and beacons.
Carrick-on-Shannon based Campbell Carriers is one of Westward’s longest and most valued customers.
Ed selected Scania for its class leading fuel economy, reliability and after sales support. Painting and signwriting was completed by Gavin Quinn in Bailieboro. Meanwhile, Bosco Campbell (Campbell Carriers) put to the road his new Scania R620 Topline. Th is International specified truck is every driver's dream with luxury seats, refrigerator, Scania’s new extendable bunk, 1500 litre fuel tanks, new aerodynamic side skirts, air conditioning pod and V8 package, according to Michael Treacy, Retail Sales Manager at Westward Scania, Strokestown. The 4x2 tractor also has Scania’s new style H7 headlamps with integrated LED daytime running lights.
20 new Volvo FH460s – a Perfect Score for Dixon International combination of twenty new Volvo FH460 6x2 and 4x2 tractor units now wear the Dixon International colours purchased from Irish Commercials Volvo in Naas.
A
offered via Dynafleet, Volvo’s own vehicle performance management system plus the ease of drive offered by the I-shift gearbox, made the purchasing decision easy for Michael.
Company owner Michael Dixon’s fleet is now dominated by Volvo’s – which are clearly holding their own when put to work on the demanding international routes.
Dixon International based in Swords, County Dublin, is double winner of the International Haulier of the Year title at the Fleet Transport Awards.
The unrivalled fuel efficiency of the Volvo drivetrain and the benefits 12 FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13
NEW FLEET
Lenaghan ‘onthe-ball’ with first ‘131’ Volvo
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ohn Lenaghan International Transport Ltd. was the fi rst customer to sport a ‘131’ registration on a new Volvo truck from Irish Commercials (Galway). The Ballyhaunis, County Mayo International haulier purchased this new FH.540 6x2 with Globetrotter XL cab and hydraulically steered lift axle. Michelin 315 tyres are fitted to the rear and mid-lift axles and Super-single antisplash Michelins to the front, enhanced with Alcoa DuraBright alloys. Also specified was full leather seats, fridge, bi-Xeon lights and Wabco roof mounted cooling pod.
Nolan’s put Hi-Spec Scania R500 on the Road . . . Dillon Waste too!
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n unusual entry to the New Fleet section is this new Scania R500LA6x2/4 put on the road by South West Scania dealer, T. Nolan & Sons as a demonstration vehicle. It comes with CR19 Normal Roof cab, retarder, ruby red metallic paint with colour-coded plastics and brilliant black paint on grille. The International spec on this tractor-unit includes air-conditioning, side skirts, visor lamps, fridge, leather seats, sliding fi ft h wheel, the new H7 headlamps, ‘Exclusive’ interior lighting and a factory-fitted radio.
Meanwhile at the other side of the counter, Nolan’s sold its fi rst new Scania R500 6x2 tractor-unit in 2013 to Dillon Waste. Th is truck spec comes complete with CR19 sleeper cab, Scania retarder, air-conditioning, aerodynamic side skirts, rearmounted batteries, upper and lower spotlamps. Dillon Waste, from Tralee, is a family run waste management company and provides a range of solutions for the catchment areas around county Kerry, including kerbside collections, skip-hire and drain/sceptic tank cleaning.
John is pictured (left) with Brendan O’Malley, Sales Executive, Irish Commercials (Galway).
131 MO 1 Premium reg for Lennons Quarries!
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ennons Quarries, Belmullet, County Mayo has taken out a ‘premium’ registration plate to mark the purchase of a new 460hp Renault Premium Long Distance 6x2 tractor-unit from Shaw Commercials, Castlebar. Pictured is the proud new owner Dermot Lennon along with Shaw Commercials’ Sales Executive Anthony McGing.
DFDS charter a course to Gray & Adams
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hen Northern Europe’s largest integrated shipping and logistics company needed another batch of refrigerated trailers for its thriving Irish operation, it charted a course straight back to Gray & Adams. Danish-owned DFDS Logistics has begun taking deliveries of its latest single and multi-temperature 13.6m trailers, some of which are fitted with tail-lifts. They are joining a fleet based at Belfast Harbour that includes a number of other multi-
Adams (Ireland), of Newtownabbey, last year. However, it was the manufacturer’s ability to supply highly specialised trailers designed to meet precise requirements which enabled Gray & Adams to secure a ‘foot in the door’ with its high-profile customer two years ago.
temperature 13.6m trailers supplied by Gray &
DFDS has been providing refrigerated and ambient transport services for full and part loads between Ireland, and the UK and Europe, for more than 25 years.
Exceptional Loads Services Ltd. Specialist Services to the Heavy Haulage Industry • Permits • Escorting • Route Planning • Route Surveys Tel: 0402 31229 Fax: 0402 31257 Mobile: 087 2549601 Website: www.wide-loads.com FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13 13
REPORT
MOVING WITH THE TIMES:ACEA Annual Transport Policy Event, Brussels • How can policy reflect changing transport demands? suited to different types of modes. That is why transport modes shouldn’t be put in competition with each other by pushing for political ‘modal shift’ targets,” stated Mr. Schippers. Rather, the crucial question of what it is we will be transporting in the future - and what modes are best suited to these cargos - needs to be urgently addressed when preparing a transport policy for the next decade. All too often this aspect is overlooked.
O
nce again the Cinquantenaire Museum, one of Brussels’ architectural landmark buildings hosted the annual ACE A Transport Policy Event where dignitaries and other representatives from the global transport industry attended. Th is year’s theme “Moving with the Times” raised the question – How can policy reflect changing transport demands? Just as the nearby Autoworld Museum displays the evolution of the motor industry over the decades, the transport sector is no different as all players – commercial vehicle manufacturers, policy makers and transport operators - have to think ahead and anticipate changes.
keynote speeches with Geoff Meade, Europe Editor, Press Association moderating the Policy Debate session. Some controversy arose when a member of the audience accused commercial vehicle manufacturers of not doing enough to reduce emission and fuel consumption over the years. Andreas Renschler, CEO of Daimler Trucks replied strongly with all the facts of the multi-million Euro investments made and significant improvements made.
The goal in the Commission’s Transport White Paper of shift ing road freight over 300 km to rail is not supported by any of the most recent independent scientific research, nor does it make sense from an economic or environmental point of view. Contrary to the common assumption, rail is not by default more environmentallyfriendly than road. Road transport accounts for over 75% of all goods transported over land. If one considers the value of the goods transported, its contribution is even greater. “It is therefore not logical that the main infrastructure funding tool at the EU level - the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) - excludes road works,” went on Mr. Schippers. “We call on EU policy makers to redress the balance between transport modes.” Read Mr. Schippers keynote speech in full on www. fleet.ie The following pages outline the main points from the speakers and panelists. Günther Oett inger, Europe Commissioner for Energy
The objective of the Seminar hosted by the European Automobi le Manufacturers Association (ACEA) was to look at the transport landscape today and the trends for the future. Also up for discussion was the changing role of commercial vehicles in modern society and how this should be translated into policy. Ivan Hodac, Secretary General ACEA On behalf of the commercial vehicle industry, Harrie Schippers, President of DAF Trucks and Chairman of ACEA’s Commercial Vehicle Board (pictured above) again cautioned EU policy makers against the risk of pitt ing one transport mode against the other. “The increasing demand for transport and the need to protect the environment pose a challenge to the entire transport sector, our governments and the energy sector alike. Limiting mobility, however, is not an option, so more flexible transport solutions will be needed in the future,” he stated in his keynote speech. introduced the high profile list of keynote speakers and Policy Debate panelists. Mr. Hodac also led the Q&A session following the 14 FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13
All transport modes will therefore have to increase their supply, efficiency and environmental performance to meet tomorrow’s transport needs. “Different types of goods will be more
The Energy Commissioner began his address by stating that the EU’s Energy Policy is ‘affordable’ in that research and development in this area to use energy better to reduce fossil fuel dependence not only produces clean and safe vehicles. He cited the achievements within the car industry in developing high levels of energy efficiency and lower carbon emissions through legislation and regulation. The same has happened in the USA, he stated. Decarbonisation of transport vehicles is now following and mentioned that
REPORT increased use of alternative fuels such as Natural Gas, Biofuels, Electricity and Hydrogen as the way forward. While Natural Gas has an infi nite supply, developments through blending natural resources based on the agricultural and refuse/ waste sectors with the liquid gas has greater potential. He was keen to emphasise that the further promotion of Biofuels, while it’s deemed as clean power, must not be dependent on land use and again depend on the agri/waste sectors. More time was spent on talking about electric power, which Mr. Oett inger describes as ‘clean mobility’. As a great advocator of Electric Vehicles (EVs), he sees the automotive industry as a key market for every economy to promote but did emphasise that the energy source produced must increasingly come from hydro-power. On the subject of hydrogen powertrains in cars and light commercials, compatibility on the technology must be agreed together with a much improved network regarding the infrastructure required by users and att ract new customers. From the Q&A that followed, it was revealed that the European Parliament voted to slash transport related projects by 20% which sends out the wrong signals according to commentary from the floor. Siim Kallas, EU Commissioner Vice President & Commissioner for Transport
to improve with over €1.5 trillion available for investment which Mr. Kallas compared to the £4.5 trillion directed to bail out the Banks fi nancial crisis from 2008-2011. “Better use of existing infrastructure must be achieved,” he said. And he sees that road user charging is the way forward to assist this reinvestment to upgrade the networks. “21 Member States have done so through the Vignette System (Tolls),” but he called for one collection system through one pan-European vehicle tag, thereby eliminating discrimination. Th rough this method of payment or taxation, fuel excise duty will lose its importance. Mr. Kallas also called for a more open road haulage market, which he says is still strongly regulated and not good for economic efficiency. He is to create measures to open up the market. A call was also made to introduce new additional services at fuel stations to include pumps and charging points for alternative fuels and energy sources. Siim expressed the concern relating to the upgrading of commercial vehicle weights and dimensions, which is to come before the European Commission soon. “If we do not implement these recommended changes, we will risk being left behind,” he stressed. Some of the legislation dates back to the 80’s he said and went on to mention that his department has sent a proposal to the European Parliament to accept EMS (Giga liners) 22.25 metre truck/trailer combination cross borders where countries accept these longer/heavier trucks. “We will not, however, force any country to implement same where public opinion is against them.” José Manuel Viegas, Secretary General, International Transport Forum
Conference attendees were impressed with Mr. Kallas' speech as it was well delivered and from the heart. He began by stating that there was no need to remind those involved in the transport industry of the challenges ahead and from the EU’s White Paper, which has taken two years to develop, preparations have to be made, legislation explored and introduced to meet the growing trends in all modes of transport in the years ahead. “75% of all goods are transported by road and growing,” he said. “Congestion leading from this is costing us 1% of GDP equating to 185,000 traffic jams per year, and must be addressed,” he emphasised. There will be a bigger push to promote rail as a viable alternative but until such time as we have a flexible system, according to the EU Commissioner, and a Pan-European offering it will not happen. Some countries have good infrastructure with cross-border links while others rely too much on Government subsidies. Looking at the current EU Transport System, Mr. Kallas stated that it’s better than what’s in being in the United States and will continue
shift is to address increasing traffic congestion, environmental climate impacts and less on the dependency on oil.” In the interim, by 2020 road user charges whereby the polluter pays will be fully implemented everywhere. He was pleased that the EMS – Euro Combi System is gaining acceptance but has some safety issue concerns. Other issues debated include the ongoing driver shortage, enforcement and Cabotage. Mr. Viegas also mentioned that total car traffic volumes have peaked in cities where the economic crisis has hit and that passenger transport numbers is reducing across the world. Phillippe De Backer, MEP
Newly elected European Member of Parliament, Phillippe De Backer was passionate and inspirational in the manner he approached the subject. With the Belgian economy and its people close to his heart he commenced by expressing the ongoing difficulties that the automotive industry is experiencing at present and centered on the recent closure of the Ford factory in Ghent. Among the topics addressed included the need to deal with increasing congestion around European Cities and exampled that four out of every ten Flemish people use their cars every day despite knowledge of growing congestion even outside of peak times. “Good transport strategy is needed with continual investment in the TENT-T (Trans European Networks),” he stated. Mr. De Backer is proudly aware that Europe leads the way in policy issues and in investment in Research & Development resulting in innovative solutions such as the EMS – Eco Combi Vehicles and supports the proposal to cross border between accepting countries.
54 member countries represent this interGovernmental agency that focuses on transport policy and is closely linked to the OCED. In promoting his organisation’s event in May with the topic of “How is transport policy meeting global trade policy?” Mr. Viegas (who came into the position after Dubliner Jack Shortt retired recently) highlighted that road transport is the third most significant global market, with sea through shipping freight at number two. A model shift is on the cards through the 2011 White Paper he said whereby freight passing a distance of more than 300 kms will have to have the option of being transported by rail or sea – 30% by 2030 and increasing to 50% by 2050. By the later date, two targets have been set – high speed rail in all countries and zero road fatalities. “Th is model
POLICY DEBATE Following the coffee break after the keynote speeches, the Policy Debate session had 6 panelists representing EU Policy makers, Truck brands, Shipping and Freight company representatives. Matthias Ruete, Director General DG Mobility & Transport began by stating that “curbing mobility is not an option” and said that at EU level new policy on overall vehicle dimensions and weights (which is 20 years out of date) will be introduced soon which will cover truck cabs, bodies and trailers. The new ITS – Intelligent Transport System which will centre on the new type tachograph and allow for more cross-border regulation by the Enforcement Authorities. He FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13 15
REPORT
called for a fully interoperable toll system across Europe and for increased use of alternative fuels in the urban landscape in order to reduce CO2 emissions in our cities. Harrie Schippers joined this group and highlighted the combined effort by truck and bus manufacturers in reducing their carbon footprint and encouraged ongoing fleet renewal so that operators and society in general can benefit from the lower emissions and exampled Italy as having 55% of its commercial vehicles (heavy duty) powered by Euro 1 or Euro 2 engine technology. He did also mention the additional cost and weight penalty relating to Euro 6 and called for further fi nancial incentives to be implemented like that of Euro 5 such as tax rebates or reductions in toll charges. Daniel Calleja Crespo, Director General DG Enterprise & Industry continued from where Mr. Schippers left off in championing Europe’s worldwide leadership in reducing carbon emissions and technological innovation. “It is essential that Europe continues to take the
16 FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13
leading role into the future and that we have the necessary skills to progress this technology and innovation. We need the best and the best trained workforce,” he emphasized and put his own take on an old saying, “Go fast, go alone – go far, go together,” by adding “Go far, fast and together.” Andreas Rienschler, CEO of Daimler Trucks commenced with the opening line, “Our industry is not against regulation, but is against counter productive regulation. He questioned how the ITS system will be adapted and that the CO2 emissions legislation currently under discussion at EU level which centres towards that achieved with car engines is not workable for commercial vehicles and that a rethink is needed. (ACEA has produced a transparent system, which has been presented to the European Commission) “Daimler is willing to work with regulators, customers, manufacturers and politicians in harmony together to get this issue right,” he claimed.
Jeroen Eijsink, CEO DHL Freight Belgium, Netherlands & UK, Green Freight Europe cited the competition from the rail freight movement which offers a price challenge in terms of price per kilometer on long haul routes but emphasised that road transport can offer among other advantages i.e., Just in Time delivery. On the company’s Green Freight Europe programme, this is a self regulating system that collects CO2 data throughout the supply chain and by looking at reducing the carbon footprint throughout the freight movement. In the Q&A section that concluded the Seminar, a consensus was agreed that while Europe leads the way in terms of technology and innovation in transport, any future changes in terms of weights and dimensions must be compatible with markets outside Europe and these measures need to work for existing vehicles too. Mr. Hodac in summarizing the event was pleased that policy makers and those involved on the operational end of the transport are now more willing to work together.
Text & Photos: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie
Additional Photos: ACEA
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READING MATTERS
39,270 – Further Tougher Closer Volvo Ocean Race ISBN 978-1-908271-82-2 • Published by Solar Editions, France
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he Discover Ireland In-Port race in Galway Bay not only marked the end of the most successful and closest Volvo Ocean Race in its rich history but also marked the end of the Volvo Open 70 era. A new dawn awaits as does the ever increasing number of supporters. Throughout the 192 pages of this hardback that celebrates the 2011/12 staging of the Volvo Ocean Race, descriptive text is kept to a minimum so that up close and often personal photographs tell the story better. Surprisingly there is no Introduction or Forward at the start of the book to set the scene as it were. After listing the teams, boats and routes, each of the 9 legs are recorded beginning with Alicante, Spain (the event HQ) right to the finish in Galway. Text is written in four languages while the photos (some in black and white which were effective) were supplied by professional photographers and 2011
team members. The epic event commenced on 14 October and covered 39,270 nautical miles upon reaching Galway Bay at the end of June 2012. Hence the title of the book. In between, the main trials and tribulations are mentioned, and for this edition of the Round the World Yacht Race that was formerly known as The Whitbread there are many Irish interests. These include the native crew members Justin Slattery, bowman for the Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team (which finished 5th overall) and Damien Foxhall who played a sterling role in the Groupama Sailing Team’s victory as Helmsman/ Trimmer. Team Sanya, the Chinese’s entry with former winner Mike Saunderson as Skipper, had backing from Discover Ireland which got good exposure throughout from the boats off-shore activities (read repairs) than for its sailing exploits. As explained it was an older boat than the others.
Seddon Atkinson at Work: 400, 401 and 4-11 by Patrick Dyer ISBN 978-1-908397-43-0 • www.oldpond.com £19.95
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eading Patrick Dyer’s latest book on Classic Trucks can in a way make one sad in that all but one British brand Leyland - remains through its plant is now owned by PACCAR that produces DAF Trucks. From this 144 page hardback, there is no doubt that the 400 Series Seddon Atkinson was a seriously powerful and popular truck range. At one time Seddon and Atkinson were two of the greatest companies in British truck manufacturing, and when Oldham and Preston came together in 1970 it was immediate promotion to the Premier league challenging the best in Europe such as Volvo and Scania. This partnership made great progress with the 400 model with its impressive steel tilt cab and strong drivelines, followed by the 401 in 1981 which had modifications as suggested by drivers. By 1988, production came to an end in the shape of the 4-11.
The story is told extensively in words and a broad selection of colour photographs – over 200 in all. Seddon’s history dates back to 1938 and through the decades competed against other national marques such as Foden, ERF, Leyland and Atkinson. Atkinson’s lineage dates back to steam power from the early 1900s and in the intervening years, the big ‘A’ had its ups and downs financially. Its golden era was from the 1950s which led to takeover bids from both ERF and Foden. Seddon eventually won out but this ownership was shortlived as US giant International Harvester (IH) took over in 1974 as the 400 Series, was gaining marketshare. Spanish company ENASA (Pegaso), which had power options from Cummins, Gardner and Rolls-Royce, then came in (1983) to take control and when it was absorbed in to the fledgling Iveco corporation, modular design was inevitable with the once legendary British brand wearing its badge on Iveco
designed and built products. By 2006 ‘Seddon Atki’ was killed off by the Italians around the same time that Foden and ERF disappeared from the scene, sadly. A lovely story on Seddon Atkinson well told and published by Old Pond.
