JUNE|2019

IN THIS ISSUE > Forward-thinking fuel distributors

IN POLE POSITION TO UNLOCK ELECTRIC BUS AND POTENTIAL IN EUROPE?

BEWARE SNAKE-OIL SALES PEOPLE JUMPING ON A DECARBONISATION BANDWAGON

ew powered by diesel engines could be banned in the UK by the year 2040 N if the government follows recommendations published EDITORIAL & DESIGN recently by the influential National Infrastructure Commission (NIC). The Freight Transport Immediate Network Ltd Association (FTA) accepts this as a “feasible 6 Wey Court, Mary Road, Guildford, Surrey GU1 4QU target for the logistics industry”, provided there is t: 01483 546500 enough government support. The Road Haulage w: inl.co.uk Association (RHA) is less convinced, describing w: cvengineer.com the NIC recommendations as “simplistic” because they fail to make clear what government has to do to make moves to diesel alternatives realistic. EDITOR But scarcely anyone now disputes one of the central points made by the NIC report as well as by many others more widely: that effective action on carbon emissions and Tim Blakemore air quality is needed urgently. For commercial vehicle operators this means greater t: 01428 605605 e: [email protected] pressure than ever before to find alternatives to diesel and petrol engines. One thing that all operators would be well-advised not to do in the face of such ADVERTISING pressure is react with undue haste. Snake-oil sales pitches invariably turn out to be even more venomous in this field than in others. Denise Blakemore Members of the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (soon to be renamed the UK Subcriptions Manager and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association) are by no means the only ones who ought t: 01428 605605 to pay heed to the wise counsel offered by the organisation’s chief executive (page 20). e: [email protected] Make the right choice for your operation at the right time, advises Guy Pulham. Now Tony Greville might not be the right time. Business Development Director There are no quick and easy solutions. Much depends on the specific requirements t: 01483 546500 of each particular operation. It is clear, for instance, that there are far more viable e: [email protected] alternatives to diesel for light commercial vehicles (up to 3.5 tonnes gvw) than there are for heavier trucks. It is equally clear, not least from a painstaking assessment SUBSCRIPTIONS published recently by the RHA, that the move to Euro VI diesel engines is already MANAGEMENT resulting in dramatic real-world cuts in truck emissions of particulates and oxides of

nitrogen. Yet still in the eyes of the public all diesel engines, regardless of their Euro Denise Blakemore t: 01428 605605 standard and including even those now happily running on ultra-eco-friendly HVO, e: [email protected] are seen as the villains of the piece. Guy Pulham is right. A lot more education on this subject is sorely needed. Annual subscription (12 editions) £20 + vat (£24) Tim Blakemore Editor PUBLISHED BY

Immediate Network Ltd

THE TRUCK EXPERT THE VAN EXPERT THE CAR EXPERT

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENGINEER > JUNE 2019 3 CONTENTS

6>> POINTS OF VIEW Why fork-lift exams are not as thorough as you may think. An overtime culture putting lives at risk. Are you and your drivers prepared for this September CPC deadline?

10>> NEWS bought by Canada’s NFI Group in £320 million deal.

12>> EQUIPPING THE OPERATION Safety and delivery times to the fore at Harrogate tipper show.

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4 JUNE 2019 > COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENGINEER CONTENTS

16>> IN POLE POSITION FOR EUROPE’S RACE TOWARDS ZERO EMISSIONS? New BYD electric trucks and vans will go on sale in Europe within the next year. Tim Blakemore went to Hungary to find out more.

20> RENAISSANCE FOR FUEL DISTRIBUTORS IN DECARBONISATION DRIVE Members of the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers have a clearly thought out vision of the central part they can play in helping to tackle the climate-change crisis. Tim Blakemore went to the latest FPS Expo in Liverpool to find 16 out why and how. 26>> NEWS FROM THE NORTH Advice from our learned friend the Transport News Truck Advocate on O-licence application advertisements; digital tachograph download delays; and “invalid” Driver CPC training courses.

27>> PEOPLE AND JOBS Vinnie Connolly is the truck sales director at Scania (Great Britain). Andrew Jamieson leaves Scania to succeed Simon Elliott as Intercounty Truck & Van boss. Former CV Show sales and marketing manager David Crawford is now commercial vehicle consultant at ITT 10 Hub 2020.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENGINEER > JUNE 2019 5 POINTS OF VIEW

WHY FORK-LIFT EXAMINATIONS ARE NOT AS THOROUGH AS YOU MAY THINK

housands of businesses you are duty-bound to ensure that the exposed their businesses and workforces operating fork-lift entire truck is safe to use. to potential danger and they don’t even trucks may be falling The Thorough Examination Standard know it. T foul unknowingly of applied by Consolidated Fork Truck At CFTS we are encouraging managers the law on “thorough Services (CFTS, a trading company to review their paperwork to ensure that examinations”. Studies show that 93% of owned jointly by the British Industrial trucks are safe and legal, before it’s too late. managers overseeing lifting operations Truck Association and the Fork Lift Truck On our website you can find a series of believe that, as the name suggests, a Association) is exceptional in that it interactive guides showing what must be “thorough examination” always means the checks trucks against both sets of criteria. covered. Our “Half Measures” video entire fork-lift truck is checked. Yet this Whereas LOLER covers parts required explains how you can be sure you is far from reality. Sadly, most inspections for lifting, such as mast, hydraulics and are getting exactly what you known as “thorough examinations” do not forks, the other half of the equation bargained for, or live up to the name. Indeed they tend to involves safety-critical parts, such as even more, from cover the bare minimum demanded by the steering, chassis and brakes, which are the next fork-lift Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment covered by PUWER. truck thorough Regulations of 1998 (LOLER). These cover When components that are so examination. only the truck’s lifting mechanism. important have not been examined For those responsible for ensuring safe you just wouldn’t know, until it was too Geoff Martin operations, this creates a big problem. late. Worst of all, there are thousands Chairman Under the 1998 Provision and Use of of managers out there, across virtually Consolidated Fork Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), every sector, who may have unknowingly Truck Services

