EAGLE dennis-eagle.co.uk
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RCVs delivered to Milton Keynes Directors' Focus Our opportunities and ambitions for 2024 and beyond
Hire power
NRG Riverside and Dennis Eagle meeting demand
In focus
Meet Technical Sales Manager Simon McCulloch
ISSUE 2 2023
WELCOME
Continuity is very important in business but some changes are inevitable. So when Kevin Else retired earlier this year and I took his place it was, hopefully, as seamless as possible. Now there are more changes on the way, this time to trucks throughout this industry and beyond, as we prepare for the introduction of the next tranche of General Safety Regulations, the first of these coming
Our Elite cab was independently assessed as the best for Direct Vision of any HGV on the UK’s roads.
EAGLE dennis-eagle.co.uk
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next year. Once again, our objective will be to minimise disruption so everyone can take it in their stride.
preparing to introduce Euro 4 engines. Since then, we’ve smoothly introduced Euro 5 and Euro 6 without any issues.
In reality, we’ll be facing fewer changes than most manufacturers since the most obvious one, at a glance, will be the introduction of mandatory Direct Vision Standards for drivers in 2029, which we already meet.
The same should be true of the GSR changes next year; no fuss, no bother, just better.
The inspiration for this comes directly from Transport for London’s initiative back in 2018 when our Elite 6 cab was independently assessed as the best for Direct Vision of any HGV on the UK’s roads. Since then, of course, we’ve introduced the Elite+ and in doing so, we seized the opportunity and made further improvements to the new cab’s Direct Vision. When I first came to Dennis Eagle more than 20 years ago, we were just
EAGLE EYE MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 2023 Front cover image A full fleet of Dennis Eagle RCVs have been delivered to Milton Keynes City Council for a new waste and recycling contract. See page 10 Editor: Amelia Jordan Articles may be reproduced only with special permission from the publisher.
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RCVs delivered to Milton Keynes Directors' Focus Our opportunities and ambitions for 2024 and beyond
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Hire power
NRG Riverside and Dennis Eagle meeting demand
In focus
Meet Technical Sales Manager Simon McCulloch
ISSUE 2 2023
Keith Day Managing Director
Contact us: Dennis Eagle www.dennis-eagle.co.uk 01926 458500 Lee Rowland Sales & Marketing Manager lee.rowland@dennis-eagle.co.uk Danni Nelson Brand & Communications Manager danielle.nelson@dennis-eagle.co.uk Amelia Jordan Content Marketing Manager amelia.jordan@dennis-eagle.co.uk Ketna Mistry Digital Marketing Executive ketna.mistry@dennis-eagle.co.uk
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Contents
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65 RCVs DELIVERED
Full range of Dennis Eagle RCVs to Milton Keynes
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Four year framework tender won with Lincolnshire and Yorkshire
REGULARS
Kerbloader EV takes charge in Neath Port Talbot
FEATURES
NEWS
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SWITCHING UP
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IN FOCUS
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SAVING LIVES
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HIRE POWER
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DENNIS EAGLE USA 22
EAGLE EYED
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SUSTAINABILITY
Tenders won, eCollects up and running in Westminster
Technically speaking with Simon McCulloch
Our partnership with NRG Riverside
A selection of winning photos from our Facebook community
ISSUE 2 2023
First fully electric Kerbloader EV delivered
Introducing new safety features for trucks
Breaking new ground at Summerville Headquarters
Recycling? Just ask Dennis the Dustcart
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THE BIG PICTURE
Above and beyond The customer service we provide has been instrumental in securing a further contract to supply waste collection vehicles to Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. For the full story see page 6.
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ISSUE 2 2023
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NEWS
Third consecutive win
Dennis Eagle wins Procurement Lincolnshire framework Dennis Eagle has won the tender for a four-year framework to provide waste collection vehicles in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire for the third consecutive time.
The single-supplier framework enables local authorities within the two counties to order vehicles and other products exclusively from Dennis Eagle and Terberg Matec UK, without having to go through the mini-competition process each time new trucks are required. This makes it significantly more efficient for all parties. Lincolnshire County Council, the framework operator, originally set up the contract for local authorities with responsibilities for waste collection within the county. But it proved so successful that councils from Yorkshire joined it too. During the last four years, a total of 6
160 vehicles have been purchased through the framework by 11 different councils across both regions. Dan Charlesworth, Commercial and Procurement Manager for Lincolnshire County Council, said: “This is the third time Dennis Eagle has been successful with this tender, giving local councils across Lincolnshire and beyond the continued flexibility they need to procure waste collection vehicles. “During the time we’ve worked together, we have built strong relationships and that is key to making this framework a success.” Nina Camm, Waste and Street Scene Manager for North Kesteven District Council, said: “Councils are in a state of flux whilst we await the detail from the Environment Act and yet are having to make important decisions on fleet procurement. It is hoped that the
newly procured Lincolnshire vehicle framework will provide flexibility for our fleet purchases and build on the already strong, working partnership.” Dennis Eagle’s Regional Sales Manager, Matt Horwell added: “The operators here are very happy with the Dennis Eagle RCVs and the customer services we’ve provided has been second to none. We have invested heavily in our local Service Centre which is very much appreciated. “We still had to go through a thorough and comprehensive tender process where all aspects were fully evaluated, including price, quality, aftermarket support, the training package and more. We were very happy to be appointed as the sole supplier, it's very much a team effort and we're looking forward to delivering new RCVs throughout Lincolnshire and Yorkshire." EAGLE EYE
Westminster sets eCollects to work The UK’s largest eRCV fleet, powered by waste the vehicles collect, is now up and running in London. Westminster City Council’s fleet of 40 Dennis Eagle eCollects, operated by its environmental partner Veolia, has been described as “the biggest decarbonisation programme of its kind by a UK local authority”. The vehicles are based in a new depot at Landmann Way, near Bermondsey, which can charge 56 eRCVs at once. Here they are charged with electric power from a nearby energy recovery facility, which uses waste collected from across Westminster itself. The council estimates that the operation of each eCollect will reduce CO2 emissions by up to 89% in comparison with a similar diesel-powered RCV.