Warships, U-Boats & Liners – A Guide to Shipwrecks mapped in Irish Water ISBN: 978-1-406-42703-5 • £25 • Government Publications • pubsales@opw.ie
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ince 1999 the Irish seabed has been mapped and surveyed and as we learned in our history books, the Irish coastline has many dark secrets to tell with numerous high profile shipwrecks over the centuries. What readers of this book will find is how many significant treasures remain dormant on the sea floor all around the island. Initially undertaken by the Irish National Seabed Survey (INSS), the project has since been taken up by INFOMAR – Integrated Mapping for the Sustainable Development of Ireland’s Marine Resource. INFOMAR not only records the physical elements of what remains but also records the chemical and biological features and makes this information available free on-line. Government owned vessels and aircraft were 18 FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13
used to conduct the research using the most up-to-date technology. With over 540,000 km2 of seabed surveyed, more than 300 shipwrecks have been mapped with 60 or so featured in this book. Each wreck’s current condition is detailed through words and excellent photographs along with their dimensions, positions and a short background history of each vessel and the reason for its loss. After going through the 170 odd pages one begins to acknowledge Ireland’s leading role internationally in seabed and shipwreck mapping, research and heritage management. Wreck entries are divided into 4 chapters according to their date of loss: Historic wrecks, World Wars and Post War
Wrecks with the Lusitania and the Spanish Armada being among the most prominent. Also interesting is the number of U-Boats that met their demise in Irish waters. At the back, a full database of ships helps this great record enormously. Text: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie
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PROFILE
Macroom Ireland to France- Haulage ‘Seeing the opportunity seizing theFerries moment’ ALL YEAR LONG withand Celtic Link
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he Directors of Macroom Haulage, Paddy and Bridie Murphy have discovered the formula for success in road transport. Firstly, see someone else’s problem as an opportunity, then replace a family car with a Toyota Dyna, add a willingness to work every hour available - and three decades later you can be elected the winner of ‘Irish Haulier of the Year’ in the Fleet Transport Awards 2013.’ That brief history of Macroom Haulage is factual and accurate, especially the willingness to work. A spell of bad weather in the early eighties created a major problem for poultry feed suppliers; the artics were stuck and could not deliver. Seeing the opportunity Paddy managed to get the supplies through, and so began a life long relationship with Sean Lucy of Lucy Feeds, Cork. Sticking with animal feeds and anything else available, the Dyna was replaced with a four tonner then a seven tonner. In 1985 with four rigids on the road, Paddy bought his first tractor-unit. Interestingly some of Paddy’s first drivers are still with the company today - over thirty years later.
that, they will collect container loads, break them down and distribute the consignments as required. Paddy believes Macroom is a great location for a distribution hub, servicing the Southwest region, and West Cork. Adding another string to the Macroom bow, and in a similar fashion to their father, Ciarán and Olán Murphy saw opportunity, and decided to expand and convert part of the warehouse into a domestic fuels depot. Two years on the project is going well, and ties in nicely with the company’s core business. Since buying the first rigid truck, DAF has always been the mainstay of the Macroom fleet, and the company is supported by a good working relationship with DAF in Cork. Based on experience, Macroom Haulage believes that contract servicing is the way forward, especially as vehicles grow increasingly more complex. Receiving
one monthly invoice for each truck in the fleet, account reconciliation just takes a few minutes, and the time can be used more productively. It is somewhat strange that all new vehicles will be delivered with a long term service contract, even though the maintenance facilities at Macroom are of a higher standard than many garages. The company has made significant investments in equipment, including a rolling road and brake testing systems. Facilities are so good that DAF carries out all servicing and repairs on the fleet in Macroom’s own yard. A rolling road is a major investment for any transport company, though Paddy believes it has more than paid off, especially with in-house trailer maintenance. The relationship with the Dutch brand extends to driver training, and Macroom’s drivers have completed Eco driving assessments with DAF Trucks approved trainers. With an annual fuel bill
Paddy then began delivering bottled products for Calor Gas in 1988, and Calor remain an important and valued customer to this day. Ten years later in 1998, a local electronics company required small quantities of a specialised material stored and delivered to the production line when needed. Paddy was able to meet this demand and adds he notes that it “was an important learning experience for Macroom Haulage, having to meet the ISO standards.” Though the electronics company ceased trading, Macroom Haulage kept the warehousing facility, developing it into a groupage transfer station. The company intends to expand this side of the business, by creating a ‘one stop shop’ for customers. In 20 FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13
Winners all! Macroom Haulage took centre stage on winning the Irish Haulier of the Year title at the Fleet Transport Awards 2013
PROFILE
Paddy Murphy, Managing Director, Macroom Haulage
Olan & Ciaran Murphy
Pat Mc Carthy, Transport Manager
in excess of €2 million, Paddy sees scope for savings and has already embarked on a project targeting a 3% reduction. One key factor is to make better use of the information provided by the Blue Tree Systems monitoring programme fitted to the fleet. Olán has found that once it was made known the company was taking fuel consumption seriously, the majority of drivers were happy to take on board issues such as vehicle idling. This has already delivered savings, and created some element of competition between drivers.
We asked Paddy what one issue he would like to see addressed by the relevant authorities that would make a difference to his company. “I would love to see more enforcement across the board, with the regulations being applied in a fair way.” In fact, the company stopped working for one high profile customer due to constant demands to run overweight.
ensure the company’s profile remains positive and that vehicles on the road are clean and being driven well. This will be particularly important when the vehicles will display the “Fleet Transport awards 2013 Irish Haulier of the Year” livery. He feels that people are increasingly recognising quality awards, and that the company must be doing something right to earn the title.
We also asked Paddy why he entered Macroom Haulage, for the Irish Haulier of the Year competition in the Fleet Transport Awards, and how did he hope to benefit from the event. He replied that the he “wanted to increase the profile of the company, and that everything Macroom did was above board. He found the presentation that was delivered to the jury was quite easy to put together, as the work was already being done by the company, and they just had to relate what they did every day.”
We asked Paddy, Ciarán and Olán, to name one factor would they attribute their success to, all answered ‘Bridie.’ It appears that Bridie Murphy is the steadying force, that keeps everything on the right path down in Macroom, and as a family once the work day is over. The trucks are left behind, and the serious business of football becomes all important. As a former Chairman of Macroom GAA, Paddy is still actively involved with the Club, while Ciarán is current Captain of the Senior team, ensuring the family has interests outside of transport.
Juggling different types of work, including a high volume of ADR traffic, takes careful planning to ensure the right equipment and drivers are available at the right times. This task falls on the desk of Pat Mc Carthy, Macroom’s Transport Manager. Pat also has to account for seasonal fluctuations in demand. For example bottled gas traffic peaks in cold weather, and he works with Paddy to ensure all customers are serviced. Due to increased regulation and arguably an increased awareness, the issue of recycling has presented an opportunity for Macroom to become a major player in the transport of recyclable products between transfer stations. Traffic in this sector is expanding in volume and value, and Macroom is hoping to soon announce details of a successful tender for a five year contract for their transport services. The company could never be accused of resting easy, and through recent negotiations with customers, Macroom has dramatically increased its volume of UK traffic - all of which is positive during an economic downturn.
Text & Photos: Paul White - paul@fleet.ie
Also outside of transport circles, he felt not many people have heard of Macroom Haulage, so he was very pleased to receive messages of congratulations from long established customers and friends. The value of the award became important was brought home, when the Chief Executive of a prospective client remarked on his success during contract negotiations. The award also reflects a professional light back onto the customers who engage a ‘Irish Haulier of the Year’ title winner.
The award is for all the staff whose efforts make the business the success that it is today and is a testament to the work ethic inherent in the company, which has not diminished since the days of the Dyna. Bridie and Paddy Murphy’s enthusiasm for his business has clearly been passed on to the next generation. Which indicates further success in the future for a deserving winner of the Fleet Transport Awards 2013 ‘Irish Haulier of the Year.’
Interestingly, Paddy notes now that Macroom Haulage has received the attention as Irish Haulier of the Year, he feels “it drives you on a bit more to
FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13 21
PREVIEW
FTA Ireland Transport Manager Seminar 2013 *6 March, Johnstown House Hotel & Spa, Enfield, Co. Meath * Fleet Transport: Official Media Partner
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TA Ireland’s second annual Transport Manager Seminar taking place on 6 March 2013 at Johnstown House Hotel & Spa, Enfield, County Meath is focused on ensuring transport operators hear first-hand all the necessary information, guidance and best practice advice that a transport company requires to keep up to speed with the challenges of forthcoming legislation and enforcement changes.
Key topics include: • • • • •
Chief Executive of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) Noel Brett as keynote speaker will address delegates on the subject of road safety priorities. “Th is year the FTAI seminar, supported by Goodyear, is specifically geared to keep delegates up to speed with compliance developments in Ireland, and is also aimed at ensuring that freight operators in Ireland have all the necessary information, guidance and best practice advice that their operation requires with the challenges of forthcoming legislation and enforcement changes. In addition to hearing from Noel Brett,
•
Road Safety priorities for the Road Safety Authority (RSA) The implementation and enforcement of the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Act Improving fuel efficiency through targeting driver behaviour Vehicle engineering, including technical changes and cost implications of Euro 6 ‘Revenge of the MAC’ – interactive session with the FTA Member Advice Centre Safety in logistics, including changes to roadside enforcement of load security
Attendance is open to FTA or FTA Ireland members at €250 plus VAT for the first delegate and €210 plus VAT for subsequent delegates; and to all other delegates at €300 plus VAT for the first delegate and €260 plus VAT for subsequent delegates. the delegates will have the opportunity to hear from other leading industry speakers and FTA experts,” explained Declan McKeon (pictured), Head of Policy, FTA Ireland.
Full details can be found on the FTA Ireland website at http://www.ftai.ie/events/Transport_ Manager/
Freight transport cannot be ignored, says FTA Ireland
F
TA Ireland has said that the importance of freight transport must be recognised and an expected population growth in the Greater Dublin Area planned for if the demand for goods and services is to continue to be met in the future. The Greater Dublin Area has an ageing transport infrastructure and a population which is expected to grow by nearly 40 per cent in the period up to 2030, and the growth in demand for goods and services which this increase will cause must be planned for in order that shops, businesses and industry can continue to be supplied and serviced effectively. Dublin Port’s ambitious plans to double its capacity by 2030 will bring much needed business to Ireland, but unless this growth is anticipated and catered for, economic growth will be hampered. However, the National Transport Authority (NTA), which was set up in 2009, published the Greater
Dublin Area Draft Transport Strategy 2011-2030, a 204 page paper which contains only three pages specifically on the subject of freight transport, and a 2010 survey of commercial vehicle freight managers was not a true reflection of the sector as 79% of those interviewed operated vans, not heavy goods vehicles. Restrictions on the movement of five-axled vehicles in the city centre between 7am and 7pm are frustrating for freight operators, and result in a high number of smaller vehicles making inner city deliveries which clogs up the roads. The system for applying for permits is cumbersome, and a more streamlined system for regular users is desperately needed. The frustration at the lack of importance being placed on the role of freight transport is felt by FTA Ireland, which is determined not to let the matter rest, saying that ‘freight can not be ignored’ and on
FTA publishes 51st Yearbook of Road Transport Law
T
he Freight Transport Association has published the 51st edition of its much respected Yearbook of Road Transport Law, the indispensable guide to road transport legislation. Sponsored by Shell, the Yearbook is designed to keep operators fully aware of all aspects of road transport legislation, is presented in a clear and concise way, and also includes information on other relevant areas, such as employment and health and safety. The 2013 edition, written and compiled by FTA’s 22
FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13
team of transport legislation experts, is updated with recent changes to road transport law, such as new operator licensing rules, driver licensing, weights and dimensions, construction and use, traffic regulations and the latest amendments to the OCRS rules. One free Yearbook is delivered to every FTA member during January. Additional copies are available from Shopft a at htt p://www.shop.ft a. co.uk, telephone 0044 8717111111, and costs £40 a copy for FTA members or £79 for non-members,
behalf of its members the Association is determined to continue its campaign to raise awareness of the vital role of the logistics industry. Commenting on the current situation, Declan McKeon, FTA Ireland’s Head of Policy said: “Recognising the importance of freight transport may not be a top priority for Government agencies, but it is essential if the Greater Dublin Area, and Ireland as a whole, is to thrive in the future. Insufficient emphasis is being placed on the importance of freight transport, because it is not given the recognition it deserves by the public and the easy option is to ignore it or place restrictions on vehicle movements. FTA Ireland and its members have a vast amount of experience and knowledge of the freight industry, which they are anxious to share with the authorities in order to plan for the future and make the most of the opportunities it offers. It is vital that we all work together to achieve this.” with discounts for multiple orders. Please quote product code 4501. Shopft a also stocks a range of other publications – see the website for details.
Text: Rob Van Dieten - rob@fleet.ie
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LAUNCH PAD
Gothenburg: Birthplace of the new Volvo FH Series
“W
elcome to Gothenburg and our magical world premiere of the new Volvo FH Series,” was the opening line of the welcome letter to Volvo Trucks UK / Ireland Dealer guests upon arrival at the Elite Park Avenue Hotel. Being part of this guest list provided an interesting insight in how product launches are presented to Dealers and Customers compared to us in the media. In general, the product presentation and their content were similar in delivery and style but for the media some of the information is more technical and detailed while the test drives are of longer duration. The two day trip to Sweden hit the ground running upon arrival in Gothenburg with a visit to the Volvo Museum situated along the sea shore. Here visitors can experience the fascinating history of the famous Swedish brand, which covers cars, trucks, buses, construction equipment, industrial and marine engines as well as aircraft engines. The 2000 sq.m. facility also features the Volvo Ocean Race from start to the recent finish of the latest edition in Galway. The visit was beneficial to the invited truck sector people as it presented the evolution of Volvo
Trucks over the decades from concepts to actual production vehicles. A greater appreciation of what has been achieved with the new FH Series was now a given. From there a trip to reality beckoned with a tour of the Tuve factory where the new FH Series is manufactured. As with all of its plant tours here, visitors are obliged to embark on a miniature train pulled by a scaled down version of Volvo FH12 tractor unit! Since 2009, Volvo Trucks has invested billions of Kronor in mondernising the facility “to have a production system that is highly competitive in the global perspective.” A double ‘driven’ production line was installed together with the introduction of a new working method for materials supply and quality control. Increased energy efficiency was another aim of the investment. To date 30 percent saving in energy consumption has been achieved thanks to a new system for heat recovery. Working conditions for employees were adopted ensuring materials and equipment are at the right place when needed. It takes about two days to build a truck from frame member to finished product. On average a new Volvo truck leaves the Tuve plant every four and a half minutes. Later that evening the 200 guests along with Volvo Trucks personnel took a short bus ride from the hotel to an exhibition hall nearby for the official unveiling of the new heavy duty range from Volvo Trucks.
Volvo Museum 24
FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13
Ulf Magnusson, the ne w l y appoi nted Managing Director for UK/Ireland took to the stage to greet guests with confidence and enthusiasm. “We are pleased that you have taken the time to join us and are proud to present
news that will take the entire truck industry by surprise. Tonight, you will have a first, sparkling view of the future,” he began. “The icon has reinvented itself without losing its true traditions or heritage and since its global launch, the reaction has been very positive.” He then invited the audience to take a closer look at the new FH family from the green FH.460 to the black FH16.750 flagship on display. Attendees were advised to ease off the wine as the test drive programme would begin early the next morning. And as Sweden had zero tolerance rules on alcohol and driving, drivers (even on the test track) would not be allowed to drive if assessed as being under the influence of alcohol. While the majority stuck to the request, a few others did not, particularly as they insisted on the coach driver to drop them off at one of the Irish pubs en route back to the hotel. Needless to say, they failed the Alcolock test the next day. Two sessions of test drives were offered the first at Volvo’s Demo Centre with the other located at a temporary circuit used primarily as a converted motor racing track alongside the Docks. Six different variants of the FH Series were driven over the course of the day ranging from the FH.460 6x2 to the FH16.750 6x2 with various configurations and weight limits (up to 60 tonnes on the 25.25m Eco-Combi). As expected, all runs went smoothly as the new cab design matched the drivetrain in terms of comfort and efficiency. Improved visibility from the driver’s seat was indeed noticeable as is the improved storage provisions. A more extensive assessment will be made upon undertaking a more extensive test drive on home soil. So far, we like what we see.
Workshops Back at Volvo Trucks Demo Centre, the big group was broken down to smaller units in order to participate in the workshop sessions comfortably. Under the ‘Living & Resting’ module, Brian Anderson explained about the decades of evolution that the previous generations of the FH went through but that the new Series is a giant step
LAUNCH PAD
forward. From the design teams research, driver’s needs are reaching higher levels all of the time resulting in cabs becoming more personalised to suit their style and needs. With one cubic metre of additional interior space, the Globetrotter XL cab does generate a sense of spaciousness enhanced by the skylight (which can also act as an escape hatch!) I-Park-Cool is Volvo's new patented integrated climate control system for day and night use. Improvements to the sleeping area include a more substantial bunk with night controls fitted to the bunk wall. Under Safety & Security, Simon Thorne detailed these elements associated with the new FH and began with the better visibility on offer through the narrower A-Pillars, more forward facing windscreens and smaller mirror frames. Safety programmes such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Driver Alert Support, Lane Keeping Support were highlighted and the new cab's crash test durability were outlined ‘in the flesh’ as it were, with the badly crashed cab of one of the factory test vehicles resulting from an accident on display. That incident really sent a strong message of what has been achieved in terms of crash drive protection in a crash situation. Ian McLean discussed Driver Environment & Handling and mentioned how important it is to have a relaxed driver in order to get the best results in driving style, performance and efficiency. He briefly compared the old FH with the new, highlighting some of the classic design elements retained. With the Independent Front Suspension (fitted to the LHD version) and changes to the suspension system in general the new FH handles like no other. It took almost 6 years to perfect the IFS system which has a weight penalty and an additional cost of €4,000. Alas it will be more than two years before we see it in Right Hand Drive. The 20 functions now available on the steering wheel were explained indicating the move to lessen distraction while on the move. One of these main functions is to avail of the
increased information available from Dynafleet, Volvo’s award winning telematics system. Driver times and driver and vehicle performance in real time feature strongly, while the newly developed integrated navigation system inputs the measurements and dimensions of the vehicle in order to work out the appropriate route for the vehicle in question. Then there’s the Dynafleet App to add to the mix, which makes the information even more accessible. Duncan Seaman, also based at Volvo Trucks UK in Warwick, went through the various results of the intensive and extensive research and design elements of the new FH, such as use of weight saving components, changes to the rear suspension set-up and ways of improving preparation for body builders and equipment fitting. Chris Evans, a regular visitor to Volvo’s Irish dealer network centered on the fuel saving aspects of the new FH. He also covered uptime, safety and driver comforts. Key to increased fuel efficiency is the latest I-Shift automated transmission along with the creation of I-Cruise – Smart Cruise Control and I-Torque together with I-See (for Euro 6 engined types) to get more out of the truck using less energy. Demo test driver for Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland Neil Hutchingson explored the best methods to ascertain the data from Dynafleet and how important it is to specify the best configuration for the loads carried. “Ongoing driver training is paramount,” he advises and mentioned how successful the recent Volvo Driver Challenge was for fleet owners in getting their drivers focused on ensuring a more fuel efficient way of driving. Other topics under the spotlight were Volvo’s Action Service and its Gold Service package. All in all, there was a truck load of information for all of the visitors to Gothenburg to consume. The ultimate purpose of course was not only to explain all and impress but to ensure that the Dealers present had enough pages in their order book.