6 JUNE 2019 > COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENGINEER POINTS OF VIEW

Motorists should always follow the AN OVERTIME CULTURE law and park up in a safe, legal place if making a call, using hands-free PUTTING LIVES AT RISK technology. Companies can help look after their staff on the road by making ON THE ROAD sure their culture is distraction-free, excusing them from calls if they are travelling. One anonymous company had a stark wake-up call when a high- performing young employee suffered a near-fatal crash. She fell asleep at the wheel during a 280 mile-round trip to a presentation after working through the night. The impact didn’t even wake her. This sent shockwaves through the company and cultural change began immediately. An outright ban on e-mails being sent out of hours without management authorisation was set in place, telematics were brought in to monitor employee driving behaviours, and work-life balance was established to keep staff safe and protected. If one of your employees is killed while driving for work and the police survey of British workers has investigation uncovers evidence that exposed how an overtime culture “gross breach of a relevant duty of care” A is putting drivers at risk, owing has occurred through management to poor sleep, pressure to respond quickly, failure, both the organisation and relevant stress and distraction. directors or other senior management Our research at NFU Mutual found that could be prosecuted under the Corporate more than a third (35%) of people who Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide work full- or part-time in the UK are Act 2007. Imagine the situation where expected to work outside their contracted an employee causes a crash while driving hours. It also found that 30% are for work and it is found that they were expected to respond to calls and e-mails part of their work, according to the Health making a business phone call at the time. out of hours, and sometimes slog away and Safety Executive (HSE). Recent figures If the investigation uncovered a culture late into the night (46%). from Eurostat, the European Union’s where staff are expected to make and Nearly one in ten who also drive for statistics arm, confirm that Britons work receive calls while on the road, and that work have actually fallen asleep or nearly more hours than anyone else in Europe senior management are aware of fallen asleep at the wheel as a direct result – an average of 42 hours a week. the practice, this could constitute a of work pressure (8%), and a quarter have If businesses focus on increasing “gross breach”. driven tired specifically due to out-of- productivity and reducing costs, staff could Positive workplaces mean more hours work demands. feel the need to put extra hours in to climb engaged and productive employees. Some even combine the two and work the ladder or even keep their job. This can Companies which introduce safe driving while driving - 16% admitted to being cause fatigue which is one of the biggest policies and encourage a culture where on a work call or conference call while killers on UK roads. employees can speak up about workloads driving and one in twenty people (5%) In a digital world, bosses should be aware might just save a life. have actually responded to work e-mails that employees might also feel pressure to while at the wheel. respond immediately. It is alarming that Rebecca Richards More than a quarter of all UK road traffic some people even respond to e-mails Business insurance specialist incidents involve someone who is driving as while driving. NFU Mutual

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENGINEER > JUNE 2019 7 POINTS OF VIEW

ARE YOU AND YOUR DRIVERS PREPARED FOR THIS SEPTEMBER DEADLINE?

he CPC (Certificate of These excuses will not cut it. If a driver Professional Competence) fails to complete the required training, qualification was come October it will be illegal for them T introduced for to continue driving. They could face a professional bus, coach £1,000 fine and lose their job. Businesses and lorry drivers in 2009 with the aim of could suffer, with a significantly improving road safety and maintaining reduced workforce. high standards of driving. The key This is why at Encore Personnel we are requirement is that 35 hours of “periodic offering free training to drivers under our training” must be completed every five approved driver scheme. To date we have years. Drivers with “acquired rights” (pre- invested £14,000 in ensuring 250 September 2009 vocational licences) have of our drivers complete their 35 hours of until 9 September this year to complete CPC training. the next phase of their training. By offering free training we are trying to At Encore Personnel we place high- help drivers and businesses. Through this Businesses can support their own quality drivers in work across multiple support, our clients will see better worker drivers by advising them how to complete industries. Yet we have found that 75% of retention and a high level of quality drivers the qualification and can work with expert our drivers have still to complete their CPC through their doors. agencies like Encore Personnel to gain training before September, and many are But the evidence suggests that a lack advice and support where needed. still unaware of how many hours they of drivers completing CPC training is an Responsibility ultimately lies with have completed. industry-wide problem. So it is not only drivers themselves, however. They can There may be several reasons for this. our drivers who need support. We also confirm how many CPC periodic training First, some drivers relied on previous provide training for drivers working for hours they have completed by visiting: employers to organise training. After clients across the Midlands, including www.gov.uk/check-your-driver-cpc- changing jobs this was not continued. workers at a national supermarket chain. periodic-training-hours. Second, with Brexit on the horizon, some But, as the deadline looms, the number of drivers seemingly believe that a European people looking for training is increasing. Andrew Fletcher requirement will no longer apply, so they It will soon become a matter of first come Senior divisional manager choose not to spend money on training. first served. Encore Personnel Services

8 JUNE 2019 > COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENGINEER

NEWS

ALEXANDER DENNIS BOUGHT BY CANADA’S NFI GROUP IN £320 MILLION DEAL

ritain’s biggest bus-builder Winnipeg, Manitoba-based NFI Group be about 31,000 ADL vehicles in service, is under new ownership (formerly New Flyer Industries) is one of most in the UK but also including a B following a takeover by a the biggest bus and coach manufacturers growing overseas presence in countries Canadian firm. Alexander in North America, supplying vehicles and including Singapore, Malaysia, New Dennis (ADL) has been sold by Souter aftermarket support services under brand Zealand, Mexico and the US. Investments, the family investment office names including New Flyer, MCI (coaches), ADL was established in 2014 when a headed by Stagecoach group co-founders Arboc (low-floor and “medium-duty” consortium of Scottish entrepreneurs led Sir Brian Souter and his sister Ann Gloag, buses), and NFI Parts. by Sir Brian Souter and including Ann to NFI Group for £320 million (US$405 NFI shares are traded on the Toronto Gloag, merchant banker Sir Angus Grossart million). ADL, based in Falkirk, Scotland Stock Exchange. The company had around and former Glasgow Rangers owner Sir is the top-selling bus manufacturer in 6,400 employees before the ADL deal David Murray bought the business from the UK and describes itself as “one of the was finalised, and there are thought to be administrators called in following the world’s leading independent bus and coach around 74,000 NFI vehicles in service in spectacular crash of the Mayflower group manufacturers, offering Alexander Dennis Canada and the US. and its TransBus International division. single- and double-deck buses and ADL has 2,500 employees, mostly Souter Investments owned just over half coaches with a history and heritage of based at manufacturing sites in Falkirk, of ADL shares at the time of last month’s design, engineering and manufacturing Scarborough, (North Yorkshire) and sale to NFI. ADL chief executive Colin excellence that spans more than a century.” Guildford (Surrey). There are reckoned to Robertson and finance director Michael

10 JUNE 2019 > COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENGINEER NEWS

Stewart are also shareholders. They are to remain at the head of the business following the NFI deal and are said to have been “tasked with driving international growth ambitions.” Paul Soubry is NFI president and chief executive. “This is a transformational acquisition for NFI to become a global bus manufacturer,” he says. “ADL is the UK’s number one bus manufacturer and the number one global producer of double-deck buses, with an established international presence and is recognised as a leader known for innovative products and a commitment to quality and service. We’re thrilled to have ADL join the NFI family in a transaction that we believe will drive our business forward by combining joint strengths in engineering, sales, new product development and manufacturing with NFI’s Colin Robertson and Paul Soubry expertise in operational excellence, insourcing, fabrication and systems management.” “Having been involved with ADL since 2004, I have witnessed the In his statement following finalisation of the deal, Colin transformation of the company into a truly international business Robertson identifies “electric vehicle know-how” as a key factor, with an exceptional product portfolio, a reputation for innovation without making it clear what ramifications the NFI takeover will and design and engineering excellence, and a first-class approach have for ADL’s highly successful partnership with BYD of China to customer service.” in electric bus manufacturing and marketing (page 16). NFI has ADL’s turnover last year was £631 million, comprising £559 been selling its own battery-electric New Flyer Xcelsior buses in million from sales of 2,533 buses and coaches, and £71 million North America since 2008. Its battery suppliers at present are from parts and service revenue. ADL’s pre-tax profit last year is thought to be Xalt Energy and A123 Systems. The Xcelsior’s drive put at £28.2 million. axles and electric motors come from ZF. “We are incredibly proud of the growth and success we’ve had building Alexander Dennis over the past 15 years, and I’m excited to have the ADL team join NFI – one great bus company joining another,” says Robertson. “We believe our consolidated businesses will enhance NFI’s market leading position in North America, while improving NFI’s offering through combined engineering expertise, supplier partnerships, electric vehicle know-how and aftermarket platforms. I look forward to continuing our solid progress at ADL and also championing further international growth for NFI in coordination with Paul and his leadership team.” Souter Investments is thought to have netted around £160 million from the NFI deal. “Colin, Michael and their team at ADL have built a fantastic market leading business,” says Sir Brian Souter.