100 more RCVs ordered by Penske Australia Following a marked increase in orders during 2022, our Australian partner Penske has recently placed an order for a further 100 trucks. The trucks are all 6x4 Elite 6 chassis, featuring the advanced driver assist safety (ADAS) package, air suspension and either dual controls or right-hand steering. The Elite 6 chassis not only has a raft of class leading safety features, but already has a fuel efficient, lower carbon particulates and NOx emitting Euro 6 engine, which encouraged Australian clients to become early adopters. Penske Australia Head of Fleet Shannon Mair is confident of doubling sales in the next 2 years: "Some of these trucks are based on firm orders, others are speculative, however, we expect to win orders for them."
Raising the bar at RWM 2023 We have long been affiliated with Letsrecycle Live and the Resource Waste Management Expo but something seemed different this year. This September we took the largest space we have ever used to exhibit an impressive line-up of our product offerings. Considered to be the UK's leading event to showcase cutting-edge technologies and strategies in net-zero, decarbonisation, resource management, circular economy, water scarcity and management, biodiversity conservation, and environmental emergency response; RWM expo is arguably one of the most important events in our calendar. In 2023, the expo attracted international visitors and brought together industry pioneers, bringing together industry pioneers, visionary entrepreneurs, and eco-driven professionals. Providing the opportunity to collaborate, whilst learning, and inspiring each other. With one common goal, collectively working together to move towards a greener future.
Outside in the busy Live in Action area the eCollect 4x2, Elite+ and Orus RCVs capabilities were demonstrated throughout various sessions over the 2 days, to the waiting crowd and presented by the sales team. Back inside at the Fleet Managers Forum, sponsored by Dennis Eagle, Andy Graves joined other expert speakers in presenting on the EU General Safety Regulations, exploring what these changes mean for our industry. Richard Taylor, Dennis Eagle Sales and Marketing Director commented, “The RWM Expo is a hugely important event in our calendar, it provides us the platform to deliver to an audience of industry leaders, our world-class product offering. I am immensely proud of what the team has delivered at this year's event.
As part of this year's line-up, we showcased a full vehicle portfolio with the Terberg Matec UK Orus EV and Kerbloader vehicles on the stand along with our first large interactive LED screen, delivering key features on the full market offering. ISSUE 2 2023
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SPECIAL FEATURE
Directors’ Focus W
hen former American president Barack Obama said: “A change is brought about because ordinary people do extraordinary things,” he could have been referring to Dennis Eagle.
In 2023 our business has been through an immense amount of change, with three new directors, a new accounting system, a new engineering facility, and the challenge of adapting to the new General Safety Regulations (GSR), to name but a few. So, in this edition, we have asked all six directors to share the highlights and challenges they and their teams have been through this year and to look at the opportunities and their ambitions for 2024.
Keith Day, Managing Director
“This year there were several changes in the leadership team. I took over as managing director after Kevin Else retired at the end of April following 10 years in the post. “We also welcomed two new directors to the board: Engineering Director,
Jon Sayers and Operations Director, Terry New. Both have been with the business for over a decade, so their appointment is a symbol of the longterm stability of our team which I hope has been reassuring to colleagues and customers."
Andy Uttley, Finance Director
“We have enjoyed a strong financial performance so far this year with steady orders and really strong aftermarket sales. “We have introduced a new paperless invoicing system, and given that we deal with 7,000 invoices per month, I’m delighted to say this went without a hitch. The time to process an invoice has dropped significantly and has resulted in savings across the business."
Terry New, Operations Director
“We started 2023 with a very good order book and I am pleased to report we have delivered the highest volumes of body, chassis, and cabs
If we continue to make the progress we have made in the past 12 months, I believe we will continue to thrive in the year ahead. 8
we have ever seen. This is a fantastic performance from everyone involved. “As part of this performance, the Blackpool team has implemented a £500k project to increase cab capacity by improving production line layouts. “In 2024 we have exciting investment plans and I will be focussing the team’s effort on Continuous Improvement and further improving our environmental credentials. We already have ISO14001 accreditation and comply with Scope 1 & 2 of the Streamlined Energy & Carbon Reporting regulations. We will now focus on the voluntary Scope 3 and will continue to plan for our journey to net zero.“
Richard Taylor, Sales & Marketing Director
“We have weathered the challenges of the pandemic, Brexit and the Ukraine War, and the business is going into 2024 in a strong and stable position. “This year we proudly lead the UK’s commercial EV market, with a 42% share of sales of all UK commercial vehicles – not just refuse - , which underlines the strength of our brand and the quality of our products. This is a major achievement and demonstrates we are constantly challenging ourselves to ensure we value every order we win. “We secured fleet eCollect orders from Veolia for Westminster and Kingston Upon Thames contracts, and there are encouraging opportunities for continued eCollect orders despite EAGLE EYE
Left to right: Terry New, Jon Sayers, Richard Taylor, Keith Day, Andy Uttley, Geoff Rigg.
constraints caused by the lack of charging infrastructure. The Irish market continues to recover well after the pandemic, and our 3 distributors are performing well and increasing market share. In Australia, our distributor Penske is on course for a record year in 2023. They continue to win key contracts meaning the outlook for 2024 and beyond looks extremely encouraging.”