Text & Photos: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie
Volvo's environmentally fr iendly Tuve factory FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13 25
CASE STUDY
Dennison Commercials –
getting on the right road to financial efficiency
D
ennison Commercials Ltd is one of the longest established and largest franchised Volvo truck and bus dealers in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Operating out of four depots throughout Northern Ireland, with a workforce of almost 130, the company head office and main depot is located in Ballyclare, County Antrim. The company also provides contract hire and fleet rental solutions, parts and maintenance.
The Issue Dennison Commercials Ltd needed to process and store between 12,000-14,000 purchase invoices per year within the Volvo franchise for parts for sale, services and insurance. Iain McKinney, Financial Controller, Dennison Commercials operates a small team of two, who are responsible for maintaining the purchase ledger for four departments, and across all four sites. Invoices would arrive in a mixture of post and email. As Iain explains, “Issues arose in terms of not knowing where invoices were being sent, they would be distributed to depot managers, and then proved difficult to locate or would go missing. We knew we had received the invoice, but could not confirm where it was.” Also, Dennisons had to file all of the invoices received which was time consuming and frustrating for the small team. During a visit to another Volvo dealer Iain noted how, “There were so few files around the walls, because all their purchase invoices once scanned were shredded. We thought that was a brilliant idea.” Iain recognised the need to improve the invoice processing procedure at Dennisons, to be more compliant, to educate customers into consolidating all invoices into a weekly email, and to streamline the purchase ledger so the finance team could chase actual money.
The Solution Dennisons approached Adest which specialises in the provision of document processing solutions tailored for SME’s, which recommended AdestAP to deliver the significant savings and control that the business required. 26 FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13
Initially Dennisons opted for a web based version of AdestAP. But, as Iain explains, “We found that the click to view process was going to be simply too slow for our purposes. So we decided to adopt a socalled ‘thick’ client approach, where the soft ware was installed on all relevant PCs instead.” Using AdestAP to scan and verify, Dennison’s purchase invoices are automatically captured both in hardcopy and softcopy and then immediately managed through the finance department’s processes. The aim was to significantly reduce manual work, reduce total processing time, and lower the cost for supplier handling. To help achieve this Adest deployed soft ware from back office process automation specialist ReadSoft. ReadSoft COLLECTOR automatically imports straight into the capture soft ware all invoices attached to email, detecting any format (including PDF, TIF, and PNG). The benefit for Dennisons was the creation of a unified email inbox for all invoices. Any emailed data received would then be processed automatically by ReadSoft INVOICES in exactly the same way that paper invoices are processed, so the same business rules could be applied to data transferring into the host system meaning incoming invoices could be ready for approval in a matter of seconds. Once the data is fed into ReadSoft’s soft ware, validation and verification of the invoices is handled easily, and the invoices are then exported for coding, authorisation and approval by Dennison’s accounts payable staff and department managers. By deploying INVOICES through Adest, Dennisons has taken the first steps towards electronic invoice processing. Adest managed all integration of the AP soft ware with Dennison’s existing Chorus financial management and enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. The purchase ledger is checked against supplier statement to ensure they match, then, once input and stored the financial team is able to search by amount or document number – all uploaded into Chorus by the Adest system. “This has made it very easy for us to find invoices,” says
Iain. “We run the programme each day. It picks up on all invoices at end of the day which have been approved and these are bulk posted.”
The Result “With the invoices under control and coded correctly it has now become the role of just one person to maintain the purchase ledger because we are no longer having to take time to file invoices. From my perspective as Financial Controller, I am personally able to deal with more credit control calls,” says Iain. “Overall, there is less demand on us at month end because we are not chasing down which invoice is with whom. We just have to export data to Excel and create an accrual point at the end of the month, and that is now very easy because of the increased accuracy of the figures which are ready to hand,” he says. Looking back over the roll out of the project Iain is very pleased, “There were some issues with web based access in the beginning, but since the upgrade to the Adest client it has proved to be very popular, especially with the department managers. You click on an invoice and ‘bang’ it is up! That really is excellent.” “It has freed up our time to concentrate on the business at hand,” he says, and that now means putting pressure on suppliers to provide all invoices via email, to reduce even further the need for scanning. With his sights set on improving how his suppliers operate Iain has one last challenge, “We are very close to taking the next big step which is to start shredding. It has been a simple matter of an email to inform HMRC that we have moved over to scanning, and with our servers backed up overnight, I feel we are ready.” Further details on: • w ww.adest.com • w ww.ReadSoft.co.uk
Text: Rob Van Dieten - rob@fleet.ie
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SURVEY
Supply Chain Efficiencies: Turning to Technology to meet Operational Challenges Redshift Research Market Study Commissioned by Vocollect as while 100 per cent of voice users were using the solution for picking/selection, a significant number (40 per cent) were also using the system for either replenishment/put-away or receiving (30 per cent). The majority of voice users (70 per cent) perceive one of the biggest benefits of voice to be the reduction in picking errors, despite its increasing use outside the picking workflow. In fact, 80 per cent of all voice users noted a reduction in picking errors after implementation, with 80 per cent of organisations improved workforce management processes. In comparison, the survey found that many non-voice users (66 per cent) are still reliant on time-consuming manual processes such as paper lists and spread sheets and that only 16 per cent of these non-voice users say they are ‘very satisfied’ with their current solutions. Th is is particularly interesting given that non-voice users admitted that improving picking speeds/ productivity (50 per cent) and reducing picking error (50 per cent) were the top perceived benefits of voice. In fact, the voice user research shows that all these benefits were stated as results of implementing a voice solution.
R
ising fuel and raw materials costs and continued weakness in the global and domestic economy are just some of the external cost pressures affecting business and the supply chain. To counter the impact of these fi scal pressures, while simultaneously adapting to support changing business and retail models, today’s logistics and operations managers must continually evolve and develop processes and efficiencies, as well as improve supply chain visibility. The ‘Supply Chain Efficiencies Survey’, conducted by research organisation, Redshift Research and commissioned by Vocollect, sought to capture the industry challenges faced by UK-based logistics managers. The survey also studied the different approaches being taken to overcome the various challenges and maintain operational efficiency. The research was commissioned by Vocollect to celebrate its tenth anniversary in EMEA.
The survey, carried out in September 2012, studied a wide range of industry sectors, of which, those working in telecoms (33 per cent) and retail (32 per cent) were the majority. 117 logistics heads using both voice and non-voicedirected warehouse solutions were questioned from a database provided by Storage Handling Distribution Magazine consisting of people involved in logistics. The results were collated and analysed by Redshift for the purposes of this report. Warehouse, the UKWA/AIWA magazine provided this information for Fleet Transport to publish. Overall, the research results revealed logistics managers are turning to technology to meet specific operational challenges, with half of voice users and 36 per cent of non-voice users (in total 37 per cent of the market sample) noting that their number one industry challenge is managing changing business volumes. The survey highlighted the multiple uses of voice,
The results also showed a contrast between the return-on-investment and results achieved by existing users of voice-directed technologies, compared with those using paper or scannerbased systems, particularly in terms of accuracy, productivity and employee satisfaction. Within a maximum period of two years, half of logistics managers using voice technology expect to, or have seen a return on investment. Beyond the fi nancial return, managers noted that a vast majority (90 per cent) of workers were satisfied in their daily work following the implementation of a voice solution.
BREAKDOWN OF KEY RESULTS: Voice users •
• • •
Half of respondents noted managing changing business volumes as a top business priority, compared to just seven per cent that are currently seeking to improve supply chain visibility. 100 per cent of voice users use the system for picking/section. 70 per cent cited the reduction in picking errors as an important benefit of voice. 80 per cent of all voice users stated that they had seen a reduction in picking errors after implementation and 80 per cent FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13 29
SURVEY
• •
of organisations noted increased staff productivity. 90 per cent of workers using voice were believed to be satisfied in their daily work. Employees were trained and using voice technology in two days or less in 60 per
•
cent of cases. Within a maximum of two years, half of logistics managers expect to or have already seen a return on investment.
Non-voice users •
•
• •
36 per cent noted managing changing business volumes as a top business priority, with optimising inventory levels (31 per cent) a close second. Over two thirds of organisations (66 per cent) are still reliant on time-consuming manual processes such as paper lists and spread sheets. Only 16 per cent of non-voice users were ‘very satisfied’ with their current solution. 50 per cent perceived both increased picking speed/productivity and reduced picking error as potential voice benefits.
STUDY FINDINGS Business priorities: managing changing business volumes is biggest internal priority
Prioritised business issues for all respondents
The survey found that aside from budgets or other fi scal pressures, managing changing business volumes is the single biggest priority for both voice and non-voice users, with 37 per cent of all respondents reporting this issue as their primary concern. Breaking this result down, the survey showed that managing changing business is the number one concern for 50 per cent of voice users and 36 per cent of non-voice users. Logistics operations without voice suggested optimising inventory levels (31 per cent) as their second biggest internal priority, behind managing changing business volumes. Conversely, those currently using a voice system noted optimising inventory levels as less of a priority (10 per cent). The survey revealed that over a third of nonvoice users and half of voice users understand the importance of managing changing business volumes to help their organisations operate efficiently. And despite the downturn, many are prepared to invest and focus on this area.
Figure 2 Aside from budgets or other fi scal pressures, what is the single biggest internal priority for your logistics operation at the current time? (Comparison of voice and non-voice user results)
Sample market overview: many logistics managers still using logistics processes such as ‘pick-by-paper’ The research highlighted that many respondents are currently using processes such as paper picking in the warehouse. Th is is particularly interesting as the research later showed that voice technology can offer organisations across industries the opportunity to improve operations and increase productivity and accuracy. For example, the main reason cited by 100 per cent of voice user respondents for deploying voice was to improve picking selection and a significant 80 per cent of all voice users stated they had noticed a reduction in picking errors.
Figure 3 Main processes used by those deploying voice technology 30 FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13
It is important to recognise that while all voice user respondents were using the system for picking/selection, a significant number (40 per cent) also use voice-directed technology for replenishment and put-away. In addition, 30 per cent of respondents use voice for receiving, 30 per cent for cycle-count and 20 per cent for outbound/loading – this shows the multiple
SURVEY workf lows in which a voice system can be used. Where voice is not yet being used, the research shows that the majority of logistics decision makers are still using paper lists (58 per cent) and/or RF terminal technologies (36 per cent). However, 50 per cent stated that they were aware voice technology can help increase picking speed/productivity and reduce picking errors. Interestingly, non-voice users saw the greatest barrier to voice adoption as cost (49 per cent), despite the fact that 80 per cent of those already using voice confi rmed that it has made their operations more competitive through improved staff productivity, in addition to achieving a rapid return on investment Figure 4 Non-Voice Users’ Solutions
Perceived and achieved benefits of voice: maximising productivity and accuracy seen as biggest potential operational benefit from voice technology The voice user research demonstrates that the top anticipated benefits of a voice solution include improved staff productivity (80 per cent) and reduced picking error (70 per cent). Th is is in contrast to non-voice users, who thought the top two benefits were increased picking speed/ accuracy (50 per cent) and reduced picking error (50 per cent). In reality, those deploying voice noted an 80 per cent increase in improved accuracy/reduced picking errors and an 80 per cent improvement in workforce management. In addition, 60 per cent note picking speed and productivity gains, 40 per cent experienced increased business support/ growth, 40 per cent better reporting and 40 per cent improved staff satisfaction.
Figure 5 Anticipated benefits from those who invested in voice
The results overall suggest that many in the industry are turning to voice-directed technology to bring about supply chain efficiencies, enabling their warehouses and distribution centres to cope more easily with variable orders and at shorter notice, therefore working more accurately and productively. In fact, to gain competitive advantage in the logistics industry’s tough climate, business decision makers have to be one step ahead of the competition. Th is research establishes that a great range of business benefits can be achieved through the implementation of voice. Perceived and actual benefits of voice: logistics heads expect a quick ROI with voice. Implementing any new IT system during an economic downturn can be testing. In fact, the economic climate has contributed to growing demand for quicker returns from IT investments, particularly picking systems, which offer good potential to bring a fast and quantifiable return on investment.
Figure 6 How quickly have you seen or do you expect to see a return on investment? (Results from voice users only)
In support of this idea, this voice user research shows that within a maximum of two years, half of logistics managers expect to or have already seen a return on investment after deploying a voice solution. Th is contradicts the fi nding that FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13 31
SURVEY
Figure 7 Overall satisfaction with solution
nearly half of all non-voice users surveyed saw cost as the greatest barrier to the adoption of voice-directed working. In fact, voice users showed an 80 per cent improvement in picking accuracy, together with a 60 per cent increase in picking speeds – all elements that help any business to maximise efficiency and reduce operational costs. In addition, the survey showed that many voice users (60 per cent) were able to implement the solution quickly and effectively within two days, with all voice users stating they were up and running in under a month. Satisfaction results: avoiding a skill shortage – voice technology drives up staff satisfaction In a marketplace known for a high level of staff churn, the research demonstrates that 90 per cent of those surveyed who have deployed voice technology were ‘fairly satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with voice as a sorting or picking solution. Th is percentage dropped to 68 per cent amongst
non-voice users. In addition, the voice user figures suggest that 80 per cent of key workers have had a positive reaction to the deployment of voice technology. Once fully proficient in voice, 90 per cent of users reported being ‘fairly satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ in their daily activities. By contrast, only 70 per cent of organisations surveyed who don’t have a voice solution in place, found their pickers and other warehouse and logistics staff were ‘fairly satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ in their daily work. In reality, for every job vacancy in the UK, there are 5.6 people unemployed [Office for National Statistics]. Yet, with its abundance of physical work and difficult shift patterns, the logistics sector is facing a shortage of skilled workers. Th is survey shows that a voice solution can ease this pressure, as not only does it improve staff satisfaction levels, but it can also considerably speed up staff training and improve the productivity of warehouse workers.
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Register for Multimodal today and ensure you benefit from the most reliable and cost effective transportation options available. Quote Priority Code MMFL. Take your first step to reducing your transport costs and optimising your supply chain network
www.multimodal.org.uk/fl 32 FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13
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FUEL PRICE UPDATE (WEEK 4) / SAFETY MATTERS Country
Currency
95 Lead Free
98 Lead Free
Diesel
Country
Currency
95 Lead Free
98 Lead Free
Diesel
Albania
ALL
188.00
199.00
185.00
Lithuania
LTL
4.78
4.86
4.67
Andorra
EUR
1.284
1.344
1.183
Luxemburg
EUR
1.329
1.371
1.254
Austria
EUR
1.407
1.590
1.384
Macedonia
MKD
82.00
83.50
72.00
Belarus
EUR
0.677
-
0.694
Moldova
MDL
17.12
17.32
16.17
Belgium
EUR
1.639
1.681
1.494
Montenegro
EUR
1.370
1.400
1.300
Bosnia-Herzegovina
BAM
2.35
2.50
2.45
Netherlands
EUR
1.807
1.874
1.509
Bulgaria
BGN
2.53
2.69
2.57
Norway
NOK
14.58
15.03
13.58
Croatia
HRK
10.22
10.58
9.65
Poland
PLN
5.39
5.64
5.48
Czech Republic
CZK
35.27
39.40
35.50
Portugal
EUR
1.640
1.758
1.461
Denmark
DKK
12.04
12.44
10.99
Romania
RON
5.75
6.42
5.92
Estonia
EUR
1.304
1.344
1.344
Russia
RUB
30.58
-
32.06
Finland
EUR
1.621
1.668
1.532
Serbia
RSD
146.40
-
146.40
France
EUR
1.544
1.621
1.403
Slovakia
EUR
1.505
-
1.429
Georgia
GEL
2.17
2.22
2.21
Slovenia
EUR
1.501
1.515
1.395
Germany
EUR
1.533
1.625
1.430
Spain
EUR
1.400
1.520
1.360
Greece
EUR
1.681
1.810
1.391
Sweden
SEK
14.46
14.96
14.76
Hungary
HUF
410.00
-
430.00
Switzerland
CHF
1.743
1.825
1.872
Ireland
EUR
1.599
-
1.529
Turkey
TRY
4.66
4.74
4.15
Italy
EUR
1.758
1.894
1.688
Ukraine
UAH
10.80
12.30
9.80
Kosovo
EUR
1.25
-
1.24
UK
GBP
1.330
1.419
1.405
Latvia
LVL
0.941
0.971
0.942
USA
USD
-
-
1.029
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Safety Matters . . . . Safety Matters . . . .
Prevent accidents loading, unloading and load securing
E
very year loading and unloading accidents injure hundreds of people and cost businesses millions of euro in damaged goods, damaged vehicles, injuries and lost work time. Take these simple steps to keep your loads, vehicles, employees and contractors safe and protect your business. Plan Time spent planning your loading and unloading practices may prevent problems a poorly planned and unsafe load can cause: • provide clear rules and instructions to employees on how to load and unload vehicles • provide correct equipment to load and unload vehicles safely • provide a loading plan for each journey – consider multi-drop loads • communicate relevant information about each delivery site to drivers, including reporting arrangements, site rules, equipment and facilities Safe Loading procedures Restraining loads securely and safely is crucial in preventing accidents in transit and during unloading: • Load to the headboard. If the load cannot be loaded to the headboard, use blockage or dunnage to fill the gap • loads should not move in any direction in transit of the trailer
34 FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13
•
Never use curtains to secure a load. loads that shift in transit, may fall out when the curtain is opened • lashings should not be secured to rope hooks • webbing straps should be regularly checked for damage and wear and tear Safe Journey In the course of any journey there is potential for loads to shift and become unstable which may affect the safe driving and stability of the vehicle, e.g. increase risk of vehicle overturning at bends, junctions or roundabouts. . • If a load does shift, it is vital that the driver feels under no pressure to continue the journey • provide clear instructions to the driver on who to contact for advice/assistance in the event of load shift on how to deal with the load, if continuing with their journey Safe Unloading Correctly restraining loads before the start of any journey is the best way to minimise the risks of falls and crush injuries during unloading. Employers should also: • Avoid need for working at height to prevent falls, wherever possible. • Provide a plan to safely unload the vehicle when load has shifted Other things to think about Prevent falls from the vehicle cab or load bed
•
Before you set off, check that steps or handholds are in good condition. • On refrigerated vehicles, check the floor for ice or water and follow any instructions you are given to reduce the amount of water. • Wear non-slip footwear. • Wear well-fitting, slip-resistant safety footwear when working on vehicles. • Keep the soles of your footwear clean. • Clean up spills and dirt, such as diesel or mud on the catwalk or load area. • Keep the load area tidy – pick up loose ropes and packaging. Prevent hitting a pedestrian • Restrict the loading area to workers involved in loading or unloading. • Make sure signs, road markings, speed limits and one-way systems are being followed • Remind drivers that they become pedestrians when they step out of the vehicle. • Don’t let anyone guide a vehicle unless they are a trained banksman or signaller. Prevent injury caused by poor manual handling • Provide guidance and rules to employees on lifting and moving loads. • Use the correct equipment to load vehicles safely. • Wear appropriate personal protective equipment
COMMENT
Road Haulage Industry enters 2013 on positive note
ting t i s m ' I e er From wh oward Knott H
A
s many readers will know, I chair the IEA Rail Freight Group, a rather loose gathering of interested parties in the issue of how to get goods to market making best use of the available transport modes. Rail freight appeared on the trade facilitation agenda at the Irish Exporters Association towards the end of 2008 when there had been a serious spike in oil prices, and when the likely impact of Lehman Brothers was uncertain. The proposition was that the rail system in Ireland was being totally underexploited and may have potential to meet certain needs. Over the years since the fi rst meeting in February 2009 the Group has expanded and its agenda has become properly intermodal with the active involvement of most Ports, groups including the Freight Forwarders and Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) as well as a number of Governmental bodies. Much has been done through the network that has evolved and with Iarnród Éireann and Translink / NIR now accepting the need to include rail freight within their over strategic thinking, much more can be done. However that is a conversation for another day. In the course of a meeting involving a number of members of the Group which took place on the morning of 5 December, Jonathan Molony explained what the IRHA had achieved with the Department of Transport in securing their agreement to increase the maximum vehicle weight on Irish roads from 44 to 46 tonnes. Litt le did we know that the Irish Road Haulage Association’s other big item the need to secure an ‘Essential User’ fuel rebate would feature in the third paragraph of Finance Minister Noonan’s annual Budget speech that afternoon.