Stagecoach founder Brian Souter was main ADL shareholder.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENGINEER > JUNE 2019 11 EQUIPPING THE OPERATION

SAFETY AND DELIVERY TIMES TO THE FORE AT HARROGATE TIPPER SHOW

afety in urban operations Benz Econics to join the huge truck fleet PowerShift3 gearboxes whereas Biffa’s generally, with particular operated by waste management specialist normal specification for its Dennis regard to vulnerable road Biffa includes its first Econic-based Eagle-bodied Econic-based refuse- S users (including London’s skip-loaders and hookloaders. The three collection trucks includes a fully controversial “direct 1827L two-axle 18-tonnes-gvw skip- automatic Allison six-speed gearbox. vision” standard), and new truck delivery loaders and two 3235L four-axle (tridem) This was the only transmission offered times were among many topics at the skiploaders operating at up to 32-tonnes with all Econic chassis until recently. forefront of tipper operator minds as they gvw have Boughton Engineering Colin Bagnall is Biffa’s fleet headed for Harrogate, North Yorkshire bodywork. The 7.7-litre Mercedes diesel project engineer. “These vehicles and the latest annual Tip-ex show this engines of these five trucks drive through represent a new departure for us, and month. The latest batch of 43 Mercedes- 12-speed Mercedes automated-manual underline our commitment to safe,

12 JUNE 2019 > COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENGINEER EQUIPPING THE OPERATION

compliant operation in busy urban areas,” he says. “We’ll be monitoring their performance closely but the initial feedback from drivers has been entirely positive. They particularly appreciate the excellent visibility from the Econic cab.” Like several other waste-management fleets, Biffa decided some time ago to abandon double-drive axles on its refuse- collection fleet. “To reflect the fact that a much higher proportion of the trade waste we collect is now recycled at our own transfer facilities, rather than being sent to landfill, we switched about three years ago from double-drive to 6x2 rear-steer chassis,” he explains. “The Econic is our preferred low-entry RCV chassis. It is reliable and cost-effective in operation, while our crews appreciate its comfortable, air-conditioned, walk-through cab.” All the latest Biffa Econics were supplied Daf Trucks: angling for more orders for pre-bodied tippers. by Euro Commercials, a big independent south Wales-based Mercedes truck dealer Frequent demands from operators in Thompsons; and a CF 450 FAD 8x4 with group. Bagnall is favourably impressed the waste-management and construction McPhee mixer bodywork. with the service to date, praising in sectors for delivery of new, bodied trucks in “We understand the pressures that particular the way he is kept fully up to double-quick time has not gone unnoticed site contractors are under,” says Daf Trucks date throughout what can be a lengthy at Daf Trucks. Its response is a scheme marketing manager Phil Moon. “Invariably, bodybuilding and delivery process. called “Ready to Go” involving pre- there is a standard vehicle specification “As the prime contractor, Euro bodied, complete trucks kept in stock at that typically meets their needs. What Commercials liaises with our other dealers. A wide selection of “Ready to Go” they can’t always predict, however, is when suppliers and oversees the bodybuilding examples were on show at Harrogate this they’ll need them. That’s where our Ready- process,” he says. “It also provides regular year including an LF 260 FA, two-axle to-Go programme provides a genuine updates on our orders. The spreadsheets 18-tonner with skip-loader bodywork service. Available through our UK dealer are both comprehensive and accurate, from Hyva; an LF 230 FA 18-tonner with network, operators can quickly access our and backed up by weekly contact calls. specialist scaffold-carrying bodywork from Ready-to-Go portfolio, identify their ideal If any issues do arise, they are always Bevan Group; a CF 450 8x4 32-tonner vehicle and then have it in service and addressed very promptly.” with muckaway bodywork by Boweld and working quickly.”

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENGINEER > JUNE 2019 13 EQUIPPING THE OPERATION

Iveco: Stralis X-Way 6x4 on show for the first time in UK.

Iveco trucks on show at Harrogate this month include the first Stralis X-Way 6x4 tractive unit in the UK. It is due to become the first Iveco tractor in the fleet run by Brocks Haulage, a bulk excavation firm based in Purfleet, Essex. The Stralis will be pulling tri-axle tipping semi-trailers. News from Trucks at Tip-ex is of a new factory-fitted power take-off (pt-o). This will be on show on an FH Lite 6x2 tractor. Two FMX 8x4 tippers are also on show, both boasting the latest “step D” Euro 6 chassis layout. One has a rear, low-mounted exhaust, the other a vertical exhaust stack. Having lost its way for some time in the tipper sector of the UK truck market, MAN is now staging quite a comeback. : factory-fitted pt-o for FH 6x2 Lite. One example can be found in Leeds, West Yorkshire at the truck fleet operated by end tipping gear, electric front-to-back Mone Brothers, a big supplier of plant flip sheeting system, and a PM On-Board equipment, building materials and recycling weighing system. Maximum payload is put services to the construction sector. The at just over 19 tonnes. latest four tippers in the Mone fleet are “Our fleet carries out an extremely MAN 8x4 TGS 35.420 models with demanding range of duties which means we bodywork by L Townend of West Yorkshire. require our vehicles to be robust and built These double-skin steel tipping bodies to the very highest standards,” says director have a 5mm Hardox floor, 4mm Hardox Phil Mone. “When working on major sides, 2.5mm mild steel outer skin, Hardox construction, demolition and site clearance top rails and Hardox tail door. The Mone projects you simply can’t afford to have a MAN: staging comeback in con- specification includes Harsh HFT149 front- weak link.”. struction sector.

14 JUNE 2019 > COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENGINEER COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENGINEER > JUNE 2019 15 FEATUREBYD IN HUNGARY

IN POLE POSITION FOR EUROPE’S RACE TOWARDS ZERO EMISSIONS?