Jon Sayers, Engineering Director
“It’s been a really busy year for me and my Engineering team with a big focus on the expansion of our product portfolio which now includes UK, European, US and Australian models. They all have different specifications and requirements, depending on the market. “As we have increased our product portfolio, we have responded by increasing the size of the team to 83 ISSUE 2 2023
people, up from 21 when I joined in 2011, and this year moved into a new testing and development engineering facility at our Warwick HQ. The move went smoothly and the increased space has allowed us to improve the efficiency and productivity of the department. “In 2024 the new GSR requirements will create greater demand for electrical sensors to enhance driver awareness and reduce the risk of collision with other road users. The changes we have already introduced mean we are well prepared to respond to customer demand." Geoff Rigg, Aftermarket Director and President at Dennis Eagle Inc
“This year we’ve done well at ensuring UK aftermarket service has continued to perform well. This is largely due to our ability to recruit and retain good people at a time when there is intense competition for staff. One of
the key reasons people want to work for Dennis Eagle is that we offer them the opportunity to build a long-term career within the engineering industry. “Our parts on-time delivery has been very good and we are seeing more online orders, with 30% of parts now being ordered via our EPC website. This is a trend that will continue to grow."
We’ll leave the final word to Keith Day: “Economically 2023 has been challenging with high inflation driving up our cost base and reducing the spending power of our customers. These pressures will continue in 2024, as costs are still rising even though the rate of inflation is falling. We are responding by looking at ways in which we can be more efficient and by adding more value to our vehicles. “If we continue to make the progress we have made in the past 12 months, I believe we will continue to thrive in the year ahead.” 9
FEATURE
65 Dennis Eagle RCVs delivered
Full fleet of RCVs to SUEZ for Milton Keynes City Council's new waste and recycling contract.
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ilton Keynes City Council has taken delivery of sixty-five Dennis Eagle RCVs. Four of the new vehicles will be 6x2 all-electric eCollects, following a successful trial of the zero-emissions eRCV by the city council last year.
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The remaining trucks are all conventional Elite+ chassis with Olympus bodies. Fifty of them have 6x2 Standard width with rear-steer and a 21m3 body and four are 6x2 Narrow chassis with rear-steer and 19m3 bodies. A further 7 4x2
Narrow chassis were also ordered. All of the diesel vehicles have been fitted with Terberg OmniDEL Electric bin lifts to cleanly empty the new wheelie bins being introduced throughout Milton Keynes.
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Recent field trials showed they typically reduce fuel consumption by around 10 per cent which represents a major reduction in operating costs and a reduced impact on the environment. Councillor Lauren Townsend, Cabinet Member for the Public Realm, said: “The new CCTV equipped fleet will include smaller and narrower vehicles to enable collection crews to pick up waste more effectively across the city and will be able to better navigate challenging areas.” ISSUE 2 2023
The contract is being operated by SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK from September 2023. SUEZ Regional Business Manager Daniel Gillert said: “SUEZ are excited to enter the new Waste and Environmental Services Contract with Milton Keynes City Council, utilising a market-leading fleet of vehicles provided by Dennis Eagle. The quality of the fleet is outstanding and we can’t wait to obtain the operational data available from Dennis Eagle to drive efficiencies of service and optimise our overall operating costs.”
Dennis Eagle Regional Sales Manager, Nicola Case commented, “Its great to be working with Milton Keynes as the city takes a major step forward with its waste and recycling operations.” “These are among the most technically advanced trucks on the road but they are also the most widely used in the UK. They are hugely reliable, wonderfully efficient and Milton Keynes will enjoy the best customer support in the waste management industry.” 11
IN FOCUS
Driving Innovation
Technical Sales Manager Simon McCulloch is relishing the exciting journey towards a zero emissions future.
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he waste industry is constantly evolving. More so now than ever before. For example, the requirement for zero-emission vehicles by 2035 and constant legislative safety changes means that technical focus and support for our Refuse Collection Vehicles (RCVs) are critical to keeping our customers’ fleets on the road.
At Dennis Eagle, our Technical Sales team provides key support to both existing and new customers, and heading up this team is Simon McCulloch. Officially, he is our Technical Sales Manager, but to our sales team, he is our go-to product expert. All agree it’s a role he fills exceptionally well. Simon explains how he came into the industry. “My dad was an engineer all his life and I always wanted to be a design engineer,” “I went to college to study engineering and during this time I was invited along to my first ever job interview by a bin lift manufacturer when I was 18. Luckily, they offered me a job, which I grabbed with both hands, knowing that this would give me the opportunity to gain both the academic foundations and hands-on experience I needed to progress.