The achievement of the revised weight limit and the fuel rebate are huge wins for the Irish road transport industry and for all those businesses for whom haulage is an essential part of their Supply Chain, and that is nearly every business. Vehicle weights and dimensions have been regular sources of comment in this column and elsewhere. Though the 46 tonne limit is a useful step-up for domestic door to door haulage, for Intermodal haulage, it would be foolish for anyone to lose focus on the weight and dimensions issues, where the Brussels Euro folk will inevitably push harder for their ‘Big Project’. The European Single Market has to ultimately mean that all weight and dimension limits must be the same throughout the Community. As discussed at our meeting the 46 tonne limit will bring the current variation in European weight limits into sharper focus. Thus, a container could now be loaded with up towards 30 tonnes of cargo and taken to Irish Port or railhead and shipped to a Continental Port. There it might be put onto a train or barge for the next stage of its journey into mid-Europe, but, on arrival at an inland Terminal, it could run into problems. If, for example, that terminal was in Austria where the weight limit is 40 tonnes, then it will be six tonnes overweight and part of the cargo would have to be discharged before final delivery is made. Th is whole issue of varied weight limits throws the evolving business of Port Centric Logistics into sharp focus. Here cargo is stripped out from containers or trailers within the Port area and re-loaded in quantities that will allow rule compliant delivery. I saw such an operation a few years ago in Halifax, Nova Scotia, but, there they were taking in laden 40ft containers, stripping them and re-loading the cargo into 53ft containers or trailers for delivery deep into Canada or the American mid-west. The ‘Essential User’ fuel rebate that will be available to fully tax compliant hauliers has to be a huge step forward. It is a very clear demonstration that the norm in the industry is compliance and goes a long step forward in improving the image of the Irish Road haulage industry here and throughout Europe. I have heard since the announcement that some hauliers would not bother applying for the rebate as the trouble in gett ing all the paperwork straight would make it not worth doing. I suspect that that att itude will not persist too long. Text: Howard Knott - howard@fleet.ie
I got a copy of Minister Varadkar’s list of twenty New Year’s Resolutions for 2013. Among the points listed there is a lot of very good stuff including publication of a new Ports Policy, completion of the merger of NRA and RPA, re-organisation of companies and their operations within the CIE Group and the re-start of the PPP roads programme by commencing work on the N7 (Newlands Cross), N11 (Rathnew) and N17/18 (Gort-Tuam) projects. But, of course, there is a lot missing, it’s a pity that commencement of work on the N25 Waterford – Rosslare route, a project when complete, that would do a lot to enhance the future of the three South east Ports, Waterford, New Ross and Rosslare is not there. A pity also that there is no mention of bringing forward legislation on some variation of the Euro Vignette that would match that coming into operation in Great Britain and Northern Ireland and ensure that non-Irish hauliers do not secure any unfair advantage when working here. Ireland holds the EU Presidency for the first six months of 2013. Th is will be a huge task, what with multi-annual Budget negotiations, completion of the CAP reform package and literally hundreds of other smaller matters. I would hope that Ministers and their staff take full advantage of the relationships that they have built up over the years with representative bodies and individuals to assist them in whatever way possible in this valuable work. The Presidency, like ‘The Gathering’ is a project in which we all should be proud to take part.
Coldmove Limited Requires Skilled Chilled & Frozen Distribution Partners in: Donegel, Cork, Kerry Limerick and Waterford. To Service On-Going Distribution Requirements. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: TRANSPORT@COLDMOVE.IE OR CALL 091-792926 Cold Move Supply Chain Controlled Call: +353 (0)91 792926 Text: 086 8091893 Email: innovation@coldmove.ie Website: www.coldmove.ie Glenascaul Industrial Park, Oranmore, Co. Galway. FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13 35
TIMES PAST
Vehicle Models the Transport Museum’s care that happens to be represented by a model. A special aura surrounds a Museum vehicle reproduced in model form and specifically liveried and lettered. Our most outstanding example is probably the 1972 Dublin Fire Brigade Merryweather 6524 ZE ladder based on an AEC Mercury chassis and known as the Ergo ladder.
M
CIE Leyland Lion Stores Wagon W2
odel vehicles attract many people. Whether as operators or drivers, mechanics or enthusiasts for a particular form of transport, these items have a very wide following and many of us have, over the years, built up prized collections. Th is scribe’s interest goes back as far as I can remember and the subject is one on which I would like to offer occasional contributions. Apart from tinplate toys gratefully received as Christmas or birthday presents, my fi rst real involvement with vehicle engineering was via Meccano, my first set received circa 1938 growing steadily over the following years which brought me to my late teens. By then I was trying to model real prototypes and one model of which I still have a picture was that of a Leyland Lion bus converted to a permanent way lorry by the Dublin United Tramways Company. Th is vehicle, which had a crew cab behind the driver’s
Meccano Model of Leyland Lion 36 FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13
half cab, survived well into the CIE era of the 1950s and it was a CIE engineer who encouraged me to built it. By that time, greatly expanded ranges of Dinky diecast models were on offer and a series called Supertoys became increasingly available. These were made to a scale of 1:50 and were extremely realistic, their most obvious drawbacks being the somewhat crude wheels and a lack of glazing and some minor details. Th irty years later, Corgi and other manufacturers produced highly sophisticated versions of these very vehicles in the same scale and I was lucky enough to have kept a few 1950s Supertoys with which to to compare and display them. Accurate detailing was an important feature of all these new ranges. Just how the models, old and new, portray the real vehicles is amazing. Involvement in vehicle preservation means being particularly interested in anything in
Other Museum vehicles specifically modelled include some made to different scales, an aspect of miniatures which deserves explanation. Many years ago, a scale very prominent in the model world was 1:43 or seven millimetres to a foot, widely used for railway modelling and sometimes for producing ancillary road vehicles. Increasingly popular in the 1930s at approximately half the 1:43 size was four millimetres to the foot, different makers offering it at 1:76, 1:75 and even 1:72. It achieved great popularity, being convenient for compact model railway layouts and less expensive than 1:43, widely known as O scale. The 1:76 scale, called OO, was essentially British or American, 1:87 (and 1:43) being preferred by Continental European makers. The scales just mentioned are all widely produced among a plethora of others and it is a pity that so many excellent models are turned out in sizes which often require careful measuring to decide exactly what they are. Most collectors specialise in one or two sizes, but some models to other dimensions are so att ractive as to earn a place on shelves populated by vehicles with which they are incompatable. It also sometimes happens that a particular vehicle is available only in some irregular ratio. Standard commercially available models to an appropriate scale are often used by engineers and architects producing three-dimensional representations of big projects. In pre-decimal times, eight feet to one inch (1:96) and four feet to the inch (1:48) were scales widely used on architectural drawings, with models to match as closely as possible; imperial scales like 1:96 and 1:48 have now given way, respectively, to 1:100 amd 1:50. Standard models, either exact size or close enough approximations, greatly enhance three dimensional presentations for many projects. A variation of this principle is the use of exact scale footprint cutouts of Museum vehicles used on floor plans to work out vehicle positions – or show how to squeeze as many as possible into a space which is always at a premium. Apart from their appeal as collectors’ pieces, the variety of ways in which model vehicles are treated is amazing, The most common is probably the painting of a miniature in the livery of an ancestral; family vehicle or to promote the image of a company. Then there is the practice of model bashing – physically altering the layout or appearance of a vehicle to illustrate a particular use or purpose. Th is is merely copying what is quite a common occurrence in full size, as
TIMES PAST
Turntable AEC Ladder in Howth Yard
Corgi model of AEC Ladder 6524 ZE
Dinky (left) and Corgi (right) models of Foden eight-wheelers
witnessed by the number of vehicles rebuilt to serve a special purpose – and many an exercise of this type is presaged by experiments with a model. From the 1950s onwards, as plastic technology improved rapidly, assembly kits were offered by many makers, ranging in scale from 1:72 up to 1:18. While these require much care and accuracy in assembly and fi nish, they have an enormous following and the larger sizes have generated many highly detailed and very beautiful vehicles. Plastic kits are aalso available for a huge variety of military vehicles of every type,also aircraft and ships – the number of Titanic models sold to mark the centenary of the great liner in 2012 must have been enormous.
At what might be called the top end of modelling there are the handbuilt items for which all the components have been lovingly made in the craft sman’s own workshop, only a few special items such as tyres being bought in. Usually built to satisfy a cherished ambition, to illustrate in three dimensional form the details of a new or historic vehicle or, occasionally, for a Court case or inquiry. One way or another, model vehicles are invariably very special objects. I hope to write in the future about specific types in each of the five main divisions into which items are classified in the museum – passenger, goods, military, fi re and emergency and support to backup.
The National TransportMuseum, Heritage Depot, Howth Demense, Howth. Opening Times: Sept - May: Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays, 2.00 - 5.00pm
Models of Ulster Transport Bedford TK and CIE Leyland Beaver artic Text & Photos: Michael Corcoran - enquiries@fleet.ie
FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13
37
FINANCE
Business Potential 2013
H
aving worked through the last four to five years of economic recession key questions that are asked of accountants are a) Can we survive in business? b) Will there be business opportunities as a result of this economic downturn? c) How can we best position ourselves to avail of these opportunities? d) In the recession of the 80s what businesses benefitted? In answer to the fi rst question, business survival is clearly down to the ability and drive of the owner. In the case of transport companies, owners that took the tough decisions to cut cost, reduce overheads, review work being done and the level of profitability or lack of profitability, speak with banks and outline a clear fi nancial plan (and be able to stick with it), these companies will survive. Some of these companies may be operating in a different sector, have less staff and less capital equipment. They may have invested better and may have continuously reviewed the cost structure of the business so that they can offer the most cost effective service to customers in sectors that are less effected by this recession, and may even have expanded due to astute positioning of the company and knowledge built up. In answer to the second question - Will there be business opportunities as a result of this recession? The answer is absolutely yes. Many companies operate their own fleet of distribution vehicles, pre-2008 margins in many businesses hid the fact of inefficiencies in non core activities and transport and distribution was one of these. Sales Directors held power and the business was based on how quickly customer demands could be met. Pressure from consumers now means that inefficient or overpriced commodity suppliers will lose market share or lose their business entirely, distribution trends have dramatically changed from large stock orders and easy credit to smaller orders and next day delivery. Accountants now look at the ideal service customers want and how to cost effectively meet that demand, this analysis means that transport fi rms are ideally placed to offer services that have margin but still offer cost savings to industry. How can we best position ourselves to avail of these opportunities covers a number of areas. One is the business properly structured fi nancially? Has the business the fiscal expertise and track record to manage its finances on a timely and efficient basis and convey this expertise to financial institutions? The ability of the company to compliantly operate and achieve a margin, and the ability to convey this ability to current and potential new customers is a key factor is business success. Price is a key factor in retaining and winning new business but also business continuity and service levels are critical to some sectors of customers. If you can demonstrate that your business is efficient, compliant and progressive and if these qualities can be verified by an external accrediting body you can push your business to the position of business partner with your customers as opposed to a weak link in the distribution chain. Availability of funds, tax compliance, compliance re operating standards and the operation of a viable business will be key factors in business development over the next three years. As a result of the current recession opportunities will arise to recruit staff and professionals that have the ability to retrain and dramatically add to the core skills in your business. Final question is what business survived and prospered during the recession of the 1980s? In the area of transport and logistics many companies that were long established wound up, not because of crippling property debt as is the case in this recession, but because they had litt le or no understanding of the profitable and unprofitable elements of their business. They could not or would not change with the times regarding new services and flexibility of services required. Following the recession of the 1980s a new breed 38 FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13
of transport fi rms emerged that were customer focussed, created from a necessity to fi nd gainful employment and many of these individuals have expertise and training outside of transport and logistics and they brought new ideas to the industry. Business survived and developed in the last recession due to the entrepreneurial ability of the owners and their drive to succeed. At the end of this recession, well managed transport fi rms will be operating profitably, probably with different customers and without doubt operating at a more efficient level.
dynesolicitors SPECIALISTS IN REGULATORY LAW
Following the success of Fleet Transport Expo12, we look forward to developing continued business relationships with our existing clients in Ireland and to building new relationships with the many prospective clients we met in Dublin. • Combined Transport Operations; • Cabotage; • Operator Licensing; • Drivers’ Hours; • International Carriage of Goods (CMR); • Employment Law (fixed fee); • Health & Safety (fixed fee);
• Road Traffic offences; • Environmental offences; • Abnormal Loads (STGO) and mobile plant; • Fixed fee Transport Law Advice (England & Wales); • Out of hours Transport Help Line.
Contact the Transport Help Line Team anytime on +44 (0)844 324 5309 +44 (0)1829 773 100 (Dyne Solicitors) +44 (0)844 324 5309 (Transport Help Line) Text: Donal Dempsey - donal@fleet.ie
LEGAL
New Year Resolutions 2013
A
s we moved through 2012 it became clear that both the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the Department of Transport were moving to improve and increase the efficiency of their enforcement policies across the country. There were two major areas of concern: the first of these being the effect of ‘driver fatigue’, the other being the need to ensure that drivers of all types of vehicle held the relevant licence. There is every reason to think that there will be a general increase in the levels of enforcement and that both driver’s hours legislation, and the use of the correct licence will continue to be the subjects of checks. Against that background it is important for an operator to remember that a conviction for a driver’s hours offence, or as the result of the employment of a driver who is not correctly licenced, notified to the Department of Transport can lead to the loss of the licence to operate, a sanction which is likely to become increasingly applied. The initial responsibility for compliance with the Driver’s hours regulations must, of course, lie with the operator. Journeys must be planned with ample time to ensure that the driver can complete the work within the permitted hours and, no less importantly, the operator must be able to show that drivers are required to contact them if there is any reason to think that the permitted hours might be exceeded. The control of driver’s licences is a direct responsibility of the operator who must not only see the original of any licence used by a driver but also record sufficient information to be certain that each driver is currently in possession of a licence that is appropriate for the vehicle that is being driven. Clearly details of any renewal dates should be held by an employer but, additionally, drivers should be reminded of their responsibility to notify the employer if points are imposed or if, for any reason, the licence is removed. Quite apart from the fact that it is a criminal offence to employ an unlicensed driver the insurance is likely to be invalidated. These responsibilities are shared equally by the individual drivers and they should be encouraged, ideally by training, to understand not only the risk that they run of losing their licence to drive commercial vehicles if they break the law, but also, and no less importantly, the effect that a conviction can have on the ability of the employer to carry on in business. The relationship between a driver and his employer is inevitably complex. The nature of a driver’s work means that for the major part of a working day the driver is away from the base and, largely, entirely responsible for his own actions. In the event that he decides to exceed the permitted hours then, until, and if the tachograph is checked, the employer cannot know that the offence has been committed. (Unless of course the employer knows that the work cannot be done within permitted hours.)
Text: Jonathan Lawton - jonathan@fleet.ie
Equally, if the driver has had his licence removed, say for the offence of driving under the influence of alcohol, and chooses not to tell the employer, the employer may not be aware of the offence unless and until he carries out a routine licence check. In this case it is critically important that the employer can prove that routine licence checks are part of the company’s administrative procedures.
equipment, are still covered. It is also a good time to consider the ‘loyalty’ of the drivers. It is important that a company’s drivers understand the impact on the company’s ability to continue to operate if they are convicted of an offence relating to their use of a company vehicle. It is easy for a driver to lose sight of the fact that, when away from his base, he is still an important part of the company.
The start of a year is always a good time to look over routine tasks and administrative processes just to check that they are still working as they should, and that any changes, whether in staff, the law, or
It must be the employer’s responsibility to ensure that this relationship is never forgotten.