BYD was set up in 1995 as a battery manufacturer in China with only 20 employees. Today there are more than 200,000 employees worldwide and the group’s European division is top-seller in a fast-expanding market for electric buses. New BYD electric trucks and vans will go on sale in Europe within the next year. Tim Blakemore went to the company’s truck and bus assembly plant in Hungary to find out more.

f you were asked to be among those on many commercial years ago following expenditure of around pick out a few leading vehicle engineers’ lists. But Komárom in €20 million (£17.6 million). This is a more centres of truck and Hungary? Surely not. That could change significant development than might be I bus engineering and soon if the ambitions of BYD (Build immediately obvious, not only because BYD manufacturing in Your Dreams), a huge and fast-growing is so far the only big Chinese manufacturer Europe, which place-names would Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, of electric vehicles to make any investment spring to mind? It is a fair bet that come to fruition. of this kind in Europe but also because Germany’s Stuttgart, Wörth and Munich; Komárom is the small town (population there is much more to the Komárom site Gothenburg and Södertälje in Sweden; around 19,000) in northern Hungary, on than simply a bus assembly line. The clue Eindhoven in the Netherlands; Lyon in the border with Slovakia, where the first is in the name: BYD Electric Bus & Truck France; Leyland, Falkirk and perhaps BYD electric bus manufacturing plant in Hungary Kft (the Hungarian equivalent even Scarborough in the UK would Europe went into operation just over two of a private limited company in the UK).

16 JUNE 2019 > COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENGINEER BYD IN HUNGARY

Bus assembly in Hungary: plant opened two years ago.

What BYD engineers learn from the van and truck operations in Spain will be fed into the full-scale launch of a new electric van and truck line-up for Europe within the next twelve months. The current 7.5-tonner is fitted with a cab from Isuzu. But in China BYD is already now producing trucks with its own entirely new cab to replace this. The new European BYD Europe research and range, promised to be unveiled development boss Weiye Lin: ahead of next year’s big IAA commercial recruiting engineers locally. vehicles show in Hannover, will boast this new cab and more innovations being kept vehicle manufacturers is a background under wraps for the time being. firmly rooted in battery technology BYD has become known in Europe for and chemistry. Rival truck and bus its battery-electric buses but there is far manufacturers are working hard to catch The plant’s 300 employees, mainly local more to the group than this. In China an up in this unfamiliar field through joint recruits with technical backgrounds (gained extensive product line-up includes cars, ventures and acquisitions, witness the in some cases from working at Hungary’s vans, trucks and solar panels as well as the recent Cummins purchase of Johnson own long-since defunct Ikarus bus-building batteries and electronic systems used in Matthey’s UK-based battery division. operation) are focused at present mainly on a host of modern digital equipment such BYD Europe, based in the Netherlands, manufacturing complete, bodied buses and as smartphones and computers. Some of was the group’s first overseas subsidiary bus chassis underframes. But there is also the biggest customers of BYD’s electronics when it was set up in 1998. Rapid a battery test and maintenance centre at division include Samsung, Huawei and expansion took the company to its current Komárom, a full-size paintshop, and ample LG. BYD is now the world’s largest head office at Schiedam, near Rotterdam capacity to begin manufacturing electric manufacturer of mobile phone batteries. four years ago. Last year a research and fork-lifts, trucks and light commercial Yet the group was set up as recently as development division was established, vehicles alongside buses and coaches. 1995 with only 20 employees in Shenzhen, headed by Weiye Lin with a team of ten Six months ago the first two BYD light China by a 29-year-old chemical engineer, engineers transferred from China. Since trucks (at 7.5 tonnes gvw) with European Wang Chuanfu. He is now chairman, at then more engineers have been recruited specifications went into “pilot” service in the helm of a fast-growing group with from Germany, Italy, Netherlands and the the Spanish city of Murcia, together with a around 200,000 employees worldwide. UK. “We want to learn from European battery-electric BYD van. The 7.5-tonner’s In the race towards commercial competitors, to support bids for tenders fully-charged battery pack is said to have a vehicle driveline electrification what (from bus operators) and to find more range of around 200km. really sets BYD apart from established suppliers in Europe,” says Lin.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENGINEER > JUNE 2019 17 BYD IN HUNGARY

There is hard evidence on the Komárom bus assembly lines of his success already in this quest. Rear axle assemblies, for instance, have BYD’s own wheel-mounted electric motors from China but they are matched to disc brakes made in Europe by Knorr-Bremse and suspension systems from ZF’s Sachs division. There are already two BYD Europe subsidiary companies, in the UK and Italy. The company’s presence in the UK bus market was strengthened last year with the opening of a purpose-built workshop and head office at Iver, Buckinghamshire. BYD electric motors: paired with Knorr-Bremse brakes on drive axles. Among the newly-recruited employees based there are Paul Savage, who worked We are delighted, in the face of for the Daimler group’s Evobus division in intensifying competition, to win the largest the UK for the past 16 years, latterly as key first order for electric double-deck buses in account manager. Savage now reports to London and to retain our position at the aftersales manager Mark Brady, another top of the electric bus sales league.” former Evobus UK employee. ADL would seem to be equally well- The first BYD electric buses in Britain satisfied with the progress to date of its went into service about six years ago. Now partnership with BYD. The opacity of there are about 200 in operation here, Capital investment: BYD/ADL registration statistics published nowadays mainly in London but also in cities such buses are becoming familiar by the Society of Motor Manufacturers as Nottingham and Liverpool. BYD UK sight in London. and Traders (SMMT) makes it well- has been headed for the past two years by nigh impossible to assess independently Frank Thorpe, former head of bus systems But now Komárom is playing an the sales success or otherwise of at GKN’s Hybrid Power division. increasingly important role in the four- manufacturers competing in the ailing “We have chosen a new location which year-old joint venture between BYD and UK bus market. But ADL project manager is very convenient to our current customer the UK’s top-selling bus manufacturer. Phil Kershaw is confident that the BYD/ base in London yet easily accessible to All Enviro200EV (single-decker) ADL partnership now commands no less all parts of the UK,” he says. “As we grow and Enviro400EV (double-decker) than 70% of the expanding UK electric sales both inside the M25 and across the underframes from now on will be built bus market. And he points to a strong country we need to offer first-class service in Hungary. Metroline already runs a order book, including Go-Ahead London and parts facilities. Our new Iver location fleet of 23 BYD/ADL Enviro 200 single- with an order for 109 Enviro200EVs will deliver this for us.” deckers. “Our joint team has made (76 in service) and 32 Enviro400EVs for As part of the latest Metroline/Transport tremendous progress in winning tenders Stagecoach Manchester. for London (TfL) order for 68 battery- for TfL routes across the capital with Orders are starting to come in from powered double-deckers, BYD and our 10.8- and 12-metre single-deckers,” overseas too, with three operators in New Alexander Dennis (ADL) are committed says BYD Europe boss Isbrand Ho. “But Zealand, for instance, having ordered a to delivering 37 in the first half of this year. with 6,800 double-deckers on London total of 10 Enviro200EVs between them. The other 31 e-buses in this order are being streets, their full electrification is the The partnership with BYD would seem supplied by Ashok Leyland’s Yorkshire- key to making maximum beneficial to be a central plank in ADL’s ambitious based subsidiary and ADL rival, . impact on air quality for Londoners. plans for growth in Europe and further The 10.9-metre-long BYD/ADL Enviro 400EV double-decker is the result of co-operation between ADL’s body-manufacturing base in Falkirk and “Our joint team has made tremendous progress in BYD’s research and development centre winning tenders for TfL routes across the capital in Shenzhen. The first Metroline Enviro 400EV chassis were built in China and with our 10.8- and 12-metre single-deckers” then shipped to Falkirk for bodybuilding.

