Section 1 – Introduction

Hy-Ten Ltd is a leading stockist and fabricator of concrete reinforcement bar, mesh and accessories. We provide an innovative, rapid and cost-effective service to building and civil engineering contractors throughout the UK. Hy-Ten is a major distributor of industrial welded mesh, security fencing, gabions and other land reinforcement products.

Simon Howes Transport Manger at Hy-Ten Chatham depot which operates 3 artics and 4 rigid Hiab’s explains how the Company has improved fleet efficiency in mpg and road traffic incidents.

Section 2 – How did you hear about FORS, what prompted the company to join and how long have you been a member?

We were introduced to FORS through our involvement in the Crossrail Project and other projects which have become m ore specific in their requirements for FORS Accreditation. The systems offered and promoted would help in maintaining compliance and safety

Section 3 – What was your experience of the initial FORS Bronze audit?

In April 2016 we passed the Bronze re-audit and were encouraged to make use of the E-Learning Modules and Performance Management tools available to us.

Section 4 – What was your main reason(s) for you progressing (either from Bronze to Silver and then Silver to Gold or straight from Bronze to Gold)?

We realised that progression to Silver was a natural step in this process as more customers were specifying Silver Accreditation in their supply chain. We also met some of the requirements for FORS Silver having worked on several Crossrail projects especially vehicle safety equipment. We achieved Silver in December 2016, and decided to achieve our Gold accreditation.

We use the Fleet Management system regularly to monitor fleet emissions; traffic incidents and PCN’s. Our Drivers regularly use the On-line learning modules to further enhance their knowledge in an ever-demanding and challenging environment. A recent vehicle purchase has had the nearside door-window installed to aid driver vision in urban areas.

Simon Howes, Transport Manager, since having become the FORS Practitioner it has given me a clearer understanding of the FORS requirements and where improvements can be made.

Section 6 – What improvements have you made?

The reason for the increase in NOx and PM10 is due to the fact the company had a 60% increase in mileage in the year 2020/2021 compared to 2019/2020. Although this is down 33% from the previous year., when a total of 8 vehicles were used over this period.

	MPG	Incidents	CO2	NOx	PM10	Number of PCNs	Proportion of fleet that uses alternative fuels
Year 2019	7.89	5	245.751	0.7816	0.00117	4	0%
Year 2020	8.68	7	347.803	224.269	3.406	11	0%
Year 2021	8.59	2	311.245	465.566	7.434	7	0%
Percentage improvement	-1.05%	-71%	-11%	+52%	+54%	-57%	0

• Driver health and fitness review – All drivers complete a Driver Health Declaration at time of Induction and is reviewed every 6 months. This is alongside an annual Occupational Health Assessment for all staff within the depot. Outcomes from these checks and examinations are reviewed by our Transport Manager and whenever a concern is raised, we arrange for further examination and after care before the operative is fit to return to work.
• Recruitment Strategy – Recruitment is advertised via “Indeed” and Professional Recruitment Agencies
• Noise assessment –in order to manage the noise pollution created by the business, the HSE&Q department review our register of environmental impacts 6 monthly which acts as our guideline for safe and efficient working practices. This includes all of our transport operations. All vehicle servicing is done off site at main dealer workshops. Our depot is located within a working dockyard which operates 24/7. All our vehicles are fitted with White Noise Reversing alarms
• Modal shift and alternative vehicles – Unfortunately at the moment there is no viable alternatively fuelled vehicle which meets our needs especially our HiAB vehicles. Due to the nature of our work, there is no other option than to deliver by road as our deliveries are construction sites within urban or rural areas.

Section 7 – What are your plans for the future?

All new vehicles purchased are specified to meet the new Direct Vision Standard. All vehicles are fitted as standard with CCTV system, Sensor system, Audible vehicle manoeuvring warning, external stickers and markers, Sideguards, Driver training specific to vulnerable road users.

Section 8 – What evidence do you have of positively promoting FORS at requirement G7?

All our vehicles carry the FORS Logo promoting that Hy-Ten are FORS Gold. We have a requirement for our supply chain be FORS accredited (Bronze as a minimum).

Section 9 –What FORS Gold accreditation means for your organisation/to you?

We are proud to be accredited FORS Gold as it represents how far we have come since opening our depot in Chatham, we have been able to make improvements to our fleet’s safety and efficiency.  As the only depot within the Group serving sites with London, we are fortunate that projects requiring FORS accreditation tend to be delivered on vehicles based in Chatham. We are seeing more projects are now stipulating either FORS Silver or Gold as a minimum requirement.

*Please note: All published FORS Gold case studies have been submitted by the accredited company named above and transcribed verbatim