Macroom Haulage Congratulations on being selected as Irish Haulier of the Year at the Fleet Transport Awards 2013 Advance Pitstop proudly supporting hauliers across the country for over 20 years. Advance Pitstop are one of Ireland’s leading suppliers of Tyres and Services to the Commercial Fleet business - for further information please contact seamus.hartnett@advancepitstop.com
We Make Driving Safer FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13
39
TRAILER
Krone Trailers - King of Trailers
I
n Ireland, our legal height limit of 4.65 metres allows some degree of flexibility, especially for those who transport large volume, rather than heavy weights. Th roughout the rest of Europe the commonly applied 4.0 metre height limit is often viewed as a disadvantage for freight forwarders, and to some degree inefficient. Nevertheless, the current road infrastructure in many countries simply cannot accommodate higher vehicles; examples would include a number of Alpine tunnels and passes. However, as with most issues in transport there is always an alternative side to the argument. Being restricted to a 4.0m running height has pushed trailer manufacturers to develop solutions to increase carrying capacity. German trailer giant Krone recently unveiled their latest series of flexible transport solutions, and ‘Fleet Transport’ went to Kassel, Germany to have a look. Krone has been manufacturing trailers since 1973 and over those forty years has earned a reputation for producing high quality transport units that have proven their value to operators. Building on the reputation of the Profi-Liner and Cool-Liner models, Krone is now offering two new versions of the popular Mega Liner. The Mega Liner ‘Variofloor’ and the Mega Liner ‘Multos,’ give operators more flexibility and improved loading options. Mega Liner Variof loor comes with three individual 4.4-metre long height adjustable f loor sections. In addition to doubling the carrying capacity to 66 Euro pallets, arguably, the greatest benefit for operators is to reduce the amount of space lost when loading pallets that can’t be double stacked. The floor sections are easily moved by inserting a forklift’s blades into the specially designed slots
in the structure. All sections can be moved up or down independently of each other through increments of 350 mm. When positioned the sections then lock into the rear and centre posts. Once the floor section is locked in the intermediate position, the overall internal loading height of 2,950 mm allows pallets up to 1,400 mm to be loaded on the upper and lower decks. If the section is fully lowered to the trailer floor, the internal loading height is 2,800 mm. One clever safety feature is that sections unlock automatically when being lowered to the trailer floor. Once the section is raised, again the section re-locks automatically. Importantly the floor sections are all fitted with well-designed lashing points for load securing. To further ease loading, the roof can be raised by 350 mm using a jacking mechanism, helping to increase access. It is true that with our 4.65 metre limit we are not too concerned with trailer running heights. However, any trailer higher than 4 metres in many European countries is a major headache. The 4.0-metre restriction has certainly placed the thinking caps (or Crowns) fi rmly on the heads of the design team at Krone. To answer the problem they have created the Mega Liner - Multos. Multos is a clever idea that allows any truck to pull the trailer, regardless of the tractor coupling height. Krone has managed this by designing Multos with an adjustable roof, which can be lowered by 150 mm, allowing the trailer to be coupled to a tractor height of 1,150 mm. This also required new adjustable side posts, and an improved roof jacking mechanism. While this development from Krone may not cause an immediate change in purchasing policy, it could be worth keeping in mind. We can never be sure what future changes in regulations may bring, and having alternatives makes good business sense. Under normal
transport conditions, the trailer performs as a standard Mega Liner, with the additional capacity held in reserve. Whether an operator could extract a rate increase for the additional volume transported is questionable, though it could help to att ract new customers or help to keep the ones you have loyal. Also for hauliers operating to Europe, being able to offer customers an ‘as you need’ 3,000 mm internal loading height could give you an edge when tendering for high volume low weight consignments. Krone took the opportunity to present other models from the trailer range, including the Mega Liner Coil, and the Mega Liner Ultra. The Coil Liner is available with either a 7,236 or an 8,840 mm long well, and a recess depth of 355 mm. The well can accommodate a 2,100 mm diameter coil weighing up to 30 tonnes. As well as the standard Coil Liner, Krone also offers the Coil Liner Ultra, a lightweight version that shaves about 300 Kgs off the standard version and weighs in at about 6,900 Kgs. The company is seeing increasing interest in the low weight Ultra versions of their trailers, especially in the Mega Liner Ultra. This lightweight version of the regular Mega Liner weighs in at a miserly 5,950 Kgs. There is a move throughout Europe to increase awareness of correct vehicle loading and load securing. The regulatory authorities in each country, including Ireland, will soon roll out a series of information campaigns and roadside checks to ensure compliance in this area. Krone has developed a range of load securing devices to compliment its trailers, and the loads they transport. These devices work exceptionally well and there is securing equipment available to cater for any type of cargo, even the most awkward shaped consignments.
Coupling Height
Internal Height Front
Total Height Front
Internal Height Rear
Total Height Rear
956 mm
3000 mm
4080 mm
3000 mm
4080 mm
1050 mm
2850 mm
4015 mm
2850 mm
4015 mm
1150 mm
2700 mm
3987 mm
2850 mm
3957 mm
(Running heights greater than 4.0 m are for countries were such heights are legally permitted) 40 FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13
TRAILER
Krone Mega Liner Automotive
Krone Mega Liner Coil
Mega Liner
Krone Mega Liner Multos
At times, operators can view these devices as costly and keeping track of the equipment is problematic. However, as the regulations tighten, investing in specifically designed and appropriate restraints approved and rated by the trailer manufacturer, could prove to be a wise move. In keeping with the safety theme, Krone’s (TUV Certified) ‘Ice Protect’ system is one that thankfully, we may not have to use very often in Ireland. Nevertheless, when the temperature
does drop, Ice Protect provides an immense safety benefit to all road users. The novel idea simply forces compressed air at a pressure of 0.05 Bar, into a tube that runs along the centre roofl ine of the trailer from front to back. When inflated the tube raises the centre of the roof by about 175.mm creating an arc, allowing water to run off . Not allowing the pools to form and freeze when the temperature drops, removes the possibility for large chunks of ice flying from the trailer when it moves from parked. Ice Protect
is activated by simply pressing a button when the trailer is parked. The system is de-activated by pressing the same button, or automatically once the footbrake is pressed. The modern trailer has long since moved from being a large box with wheels to become an article of engineering innovation. It seems that whatever the model, Krone trailers are always fully loaded with the latest transport solutions.
Krone Mega Liner Variofloor
Text: Paul White - paul@fleet.ie
FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13 41
5127
OPINION
Driving Force or Farce?
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ecently a Report was published about the road transport industry, which highlighted some of the problems the sector will face in the coming years. It is referred to as the ‘Wiseman’s Report’. Many of the problems that we will face in the future centre around drivers, in particular the aging profi le of current drivers and the shortage of newcomers to the industry. I have never heard anybody argue against this point and neither have I heard much discussion about it. Something happened recently that brought it into focus for me. I was doing a CPC Course with a group of truck drivers. At the lunch break there was some paperwork to be signed for the hotel, and as I was waiting the hotel manager asked me what type of training I was giving. I told her and explained a litt le about the concept of Driver CPC. I was curious as to why she asked the question in the fi rst place. When I enquired she said that the group seemed ‘mature’. I was a litt le taken aback at her comment but I knew what she meant. Before the class resumed I had a look at the forms and in particular the date of birth section. Out of seventeen (and myself) fi fteen of the group were over fi ft y. If ever there was proof needed of the ‘Wisemen’s Report’ conclusions here it was. As often happens at Driver CPC training days the conversation can drift . I told the group about my lunchtime conversation. The flood gates opened, everyone in the room had a contribution to make. One of the fi rst contributors was one of the ‘under fi ft y’ drivers. He had come to the industry from the construction sector. As a newcomer to driving he felt that by going through the process of the new test system he was serving his time to a trade. A reasonable expectation. Most of the older people in the room were a lot less enthusiastic. Most felt that our young friend would become disillusioned fairly fast about the status of his new career. When Driver CPC was first introduced I believed it was a great step forward for drivers. I still believe that. I also felt it would need to be developed and allowed to evolve as time went on. I don’t think that the Driver CPC is an impediment to people coming into the industry. There is a need for the profession to be viewed differently by our customers, employees and most of all ourselves as drivers.
View from the Operators Desk by Sean Murtagh sean@fleet.ie
outburst. Like many other times the driver suffered another embarrassing put down. Situations similar to this happen everyday all around the country. An obvious extension of this story is that the owner of the truck or the freight forwarder might have been given the same message as the driver got, albeit in the privacy of a phone call. You may say this is an extreme example, possibly, but not the attitude. Many men and women are proud to lead their sons and daughters into their own profession or trade. How many will lead their off spring into the transport business? That 120 is the test. We will have to work hard to change perceptions, but it can be done. Any one can draft a Report but it takes a ‘wise’ man to action it.
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I recall an incident last year. Two forklift s were working in a yard unloading trucks when a technician arrived to do an inspection. Within five minutes of his arrival he told the foreman that one of the lift trucks would have to be taken out of service because in his opinion there was a risk. Without delay the manager was called and without question the vehicle was parked. Just an hour later the truck in front of me was being loaded without a machine. The driver asked some questions about the machine - Was it top heavy? What weight was it? Now the same manager, who never questioned the technician, who looked at the fork truck and suggested it be taken out of service became irritable and said, “If you don’t want to take it leave it, there are lots of other companies happy to take it.” It was in the fi rst instance an embarrassment to be with in ea r shot of this
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5127
LAUNCH
Fleetmatics GPS tracking locates new address in Dublin
“I
reland is our birthplace,” said Jim Travers, CEO of Fleetmatics Group, speaking to An Taoiseach, Edna Kenny TD and guests at the official opening of the company's new global headquarters in Dublin. The vehicle tracking and management solutions company has seen remarkable demand for its products, and now provides services to 17,000 customers operating over 300,000 vehicles worldwide.
remarks and began by commenting on the most recent discussions he has attended in Brussels. He asked the audience to consider how far we have come in the last eighteen months, and where our place is now. An Taoiseach stated, “it is difficult to explain to people the change in att itude that has occurred internationally about this country in the last eighteen months. When you consider where we were, with a lack of trust and a lack of confidence in what was happening in this country. That has been changed completely, by virtue of the patience of the people, the decisiveness by which we have been able to make decisions and the understanding of Irish pragmatism. That you will never get out of this problem unless you make decisions that are going to deal with it.
Winner of the Innovation Award at the Fleet Transport Awards 2013, the Fleetmatics Group that includes Sagequest, has operations in Ireland, the UK and several locations in the United States. Late in 2012 Fleetmatics became one of only five Irish companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and raised over $100 million through an initial public offering. To mark the occasion the facility was officially opened by An Taoiseach, Edna Kenny TD. Directing his remarks to An Taoiseach, Jim Travers recommended, “he should install the Fleetmatics system in the Ministerial fleet, to keep track of his Cabinet colleagues.” Jim was very sincere in his praise of An Taoiseach’s “hard work in representing the great qualities of the Irish workforce work”, and he continued ‘we credit your convincing persistence as contributing to our soft ware company’s success.”
This is a team effort here in Fleetmatics, and so it has to be with Ireland and with Europe. I try to explain this to our European colleagues that the better we do and the quicker we can exit from the programme that we are in, the more it’s a demonstration what a team can do.” Mr. Kenny closed by congratulating Fleetmatics on their new headquarters, and wishing them every success for the future.
John Goggin, Sr Vice President Global Sales, Fleetmatics
Demand for the Fleetmatics soft ware technology is showing consistent growth as operators seek increased efficiencies from their road transport divisions. The system is a web-based solution, which allows operators to monitor a wide range of vehicle and driver performance criteria, including vehicle location, speed, fuel consumption, and driver behaviour, which can then identify areas where savings can be made.
The success of Fleetmatics has been to provide a high quality GPS soft ware An Taoiseach Enda Kenny system, which targets the small to medium sized enterprises and the public sector. Jim Travers was pleased to avail of the opportunity to publicly announce details of the company’s most recent achievement, were it has just installed Fleetmatics in 300 vehicles for South Dublin County Council. In closing he says, “currently we employ fi ft y people - in the short term we plan to recruit an additional fourteen soft ware developers to join the team here, and as our plans evolve the total number employed here will likely double.”
Because the programme is web-based and uses GPS technology, customers have found the Fleetmatics package affordable and cost effective - making it of particular importance to the small and medium fleet operations. In turn affordability will further widen the appeal of the Fleetmatics system, and help to ensure the future success of the Group - which has been quite remarkable to date.
An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD Peter Mitchell, CTO, Fleetmatics; Jim Travers, CEO, Fleetmatics; John Goggin, thanked Jim Travers for his kind Sr Vice President Global Sales, Fleetmatics and An Taoiseach Enda Kenny. Text & Photos: Paul White - paul@fleet.ie
FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13
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MARITIME 1
fleetMaritime: IRISH SHIPPING & FREIGHT Compiled by Howard Knott Edited by Jarlath Sweeney email: maritime@fleet.ie
Volume 8, No. 1 Spring 2013
‘Marco Polo’ the world’s largest containership enters service
‘M
arco Polo’ the first of three sister ships being built by DSME (Daewoo shipbuilding and Marine Engineering) in South Korea was christened on 12 December 2012 at the Container Terminal in Zeebrugge in the presence of her godmother, Mrs. Naila Saade, President of the CMA-CGM Corporate Foundation and wife of Jacques Saade, Group Chairman and CEO. ‘Marco Polo’ has a capacity of 16,020 TEU (twenty foot equivalent units) and her overall dimensions are 396 metres long, 51 metres longer than ‘Queen Mary 2’, and 54 metres wide, with a draft of 16 metres. Were all the containers laid end to end they would stretch almost from Derry to Limerick. Her UK Port of call will be Southampton, docking there once every eleven weeks. The Port has recently installed new Container cranes built by Liebherr in Killarney, to handle this vessel and her sisters that are due to be delivered later in 2013. Speaking at the arrival of ‘Marco Polo’ at Southampton when en route to Zeebrugge, Doug Morrison, and Port Director, said; “We have now placed ourselves on the map as a terminal capable of handling
not only the world’s largest container ship, but also similar 18,000 TEU ships currently under construction. With work well underway on the GBP 150 million redevelopment of berth 201/202, DP World, Southampton will have an additional deep water facility from 2014.” Speaking at the DP World Terminal in the largest man-made Port at Jebel Ali in the UAE, when ‘Marco Polo’ called there on her way to Europe, Mohamed Al Muallem, Senior Vice-President of the UEA region for DP World said, ‘Jebel Ali Port is handling an average per week of three ultra-large container ships with a capacity of 14,000 TEU’s and above and we anticipate that the number will increase steadily in coming years. The Port is opening a new $850 million container Terminal in 2014 which will be able to handle ten of the next generation 18,000-TEU mega vessels at the same time.’ The ‘Marco Polo’ joins CMA-CGM’s ‘French Asia Line’ service with a 77 day round trip and is part of global network of 7 CMA-CGM services connecting Asia to Europe’s Atlantic Coast, based on 22 vessels of sizes ranging from 11,400 TEU upwards. CMA-CGM offers a total
of 34 services from China to various parts of Europe, North and South America, to Australia and Africa. Th is amounts to one sailing every 5 hours. An unusual aspect of the CMA-CGM ‘Marco Polo’ is that she is also equipped with fi ve passenger cabins, exclusively reserved for cargo cruises. Commenting on this aspect of the offering on board the vessel CMA-CGM’s Dublin Office Commercial Director, Alfie Tonge said that when the company had a full cruise holiday division their offers of such cargo cruises were always prohibitively expensive. He went to say that everybody within the organisation is very proud of the new vessel and the confidence that this expresses in the competitive development of the market. Independent analysts, Alphaliner’s end of 2012 Report on the global container ship market states that the global order book for such vessels stands at 3.43 million TEU’s, equivalent to 21% of the current fleet.
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Photo courtesy of CMA – CGM.
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FREIGHT FERRY SERVICES FLEETTRANSPORT | DEC 10/JAN 11 63
MARITIME 11
Competition Authority has a good look at the Irish Ports Sector
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ithin 2012 the ease or difficulty with which Irish made goods moved out of Ireland and into the export Supply Chain became a matter of vital concern both for Government and Industry. ‘Fleet Maritime’ has focussed very much on the Shipping Lines and their service offerings to this process and on Ports such as Liverpool and Rotterdam that have been the main transit points for Irish cargoes. The Irish Exporters Association (IEA) published its Air Freight report with a focus on the Irish airports and the services that operate through them as well as the significant volumes of air freight that are trucked out of Ireland for shipping by air out of airports in Britain or the Continent. The Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport commissioned studies on the economic impact of light dues, the charges that ships must pay to meet the cost of provision of lighthouses and other aids to navigation in Irish waters, on shipping costs to and from Ireland, both in the present regime when they are operated in conjunction with the UK Authorities and from 2015 when Ireland will go it alone in this area. The Department also, just before Christmas, selected consultants, Indecon, to undertake a study of the ownership and organisation options for Rosslare Europort. Perhaps the most significant piece of work in the area is that being undertaken by the Competition Authority that will lead to a report on ‘Competition in the Irish Ports Sector’ and which is now out for Public Consultation. (The initial draft report produced as an enabler for public consultation can be downloaded from the Authority’s website. Th is is one of two pieces of work requested by Minister of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton, T.D., the other one being on the costs of exporting with a major focus on transport and, in particular, ports and which is being carried out by Forfas. That ‘costs’ study will, as appropriate, feed into the Competition Authority work.
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The initial consultation document gives a very clear commentary on the Ports on the island of Ireland and the apparent strengths and weaknesses of Ports, though always from the viewpoint of their ability to offer customers a service level that is as competitive as possible. Particularly interesting is their analysis of the various models in operation in Port structures;
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some Ports work on a ‘landlord’ model in which the Port provides only the common services of pilotage etc and leases out Terminals and other facilities to competing operators, while at the other end of the scale are ‘full service’ Ports in which the Port Company provides both the infrastructure and all cargo handling services. Dublin would be an example of the first, Rosslare an example of the second type. An apparent weakness of the initial document is its focus on the current state of affairs and not looking forward to what the situation will be when the current recession ends. The crucial issue there is the development of a Port strategy that would enable the island of Ireland to be served effectively by larger and deeper vessels. In this context the possibilities of development of the deep water facility at Ringaskiddy in Cork Harbour and of Foynes so as to allow cargo to be shipped through those locations and to Irish Exporters and import customers is vital. In both instances Port development plans must incorporate development of both rail and road connections to their hinterland, even if in the case of Ringaskiddy, a barge link from quay to the railhead will be required. Equally important is the development of Dublin Port to enable larger feeder vessels and ferries to operate and
to drive costs down. In fact, it is probably a more serious issue than that, as failure to facilitate larger vessels will drive shipping costs much higher as the availability of ‘Dublin-max’ vessels dries up. Another issue that would repay further thought it is the way in which State services are provided and how this may impact on competitiveness. For example the requirement that cargoes that require examination by Deptartment of Agriculture officials must be brought to Dublin for that exam would appear to stack the cards against other Ports and, while it may save the department money, adds significant costs to traders. At the time of writing Minister Varadkar’s intention appears to be to publish the National Ports policy in early spring. While the publication would be greatly welcomed by those seeking clarity on where Irish Ports are going, it is, perhaps, a pity that the policy document will be published before the Competition Authority Report is published, as it will doubtless contain much information of value in devising a Ports strategy for Ireland.
E bookings@derrybros.com T 0044 28 87784949 www.derrybros.com
IRISH SEA ROUTES FLEETMARITIME | SPRING 2013 45
MARITIME 111
PORT PORTALS From Pizzas to Banking, Oetker conglomerate is seeking to merge its Hamburg Sud container shipping fellow2010 Hamburg based, Volume company 5, No. 4with Winter Hapag-Lloyd. Merger negotiations have been going on for a number of years and were expected to conclude during the fi rst quarter of 2013. The merged entity would be the world’s fourth largest ocean carrier and the partners’ respective route networks would be complementary as Hapag Lloyd focuses mainly on East-West routes while the focus at Hamburg Sud is mainly on Latin American and Australasian Trades. For some of these trades the line operates under the Alianca name and both brands are represented in Ireland by Dublin based, International Maritime Agents. Hapag Lloyd, through its Dublin Office, won the Irish Exporters Association, Deep Sea Shipping Line of the Year Award, sponsored by the Port of Cork, for 2012. Queen Mary 2, which is currently Cunard’s only true Ocean Liner, is scheduled to call to Dublin Bay on 16 May in the course of a North European cruise itinerary. The 148,000 tonne, 345 metre long, liner will anchor off Dun Laoghaire with up to 3000 passengers being ferried ashore. Th is will be her third visit to Irish waters. In 2005 she anchored off Dunmore East for a day while in 2011 she called to the Cruise Liner Terminal in Cobh. The Queen Mary 2 does include in her summer schedule a number of transatlantic sailings unlike any other Cruise Liner. The art collection aboard the vessel has been valued at about €4 million and she has the largest ballroom of any Liner built to date. Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company says that this call will mark the start of the harbour’s fi rst substantial Cruise Ship season. Present plans are to welcome 10 vessels to the South Dublin harbour during the coming summer. Volvo Cars has also confirmed its sponsorship for the fifth Dun Laoghaire Joint Clubs Regatta taking place from 11th to 14th July. Th is event is run every other year and has been backed by Volvo since the series commenced in 2005. With an anticipated turnout of over 450 boats with about two and a half thousand crew on board this Regatta now ranks among Europe’s top sailing spectaculars.