18 JUNE 2019 > COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENGINEER BYD IN HUNGARY

one lithium-ion rechargeable battery pack and another. BYD engineers, including Yongping Chen, managing director of the Hungary truck and bus operation, beg to differ. “We insist on lithium-iron phosphate batteries (for electric buses and trucks) because these are the most stable type,” he says. And the crucial consideration of battery life? “It is at least ten years, definitely, or more than 4,000 charge/discharge cycles,” says Chen. He also points out that a second life for BYD batteries is already being offered to operators in China and that a battery leasing scheme is about to be introduced in Europe, probably starting in the UK. Yongping Chen: “Lithium-iron phospate batteries are the most As the Arthur D Little report explains, stable type.” variants of any battery’s three main components: anode, cathode and afield, with turnover expected to go from manufacturing time, lowers kerb weight electrolyte, result in specific strengths and £631 million last year to over £1 billion (by around 4%), and reduces component weaknesses. The cathode limits the power in 2022. It remains to be seen what the numbers. Product quality has been whereas charging is limited by the anode. repercussions will be of the ADL takeover improved generally with components Cathode chemistry usually dictates how by NFI (page 10). sourced in Europe. All this is part of lithium-ion batteries are classified and BYD’s engineers and business planners a bright future for electric buses right there are now five main types. These are meanwhile are determined to maintain across Europe. BYD is committed to lithium cobalt oxide (LCO), lithium nickel what they see as the crucial advantage playing a leading role in this. We aim to cobalt aluminium oxide (NCA), lithium they have over many rivals now seeking stay in pole position, even in the face of nickel cobalt manganese oxide (NCM), to ride the wave of burgeoning European intensifying competition.” lithium manganese oxide (LMO), and the demand for battery-powered vans, The finer points of battery chemistry lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) favoured trucks, buses, coaches and fork-lift and battery management systems are by BYD. Their cathode raw material is trucks. Here is the telling observation unfamiliar territory to many commercial more abundant and thus less costly than from BYD Europe managing director vehicle engineers. They might find useful the nickel and cobalt of other types. Isbrand Ho at last September’s huge IAA guidance in a report published last year It seems unlikely that BYD would (Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung) by a big London-based consultancy, agree however with one of the report’s Hannover commercial vehicles show. Arthur D Little. The report, Future of conclusions on this type of battery: “As I visit other stands here at IAA, I batteries: Winner takes all?, forecasts that that other technologies are evolving see that everyone is becoming a battery innovations such as solid-state electrolyte and “higher-performance materials are expert,” he said. “But our battery energy lithium-ion batteries will replace current gradually replacing LFP in applications density is unrivalled. And now we have technologies “over the long term”. such as electric vehicles.” an industry-leading battery thermal Michaël Kolk is head of Arthur D Commercial vehicle engineers familiar management system. This will lessen Little’s global chemicals division. “Battery with quizzing suppliers about torque degradation, extend battery life and technology is undergoing the biggest curves and specific fuel economy are increase vehicle range. And our buses disruption in its 150-plus-year history, going to have to be ready instead to learn now have a smart monitoring and fault driven by the need for better solutions about the intricacies of battery chemistry. diagnosis system, allowing operators in areas such as electric vehicles and And all the signs are that BYD could to remotely control bus systems and renewable power,” he says. “However, soon be one of the more familiar names diagnose any problems. Comfort and companies need to beware of the risks, on European operator lists of suppliers, convenience are extremely important to as well as the huge potential of the not only of buses and coaches but also of our customers. They have been improved, market, if they are to emerge victorious electric fork-lifts, vans, trucks and even with noise levels lowered through better in the future.” solar panels as well. sealing and one-piece wheel covers. Our The assumption sometimes made is Built in Komárom could be about to go new modular manufacturing system cuts that there is not much to choose between from outlandish to everyday.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENGINEER > JUNE 2019 19 FPS EXPO 2019

RENAISSANCE FOR FUEL DISTRIBUTORS IN DECARBONISATION DRIVE

Far from fearing that their very existence may soon be under threat from a groundswell of public opposition to all fossil fuels, members of the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers have a clearly thought out vision of the central part they can play in helping to tackle the climate-change crisis. Tim Blakemore went to the latest FPS Expo in Liverpool to find out more.

here is a good reason why Tanker operators, at least the large (UKIFDA). Make no mistake, this is no 31 October 2019 is a red- proportion of them in membership of the shallow rebranding exercise dreamed up letter day in the diaries of Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS), by a trendy marketing agency. FPS, soon to T tanker operators in the are looking forward to something entirely be UKIFDA, chief executive Guy Pulham UK and Irish Republic. different at the end of October following explains what lies behind it and why it Anyone assuming this must be to do with the organisation’s 40th anniversary dinner. signals a newfound confidence among the Brexit should look away now. Please note That is when a name-change process body’s 96 “full” members in the UK and the adjective used above: “good”. This alone started in earnest last month at the latest 26 in the Irish Republic, plus many more surely rules out anything related to the annual FPS Expo at Liverpool’s splendid associate members (typically suppliers of date on which, perhaps, this country will exhibition centre is due to be completed, goods and services). commit the most foolish act of self-harm in when the FPS officially becomes the UK “We support the principle of its history. and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association decarbonisation, clean growth and clean

20 JUNE 2019 > COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENGINEER FPS EXPO 2019

FPS chief executive Guy Pulham: government should be technology neutral.

