Pallet Track Logistics – Moving On - FORS - Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme

Pallet-Track Logistics Ltd is a corporate depot of Pallet-Track Limited. The depot is based at Hailsham in East Sussex and operates nightly trunks using ‘teardrop’ tri-axle double deck trailers to the networks central hub in the west midlands. The returning cargo is off loaded into our warehousing facility and consolidated into routes for our rigid vehicle fleet to deliver across the south east.

Key to running a 24 hour operation with scheduling being time critical means that all staff members work together as a team. Regardless of role, each person contributes to the data stream that enables the company to function as a seamless unit. It is also evident that as a result of FORS we have achieved reductions in our carbon footprint and can evaluate our fleet performance at the ‘click’ of a mouse as a result.

We heard about FORS through the Pallet Track network and following a visit to the FORS website realised that taking the FORS journey was undoubtedly the way forward to achieving a more disciplined and compliant system within the company. We registered with FORS and commenced our journey, achieving Bronze Accreditation in July 2016.

Becoming a Bronze accredited member of FORS, we soon became aware that there were many benefits, not only for us as a business, but equally for the career progression of our drivers and management team and noted many of these changes were directly attributable to our involvement with FORS.

“It is evident that as a result of FORS we have achieved reductions in our carbon footprint” – Salie Turner Compliance Manager

Having gained our Bronze accreditation, we decided that Silver accreditation should be our next goal by the end of 2016 and if this could be achieved, it was agreed that FORS Gold accreditation would be our ultimate goal. We achieved FORS Silver in December 2016 and went on to become a FORS Gold accredited member in May 2017.

Since the start of our FORS journey, we have actively promoted the benefits of FORS membership to our workforce. As a result we have pursued a program of enhanced training for all drivers and the introduction of a full fleet upgrade in December 2016 which has resulted in a positive impact to the company from our driver workforce.

“Since becoming FORS members, we have seen an enhancement of our own transport standards and there is no doubt in my mind that there are only winners from being a part of FORS and it should be a blanket standard across the industry” – Salie Turner Compliance Manager

Prior to FORS we had always maintained fuel, incident and PCN data to enable our management team to be fully aware of the cost implications of running heavy vehicles. However, with the introduction of additional data through FORS, including CO2, NOX and Particulate Matter Emissions calculations, which we have included within our data spreadsheets, we now have a better understanding of the impact our operation has upon the environment.

The table below gives an indication of the improvements made on our HGV fleet as a result of enhanced awareness and driver training since becoming a FORS accredited member.

	MPG	Incidents per 100,000 Kms	Number of PCNs
Jan-Dec 2016	9.01	1	13
Jan-Dec 2017	10.86	1	3
Percentage improvement	20.53%	0%	77%

Driver health and fitness review – we have implemented a comprehensive driver health and fitness program within the company which we review ongoing. This measure has since been introduced at the outset of a drivers employment with us and forms an integral part of the induction process.
Strategy for recruiting drivers – we regularly get involved in charitable events by supplying vehicles and drivers in support of the charity in question. During these event days we actively promote HGV driving as a career opportunity to the many teenagers, boys and girls, who attend the events.
Noise assessment – our 18 tonne delivery vehicles are mostly kept on collection/deliveries to Industrial Units with our 7.5 tonne and 3.5 tonne vehicles kept on high street work which minimises noise pollution within towns and villages. At the end of 2016, we replaced the entire fleet with Euro 6 vehicles which are considerably quieter than the previous fleet.
Modal shift and alternative vehicles – we have looked at all Electric and electric hybrid vehicles during At the end of 2018, we shall be reviewing the next fleet replacement program for the end of 2019 and have commenced looking into LPG powered vehicles and improved cab visibility.

In conclusion, FORS has afforded Pallet Track Logistics Ltd the ability to quickly, simply and effectively implement various strategies to ensure the company and fleet operates as safely as is possible. We have built around it a framework that ensures we are as up to date and as current as we can be. Importantly, we have access to tools such as e-learning and other training courses thanks to FORS which have benefitted both drivers and managers alike.