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New Volvo V40
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46 FLEETMARITIME | SPRING 2013
Greystones, County Wicklow’s harbour development will move substantially forward towards completion with the recent announcement that yacht brokers and marina operators, B J Marine will open a 100 berth marina in the new harbour in April 2012. The marina facility will include a full service boatyard serving local commercial as well as leisure vessels. The major infrastructure of the harbour was completed in 2012 and limited facilities were put into operation there. The news of the marina’s opening was greeted with enthusiasm by local political and tourism interests. Arklow Marine Services has announced that it is developing a strong reputation as a builder of support vessels for offshore energy projects. The County Wicklow company which is heir to a long ship and boat building tradition in Arklow has secured an order for a third wind farm service vessel for the great Yarmouth based Gardline Marine. The vessel is due for delivery in July 2013. Irish Ferries is reported to be satisfied with the results of bringing the ferry ‘Isle of Inishmore’ from the Rosslare / Pembroke route to operate a number of trips over the Christmas and New Year period on its Dublin / Holyhead route. The planned five round trips became seven when bad weather made sailing the ‘Dublin Swift’ difficult and overall carryings on the route over the period were satisfactory, a further indication that the long term decline in ferry passenger traffic has been halted. The ‘Oscar Wilde’ moved on to the Rosslare / Pembroke service replacing the ‘Isle of Inishmore’ over the Christmas period, while that vessel then took up the ‘Ulysses’ schedule while she went for her annual dry-dock. Irish Ferries intend to resume its Rosslare / Cherbourg service in the latter part of February. Eurotunnel has followed up a busy above the sea level year in 2012 when it bought three of the former Seafrance ferries and, through its Europorte rail freight business took over rail freight operations at a number of leading French Ports, with a bid to run the Ports of Calais and Boulogne. It has made an initial submission to run the Ports within the framework of a new public Service concession to be awarded by the Nord Pas-de-Calais Regional Council which owns the two Channel Ports. The new concession would run from late 2013 or early 2014 and the current operators, the Cote d’Opal Chamber of Commerce, has also declared an interest in the new concession. Earlier in 2012 Eurotunnel Chief Jacques Gounon had proposed to the Chamber that Eurotunnel be a minority partner in a bid for the new concession. He said; ‘it is my conviction that the three local structures – the Ports of Boulogne and Calais and Eurotunnel, as a dry Port – must have a coherent
development policy. And why not include the State owned Port of Dunkirk too? Under a ‘Calais 2015’ plan the Port plans to spend up to half a billion on infrastructure development over the next two to three years. ‘Fleet Maritime’ spoke with a local source about concerns that a Eurotunnel concession to operate the Ports might give rise to monopolistic practices there and push up costs of crossing the channel, but their opinion was that the Ports of Oostende and Zeebrugge are already strong competitors for the French Ports and that their services could be developed further should a demand emerge. Dunkirk reported a 10% increase in traffic on Ro-Ro services through the Port during 2012 to 13 million tonnes.
The ‘Seafrance Moliere’, a sister ship of the Superfast vessels that Stena is operating between Belfast and Cairnryan has now entered service on the DFDS/LD Lines service between Dover and Calais. Renamed ‘Dieppe Seaways,’ she displaces the chartered Brittany Ferries vessel which returns from that service to the western Channel routes. Shannon Foynes Port Company has just published ‘Vision 2041’, a draft plan which will promote and support the provision of Port infrastructure and services in the Shannon estuary over the next 30 years. Company Chief Executive, Pat Keating said, “Vision 2041 concentrates on three key objectives including expansion, promotion and management. Specifically these objectives include a significant expansion and infrastructural development in the deepwater Port of Foynes while also promoting non-core assets in Limerick Docks for alternative port/nonport related activities and managing the natural attributes of the estuary and its destination as an Ocean Energy Hub.” The draft plan can be downloaded from the Company’s website – www.sfpc.ie In September 2012 Shannon Foynes Port Company reported a 168% rise in pre-tax profits to €2.96 million in 2011, up from €1.1 million for 2010, boosted by a once-off €1million property sale. Cargo throughput at the County Limerick Port increased by 8% to 10.1 million tonnes, which comes on top of a 23.5% increase reported for 2010.
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EUROPEAN ROUTES
MARITIME 1V Mediterranean Shipping Line (MSC) has launched a new Atlantic Arc container feedering service based on Le Havre. There will be three vessels initially each with a capacity of 1600 TEU, one of which will serve Dublin and Greenock, a second one going to Liverpool while the third vessel will serve the French Biscay Ports. The vessel ‘MSC John Rickmers’ serving Dublin has a draft of 8.1 metres which is one metre more than the current series of feeder vessels being used by a number of lines to serve Irish Ports. In switching this operation to Le Havre MSC will increase container throughput at the River Seine Port by 350,000 TEU annually. CMA-CGM also services Ireland through Le Havre while CLdN/Cobelfret operates a weekly service from Radicatel, further inland.
Celtic Forwarding links with Sinotrans Finbarr Cleary, Managing Director of Dublin based Celtic Forwarding Ltd. has completed negotiations with Sinotrans, China’s largest freight forwarder and freight transport operator to represent them in Ireland. The Sinotrans operation includes 5,000 trucks, 1500 trailers, 1100 offices in 29 provinces, 67 bonded warehouses, 12 domestic distribution hubs, over 70 rail ramps, 56 Port Terminals and operate a network of Asian feeder ship services. Talking about the Sinotrans link, Gerry Kiernan at Celtic Forwarding said, "in more recent times China’s growing consumer society has led to high demand for quality products and Irish exports have targeted this market. Getting your products
to China is one thing. Gett ing your products onto the shelves of retail outlets throughout the country is quite another." The co-operation between the two companies means that Celtic Forwarding and Sinotrans can facilitate introductions between Irish manufacturers and Chinese importers/distributors in their relevant industry. Stena Line has re-jigged its schedule for the second vessel on the Dublin-Holyhead route. The morning departure from Holyhead has gone back to 08.55 from 08.20 and the evening sailing from there has come forward to 20.30 with scheduled arrival in Dublin just before midnight. The HSS, which ran successfully on its Dun LaoghaireHolyhead route over Christmas and New Year, will take up its service again on 22 March, earlier than the 2012 schedule.
Brittany Ferries has issued a statement welcoming the completion of the RN 174 through the Cotentin peninsula. This new toll-free dual carriageway will link Cherbourg with Caen and the major route A84. Trucks will be able to complete the 150km journey from the ferry Port to Caen in under two hours, bringing the total journey time to Paris to about 4.5 hours. Brittany Ferries will re-launch its Poole to Cherbourg service in March, while the Normandy Port also hosts Irish Ferries and Celtic Link Ferries. Transport Minister Varadkar’s commitment in the course of his New Year message to commence work during the year on the N11 Rathnew upgrade will further enhance the development of services through Rosslare.
DFDS Logistics upgrades Intermodal service schedules DFDS has recently implemented new schedules on its Ireland/Rotterdam container services that give Tuesday evening departures from Waterford, Dublin, Belfast and Cork with Thursday evening/Friday am arrival in Rotterdam for further distribution including to Italy using their scheduled rail service. A later week service departs from Dublin on Thursday, Waterford on Friday and Cork on Saturday reaching Rotterdam on Monday. At Rotterdam the services also connect with the line’s Norwegian sailings giving a seven day transit time from Irish Port to Oslo and to Bergen. Michael Connolly of DFDS commented: “Our weekly capacity on ships serving the Dublin, Waterford, and Rotterdam triangle is now 565 TEU in each direction. The fact that the vessels call to both Dublin and Waterford means that we have flexibility in capacity to cope with import demands via Dublin and export demands via Waterford.” The Iberian service sails from Dublin on Monday, arriving Bilbao on Friday with rail connection to Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona.
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Derry Bros’ New Look Website Goes Live
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erry Bros Shipping has just launched its new self service website. For businesses wishing to ship across the Irish Sea, English Channel and North Sea can now go online through www.derrybros.com and make the booking.
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booking space on a boat as easy as possible and have been rigorously testing the site to ensure that customers are now able to book with the minimum amount of effort. That’s not to say that we are not taking bookings over the phone. We want to give our customers choice, and by giving them an online option we feel that this is a natural progression in the service we offer”.
Company owner Brigid Derry (pictured) explains, “We have invested a considerable amount of time and money in developing our new site in order to address the needs of our customers. We want to make the process of
Derry Bros.com will not only give customers the ability to gain a quote and book online, it also gives customers vital information including route maps, timetables and fuel surcharges. To set up your on line account simply visit www.derrybros.com and follow the guide.
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AN ESSENTIAL PART OF YOUR TEAM FLEETMARITIME | SPRING 2013 47
MOTORSPORT
Record wins for Despres (KTM), Peterhansel (MINI) & 1-2-3 for Kamaz on Dakar 2013
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ed Bull KTM Rally Factory Team rider Cyril Despres overcame many obstacles to take his fi fth Dakar, which puts the Frenchman just one win away from Stéphane Peterhansel’s record. The car competition saw Peterhansel celebrate his fifth win, this time on four wheels. The Monster X-Raid MINI ALL4 Racing driver in the Mini Countryman recorded successive wins in the cross-country marathon across South America and broke Ari Vatanen’s record for most wins in the car category. In doing so he has achieved the most Dakar victories. With 14 stages in Peru, Argentina and Chile contested, Peterhansel and Jean-Paul Cottret held off the consistent South African Giniel de Villiers (Toyota Hilux) by 42′22″ and fellow Mini works driver Leonid Novitskiy (Russia) by 1 h 28′22″. In the third major category Russian commercial vehicle brand Kamaz dominated the podium in the Truck class. As strong challenge from for mer w i n ner t he Qata r backed Nasser Al Attiyah in a specially prepared Buggy came to naught, being forced into early retirement with engine problems, as was his team-mate and another past winner Carlos Sainz. US racer Robby Gordon in the SPEED Energy Hummer finished 14th but tried too hard as usual, winning some stages after losing some ground right from the start. Carlos Sousa performed brilliantly to complete the event sixth overall in the Great Wall Haval. A master strategist on the 8,500 kilometer course, defending champion Cyril Despres took his first back-to-back win and his third victory in South
48 FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13
America (2010, 2012 and 2013) to go with his two victories when the event was held in Africa (2005 and 2007). He had to endure navigational and gearbox problems to take the checkered flag. This fi fth triumph puts him on par with Cyril Neveu in the race’s role of honour. In the end, he was 10′43″ faster than his KTM lieutenant Ruben Faria, and 18′48″ quicker than local hero Chaleco López (KTM). It was KTM’s twelfth consecutive title and KTM riders took all five top overall paces. The winner’s iron grip on the race was also notable in the quad category. Marcos Patronelli’s Yamaha took him to his second Dakar after the 2010 edition and equal the record held by his older brother Alejandro, who didn’t participate this year. Even more striking was the fact that the Argentinean led the rally from the second special stage and won it with 1 h 50′35″ to spare over Chile’s Ignacio Casale and 3 h 16′40″ over Poland’s Rafał Sonik. He was in a league of his own!
Finally, the truck category saw Team Kamaz’s collective strength in taking over the podium with a one-two-three at the end of the 35th edition. Eduard Nikolaev conquered his first Dakar with 37′10″ to spare over Ayrat Mardeev, who finished just ahead (47″) of teammate Karginov to take second overall. Defending champion and early leader Gerard de Rooy (Team Petronas De Rooy Iveco) missed the podium by 4′19″. Vetern Dakar challengers Team Sugawara Hino marked their 22nd attempt with the 500 Series race trucks both crossing the line (19th & 31st). Competitors were challenged with extreme offroad conditions which included huge sand dunes, rock strewn desert roads, deep river crossings and treks through high mountains not to mention unfavourable weather conditions, which caused rally organisers to cancel two specials.
MOTORSPORT Peterhansel Sets The Record “It’s just incredible that we really succeeded in defending the title,” beamed Peterhansel. “We had to batt le it out with numerous extremely competitive opponents but in the end, we were the ones who secured the win. Just as it was the case last year, the MINI ALL4 Racing ran perfectly. I have to thank the entire team that did a fantastic job – and not only during the past two weeks.” Stéphane Peterhansel joined Team X-raid following the 2009 Dakar Rally. At that point in time, he already had six Dakar wins on the motorbike (1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1998) and three on four wheels (2004, 2005, 2007) under his belt. And now, together with the Monster Energy X-raid Team and at the wheel of the MINI ALL4 Racing, he added another two wins to his impressive Dakar record.
Ulstermen To The Fore On Dakar 13!
De Rooy - Two Ivecos In The Top 10 Team Petronas De Rooy Iveco were no doubt disappointed with 4th, 9th & 13th positions in the final general rankings of the Dakar 2013, especially as reigning champion Gerard de Rooy in an Iveco Powerstar, took an early lead which was lost due to engine turbo problems. First timer Renè Kuipers in an New Iveco Trakker Evolution 3 performed well while rally favourite Miki Biasion had to play a gallant supporting role in an Iveco Trakker Evolution 2. Ex-World Rally Champion, Italian driver and Dakar veteran, Miki Biasion stated: “This year’s Dakar proved to be very difficult due to the sand, especially in the first part of the race where there was much more varied terrain. Teamwork is essential in moments such as these when one has to face such trying challenges. I was unlucky at the beginning and lost time, but I continued to fight with the team up until the end in order to earn a place on the podium for the Iveco team colours. In the end we did not succeed in doing this, but we certainly did our very best.”
Toyota’s De Villiers & Von Zitzewitz Finish 2nd Toyota Imperial South Afr ica’s Giniel de Villiers and Dirk von Zitzewitz secured a superb second overall in the Hilux. “Second place counts as a victory for us,” said a delighted De Villiers. “Last year we exceeded our expectation by far and would never in our wildest dreams have believed that we would better our third place from 2012 this time. “The competition was a lot stronger this time. There were numerous candidates for victory and we were the underdogs. Our reliability enabled us to, not only master the Dakar, but also made the difference.”
Good Run From Instaforex Loprais Team Sixth place for number 503 driven by Alex Loprais (Cze) in the Tatra 815-2Z0R45 race truck he affectionatly calls ‘old Princess 69’.
Text: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie
Stanley Watt from Donegal (second from right - Bike No. 43)and Ballymena’s Phillip Gillespie were among the fi nishers in the 35th Dakar. Watt riding the Front Row GB KTM 450 had his best result to date coming home in 25th position despite having broken his collarbone on the event. Stan Watt’s original idea was to do the Dakar in a car. After fi nishing in the Top 40 on his fi rst attempt back in 2009, the plan was to switch to four wheels in a co-driver’s position. A last minute offer by Crescent KTM gave Stan another go on a 450 KTM last year, eventually fi nishing in 34th position. In 2009, he was 38th overall. Race2Recovery, the group of predominantly injured soldiers who formed a rally team to raise funds for Forces charities, were rightly celebrating the achievement of becoming the fi rst ever disability team to complete the world’s toughest race. The team’s Land Rover Defenderbased Wildcat race vehicle of driver Major Matt O’Hare and co-driver Corporal Phillip Gillespie, crossed the fi nish line in Santiago, Chile, to signal the end of an extraordinary two weeks of racing. O’Hare and Gillespie were quick to praise their teammates, including the mechanics and support team, as they spoke shortly after completing the fi nal stage. Phillip Gillespie, 24, who is a leg amputee as a result of injuries sustained in Afghanistan, said: “We have found out fi rst-hand why they call the Dakar Rally the hardest race in the world. It has pushed every single one us to our limits and beyond. To be able to stand here at the fi nish line and say we achieved what we set out to achieve, to become the first ever disability team to complete the Dakar Rally, feels magical. Our team motto is ‘beyond injury – achieving the ex traordinar y’ and we’ve done just that. I hope that we’ve been able to inspire people who may be facing difficulties through injury or illness. The support we’ve received from everyone – our sponsors, supporters, families, friends, the military and complete strangers – has been a m a z i n g a nd i s testament to the ability and dedication of this team.” FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13 49
LOGISTICS
Is the absence of a National Supply Chain Policy, masking the true state of Irish Commercial Transport Fleets?
G
iven the reliance on growth of exports and the need to stimulate the domestic economy you wonder if the Irish state fully recognise the indispensible role, commercial fleets play in supporting the National Supply Chain on which the country’s trading future depends. Given the cited importance of the National Supply Chain, there is a dearth of trade and market data available. Th is you would think is fundamental to inform business and policy decisions. It is frustratingly, another example of the lack of leadership and strategic planning. Instead we feed off historical transactional ESRI supplied data. For the purposes of this article, we will analyses UK data, Ireland’s largest trading partner to gauge the state of our industry. The UK Industry at a glance: in 2010 LGV ‘O’ (Operator) License Holders (“OLH”) reduced to 95,436 providing 474,273 units. In 2011 OLH contracted further to 91,200 registering 415,000 units. An average fleet size of 4.55 Units per OLH. While the decline in OLH for 2012 is not published until Q2 this year, anecdotal evidence suggests a further decline of 5,000 – 6,500 companies is possible reducing unit availability by another 30,000 Units. UK Commercial Transport accounts for 68% of freight moved and 83% of total tonnes lifted. 95% of road freight is transported by large goods vehicles, which are those over 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight. Apply into the mix the UK driver population is ageing and there is a shortage of qualified drivers, Ireland could fi nd itself competing in this market with reduced Unit availability for East- West traffic. Without comparative data, there is poor visibility of the Irish industry trends and consequently a lack of strategic planning.
/ hauliers), continue to operate according to outdated orthodoxy. The current irregular load volumes supporting multiple cloned Irish delivery networks against the ever-changing trading landscape is not sustainable. As SCO are demanding more competitive and imaginative ways to fulfil service levels, this will lead to the need of greater synchronisation of the entire Supply (distribution) Chain in Ireland.
Nigel Devenish, Chief Operations Officer; SCLG Ireland - Supply Chain Logistics Group
of their sales footprint manage their operations with precision. Order management has moved from a ‘Push’ system to a ‘Pull’ system. We now talk in terms of the demand chain, and this has ramifications as SCOs seek increasing agility within the distribution value chain.
The consequences for not developing a National Strategic Supply Chain Policy could be calamitous to the government’s growth agenda. Irish Hauliers recognise their survivability is not just related to the price of fuel and its rebates, structurally it needs to change. These changes need to be integrated in to an overall Strategic Plan for National Supply Chain Sustainability, and should have been where the economy and haulier’s future lies.