“We support the principle of decarbonisation, clean growth and clean air”

Liquid fuels are key if we are to reach the government’s decarbonisation targets and in a way that meets the needs of the consumer too, and we wanted our support for this to be more obvious from our name.” Twelve months ago at the 2018 FPS show in Liverpool the latest government plans to sweep away oil-fired domestic air,” he says. “We believe that we can play heating as part of its “clean growth a part in achieving the net-zero aims strategy” were the cause of many a recently published by the Committee furrowed brow. Pulham and his colleagues on Climate Change (an independent, were urging FPS members to respond to solutions will be needed for the 1.5 statutory body, established under the consultation which closed last June. What million homes in the UK that run on 2008 Climate Change Act). Liquid fuels has been the upshot of that consultation? oil,” he suggests. “It’s not going to be one are changing and will continue to change Has the government paid due heed to thing. It’s not going to be just electric.” to meet the aims of the Paris Agreement the concerns of an organisation with a A second BEIS consultation on the (signed in 2016 by 195 countries membership at present responsible for subject had been due to be published under the United Nations Framework delivering around 3.9 billion litres of about now. Then it was put back until late Convention on Climate Change). kerosene a year? Pulham is rather more summer, possibly autumn. Probably, as Our name should reflect the fact that optimistic than he was twelve months with so much other government business, we are an association not a federation ago. “I think the government (specifically it will end up having to wait until after and our members distribute not supply. its Department for Business, Energy the latest wretched Brexit deadline has Including both UK and Ireland in the new and Industrial Strategy, BEIS, where passed, on 31 October. That is cutting it name highlights that our members operate Claire Perry is the minister responsible fine, to say the least, for a policy which across both the UK and Republic of for “energy and clean growth”) does now is supposed to be firmly in place no later Ireland and that both are important to us. realise that a multitude of different than 2020.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENGINEER > JUNE 2019 21 FPS EXPO 2019

Pulham takes some encouragement from Claire Perry’s response to questions in the Westminster parliament a couple of weeks ago. “It would have been easy for her to say no to fossil fuels, and that we’re going to heat pumps and electric heating in five years time or whatever,” he notes. “But she didn’t say any of that, even under intense pressure. I think the government is coming to realise that there is no single easy solution.” Whether the government’s Department for Transport (DfT) has yet woken up to any similar fact of life so far as commercial vehicles in general, and trucks and buses in particular, are concerned remains a moot point. With Chris Grayling at its helm, any sensible DfT policy that does not fail miserably at a cost of millions to taxpayers FPS/OAMPS Hazardous driver of the year James Coates. would be a big surprise. Pulham meanwhile remains focused on encouraging every tanker operator to consider carefully about exactly what “clean growth” means for their business. “Some members are really on-board with it,” he says. “Some are not really sure what it is. Some know what it is but don’t really want to think about what it means. Our job is to try and get everybody to think about it. That’s why we have the renewable section Bob Taylor of Watsons Fuels and On FPS manoeuvres: Royal Logistics in this year’s show. It’s only small but we the Oilshield “green award”. Corps Oshkosh tanker. expect it to grow. We have a responsibility to our members to help them future-proof FPS plans to run another similar trial of refinery process so you can produce other their businesses. We urge them to think this fuel, Pulham reveals. “People know products from it as well. There can be an about more than tankers. Think about the what FAME is, it’s in diesel already,” he says. HVO kerosene. It is a drop-in fuel. Other fuel you’ll be delivering in 15 years time.” As for HVO, the main stumbling block suppliers will come along, and it will grow Much attention has been focused preventing its more widespread adoption, into kerosene and red diesel.” recently on biofuels and HVO (hydro- would seem to be short supply. There is Pulham is determined to do all he can treated vegetable oils) in particular. Truck seemingly only one supplier at present: to ensure the government accepts that manufacturers have been singing the Neste Corporation of Finland. It has two it needs to remain “technology neutral” praises of HVO not least because current, refineries in Finland and has patented the in its policies on decarbonisation. “A lot Euro VI, diesel engines apparently can vegetable oil refining process behind its of education is needed now, so that our run on it quite happily without any Neste Renewable Diesel. Two more HVO members’ customers don’t make the wrong modification. refineries were opened in 2010 and 2011 choices: in home heating or the cars they What are the prospects for such fuels in Singapore and Rotterdam but even drive,” he says. “We say: make the right to be used in place of kerosene in home all these seem unable to keep up with choice for you at the right heating systems? Good, according to growing worldwide demand. Perhaps time. Now might not be the right time. We Pulham. He points to a 2010 East Anglia the patent is what is holding back other want the government to put the correct trial of a mixture of kerosene and FAME potential HVO refiners. message out there to consumers. Having a (fatty acid methyl ester). “It worked, but it “Supply is a big problem,” Pulham boiler running on kerosene and a diesel car wasn’t really puled through,” he says. “The accepts. “But HVO is really a process, not does not make you a bad person.” government didn’t support it. There were just a product. At the moment people no subsidies.” Nevertheless, there are now say HVO and they mean diesel. HVO is a More information at www.fpsonline.co.uk.

22 JUNE 2019 > COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENGINEER NEWS FROM THE NORTH ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN

TruckScotScene Originally published in

Drysdale Freight’s new DAF 6x2 mid-lift XF Super Space Cab running on alloy wheels. Photo: Ian Lawson.

Dingwall based tanker and bulker haulage This DAF XF Euro 6 Space Cab 6x2 tag axle operator Gordon McKie put this new Volvo FH13 recently joined the livestock transport 6x2 tag axle tractor unit on the road in February. business of A&W Wilson, Aberdeenshire. Photo: Ian Lawson. Photo: Ian Lawson.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENGINEER > JUNE 2019 23 NEWS FROM THE NORTH

Next Generation Scania R500 and matching New Volvo FL250 4x2 skiploader for David curtainside trailer in Robert Addison of Ritchie and Sons, Aviemore. Supplied by Volvo, Torphins colours. Photo: Sharon Moffat. Inverness. Photo: Kevin Fraser.

Paul Hodgson’s new Scania R500 is the latest Volvo FH16 750 8x4 from Limehillock addition to his fleet of seven tippers operating Quarries Ltd, Spey Bay and a Volvo FH500 tag from quarries and tar plants in south west axle in the livery of Bailie Brothers, owned and Scotland. Photo: David Wilson. operated by Limehillock. Photo: Sharon Moffat.

Scania R580 V8 Topline and Nooteboom trailer Pictured by Alan Shearer at Huntly Auction from Global Port Services Heavy Haulage Mart, the latest to owner driver Donald Division, Aberdeen. Photo: Sharon Moffat. Mann is this tidy DAF CF Euro 6 rigid.

24 JUNE 2019 > COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENGINEER NEWS FROM THE NORTH ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN

One of a pair of new Scania R500 6x2 tag Next Generation Scania S650 in W&W Mackie, axle units for D&J Campbell of Argyll. Alford, colours. Photo: Sharon Moffat. Photo: Ian Lawson.

New Mercedes Actros 2551 in the livery of Alan G Bannerman of Tain breathed new life into this Davie of Forfar. Photo: Sharon Moffat. elderly 6x4 Foden. Photo: Peter Sutherland.

Norscot Truck & Van have supplied another DAF tractor unit to MLG Transport. It’s an XF 530 FTN, 6x2 with a rear lift and steer axle, specified with Superspace cab and a manual 16 speed ZF gearbox.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENGINEER > JUNE 2019 25 NEWS FROM THE NORTH

Remember that 90 days is the legal THE TRUCK ADVOCATE maximum limit for download. Data should really be downloaded on a more frequent basis. We would advise monthly downloads or following a set routine GRT is a transport and training organisation specialising in road transport like the one you have described, i.e. legislation and regulation, offering a range of operator licence compliance downloading during inspection. services, advising on a number of issues, and operating across Scotland and the north of England. I recently completed a Driver In conjunction with Transport News, GRT presents this regular Q&A Q CPC course but afterwards, column dealing with compliance and legislation issues relating to road was advised by the training haulage. Readers who have any queries can call 0141 237 6950, company that DVSA had marked visit www.grtconsultants.com or post questions on our Facebook page, my upload as ‘invalid’. Could you @GRTConsultants. advise why this might have been the case?

