SDJ Transport Ltd is a sub-contractor that transports asphalt and aggregate materials in bulk for construction companies located across London. SDJ Transport Ltd was first established in 2012. Since joining the FORS scheme, the company has seen a great improvement in their KMPL. Constantin Nuta, the director of SDJ Transport Ltd explains how FORS has been beneficial to their company.
We came across FORS whilst tendering for work in outer London. After conducting more in depth research on the scheme, we concluded that FORS would be an ideal scheme to implement into our company to improve on our KMPL. Whilst working with FORS, through achieving our bronze, silver and gold accreditation, we gradually saw significant improvements in our fleets KMPL.
Our initial experience when working towards our bronze accreditation, it was straight forward and was easily acquired. This was due to the clear guidance and advice provided by FORS themselves. When we began carrying out the procedures necessary for achieving a bronze accreditation, we saw the improvements being made within the company and fleet instantaneously. Similarly, greater improvements were seen whilst working towards both our silver and gold accreditations.
Once we became a FORS gold accredited company, we decided to continue working at a gold accredited standard by continuing to make use of the tools and resources available from FORS. One toolkit we continued to take advantage of was the Fuel Tracker toolkit. Using this toolkit allowed us to keep track of our vehicles’ fuel usage and emission output. This in turn showed us where we had made improvements with expenses and emission reductions through efficiency improvements.
‘Thanks to the FORS Fuel Tracker toolkit, we can easily keep track of our vehicles’ fuel usage.’ – Constantin Nuta
One key benefit that the drivers and the company gained from FORS was the e-learning resources available on the FORS website. Thanks to our drivers having completed some of the e-learning modules, we have seen a great improvement in our drivers’ road safety skills. As these modules provided our drivers with the latest and most appropriate information on road safety, we were able to see this improvement.
‘Our road safety procedures have greatly improved since joining FORS.’ – Constantin Nuta
At SDJ Transport Ltd, we decided to work towards each FORS accreditation as we felt it would only benefit and improve our company. We now wish to remain a gold accredited company as we believe we have been operating at our best standard since establish in 2012.
In the last year, we have increased our KMPL by 2.1 % thanks to FORS.
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KMPL | Incidents per 100,000 Kms | Number of PCNs |
| Apr 16 – Mar 17 | 2.38 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 17 – March 18 | 2.43 | 0 | 0 |
| Percentage improvement | 2.1% | 0% | 0% |
At SDJ Transport Ltd, we ask recruits prior to employment to declare that they are fit to work within our field of business. We do this by requesting employees to complete a health questionnaire. Furthermore, we also request our drivers to carry out regular eye checks to ensure their eyesight is suitable for driving.
Furthermore, at SDJ Transport Ltd, as we are a sub-contractor for Tarmac Industries, we are a part of the Tarmac apprentice program used for recruiting new drivers. As we are a small company consisting of one vehicle and two drivers, we do not need to recruit often. However, when we are looking to recruit, we plan to offer drivers with no previous experience a two week buddy plan. During two week training period, the new driver is supervised and assessed by one of our experienced drivers. Once they have passed the assessment they can begin independently driving.
Our vehicle has begun producing less noise pollution since joining FORS. As FORS introduced us to the anti-idling method, where drivers switch off their engine when stationary for too long, this reduced our vehicles noise pollution output. Also, thanks to the quiet equipment guide, we are now aware of the equipment we can use in our vehicle to reduce the noise it produces.
The asphalt and aggregate material our business transports must be kept in an insulated body that can easily pick up and distribute our materials. Currently there are no other engines or vehicles suitable for our mode of work more environmentally friendly than the euro six engines in diesel vehicles that we currently use.
At SDJ Transport Ltd, we plan to keep up to date and informed of any changes made in the vehicle industry, and when we can implement an alternative vehicle into the business. We also plan to continue working on our drivers’ professional development to ensure we are operating using the safest procedures to ensure drivers’ and vulnerable road users’ road safety.
Becoming FORS Gold accredited once again would reassure employees that their efforts of working at a gold accredited standard are being rewarded. Also, it would reassure our cliental and help us acquire more cliental in the future.
Please note: All published FORS Gold case studies have been submitted by the accredited company named above and transcribed verbatim.