The rise in this new breed of consumption and the ever-increasing exponential diversification of niche markets, the universal adoption of consumer technologies, is driving and demanding new levels of service stipulated by the SCO. The rise of stronger web-based service economy is challenging traditional operational thinking with many traditional Irish SCO (and 3pl suppliers
The industry in general is facing pressure to become more environmentally friendly. Irish Hauliers are operating on <2% margins, cost savings based on energy efficiency and reduced fuel consumption is becoming harder and harder to achieve, this is leading to an increase in the number of Irish company failures. The challenges to the sector will not get any easier, as Supply Chain Owners (“SCO”) retailers and manufacturers acknowledge the established rules of retailing and manufacturing are changing faster than ever. The internet is changing the way people live and work. As a result, every retailer and manufacturer is in a global fight for survival. With products sourced internationally, through supply chains of incredibly complexity, retail margins are being reduced substantially. Consequently, it is no longer enough for the retailer to just offer quality goods and services. Retailers must also maintain the most efficient supply chain(s). They must, whatever the size 50 FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13
Text: Nigel Devenish
SOAPBOX
Mercantile Empire T
he European Commission acts in a manner very similar to our own Government when it comes to tackling powerful State interests and nowhere more so than in Transportation and Logistics. Much has been said of the Ryanair bid for Aer Lingus and the requirements of the European Commission (EC), and now latest news is that the acquisition of TNT by UPS has ended, again due to the requirements of the European Commission. Aer Lingus and TNT (Dutch Post Office) were both State owned operations and whilst we know our Government does not wish to see Ryanair acquire Aer Lingus, we don’t know the Dutch Government's att itude to its postal services being run by an American company? Much less is being said in the media of the EC’s criticism of Germany and the German State Railway (DBB) for its failure to separate and create transparency between the operating company and the rail network. Th is transparency is required by the Commission to (amongst others) ensure that State funding and a monopoly position is not used to acquire other (competing) companies. Any attempts to separate the two are, according to the UK’s Railfreight campaigner Tony Berkeley, met with obfuscation and delay and accordingly are doing much harm to the European rail system’s ability to compete with road transport.
to their own self-interest. To that end they will lobby as effectively both the Commission and National Governments as anything that has ever been written about lobbying in the United States. State sponsored Mercantile Empire building is alive and well in Europe.
UPS employs approximately 400,000 and TNT 150,000, which would indeed make for a formidable global player, and in the European Commission's eyes endanger competition in Europe. But just where is the threat and who is being threatened? Lets take a look at Germany’s DBB and its competitor Deutsche Post for comparisons. The Marshall Plan helped DBB to its dominant position after WW2 and it now employs more than half a million people worldwide. Amongst the portfolio of companies it has acquired are household names such as Schenker, BAX Global, Arriva, and EWS, under whose banner it runs the UK’s Royal Train and the Royal Mail trains (What would Winston Churchill think)? Deutsche Post had a monopoly on all German Post until 2008 and still controls the majority of German postal services. The German Government owns thirty percent of the company through a State owned bank and approx sixty percent is institutionally owned (German Institutions). It also employs more than half a million people globally. Under its control are names well known to Irish readers, DHL, Exel Logistics, Tibbott & Britten, Securicor Omega and Airborne Express. Exel Logistics was the former British State owned National Freight Corporation (NFC), which in turn was made of transport companies nationalized by the Labour Government after WW2. In Ireland similar, though obviously smaller, situations exist with CIE, An Post, Dublin Airport Authority (formerly Aer Rianta) however their competitive impact on a smaller market is probably much greater. Surely if the acquisition of TNT by UPS is a competitive threat to European competitiveness then it is time to either fully privatise both the German State Railway and Post Office or divest them of the companies they own? Of one thing we can all be sure, the machinations of State bureaucracies and State owned companies, whilst appearing benign to the vast bulk of the people they are supposedly serving, fi rst and foremost their loyalty is Text: Jerry Kiersey - jerry@fleet.ie
FLEETTRANSPORT | FEBRUARY 13
51
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SsangYong Re-enters Irish Market
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contents SPRING 2013 56 News • Volkswagen Commercials takeover at the top • Toyota reduce price of Land Cruiser Commercial • SsangYong returns to Ireland • ProAce to replace Hiace • Ford to introduce two Car Derived Vans • Hyundai launches i30 iPro • Better price and warranty on Pajero Commercial
Fleet Van & Utility Magazine, D’Alton Street, Claremorris, Co. Mayo, Ireland. Tel: +353 (0)94 9372819 Fax: +353 (0)94 9373571 Email: enquiries@fleet.ie Subscription Hotline: 094 93 72827 Editor: Jarlath Sweeney Contributors: Cathal Doyle, Rob Van Dieten, Paul White
Photography: Jarlath Sweeney, Cathal Doyle, Rob Van Dieten, Paul White, Newspress Administration: Orla Sweeney, Denise Owens Advertising: Mary Morrissey, Orla Sweeney
59 New Fleet ‘131’ sales by McElvaneys & Frank Keane
63 Test I Ford Transit Custom 290 LWB 64 Test II Opel Astra 5-door Van 65 Test III Great Wall Steed Double Cab Pick-Up 66 Interview With Sean O’Neill, Fleet Sales Manager, Citroen Motors Ireland • Log on to www.fleet.ie for Fleet Van & Utility’s Panel Van Buyers' Guide 2013
60 Panel Van Buyers' Guide 2013 What’s planned for the LCV sector in 2013
Design: Eamonn Wynne Printed in Ireland
Cover Picture: Paul White taken at Malahide, Dublin.
P5
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Disclaimer: Fleet Van&Utility 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.
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FLEETVAN&UTILITY | Spring 2013 55
NEWS 1
Volkswagen make it to Number 1 in LCV sales
H
aving made steady progress in recent years, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has made it to the top of the Irish sales leaderboard ending 2012 as Number 1. With 2325 unit sales which equates to 21.38% marketshare, it has finally by-passed long term leaders Ford.
To put this achievement into perspective Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has revised or replaced its van line-up in recent years together with offering attractive lease rates while Ford Motor Niall Phillips, Sales and Marketing Manager for Company has just commenced its, beginning with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles commented the all-new 1-tonne Transit Custom. Later this on the German brand reaching Number 1, year, the larger Transit range will be launched “We are delighted that the 2012 market and as will the replacement for the Transit Connect. business oriented offers, financials packages and Then in 2014, a totally new entrant (in the compact van segment) will herald the arrival of the Transit SIMI New LCV Registrations 2012 & 2011 Courier. So the Ford fightback begins. Position Marque Registrations In looking through the SIMI – Society of Irish Motor Industry figures released for 2012, the overall market is slightly down in 2011 – 10,874 units compared to 11,364. While the majority of main brands maintained status quo in terms of top 10 positions, only Citroen and Land Rover made gains (see chart) with the latter benefiting from the 3.0 litre 5 seat commercial version of the Discovery 4. Opel slipped back a bit and this could be put down to a more competitive price, warranty and finance deals available from the other marques.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Totals: 2012: 10,874
Volkswagen Ford Renault Toyota Citroen Nissan Peugeot Opel Land Rover Fiat Professional
2325 2278 1266 979 554 521 508 491 442 405
2011: 11,364
excellent customer service has resulted in almost 2,300 valued customers driving Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and making us the number one Commercial Vehicle brand in Ireland.”
% Share
2011
% Share
21.38 20.95 11.64 8.89 5.09 4.79 4.67 4.52 4.06 3.72
1784 2454 1647 954 451 666 485 517 154 397
15.72 21.61 14.52 8.41 3.97 5.87 4.27 4.56 1.36 3.50
Position Difference +1 -1 = = +4 -1 = -2 +3 =
2010: 10,546
Toyota drops prices on Land SsangYong returns to Irish Cruiser Commercial Market
P
rice reductions of up to €2,750 are now on offer from Toyota Ireland on its Land Cruiser Commercial models. The Land Cruiser SWB Commercial manual transmission version has been reduced by €2,750 to an Recommended Sale Price (RSP) of €37,995, while the manual Land Cruiser LWB Commercial has been reduced by €1,770 to an RSP of €40,995, with the automatic LWB Commercial variant’s price cut by €1,790 to an RSP of €42,995. The Land Cruiser SWB model has moved into category C and now qualifies for VRT of just €200. All figures quoted are the dealer retail price with VAT registered business owners entitled to a rebate.
Commenting on the move, David Shannon, Managing Director of Toyota Ireland said: “We are very happy to kick off 2013 with some good news for 4x4 commercial buyers. The significant price drops we’ve made to three of the commercial Land Cruiser variants make them more attractive than ever thanks to the lower VRT rate. The Land Cruiser is the most sought-after 4x4 in the world and we look forward to bringing a whole new generation of Irish customers on board in 2013.”
56 FLEETVAN&UTILITY | Spring 2013
S
outh Korean 4x4 and Sports Utility Vehicle manufacturer SsangYong is set to return to the Irish market after an absence of a few years. The Harris Group on the Naas Road, Dublin, well known for distributing Hino, Iveco and Isuzu brands, has acquired the franchise and is currently recruiting suitable dealers. SsangYong has had a presence in Ireland since 1998 and quickly gained a strong reputation for producing competitively priced 4x4 and SUVs, using Mercedes-Benz drivetrains. Formerly linked with Daewoo Motors, the SsangYong Motor Company is now 70% owned by Indian conglomerate Mahindra & Mahindra. Currently on sale in Europe is the latest Korando crossover and utility range, Rexton SUV and Rodius MPV. The Italian designed Korando Sports Pick-Up performed well in the International Pick-Up Award 2013 test trials held in the UK last October. Jury members including Fleet Transport were informed of the new appointment of SsangYong Motors Ireland at that time.
NEWS 11
ProAce to inject new life into Toyota’s commercial line-up
T
oyota will be taking sales orders for the ProAce, its long awaited replacement for the Hiace this Spring, with deliveries due in the Summer. The new medium-sized panel van is based on the jointly produced light commercial from PSA Peugeot Citroen and Fiat Professional. What differentiates the ProAce from the Expert, Dispatch and Scudo is Toyota specific branding to the front grille, rear doors, wheels and vehicle interior. Two height levels and overall lengths will be offered providing a load volume of up to 7m3. Payload is determined at 1200 kg and a
starting with a 90 PS 1.6 litre Euro 5 diesel, and peaking at 163 PS with the 2.0 litre diesel. Torque levels range from 180 Nm @ 1500 rpm to 340 Nm @ 2000 rpm. 5 and 6 speed gearboxes are used. “The ProAce is set to expand Toyota’s line-up in the important light commercial vehicle markets across Europe. It will be on sale in European markets from Q1 2013 with deliveries from Q2,” said Toyota’s Head of Product Communications in Europe. towing capacity of up to 2 tonnes. The drivetrain comes from Toyota's new French/Italian partner
Production starts at the Sevelnord factory in northern France in April with sales scheduled to follow shortly afterwards.
Ford introduce new commercial versions of Fiesta & Focus
N
ew engines, new technology and new look are the main traits of the new Fiesta Van from Ford while the ‘Blue Oval’ brand reintroduces the Focus Van but this time based on the 5-door hatchback. Also due is a Commercial version of the all-new Kuga SUV. Offering 1.0 cubic metre of loadspace the revamped Fiesta Van’s load length is 1.3 metres and gross payload comes in at around 500 kg. The load area features a bulkhead and 4 cargo tie-down hooks, both developed in accordance with the International DIN standard for load restraints.
Transit Custom, Fiesta Van comes with Ford SYNC, its in-car connectivity system with Emergency Assistance.
The Fiesta Van powertrain is the new 75PS 1.5 litre Duratorq TDCi (and 95 PS Duratorq TDCi engine) both built in Dagenham, U.K. An ECOnetic version will be made available too. As with the now award winning Ford
Meanwhile, the new Focus Van will have two additional doors to access the load area as it’s based on the successful 5 door hatchback variant of the passenger car. “Due for launch this month, the now more sporty version is a genuinely att ractive vehicle that also ticks the value for money box: low €200 VRT rate and priced from €18,700 inc VAT,” stated Eddie Murphy, Chairman and Managing Director, Ford Ireland. “Later in 2013, we will be welcoming our new 2-tonne Transit Van to the market as well as the All New Ford Transit Connect,” he added.
Hyundai launches new i30 Car Van
H
yundai Ireland is set to add to its commercial vehicle offerings with the launch of a new Car Derived Van based on the i30 mid-sized family hatchback. To be known as the i30 i-pro, it enters what promises to be a busy market CDV segment with new offerings from Opel, Ford, Toyota and Volkswagen recently launched or on the way. The i30 i-pro will be the only offering in the CDV sector with three doors, and Hyundai Ireland believes that this will be a key selling point for traditional car van customers. Darragh Brennan, National Fleet Manager for Hyundai Ireland commented, “We feel this is
unit they really should be in a small panel van. The traditional “Carvan” was always a 3 door unit.” Going on sale in February, the i30 i-pro will be well equipped with cruise control, leather multi-function steering wheel, USB and aux connection, voice activated Bluetooth, front fog lights, and a specific driver’s seat. It will utilise Hyundai’s 1.4 litre CRDi engine which develops 90 bhp and 220 Nm of torque. The load area will be capable of carrying a payload of 510 kg. the most suitable “Carvan” on the market as it remains with 3 doors where the majority of the competition have gone with 5 door versions as they currently don’t have a 3 door variant of the relevant models. We feel that the “Carvan” users’ needs are for 3 door units as if they need a 5 door
The Hyundai i30 i-pro will be on sale for a recommended retail price of €16,995 exworks and comes with a three year 100,000 km warranty. Cathal Doyle
Price reduction & 5 year warranty on Pajero
M
itsubishi Motors Ireland is the latest Commercial SUV brand to announce a price reduction as well as the introduction of a 5 year warranty as standard across its entire commercial vehicle range. The Pajero Commercial SWB manual has been reduced by €1,700 to just €37,950 and
the LWB manual has been reduced by €1,000 to €40,950, (both prices incl VAT & VRT). All Pajero Commercial models remain in category C with VRT of just €200. In addition, the Pajero now has a market leading 5 year / 150,000km warranty, which comes as standard on every new Mitsubishi Commercial vehicle, including the L200 Double Cab.
“We believe that the immediate price reduction for the Pajero Commercial range will make it even more att ractive to potential owners while the introduction of a 5 year warranty across our commercial vehicle range is a strong endorsement of the reputation for quality and reliability that Mitsubishi vehicles enjoy,” said Gerard Rice, Managing Director of Mitsubishi Motors Ireland. FLEETVAN&UTILITY | Spring 2013 57
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NEW FLEET
McElvaney Motors Supplies new Volkswagen Commercials
V
Two Caddys to Air Brake Centre
olkswagen Commercial Vehicle dealer in Dublin McElvaney Motors in Finglas recently secured these sales for the New Year.
McElvaney Motors has sold two new Volkswagen Caddys (1.6 TDI, 102 BHP with DSG Gearboxes) to Air Brake Centre, North Wall Quay.
Second Transporter for W.C O’Brien W.C. O’Brien recently purchased a second Volkswagen Transporter from McElvaneys.
“With our new Van Centre now open and our location just off Exit 5, M50, we are a stones-throw away from Air Brake Centre via the Port Tunnel and can provide an excellent after-sales service”, said James O’Keeffe.
The company is an Advertising Solutions Provider and supplies everything from an A4 snap frame unit to all sizes of banners. The company also manufactures and installs billboards, Light-Boxes and Tri-visions.
“ We would like to take this opportunity to thank Air Brake Centre for their continued support and wish them every success with their new Volkswagen Caddys,” he added.
Therefore spacious vans were required to meet the need and the Volkswagen Transporter, 2.0 TDI, 140 BHP, LWB certainly ‘fitted the bill’. According to James O’Keeffe at McElvaney Motors, “We are delighted to supply W.C O’Brien with their Volkswagen Transporters. We wish them every success with the vans!”
Stanley Security looks sharp in new Volkswagen Caddys
S
tanley Security, a leading provider of security systems and services in the Irish market has just taken delivery of ten new ‘131 D’ registered Volkswagen Caddy vans from Frank Keane Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles on the Longmile Road, Dublin. The new Caddys, powered by 1.6 litre TDI 75bhp diesels will be used by Stanley Security staff in providing tailored security solutions and support to clients throughout the Country.
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*Typical Finance example: Caddy Van 1.6 TDI 75 BHP OTRP inc VAT ¤16,290. Deposit /Part Exchange ¤5,024.50. 60 monthly payments of ¤209. Total cost of credit ¤1,424.50, including acceptance fee (¤75) and completion fee (¤75). Typical APR 4.9%. Minimum deposit is 10%. Subject to lending criteria. This offer is made under a hire purchase agreement. Volkswagen Bank GmbH Branch Ireland is authorised by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority in Germany and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland for conduct of business rules.
FLEETVAN&UTILITY | Spring 2013 59
Panel Van Buyers' Guide 2013
Cautious Optimism as Panel Van market looks forward to 2013
I
t is still a long way from the heady days of the midnoughties, but in 2012 there were signs, albeit tentative, that Ireland’s commercial vehicle segment may be starting to rouse itself out of its stupor. Sales figures remain stubbornly low with just under 10,900 new vehicles registered last year, a drop of 490 on 2011, representing a market shrinkage of 4.3%. But compared with the car industry which fell 11.55% compared to 2011, and taken in conjunction with HGV registrations which were on a par with the previous year, there are defi nite hopes that a tentative recovery is starting to take place.
Ireland stated, “The good news is that the light commercial vehicle market appears to be stabilizing, with 2012 full year figures more or less on a par with 2011 and the initial outlook for 2013 indicating again a stable total market. Th is is a good sign for the economy as a whole with the panel van market often seen as a non-scientific barometer for economic growth. 2013 is also starting well for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles as we maintain our number one position after the fi rst 10 days of January”. Mercedes-Benz Citan
2012 was a good year for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles which captured top spot and a strong 21.38% of the market ahead of closest rival Ford with 20.95%. These two manufacturers dominate the commercial vehicle market, with Renault, with 11.64%, the only other manufacturer to claim double figure market share. Of the rest, Toyota’s much loved Hiace took its fi nal bow this year, but nonetheless helped the Japanese to 8.89% of the market, with the outgoing Auris Van the best seller in the car van segment, while Citroën, Nissan, Peugeot and Opel were all closely bunched together at around 5% market share apiece
Custom that appeared towards the end of the year is anything to go by, then Ford is on to another winner. As it was the ‘old’ model recorded nearly 1,200 units, retaining its title as the best selling large panel van. Renault’s Master, which like the Transit comes in a broad range of shapes and sizes including front and rear wheel drive variants, also proved popular in 2012, taking just under 5% of total market share. So what can we look forward to in 2013? From an overall perspective, the feeling seems to be that the market will continue to exhibit the tender shoots of recovery seen this year, and there are hopes that, in contrast to the car sector which is expected to contract again this
Looking at individual models, not only did Volkswagen top the overall sales chart, but its Caddy model was Ireland’s most popular panel van in 2012. Sales of 1,640 units representing over 15% of the market, made it over three times as popular as its closest segment rivals, the Peugeot Partner, Renault Kangoo and Citroën Berlingo. We’ve become so used to seeing Ford’s ubiquitous Transit top the sales charts year in year out that it is almost a shock to see it was only the second Nissan e-NV200 most popular commercial vehicle in 2012. That was in no small part due to the fact year, the van market will at least match 2012’s that an all-new full-sized Transit is on the way, carpark. Niall Phillips, Sales & Marketing and if the reaction to the more compact Transit Manager for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles 60 FLEETVAN&UTILITY | Spring 2013
Eddie Murphy, Chairman and Managing Director of Ford Ireland also sees some light at the end of the tunnel. ”There is no doubt that the CV market in Ireland has been difficult for all the distributors over the last couple of years and 2013 will again prove to be a challenging year for the CV industry. There are slight grounds for optimism as we have recently seen a growth in “owner driver” business which has been sorely lacking over the last couple of years. Overall for this year, we would envisage only marginal growth for commercial vehicle sales with 2013 fi gures fi nishing somewhere slightly ahead of the 2012 total of 10,878 units.”