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“It was clear that I had opportunities to develop and carve out a good career in this sector. During my 15 years at the company, I progressed through the business working in numerous departments including production, aftermarket, technical support, and design - focusing on electrical systems and software development. In 2010, I worked with a bin weighing company for two years before eventually joining Dennis Eagle in 2012. “I’m now in the fortunate position of having a lot of experience from working in so many different roles. It has given me a degree of empathy for all the different departments within the company which has proved very useful. “Fundamentally, I’m an engineer at heart. The amount of engineering that goes into our products is clear to see. Every day brings a new challenge which keeps the job exciting. There’s always something new, from cybersecurity to electrification. “And I think what we achieve as a business – challenging the larger
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) – is absolutely fantastic.” Outside of work, family and friends feature high on Simon’s agenda. He is married with a daughter and keeps fit by playing five-a-side football and cycling. Following his favourite football team (Aston Villa) or socialising with friends is important to Simon, as well as touring on his motorbike. But even as a self-confessed petrolhead, he is adamant that the future of the industry has to be electric. “Achieving zero emissions is so important. Electrification is what this industry needs, with sustainable energy at source. “We also need to help develop the skill sets of people within the industry and grow their knowledge about electric vehicles, just as they’ve always known about internal combustion engines. “We work in a great industry, and it is one I hope to continue developing for many years to come”
Achieving zero emissions is so important. Electrification is what this industry needs, with sustainable energy at source.
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ISSUE 1 2023
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FEATURE
Tide turns in Great Yarmouth with a raft of sustainable solutions from Dennis Eagle
As councils look for answers to deliver on their decarbonisation strategies, forward-thinking fleet operators such as Great Yarmouth Services Limited, a Local Authority Trading Company (LATCo) at Great Yarmouth are starting that journey to Net Zero with Dennis Eagle.
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fresh fleet of 11 Euro 6 compliant Elite+ refuse collection vehicles, headed by a fully electric eCollect, combined with insightful data and new ways to engage the community, are bringing a ‘sea change’ in sustainability on England’s East Coast.
Delivering on decarbonisation With a target of becoming Net Zero by 2035, Great Yarmouth Borough Council looked to prioritise where it could make the greatest difference. Upgrading its aging, 12-year-old fleet offered an opportunity to not only reduce emissions and downtime but collaborate with the community, particularly the next generation of Great Yarmouth, and inspire them to join the journey. Fit for purpose “Our successful relationship with Dennis Eagle stretches back decades,” says Callum Braid, Transport Manager at Great Yarmouth Services. “From the point of ordering through to aftermarket and in-field support, Dennis Eagle has consistently delivered great customer service. As vehicles created specifically for the purpose, nothing else we have tried has come close.”
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The latest order comprises 11 Elite+ Narrow Chassis; the first five were delivered in July with the remaining six arriving in time for Christmas. “Alongside our desire to reduce emissions, we also wanted a vehicle that could cope with the roads we have in Great Yarmouth,” says Chris Silverwood, Managing Director at Great Yarmouth Services. “Across our nine frontline rounds, we’ve got plenty of narrow Victorian streets and in the summer, when holidaymakers come to the town, we have to contend with a lot of parked cars, making manoeuvrability and vision a priority for our crews. Dennis Eagle’s Narrow Chassis with rear steer enables us to operate more safely in areas where a regular 26-tonne vehicle can’t.” Charging forward The more comfortable, easier-to-operate Elite+ Narrow Chassis RCVs will be joined in March 2024 by Great Yarmouth’s pioneering eCollect; the first fully-electric RCV in Norfolk. “As part of our evaluation, we tested an eCollect on a rigorous five-day trial,” adds Silverwood. “One day it was collecting garden waste, the next day recycling, then general waste etc. The crews loved it for its quiet running and smooth acceleration and returning to the depot at the end of the shift with a 50% charge. It’s also a very visual way
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of showcasing the council’s commitment to decarbonisation around the town.” Utilising the eCollect to advance sustainability within the community builds on the momentum generated by a recent, successful campaign led by Great Yarmouth Council in collaboration with local schools. It featured contests where children named and designed the livery for new RCVs in their respective areas of the town, and these trucks subsequently visited schools, serving as a captivating means to raise awareness about the importance of sustainability and recycling. Data driven decisions Dennis Eagle’s ability to acquire real-time data from its vehicles is contributing to driving more efficiencies for this operator. Developed specifically for the waste management industry, the factory-fitted DE-Connect software supports Great Yarmouth Services to extract more from every round. “We have optimised the routes to not only reduce mileage, one less vehicle but also reduced fuel use by 35,000 litres per year,” concludes Silverwood. “We are at the start of a journey, a ten-year plan. In the midst of much uncertainty in the world around decarbonisation, we have already been able to demonstrate real progress.” Cllr Paul Wells Portfolio Holder Environment, Sustainability, Licencing & Waste. “As a council, we are committed to ensuring that we achieve the best possible service for residents, and that means becoming more efficient – not only on a cost level but also in terms of carbon usage. It is early days, and a long road but we have a clear goal at the end of the journey.”
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Leo's dream comes to life For nine-year-old Leo, it was a dream come true to see his design and chosen name (Big Green Beast) applied to the RCV that collects from his school. “Our new fleet will be visiting other schools, offering a more interesting method to raise awareness of the need to reduce waste and recycle,” says Silverwood. “It’s just the beginning of a long journey but one that’s an opportunity to bring the community together, strengthening their connection to the local environment.” If you are heading to Great Yarmouth, look out for Recycling Robin, Dusty Pan, Bertie the Bin Truck, Eco Eva, and Leo’s Big Green Beast.
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FEATURE
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Hire power It’s business as usual between Dennis Eagle and municipal hire specialists NRG Riverside… which means orders for more than 100 DE RCVs this year for their fleet.