I have recently received a request Only a small sample of applications are An ‘invalid’ status against an upload Q from the Traffic Commissioner’s audited (around 5%) and are generally A indicates that you have completed Office to provide the original evidence randomly selected. However, there are more than 35 hours of training within supplied when I first applied for my occasions where targeted requests may one five year cycle. operator licence over two years ago. be made. This usually follows from There seems to be two issues causing I have been requested to supply the intelligence forwarded to the Traffic this – a) drivers have yet to receive their bank statement and the newspaper Commissioner’s Office. Additionally, new Driver Qualification Card advertisement. The bank statement is if you answered ‘yes’ to any financial (DQC) and believe they have still got not an issue, but I did not know that question in the application (relating to training to complete, and b) drivers are I had to retain the newspaper advert. adverse history, etc.), a request for hard completing courses before the start date Could you advise? copy evidence will be triggered. on their new card. With reference to a), in the past, JAUPT A We have assisted a number of Q One of my vehicles was recently issued DQC’s that had more than five operators with similar requests stopped by DVSA and it was years validity. As soon as you completed over the last few months. This found that the VU was last downloaded 35 hours of periodic training, a new card requirement is detailed in the Senior 97 days previously. There had been a was issued. So, for example, if you held a Traffic Commissioner’s Statutory mix-up as the vehicles are normally card that expired in September 2019 but Guidance, Document 8 (Delegation downloaded during safety inspections. completed your 35 hours in June 2016, of Powers). The examiner advised us that a records your new card would have validity from The auditing of application evidence investigation would likely be required June ‘16 to September ‘24. is reserved for electronic applications which seemed excessive. Is this right? However, this was changed a couple and is carried out to ensure authenticity. of years ago, and now drivers will only Caseworkers may request original bank As per the DVSA’s Enforcement receive their new card within the last 12 statements, newspaper advertisements, A Sanctions policy, unless an operator months validity of their current card. transport manager forms and Certificates can provide a genuine reason, failure to Your card issue date will be synchronised of Professional Competence. download VU data within 90 days would to the date when your last 35 hours was In our experience, caseworkers have result in follow-up enquiries. completed. Using the same example as been willing to accept digital versions The examiner would likely have asked above, if you completed your last course of the newspaper advertisement. Many you to forward on further evidence in June 2016, your new DQC would be publishers are unable to forward the by e-mail following the stop. We issued in June 2019. entire newspaper for a specific date, but would recommend explaining your Regarding b), before attending any can supply the page containing your usual procedure and any mitigating course, check the validity dates of your advert. The caseworker may request circumstances for the late download. If DQC. If you have yet to receive your card, that you source a statement from the you are able to supply evidence of your you can do this online by checking your publisher, confirming the authenticity of download history too, this would help to training account where your validity/ your advert; again in our experience, this alleviate concerns that you were failing to expiry dates are listed at the top of is not always required. comply with the requirements. the page.

26 JUNE 2019 > COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENGINEER PEOPLE

PEOPLE

marked increase (up 16% year on year) in unfilled truck driver vacancies in the UK is one startling A figure in the latest Bibby Distribution award-winning drivers Logistics Update report published by the Mark Field, Dale Coppin and John Males. Freight Transport Association (FTA). The shortage of drivers nationwide is now put Overall winner this year is Bibby their licence. Further training throughout as high as 55,000 by the Road Haulage Distribution’s Mark Field, who also came a driver’s career is essential to ensure that Association (RHA). out on top in the “short distance” category the skills learned before they took their test “The skills shortage is getting worse,” (less than 30,000 miles a year). stay up to date, and complacency and bad says RHA chief executive Richard Other winners in the 2019 Microlise habits don’t creep in. There are always new Burnett. “We need innovative solutions driver of the year award scheme include ways to develop and improve in any role. such as our Road to Logistics initiative Jonathan Phillips of Ceva Logistics The structure we have in place at Abbey backed by government to encourage more (medium distance); Jeff Maycock encourages our drivers to continuously people into our industry.” of DHL (long distance); Kimberley learn and fine-tune their skills.” Small wonder then that employers Murrock of Hovis (young driver); Bibby Distribution runs a fleet of of the 24 award-winning drivers in Steven Ansell of Waitrose (“hgv hero”); around 650 trucks, all fitted with the latest round of a five-year-old and John Males of Bibby Distribution Microlise telematics equipment. The firm, annual competition run by Microlise, a (“lifetime achievement”). part of the Bibby Line shipping group, Nottingham-based telematics firm, are The firm winning the “driver has around 2,000 employees working at keen to trumpet their success. excellence” award this year, for the 90 UK sites. David Haworth is Bibby Winners are calculated using telematics highest percentage of drivers in the final Distribution human resources director. data from around 201,000 drivers based 1,000, is Abbey Logistics. “These awards celebrate the very best in on criteria such as harsh braking and Matthew Parry is Abbey Logistics the industry, so for Mark and John to be engine over-speeding. A data analysis driver training manager. “This award recognised by Microlise in this way is an centre at the University of Nottingham demonstrates with independent data incredible achievement for them and the processes the data (with company, that the approach we are taking to driver business,” he says. “This reinforces Bibby contract and driver information removed) training is working, and working quickly,” Distribution’s commitment to investing to identify the best-performing drivers in he says. “LGV (large goods vehicle) in our people, so we can help every driver several categories. training doesn’t stop when a driver gets reach their full potential.”

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENGINEER > JUNE 2019 27 PEOPLE