New Models in 2013 Product wise there are a number of new vans due here in 2013 to whet the appetite, with the larger end of the Car Derived Van (CDV) sector in particular gett ing what amounts to a complete overhaul in just a few months. Opel got things rolling when it introduced the new Astra five-door CDV towards the end of 2012 and at the moment it has this larger ‘car-van’ sector prett y much to itself. Two of the best sellers in 2012, the Volkswagen Golf Van and the Toyota Auris Van, have both been temporarily withdrawn pending the launch of new models in line with their car counterparts. We don’t have too long to wait for the new Auris Van as it is due here next month, and will bring with it the significantly sharper styling of its car sibling, while there are no defi nite dates
PANEL VAN BUYERS' GUIDE 2013 yet for the new Golf Van, but it should appear at some point during the year. Two other contenders also join the fray in February, including a new face in the form of the Hyundai i30 i-pro van. With most of its rivals only available as five doors, Hyundai Ireland sees this three door model as being an att ractive contender in the larger car-van segment. Completing the list of new models is the latest generation Ford Focus van. Always a popular model it is going to have its work cut out against such a talent of new offerings. The small panel van segment gets a new challenger during 2013 with the launch of the all-new Ford Transit Connect, while in the mid-sized panel van category a lot of interest will be centered on the introduction of Toyota’s new ProAce model due here in June. A replacement for the much loved Hiace, it is based on PSA Group’s Citroën Dispatch/ Peugeot Expert and Fiat's Scudo but with Toyota’s reputation in this market it is sure to be an instant success here. One of its main rivals, the Volkswagen Transporter gets added appeal with the option of a Trendline specification in 2013. Another van that may well grab significant market share is the new Mercedes-Benz Citan which is already on sale in Europe, and which we can expect at some point during the year. And in Mini's quirky Clubvan now on sale, buyers in this category will be spoiled for choice in 2013.
Eddie Murphy says it’s the culmination of what will be a busy year of new launches for the ‘Blue-
"Later in 2013, we will be welcoming our new 2 tonne Transit to the market as well as the all-new Ford Transit Connect. Both of these vehicles were showcased at the Hannover Show last year and will strengthen our product offering even further,” he added.
New Ford Transit Connect
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is due for an update / facelift during 2013, though that may prove to be more under the skin that a radical external redesign. Also scheduled for a new model during the year is the Fiat Ducato but that model is unlikely to be seen here before 2014. All in all, there are plenty of reasons for optimism in the panel van and car van segments as we look forward to the year ahead. New Ford Transit
Log onto www.fleet.ie for Fleet Van&Utility's Panel Van Buyers' Guide 2013
Competing also in this segment will be an all-electric version of Nissan’s NV200, called the e-NV200, which we can expect sometime in the second half of the year. Sales of electric vehicles have proved disappointing so far, but as more models are introduced we can expect their popularity to increase. Moving to the big panel van sector, the big news will be the arrival of the all-new Transit, surely the vehicle that defi nes the panel van sector. Ford’s
Oval’ brand. “2013 is a key year for Ford CVs with a number of important product replacements and renewals. Transit continues to be king of the van market and the latest version, the all-new Transit Custom, has just hit our shores. The vehicle was recently crowned 2013 Continental Irish Van of the year as well as picking up the 2013 International Van of the Year award. The Transit Custom has also just become the fi rst 1 tonne van ever to be awarded a 5-star Euro NCAP rating."
Toyota ProAce
New N ew Toyota Auris Van Trendline Volkswagen Transporter Text: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie
Mini Clubvan FLEETVAN&UTILITY | Spring 2013
61
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TEST 1
Test Drive Report:
Ford Transit Custom
Door handle is poorly positioned
O
f all the generations of Ford Transits designed and launched since 1965, the all-new Transit Custom is indeed the most revolutionary. Members of the International Van of the Year jury were very impressed in presenting the prestigious award to the Transit Custom, with the highest number of votes in its 22 year history – 117 out of a possible 133 points. The jury consisting of the top commercial vehicle journalists across the EU and beyond (including this one!) highly praised the new Transit Custom for its styling, driveability, load-carrying ability, safety features and low cost of ownership. Having watched its design programme from concept to launch over the past three years, one has to appreciate what has been achieved here. And yes the design team has done a good job in creating a van that’s built for the future. Let’s look at the various aspects that the IVOY jury liked about the new Transit Custom. Styling: Bold new exterior embodies the same dynamic ‘kinetic design’ character as Ford’s passenger cars. Inside the cab, a modern, driverfocused cockpit features a Ford family car orientated dash and instrument panel with clever storage solutions for bott les, phones and papers. Big plus is the multi-adjustable steering column. Driveability: Once behind the wheel, the driver can call upon a wide range of driver assistance technologies shared with Ford’s latest cars such as Ford SYNC, a voice activated in-cab connectivity system with Emergency Assistance feature. Driving dynamics have been tailored
to match the same natural and easy-to-drive characteristics of Ford cars, not to mention reduced noise levels. Load Carrying Ability: The new 1-tonne model offers class-leading load carrying ability, including a number of innovations such as the unique integrated roof rack system and load through hatch (through the bulkhead and under the passenger seat) for extra-long items. Safety Features: Transit Custom broke new ground in becoming the fi rst vehicle in its segment to achieve the maximum 5-star rating from EuroNCAP in its crash test and pedestrian protection programme. Centre to its ultra-safety is the high strength Boron zinc galvanised steel used in the body structure for the fi rst time on a Transit. Low Cost of Ownership: Class leading fuel ecomony is delivered by the latest Euro 5 2.2 litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine, with Ford estimating that almost 43 mpg (6.6L/100km) can be achieved from the drivetrain which includes a new 6 speed gearbox. Th is is an 8% improvement on the equivalent previous model Transit. Service intervals are now at two years/50,000 kms. Yes, indeed, the new Transit Custom by Ford is very impressive all-round, in terms of looks, the way it handles and from its interior comforts. Just one thing that needs a rethink – it’s the positioning of the door handle as the driver gets in and sits. The angled vertical handle which has pointed edging is too low down for smooth and efficient entry. It would preferable if there was a well for the hand on top of the door panel – see photo.
Text & Photos: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie
Undoubtedly, the new Ford Transit Custom, which is a stand alone model from the ‘blue oval’ brand for the 1 tonne segment (the 2 tonne variant will be with us later in 2013) will appeal to a broader range of customers.
Spec Check Make/Model: Engine: Power: Torque: Transmission: CO2 emissions: Price:
Ford Transit Custom 290 LWB 2.2 litre TDCi diesel 125 PS 350 Nm 6 speed manual 178 g/km €25,850
Standard Features: Auto Stop/Start, Power Double Locks, Sealed Load Floor, ABS and ESP with Hill Hold, Load through hatch. Options Fitt ed: Dual Power Mirrors, Metallic Paint. FLEETVAN&UTILITY | Spring 2013
63
TEST 11
New Astra five-door Van ticks all the commercial vehicle boxes
O
pel has been a strong player for many years in the Car Derived Van market, notably with Corsa and Astra based models. Indeed up to recently it was possible to buy two business versions of Astra, the Astra Sports Hatch Van, and the estate based Astravan.
With the launch of the latest generation Astra five-door Van based on the hatchback version of the current 6th generation Astra, Opel Ireland is consolidating the range, with the estate derived version being phased out. The new Astra Van now sits between the Corsavan and the Combo in Opel’s commercial vehicle line-up. Fergal Marron, Fleet Sales Manager at Opel Ireland says that whereas previously customers may have opted for the Astravan estate instead of the similarly sized Combo, there is now a better division across the model range, with the latest Combo offering increased size and load capabilities. Speaking about the new Astra Van, Fergal said, “The addition of the five-door Van is a competitive, cost effective and reliable alternative for our fleet customers who require more economy and style from a light commercial vehicle”.
SPEC CHECK Make/Model: Engine: Power: Torque: Transmission: Load Volume: Load Length: Load Height: Payload: Prices from: Price as tested:
vehicle is that externally the Astra Van bears close resemblance to the passenger car version. Internally the interior is a big improvement on the old 5th generation model, with better quality materials and much more modern styling. One area where the Astra Van falls down, like most car-derived vans, is in storage areas, at least when compared to purpose built vans like the Combo – this is an area where van designers generally could teach their car counterparts a thing or two. Overall the Astra Van lacks for litt le equipment wise, although we were surprised to note that it doesn’t come with an on-board trip computer. Opel Astra 5-door Van 1.7 CDTi 110 bhp 280 Nm 6 - Speed Manual 1100 litres 1400 mm 850 mm 500 kg €19,995 €24,190
The driving experience is, unsurprisingly, carlike, and we found the Astra Van quite fun to hustle around on winding secondary roads. The 280 Nm of torque from the 1.7 CDTi engine gives loads of grunt when and where you need it. Refi nement levels are high, with litt le difference in noise levels between this and the passenger car version.
Opel has already achieved a significant success with the new Astra Five Door Van, with telecommunications provider eircom having placed an order for 100 vehicles. The new Astra Van comes in two specification trims, S and SC, and with a choice of two diesel engines, a 1.3 CDTi with 95hp, or a 110hp 1.7CDTi. The vehicle itself is a factory conversion, however Opel Ireland adds a steel f loor and a full-sized half steel, half mesh bulkhead for the Irish market. Notably the Astra Van can also be specified with a range of options normally only seen in cars, notably built-in satnav and parking sensors. Prices for the 1.3 CDTi S model start from €19,995. Fleet Van & Utility recently put a 1.7 CDTi Astra 64 FLEETVAN&UTILITY | Spring 2013
Van SC through its paces. Th is model retails from €21,995, though the test vehicle came well equipped with optional extras including a satnav system, parking sensors and Bluetooth bringing the price up to €24,190. The good new for anyone that might not want it to be too obvious that they are driving a commercial
The full sized bulkhead provides welcome protection from the load compartment, with the mesh fitted to the upper half allowing the driver to still make use of the rear view mirror. The load area itself is fitted with a box type compartment with lips all around to prevent items from falling out when the side doors are opened, and include load lashing eyes to keep items secure. Also standard is a load shelf, useful for separating goods but which can be easily removed or left on the floor when carrying bulky items. Access from the rear hatch or the two side doors is good. Bearing in mind the design there are obvious limitation on load capacity, but the Astra Van still offers a useful 500 kg payload and 1100 litres of load space. The new Astra five-door Van is a worthy addition to Opel’s commercial vehicle line-up, and offers a genuine alternative to other car-derived van offerings such as the Toyota Auris Van and the forthcoming new 5-door Ford Focus Van.
Text & Photos: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie
TEST 111
Great Wall’s Spirited Steed
T
he grey economic clouds covering western countries may be the ideal climatic conditions for the Great Wall Motor Company of China to launch an assault on the sluggish European market. Great Wall has been manufacturing vehicles for the past thirty-five years, and its arrival into European showrooms could ruffle a few of the more established brand’s feathers. Great Wall’s entrant in the Pick-Up sector is the Steed, and though new to Europe, it has earned a serious reputation in other markets.
washable option might be considered. However many vehicles in this sector are service units, and do not cover high annual mileage. With that in mind how many beautifully designed cup holders do you really need?
It is important to have clearly defined reasons to choose one vehicle over another - especially with work vehicles. What you intend to do with the truck is critical and this could be the secret to the future success of the Steed.
The 143 hp 2.0 litre diesel delivers 305 Nm of torque and though we could not exactly check the fuel consumption, the stated figure of 8.3L/100 kms seems about right. A six speed transmission provides a positive if slightly notchy gear selection - especially on the very cold winter mornings. Offroad performance is good and the driver can switch between 2WD and 4WD (Hi) while on the move, 4WD (Lo) takes a few seconds to engage when stopped, but once locked in, the Steed will pull itself around admirably in a no nonsense fashion.
Great Wall’s Steed has a good looking dynamic stance, and comes with all the attributes necessary to turn off the tarmac onto the slippery stuff. Good ground clearance and a robust suspension promotes confidence, as does the generous approach/ departure angles. The robust suspension feels stiff on the road and at first somewhat uncomfortable. However after a couple of days this becomes one of the Steed’s best qualities, giving an assured positive ride. Our test unit came with leather trimmed seats, and like the suspension, the seats felt uncomfortably firm. Though just like the suspension they become one of the better features when off-road, providing good support and reducing the tendency to get bounced around. Interior comforts are slightly at odds with each other. Our test version Steed ‘S’ came with air conditioning, heated front seats, electric windows all round, and central locking. Absent from the spec though was cruise control, a time clock, and outside temperature gauge. Yes, the Steed does have the all-important cup-holders, though they are poorly placed, and impractical. Cloth type floor mats and coverings lend a touch of passenger car comfort, and were relatively easy to clean, though depending on area of work a more Text & Photos: Paul White – paul@fleet.ie
One of the best features of Great Wall’s Steed is the view from the drivers seat. Though the seat does not adjust for height, and the steering only adjusts vertically, we found the driving position excellent, offering a commanding view in traffic and helpful when off-road.
Although the Great Wall name may not be familiar here, the company has earned a favourable reputation in Australia. Down under they call their
Pick-Ups ‘Utes’, short for utility vehicles, and Ute is arguably a more accurate term for this class of vehicle. Pick-Ups are primarily work units and not passenger cars, and should be assessed with that in mind. As a first venture into the European market the Steed’s build quality and finishing appear fine. Possibly not as refined as other marques, though no doubt that will improve with future generations. Although it could also indicate that the more established Pick-Ups have moved from the workplace to the Golf Club - and forgot their original purpose. Depending on your expectations, the Steed may not impress at first. However in this case, first impressions don’t last, and after a few days in the saddle, we were sorry to have to bring this Steed back to the ranch. With value for money high on the list of prospective buyers, the Steed has a lot to offer. (Price €21,995 - Ex VAT)
Spec Check Make / Model Engine Displacement Power Output Torque Transmission Braking Suspension Steering Safety Features
Great Wall, Steed ‘S’ Double Cab Pickup Four cylinder in-line turbocharged, direct injection diesel 1996 cc 143 hp / 105 kW @ 4,000 rpm 305 Nm @ 1,800 - 2,800 rpm 6 Speed Manual Front Discs / Rear Drums Front Independent, torsion bar / Rear Leaf Spring Rack and Pinion ABS,EBD, DRL, Immobiliser, Driver & Passenger Air Bags
Tyres CO2 g/km Fuel Consumption (Comb’d)
Pirelli Scorpion Verde 255/55/ R18 220 8.3 l/100 kms (34 mpg)
Electric 2WD/4WD (HI/LO) Ground Clearance 194 mm
Air Conditioning Approach / Departure, 30° / 24° Degrees
Leather Seats (Front Seats Heated) Chrome Electric Mirrors
Fuel Capacity 70 Litres Tinted Glass FLEETVAN&UTILITY | Spring 2013
65
INTERVIEW
One-to-One with Sean O'Neill, Fleet Sales Manager Citroën Motors Ireland by Jarlath Sweeney – editor@fleet.ie
JS Tough market place out there at present for LCVs? SO’N Yes, it is a tough market place at the moment for LCV’s as it appears to be down around 10% to date. But we seem to be holding our own as we are maintaining our growth in a very competitive market. In 2012 the LCV market fi nished the year at minus 4%, however Citroën has continued the steady growth of recent years fi nishing the year with a market share that increased by 16% to fi nish at 4.9%. For the beginning of 2013 feedback the activity in the market is predominantly from SME’s. We see this as a positive sign that small and medium businesses are taking the decision to invest in updating their fleets.
van for the Irish market last year, which uses Citroën’s unique new e-HDi Airdream microhybrid drivetrain. Th is delivers exceptional fuel economy of up to 4.7 L/100km, which SME’s are increasingly conscious of to control their running costs. Th is also offers the convenience of Citroën’s EGS6 automated manual gearbox, which is particularly important where the vehicle is required for urban driving.
Roadside Assistance. The “Confidence Pack” for customers who purchase a Nemo, Berlingo or Dispatch consists of an extended 3 years Citroën manufacturer warranty and AA Roadside Assistance as standard (or 100,000km, whichever comes fi rst). Our warranty packages are flexible to suit the needs of the customer and can be extended up to 5 years of 100,000km to meet requirements.
JS Anything new in the pipeline? Hear the new Electric Berlingo is to come?
Likewise our Commercial Service Packages can be tailored to suit the customer. These start from the great value price of €699 (ex VAT) for a 3 year or 100,000km Service Package.
SO’N Yes the Electric Berlingo is the latest development that is due later this year. In terms of running costs it is ideal zero emissions solution for customers with shorter distances to cover.
JS Where is Citroën at present in Ireland regarding market share and where you want to be?
JS Buoyed by Toyota using the Dispatch to be sold as a ProAce under the agreement with PSA/Fiat?
SO’N At the beginning of 2013 our marketing share currently stands at 5.9%, which compares with an end of year market share of 3.3% in 2010. Our target is to achieve an overall combined market share of 5%, and to achieve this we have targeted an LCV market share of 8%.
SO’N The Dispatch has been a very successful model for us within the LCV range and we expect to see this venture showing very positive signs for Citroën going forward. Th is latest alliance is another endorsement in the quality of the product produced by PSA.
JS From a product line up, the full range has benefited from the Euro 5 engine technology and some upgrades?
JS Looking at increasing the services offering to customers – finance, extended warranty, repair and maintenance, contract hire?
SO’N Yes, in recent years the full range has been upgraded to Euro 5 technology. Also during 2012 the ever popular Berlingo and versatile Dispatch benefited from an upgrade, including improved efficiency and increased power. We also launched the new Berlingo Airdream
66 FLEETVAN&UTILITY | Spring 2013
SO’N From a warranty side at present we are offering “Confidence Packs” with all Commercial vehicles. “Confidence Pack” for the Relay consists of a 5 Year (or 100,000km) Extended Manufacturer Warranty and A A
Th is package covers your schedules servicing represents great savings for the customer. JS Any changes to the dealer network in terms of dedicated LCV ‘experts’? SO’N Our Citroën network of 24 nationwide dealerships all offer commercial vehicles, as well as our passenger range. We are in the process of launching a dedicated Business Centre Program. The purpose of the specialised Business Centre’s is to have dedicated expert staff available to provide fleet solutions to the Business user. In addition these dealerships would be equipped to deliver a wide range of turnkey options, including racking, shelving, paneling, and vehicle conversions to meet the customers’ requirements. JS What about your Car Derived Van / Commercial SUV offerings? SO’N At present we do not offer any vehicles in this segment of the market.
Text: Jarlath Sweeney – editor@fleet.ie
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