Nixon hire builds up Volvo fleet with three new FE-320 rigids 12 June 2007

Fast-growing, Newcastle-upon-Tyne based construction equipment provider Nixon Hire has taken delivery of three Volvo FE rigids, citing robust construction as the main factor in the decision. The two tanker-bodied and one beavertail-bodied 6x4 trucks are operating from Nixon depots in Scotland and Carlisle. In addition to transporting plant, all the vehicles are available for hire in their own right. “The main factor for us with Volvo was the reliability,” said the company’s Group Transport Manager, Stephen Howard. “The nature of our business means the trucks will be doing a lot of off-road work, and the Volvo chassis are very strong and durable.” The trucks are equipped with 320bhp engines and 9-speed manual gearboxes. The tankers have 3,000 gallon through-chassis tanks and pumping equipment by Buckingham; they will be used for effluent disposal both from farm cesspits and, as part of Nixon Hire’s construction accommodation business, from on-site toilet blocks. The low-loader, meanwhile, has beavertail ramps by Sterling and will carry a payload of up to 15 tonnes, transporting the company’s fleet of mini-excavators, dumpers and other small, mobile plant. All three are equipped with the standard day cab in fleet trim with CD players. According to Stephen, “The drivers love them. They have very good visibility and cab comfort.” Cont/….. The trucks, all supplied by Volvo Truck and Bus Centre North at Washington, Tyne and Wear, bring the total of Volvo FE's in service with Nixon Hire up to eight. As with the rest of the fleet, maintenance will be carried out on a three-year Repair and Maintenance Contract by the local Volvo Dealer.

Don-bur invest £2M in new chassis & component manufacturing facilities 12 June 2007

DON-BUR are already known for their “One-Stop” shop approach, encompassing trailer and rigid bodywork manufacturing with vehicle curtain and load restraint manufacture, graphics, aerodynamic processes to reduce the co-efficient of drag & optimise fuel consumption, and the full complement of after sales services (repair, refurbishment, re-livery, servicing & parts). To truly complete the “cradle to grave” ideology, they have recently invested £2 million on new chassis and component manufacture workshops, including press brake, plasma cutting and beam welding equipment. DON-BUR had already invested £500,000 in the latest 3D engineering software (Solidworks®) with data warehousing systems (Driveworks®) and this latest development allows them to seamlessly transfer 3D engineered model drawings into the semi-automated manufacturing software. They now have the facilities to produce an impressive 48 chassis per week with the flexibility to meet bespoke customer requirements. As the recognised UK market leaders for tailored trailers and rigid bodywork, including fixed and moving double deck systems, this puts DON-BUR is an ideal position to maximise efficiency and improve the already high standard of end product. Despite the high initial outlay, in the current tight-margin marketplace the resultant reduction in running costs provides the leverage to maintain competitive prices and keep customer satisfaction and loyalty. EC Whole vehicle type approval is looming and, although DON-BUR currently follow expected standards, they feel that they are now well prepared. Don Burton, Chairman says “DON-BUR is now fully accountable for every single stage of the design and build process and our quality management program has to be well structured because there’s no-one we can turn to but ourselves. The company is in a stronger position to fully maintain a consistent and high quality standard of build.” DON-BUR welcomes any potential customer who wishes to inspect the new premises and are happy to arrange a convenient time.

Foreign lorry safety - International enforcement database by 2010 07 June 2007

An EU-wide electronic register of transport operators, linked to national databases, should be a reality by 2010, providing national enforcement agencies with the information they require in order to target their operations towards companies and vehicles with a history of breaching regulations. And companies losing their operating licence in one member state would lose it in every other EU country as well. This announcement came from the EU Inland Transport Director Enrico Pasquarelli, speaking at a conference 'The Future of Enforcement for Commercial Road Transport in Europe', held in Brussels on 30 May. The conference had been jointly organised by the UK Freight Transport Association (FTA) and the International Road Transport Union (IRU). FTA has been particularly concerned regarding the safety record of foreign lorries operating on UK roads, where recent experience showed unsatisfactory performance regarding roadworthiness, overloading and drivers' hours regulations. FTA Chief Executive Richard Turner, who has campaigned for a sharing of data across the EU, warmly welcomed the announcement which, he said, reflected his vision for 'free movement of enforcement' in Europe. Turner said, 'We've got enough laws - we don't need any more. What we need to do now is to ensure that they are evenly enforced. We need to ensure that high standards are adopted by all, not just the best operators. Sadly, at present a significant minority leave their standards of behaviour behind when they are away from their home country, secure in the knowledge that the authorities cannot touch them. A Europe-wide database, and targeting of known offenders, should end that.' FTA has welcomed the UK Government's actions to increase roadside enforcement, announced in the Budget in March, and next year's introduction of the Road Safety Act, which will result in roadside fines. Richard Turner said, 'The UK Government is to be congratulated on the steps it is taking. However, real long-term progress will only be achieved if offences committed on foreign territory are visible and transmitted back home.'