incente Connolly, better Intercounty Truck & Van arose I knew known as Vinnie to many immediately that it would be the right UK truck fleet operators move for me. My background has been in V after his three years as trucks so I’m particularly looking forward Mercedes-Benz truck to getting involved in the retail side of our sales director, starts a new job this month van business. It will be very different, of at Scania (Great Britain). Mr Connolly has course, but that’s part of the appeal of the been appointed UK truck sales director, job. Intercounty Truck & Van has some in effect filling the vacancy created by the first-class facilities and a fantastic team of departure of Andrew Jamieson. He has people. My task is to provide the stability left Scania to become managing director of Vincente Connolly and direction that will ensure we provide Intercounty Truck & Van, an independent the focused sales support and fast, efficient Mercedes-Benz dealer group based in A string of promotions then took him to after-sales back-up which customers for Wellingborough, Northamptonshire and general sales manager and marketing vehicles bearing the three-pointed star are owned by Ballyvesey Holdings of Northern and rental director. In 2007 Mr Jamieson entitled to expect.” Ireland. Mr Jamieson succeeds Simon joined Keltruck, a big independent Scania Another new recruit in the Intercounty Elliott, who became Intercounty boss dealer group based in the , senior management team is Darren two years ago after nearly three years as as aftersales director. He spent more than Price. He worked at Ryder, a big contract MAN Truck & Bus UK chief executive. eight years at Keltruck, latterly as managing hire, fleet management and rental Mr Elliott left Intercounty three months director, before returning to Scania (Great company, as senior operations manager ago and is now a self-employed business Britain) in 2015 as operations and risk before being appointed group aftersales development consultant. director. From July 2017 until early this director at Intercounty in April. He fills Mr Connolly was a truck sales executive year he was UK sales director, responsible the vacancy created by the departure of at a Mercedes-Benz dealer, Western not only for trucks but also Scania buses, Brian Patterson, who moved to Northern Commercial, in his native Glasgow for two coaches and engines. Scania (Great Britain) Ireland’s Donnelly Group, a car and van years until the end of 2004. Early in 2005 has had a new managing director, Martin dealer, as aftersales director in March. he became a regional sales manager at Hay, since last September. Mr Jamieson’s Mr Price’s previous jobs include regional what then was the Mercedes-Benz parent successor, Vinnie Connolly, now reports general manager at Autocentres company, the ill-fated DaimlerChrysler. to him. and area workshop manager at Northgate, Promotion to head of dealer sales soon “I’d been pretty successful and achieved a huge rental and contract hire operation. followed. Mr Connolly was national sales a lot with my previous employer, but “I’ve always wanted to work in the director for Mercedes-Benz trucks in the realised that the most enjoyable phase dealer world, and the fact that I’m now UK between 2014 and 2017. That was of my career was the eight years I spent doing so under the Mercedes-Benz banner when he left to become franchise director running a dealer group,” says Mr Jamieson. makes it particularly exciting,” he says. at T.O.M Group, an Airdrie, Scotland- “That’s because you have freedom in a “The customer has always been my driver, based vehicle rental and contract hire privately-owned enterprise and can make meeting their needs my primary concern. I firm which was expanding into car and things happen more quickly. I was looking have been really impressed by the passion commercial vehicle sales. T.O.M crashed for a fresh challenge outside the corporate and determination to succeed within the into administration in March 2018 and environment. When the chance to join team I’ve inherited.” Mr Connolly was among more than 400 employees to lose their jobs as a result. For the past year he has been regional director at the Birmingham-based Daf Trucks dealer operation of the huge Imperial Commercials group. Though Mr Jamieson has worked for Scania and its UK dealer network for nearly 25 years, he is no stranger to Mercedes- Benz commercial vehicles. He joined what then was Mercedes-Benz UK in 1989 as a technical sales engineer. Five years later Mr Jamieson moved to Scania (Great Britain) Darren Price and Andrew Jamieson as a regional contract hire sales manager.

28 JUNE 2019 > COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENGINEER PEOPLE

avid Crawford is the latest new recruit at Binswood Media, ncreasing difficulty in D the organisation behind a new I finding, recruiting and exhibition and conference focused on retaining skilled truck innovation and technology in transport drivers is one reason for fast-growing and due to be held for the first time in interest among fleet operators in Farnborough, Hampshire next May. imaginative driver award schemes. Mr Crawford, a former Commercial Drivers in the UK and Irish Republic Vehicle Show sales and marketing manager, are being encouraged to enter a is now commercial vehicle consultant for David Crawford competition started three years ago the ITT Hub 2020 event. Before working by Daf Trucks, the top-selling truck on the CV Show, he was advertising sales to have booked stand space at ITT Hub manufacturer in the UK. Following director at two well-known road transport 2020 so far are Mercedes-Benz (trucks, vans an online registration and assessment industry magazines: Commercial Motor and and buses), Volvo Group, Dawsongroup, process starting this month, successful Motor Transport. Wrights Group, Arrival, Totalkare and entrants will be invited to a series of ITT Hub 2020 is the brainchild of Mark Williams Advanced Engineering. regional qualifier events around the Griffin, chief executive of Warwickshire- Binswood Media has already hired British Isles throughout 2019 and into based Binswood Media, who formerly two additional employees to cope with the early part of 2020. A final shortlist ran Expo Management, the organisation fast-growing interest in the event. They are of 20 drivers will then compete in a behind two successful UK bus and coach Mel Holley, former editor of Route One two-day finale at the Millbrook proving shows, Coach & Bus Live and Euro Bus (a weekly bus and coach magazine ground in Bedfordshire next spring. Expo. Mr Griffin sold Expo Management to published by Diversified Communications, The overall winner will automatically Diversified Communications (DivCom) in which now runs the Coach and Bus Live qualify as the UK entrant in the July 2014. It continues to run the two UK and Euro Bus Expo shows) and Nick Europe-wide, International Daf Driver coach and bus shows. Fielding, who previously worked at the Challenge. Last year’s UK winner, Since first revealing outlines of his latest Farnborough exhibition and conference Scott Lewis of Best Connection, is venture last October (Commercial Vehicle centre. Mr Fielding is now ITT Hub 2020 preparing to take part in the first Engineer September 2018), Mr Griffin has event director. Mr Holley manages content final of the Europe wide Daf driver attracted “event partner” support from and media relations. competition, to be held at Goodyear’s several high-profile bodies, including “Their recruitment comes ahead of Luxembourg proving ground on 28 the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership plan, due to a very positive reaction in the September. (LowCVP), the Renewable Energy marketplace,” claims Binswood Media The competition is open to any Association (REA) and Transport for the chairman (and former Transport for London driver with a clean C+E licence, South East. The 17,000-member Freight surface transport boss) Leon Daniels. “With irrespective of the type of truck they Transport Association recently became a a number of companies and organisations normally drive. “strategic partner”. already on board in either an exhibitor, event “The Daf Driver Challenge really “I’ve kept a watching brief on ITT Hub partner or advisory board member capacity, captures the imagination of the driving since its launch and when Mark Griffin it is clear that the collaborative hub concept community,” says Daf Trucks UK shared his vision with me to create a new of bringing together a broad spectrum of marketing manager Phil Moon. and exciting business event and invited informed proactive stakeholders across More information at me to join the team, I couldn’t resist,” says the wider transport and logistics space has https://drivers.daf.com/en-gb. Mr Crawford. “ITT Hub is what’s been really struck a chord.” missing in the sector, a modern dynamic At Binswood Media Mr Crawford will event to truly address the future facing all work closely with commercial director modes of road transport. Anyone visiting Peter Thompson. the new Farnborough venue will be mightily “The events industry is a close-knit impressed. It is state-of-the-art and provides community and I have known David the perfect exhibition and conference facility for many years, respecting his work and to best present innovation and emerging achievements in the CV sector,” says technology with the added opportunity for Mr Griffin. “I therefore jumped at the live vehicle demonstrations.” opportunity to get such a seasoned pro on the Among the vehicle manufacturers and team, where I know he will add huge value.” Previous winners Scott Lewis equipment and service suppliers understood More information at www.itthub.co.uk. and Paul Barlow

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENGINEER > JUNE 2019 29