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heir Head Office in Skelmersdale, Lancashire operates across the UK providing vehicles for both long-term ‘contract hire’ and shortterm ‘spot hire’, Dennis Eagle RCVs, particularly narrows, are always in demand by their customers.
The company was set up in 1996 and has grown both organically and through a series of acquisitions. It now has almost 700 vehicles in its spot hire fleet and around 2,000 vehicles overall, supported from 11 depots between Tunbridge Wells in Kent and Bellshill near Glasgow. “We’ve been major Dennis Eagle customers for a long time,” said Chris Snelson, Fleet and Asset Director NRG Riverside. “As you’d expect, we offer the full range of specialist fleet vehicles incorporating Dennis Eagle and Terberg products and services, including a substantial order of Twin
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Packs in the latest order, with Terberg OmniDEL Triple bin lifts. “A key part of our service is using our considerable experience and expertise to advise customers on the best vehicles for their specific needs.” Maintenance is provided 24/7 through the company’s workshops but also through a network of more than 300 service partners. Around 20 mobile engineers are always on-standby for breakdowns. And the strong links with Dennis Eagle ensures stores are well stocked and parts readily available to minimise Vehicle Off Road time. Sales and Marketing Director, Richard Taylor said: “Our relationship with NRG Riverside has always been strong and it means that, from an operator’s point of view, whether they are in the market to hire or buy a vehicle, there will always be Dennis Eagle RCVs available to them.”
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FEATURE
Kerbloader First fully-electric Kerbloader EV on the run with Neath
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he single pass recycling vehicle, designed and built by Terberg Matec UK for segregated collections at source, has been widely used on a conventional diesel chassis for several years but this is the first time it has been sold on an electric chassis. Neath Port Talbot's Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Transport and
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Connectivity, Cllr Windham Griffiths, said: “The council has been actively developing a plan to transition to net zero carbon emissions by 2030.
cleaner way. The transition towards EVs also ties in with the council’s Decarbonisation and Renewable Energy (DARE) strategy.
“Many of our staff move throughout the county borough to deliver vital services to our residents, (including recycling collections) and we are now starting to do it in a much greener and
“We’ll also be looking for a couple of smaller vehicles too, as some of our routes have become significantly more difficult to navigate since the pandemic, with more home working
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plugs gap Port Talbot Council.
and the subsequent increase in onstreet parking that goes with it. “These Kerbloaders will also help the council reach the Welsh Government’s Statutory Recycling target of 70% by 2024-2025, with their cardboard collecting and packing capacity being a big plus and our drivers have complimented its manoeuvrability.” Neath Port Talbot runs a fleet of 22 recycling vehicles providing weekly collections of glass, cardboard, paper, plastic and cans, food and batteries. And it will soon be using the electric-powered Kerbloader in a pilot scheme to collect waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).
very popular with customers. But the electric version was put through extensive field trials last year and proved to be really impressive. “Neath Port Talbot Council has put theirs straight to work, the initial feedback we have received is
extremely positive. We have already received a lot of interest from other local authorities looking to switch from diesel to electric. With several orders in the pipeline, we're expecting to see our new electric Kerbloader setting the agenda for single pass recycling vehicles."
These Kerbloaders will also help the council reach the Welsh Government’s Statutory Recycling target of 70% by 2024-2025.
Cllr Scott Jones, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Streetscene, said: “The council’s current recycling rate is 66% and while we are heading in the right direction, there is still work to be done. “This is especially the case with food waste recycling as 33% of waste within our black bins/bags is food. We have recently had our waste strategy approved, which provides a number of measures to help achieve the Welsh Government’s upcoming 70% recycling target and beyond and these Kerbloader vehicles will help us achieve this goal.” Terberg Matec UK Managing Director, Will Marzano said: “The dieselpowered Kerbloader has been tried and tested for some time and is now ISSUE 2 2023
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FEATURE
Saving lives with new GSR A raft of new safety features aimed at reducing accidents are being introduced to all new trucks in response to the EU’s General Safety Regulations (GSR) which the UK adheres to.
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y reducing accidents, of course, the new regulations will also help operators by reducing the time and money spent on insurance claims and investigations.
Some of the new systems are already optional extras used by many operators. However the first – eight technology-
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based driver aids – will become mandatory for new RCVs and other trucks from July 2024. Advanced distraction recognition and prevention regulations are planned for introduction in 2026 and in 2029, Direct Vision and event recording requirements will also be applied.
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The measures are all part of the EU’s goal of zero fatalities and serious injuries on roads by 2050, known as “Vision Zero”. The initial goal is to cut these by half by 2030. Key to this is reducing accidents between trucks and vulnerable road users, several of the new safety features are designed to help do just that: the Blind Spot Information System, the Reversing Information System and the Moving Off Information System will all be implemented in July 2024. The other key improvement will be the new direct vision standard which was inspired by the successful Transport for London scheme. Of course, Dennis Eagle’s Elite 6 was the highest rated truck of all in the independent tests carried out for TfL and the Elite+ cab has since increased the driver’s direct vision even further. Dennis Eagle cabs will not require any modification to meet this regulation, our customers can rest assured that they are already providing the very best direct vision for their drivers.
FROM JULY 2024: Intelligent speed assistance
This speed monitoring system tells drivers they have exceeded the speed limit and should slow down.
Blind Spot Information System
This warns drivers of cyclists or other vulnerable road users alongside the vehicle.
