Sidhu Haulage Ltd – Going for Gold!

Sidhu Haulage Ltd is a sub-contractor that transports asphalt and aggregate materials in bulk for Tarmac Industries. Established in 2011, Sidhu Haulage Ltd has been operating at their highest standard since joining the FORS scheme. Gurmit Sidhu, the director of Sidhu Haulage Ltd explains how FORS has been beneficial to their company.

We came across FORS whilst tendering for work in outer London. After reviewing the scheme and seeing all the benefits it has to offer to its members, we decided to join the scheme and began implementing the FORS techniques and procedures which we saw immediate improvements from. After carrying out all the processes necessary for bronze, silver and gold accreditations, we have been working at our most optimum level since establishing in 2011.

We were able to achieve each FORS accreditation with ease as FORS provided us with the appropriate tools and training. With the clear guidance and support provided by FORS, we were able to achieve each accreditation the first time round. After seeing the major improvements from working towards our initial gold accreditation, we are now encouraged to continue working at a gold accredited standard as we feel it is the best way to operate as a freight business.

As we have achieved all of the FORS accreditations, we continue to make use of the FORS performance management toolkit. We feel that this toolkit helped contribute to saving on our fleets fuel usage and emission output. Having our data organised and in one file helped us keep track of our progress and helped us pin-point problem areas.

‘The performance management system was particularly useful when keeping track of fuel data.’ – Gurmit Singh

One other benefit we got from the FORS scheme was from the easy access e-learning resources. Our drivers having an easy access source of information and learning resources encouraged them to ensure their road safety knowledge is up to date regularly.

‘Thanks to the FORS ease of access e-learning resources, our drivers are much more knowledgeable and confident on the road’ – Gurmit Singh

At Sidhu Haulage Ltd, we chose to work towards each FORS accreditation because we felt the major benefits and improvements from our initial bronze accreditation. This encouraged us to aim higher as we believed the following accreditations would further improve our business, which evidently they did. We are now working to remain a gold accredited company to reiterate to the public that we are still working at the highest standard.

In the ­­­­­last year, we have increased our KMPL by 1.9 % thanks to FORS.

At Sidhu Haulage Ltd, prior to employment, we ask new recruits to declare that they are fit to work in the role they have applied for. We ensure our new recruit’s health is suitable by requesting them 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.

Moreover, at Sidhu Haulage Ltd, as we are a sub-contractor for Tarmac Industries, we are a part of the Tarmac apprentice program used for recruiting new drivers. When we are looking to recruit, we offer drivers with no previous tipper driver experience a two week buddy plan. During this two week training period, the new driver is supervised by one of our more experienced drivers. Once they have shown that they have the ability to drive independently, they can begin independent work.

After being informed by FORS of the anti-idling method, our vehicles noise pollution levels have decreased significantly. Furthermore, after implementing the appropriate noise reducing vehicle equipment learned from the quiet equipment guide, it has also helped reduce our fleet’s noise pollution.

The material our business transports provided by Tarmac, must be kept in an insulated body which must be able to easily pick up and deposit materials. Currently, the only vehicle suitable for our mode of work is a tipper vehicle. There are no other modes of transport available that are more environmentally beneficial.

At Sidhu Haulage Ltd, we plan to continue our research on alternative vehicles we could use to transport our materials. We also plan to continue working on our driver’s professional development to ensure our road safety procedures are up to date.

Remaining a FORS Gold accredited company would reassure our clients that we are still progressing as a freight business and still working using the best procedures. It would also reassure to our drivers that their hard work has not gone amiss and is being acknowledged once again.