Reversing Information
Cameras show the area behind the truck on screens in the cab so drivers can clearly see all obstructions including people.
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Moving Off Information System
This system comes into operation before driving off and while driving slowly, alerting the driver to the presence of vulnerable road users ahead of the vehicle.
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
This tyre pressure monitor immediately reports pressure loss to the driver.
Emergency Stop Signal
A new brake light flashes to alert drivers behind that the truck is either slowing down quickly or coming to an abrupt stop.
Alcohol Interlock Installation Facilitation
This standardised breathalyser stops anyone with alcohol in their breath from driving the truck.
Drowsiness and Attention Detection
These new safety systems not only evaluate the driver’s alertness but also warn them to take a break when necessary.
FROM 2026: Distraction Recognition and Detection
This new safety feature assesses how much attention a driver is paying and issues a warning if needed.
Event Data Recorder
Accident data recorders will be fitted to all vehicles.
FROM 2029: Improved direct vision from driver’s position
Better direct vision from the driver's position helps to prevent the risk of accidents and at the same time improves driver's reaction times.
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DENNIS EAGLE USA
Dennis Eagle Inc. expansion gets underway The ground has been broken at Dennis Eagle Inc.’s headquarters in Summerville, South Carolina, as the US plant prepares for an 8,000-squarefoot expansion to enable increased production.
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he new development comes just three years after the production line opened in North America but reflects the success the ProView has had in establishing itself in the market.
an orderly, clean, and tidy environment. The 5S forms the basis of the Lean Six Sigma concept, which will result in eliminating waste and improving product quality.
The expansion will house an all-new Aftermarket warehouse which has been redesigned for increased efficiency, a new Goods-In Receiving area, a staging area for Production materials, and new offices.
In addition to changes at the plant, offices have been prepared at a second site nearby to house both the Finance department and the Aftermarket admin team.
The office facilities will include a conference room, a break and multimedia room for staff and visitors, open plan office space, and a redesigned lobby to welcome our guests. The new warehouse will replace the previous one and house all Aftermarket materials on the site. This in turn will free up the space occupied by the old warehouse to allow expansion of the production footprint and create a new PDI area. The larger and redesigned facility will not only enable increased production but also improved flow and efficiency at the plant. The expansion project has also been coupled with process improvements. These include implementing the 5S, which focuses on using only the tools and materials needed and working in
The new site is a 2,400-square-foot office space and is just a mile from the plant. It has its own conference room, an open-plan layout, and a break room. General Manager, Melinda Bonte said: “I see a renewed excitement within our team since we started this expansion project. “The physical changes have sparked new energy and involvement as our strategy starts to align with what they see around them. “We have a strong and resilient team here in the US. They have worked through many changes since the opening of this plant and we have an exciting future ahead, as we grow with the same reinforcing energy.”
The dream team
Meanwhile, Dealer Development Manager, Joe McCalip has been implementing plans to further support dealerships across North America. He explained: “We have engaged our
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dealers with a program that includes service, parts and sales training as a comprehensive package. “To date, we have met 19 different teams from more than 11 different dealers and the feedback from them has been very positive. In particular, the package is focused on both supporting the products after the sale and also engaging the dealers’ sales teams to be aggressive in their marketing of the product. “The team here at DE Inc feels this path has been very fruitful and we will continue with it, rolling it out to more teams across the continent, as we seek further success in 2024.” Dennis Eagle Inc.’s President, Geoff Rigg added: “Developments here are taking shape and everyone customers, dealers, and staff – can see the way ahead. “The team in Summerville has responded really well to the changes and is genuinely excited by what’s going on. And the continuing development of support for our dealers and our Aftermarket offering is being very well received on the ground. “We’re gaining good recognition in this market and the expansion and redevelopment of our facilities in Summerville will have a further significant and positive impact in the months ahead.”
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FEATURE
Sustainability in action
As Dennis Eagle staff start collecting data and other information for our second annual sustainability report, one sustainable aspect of our business is obviously booming.
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t is our Dennis the Dustcart packages for schools which, in the ‘Environment, Social and Governance (ESG)’ model of sustainability, come under the social category or ‘ways of doing business that benefit society and the communities in which you operate’.
The cartoon character, created by author and designer, Ash Sharma, is based on a Dennis Eagle RCV. He helps engage primary school children in our customers’ communities in the principles of recycling and sustainability, through a story book loaded with puzzles called Dennis to the Rescue!
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and real life where they will see real Dennis dustcarts going down their streets collecting their recycling.
Inside, pupils learn about Wheelie Good and Wheelie Bad waste with the help of more cartoon characters. Jointhe-dot puzzles, crosswords, anagrams and word searches help children learn what they can put into recycling bins, what these things can be made into or how they can be reused. And Dennis shows them how this helps our planet and how important that is.
“And the educational experience doesn’t end there. Children take the book home and get their parents to help them, which also gets them involved too, including some of those who aren’t recycling at the moment.
“The book itself is a great concept because Dennis is such an engaging character,” explained Dennis Eagle Marketing Manager, Lee Rowland.
“Just ask yourself: would you throw recycling into the waste bin if you knew your children were going to pull you up about it?”
“He enables children to form a strong link between this lovable character
The books are produced by Ash’s company Skips Educational and co-branded with Dennis Eagle and sometimes the local authority. The lesson content is amended each time to fit in with a specific local authority’s approach recycling. Dennis can even
get a livery to match the council’s colours. The idea has developed further. Dennis to the Rescue books now spearhead a package which involves Dennis Eagle, Ash, local authorities and schools working together to deliver assemblies and lesson plans for teachers. Dennis Eagle’s unique mobile classroom – built from an old RCV that had reached the end of its natural working life – often visits the schools too. The messages are simple so children can understand them but that means parents can too. And there are even notes pointing parents to the council’s website for full details of recycling in their area. Dennis teaches them about everything, from the difference between ‘use by’ and ‘best before’ dates on food to the benefits of giving old toys to charity shops ... and once again, the content can be tailored to the specific needs of each local authority. Teaching children about recycling and environmental responsibility is high on primary schools’ agendas. And with increasingly limited resources, demand for the total package continues to grow. During the pandemic lockdowns, when children were not in schools, our partner Skips Educational Ltd created more Dennis the Dustcart colouring pages. We sent a new page every week to customers and colleagues and asked parents to send the finished artwork to us. In return, we sent them Dennis Eagle goodies. “Helping our communities helps our customers and that can only help us as a business too,” added Lee. “Everyone benefits and it’s great fun too!”
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FEATURE
Playing our part As Dennis Eagle staff start collecting data and other information for our second annual sustainability report, one sustainable aspect of our business is booming.
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ith our Aftermarket supply chain partner TVS, we’ve started auctioning off unused parts in lines that are no longer required. The funds raised through this initiative are then donated to The Myton Hospices group, a well-recognised charity providing exceptional end-of-life care in Warwickshire and Coventry. Central Parts Manager, Jaz Arak explained: “Every quarter we review our stock and those lines no longer needed are taken away by our supply chain partner TVS to be auctioned off. “Parts become redundant because vehicles and equipment constantly evolve and the number of lines we no longer need will vary every quarter. We started doing this last summer and from the two auctions we’ve been involved with so far, we’ve raised almost £2,000. “It’s sustainability in action: reducing waste, providing a use for parts that are no longer needed and helping a charity that looks after people in the area around our headquarters and where many of our staff live.” Myton runs three hospices, in Coventry, Warwick, and Rugby, the first two of which provide in-patient care for up to 20 people at a time. Their patients are adults of all ages who
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Left to right: Yasmin Warburton, Jaz Arak, Andy Cope.
have had a terminal diagnosis. Last year the Myton Hospices helped more than 1,700 patients and their families. “Our services stretch beyond the patients themselves to their families and can continue after their loved-one has passed away,” explained Myton Hospices’ corporate fundraiser, Yasmin Warburton. “We provide end-of-life care for patients in a restful environment with specific equipment and nurses trained in palliative care and these need to be funded. It costs £28 for one hour’s
specialist nursing. An in-patient bed costs on average £450 for one day. Ten child bereavement counselling sessions cost £300. “Overall, Myton Hospices cost £13.25million a year to run and that figure is rising. But only 20% of that comes from the NHS. The other 80% must come from fundraising. “We have a wonderful army of supporters – some who have used our services in the past and some who may need to use us in the future. Last
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for local charity year, with their help, we succeeded in raising £10.5 million. “A significant part of that comes from local businesses helping their communities and looking at our records, Dennis Eagle has been among our supporters since 1996. Over the years, we’ve received more than £50,000 from the company which we are very grateful for, including £5,000 as sponsors of this year’s Santa Run on December 10. “And this new initiative, from them and from TVS, will provide another very welcome stream of funding.”
Dennis Eagle employees taking part in the Leamington Half Marathon, raising over £1000 for Myton Hospice.
The team in their Santa outfits. ISSUE 2 2023
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FEATURE
The story of the Elite, a journey through time A newly refurbished Dennis Eagle Elite Mark 1, originally built in 2002, has just been unveiled by our Aftermarket team.
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his vehicle helps tell the story of the evolution of the remarkable Dennis Eagle heritage – and our industry – culminating in today’s Elite+. But to make sense of the story, we must understand how the Elite was born. In 1985 the company was formed by merging Hestair Dennis, which built Delta chassis in Guildford, with Hestair Eagle, a body-builder in Warwick.
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The company sold around 350 Delta’s with Phoenix bodies per year in those days, which is roughly a third of Dennis Eagle’s current volume. But the vehicle was very dated, so they took decisive action to keep that market. The Delta was given a quick facelift in 1988 but meanwhile, they set about the serious work of developing a new chassis. Aftermarket Director, Geoff Rigg takes up the story: “I was an apprentice at
the time and remember seeing the new vehicle on the drawing board. It was launched in 1992 and although it was a success, nobody could have realised just how influential it would be. “Looking at the Mark 1 Elite, it’s remarkable how familiar it seems. Alongside the latest Elite+, you can clearly see the family features. And compared with its Delta predecessor, it was revolutionary.”
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And it makes you wonder, what will we be looking at in 30 years’ time?
This Delta chassis was originally built in 1988 before being rebuilt by the Aftermarket team. It had a Perkins Phaser 180 engine (Euro-1-compliant engines weren’t required until 1993) and drum brakes with no ABS. Its sixspeed, manual Eaton gearbox was only partially synchromeshed. Getting in was like climbing up the Blackpool Tower and when you arrived, there were no seatbelts! The design was utilitarian. While the simple controls and switches were quite driver-friendly and well laid out, it was an effort to drive. Drivers’ legs would ache from all the strenuous clutch work and they needed to be physically strong.
The RCV’s body was designed for a bag-loading nation with a huge 2.8m3 hopper that couldn’t be choked. It was operated from two levers at the front of the vehicle – out of sight of the operation itself. It could be dangerous. Inside the cab, the noise, emissions, and rattling made driving it hard work. Perhaps the first change that you’d see in the new Elite Mark 1 was the much easier one-step entry. The flat floor, the brighter interior and the much better visibility from the cab were also major improvements. But all concepts maintained throughout the evolution of the Elite chassis. The refurbished Mark 1 vehicle has a Cummins ISBe Euro-3-compliant engine with 250bhp, with reduced emissions and less noise. It also has disc brakes and ABS, reflecting the increased emphasis on safety. But the most notable change was the Allison gearbox which was automatic – so no gearstick, no clutch and relief for the driver. The lay-out of switches and controls was even better. It was obvious that alongside efficiency, designers were increasingly thinking about the needs of both drivers and crew, particularly their safety and comfort. Outside, the first Elites routinely had Phoenix 2 bodies mounted with containerisation in mind. These had a much smaller hopper – just 1.6m3 – which enabled the addition of a bin lifts as wheeled bins were introduced. And so the Elite chassis was born
and developed over the years into an illustrious line, with the Elite 6 only recently replaced by the Elite+. Although it was launched 30 years after the first Elite, it is still recognisable as part of the same dynasty with the hallmarks of one-step entry, flat floor, and great vision for drivers. The Elite+, however, has taken the comfort and needs of drivers and crew way beyond the Elite 2 and even the Elite 6 to create a truly modern workstation for both drivers and crews, a market leader in its own right. “We’re mainly selling Elite’s in the UK, Europe and Australia,” said Geoff. “But we’re also introducing the ProView to the USA and Canada and it has the same lineage and the same familiar features… it’s part of the same family. And it feels as if we’re introducing the same original concepts again of safety, comfort, and great visibility but this time to North America. “And looking at the latest in the line, the Elite+, everything has been thought about. To the original Elite Mark 1 designers, features like the automatic braking system, which senses the driver is leaving it too late to brake and so automatically applies them, would have seemed like science fiction. “They’d recognise the vehicle straight away, of course, but what would they have made of the Electronic Stability Program or even the idea of low-level lighting for the comfort of the crew? “And it makes you wonder, what will we be looking at in 30 years’ time?”
Left to right: Geoff Rigg, Andy Hardwick, Simon Newsam. ISSUE 2 2023
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APPRENTICE SUCCESS
Teresa Jones named Coventry Graduate Apprentice of the Year
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eresa Jones, has been named the Advanced Apprentice of the Year by the Midland Group Training Services and attended the awards gala on Tuesday 10th October to receive her award. Tes first worked with Dennis Eagle back in secondary school where she worked on an engineering project through the Engineering Education Scheme. As part of her A-Level course, the Dennis Eagle-funded project required the re-engineering of a lower exit exhaust. Most recently Tes has worked on the updates for new vehicle data sheets and has enjoyed this work the most.
Having now completed her 4-year apprenticeship with Dennis Eagle, Tes is now waiting to begin her Electromechanical Engineering degree at Coventry University whilst working full-time with the company. A modest and methodical engineer, with a self-confessed love of spreadsheets, Tes also works at the weekend as a children’s swimming instructor teaching 3 to 18-year-olds anything from the basics through to gala preparations. This fantastic achievement follows Sean Williams from Dennis Eagle winning the BTEC Programme Apprentice of the Year in 2021-2022. Simon McCulloch, Dennis Eagle Technical Sales Manager comments “We are really proud of what Tes has achieved, she has worked incredibly hard over
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the last 4 years and has engaged well with the wider team, her eye for detail is second to none! Our Apprenticeship program at Dennis Eagle is shaping the workforce of the future and we have many key team members working within our organisation who have developed from their apprenticeships.” Luke Bennett from MGTS added, “Teresa is one of the most hardworking and dedicated individuals I have had the pleasure of working with. She is a perfectionist in everything she does and always completes tasks to the best of her ability.” “Teresa has a passion for her work and an unrivalled drive to succeed. This was recognised very early on within
Dennis Eagle and as a result of her hard work and dedication, Teresa was promoted to a Technical Sales role. This was achieved before her apprenticeship had even concluded. This is a rare accomplishment and is a testament to her skills and abilities.” “Teresa obtained a distinction for the HNC qualification, as well as passing her end point assessment of the apprenticeship, despite going through a tough period in her personal life. Teresa displayed great resilience and determination and did not let this impact her work. She continued to work hard and excelled in her studies. I have no doubt that Teresa will continue to achieve great things and have an extremely successful career.”
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Spot a Dennis Eagle RCV and take a pic We asked our Facebook community to get creative and take a snap of our RCV's in action. Here's a selection of the best so far. If you'd like the chance to win some cool Dennis Eagle merch, just take a pic of our trucks, wherever you are in the world and send it to us via our Facebook page. Good Luck!
WINNER: Peter Morely (above) RUNNERS UP: Aled Reed (far left) Callum Burnside (top left) Matt Jones (bottom left)
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VIEW VIDEO HERE
Thank you you to RCV operatives nationwide working Thank tothe the dedicated refuse crews tirelessly hard throughout the year, and at Christmas! working all year round. Dennis Eagle Ltd, Heathcote Way, Heathcote Ind. Est., Warwick, CV34 6TE T: 01926 458 500
E: contact.us@dennis-eagle.co.uk
DennisEagleLtd www.dennis-eagle.co.uk
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