Aggregate Haulage – Going for Gold!

Aggregate Haulage is a sub-contractor for Tarmac and Aggregate Industries. Aggregate Haulage has been successfully transporting and delivering asphalt and aggregate materials to customers since 2014. Since joining the FORS Scheme, Aggregate Haulage has made a large improvement in their fleets KMPL and has seen a great decrease in their emission output figures. Managing director of Aggregate Haulage, Praeya Sahota, explains how FORS has been beneficial to their company.

We first encountered the FORS Scheme when tendering for work in London. After reading about the FORS toolkits and guides that are specifically designed to help inform HGV drivers/owners of how they can improve on their fuel efficiency, we decided to join the scheme to gain full access to FORS’s informative content. Once we began implementing the new information learned from the FORS toolkits and guides into our business, we instantly saw improved efficiency of our fuel usage within our fleet.

When we first began working towards our initial bronze, silver and gold accreditation with FORS, we were provided with all the fitting tools and information to be able to pass each accreditation the first time round. After seeing how beneficial the FORS tools were, such as the performance management system, we were encouraged to continue utilising it as it was useful when organising our fleets’ fuel data.

Moreover, the FORS performance management system was useful when needing to pin point problem areas within our fleet, and then applying a solution to improve our issue. The performance management system allowed us to see whether we had successfully made an improvement or whether the issue was unchanged. Furthermore, it was also easy to keep track of expenditure with the performance management system.

‘The FORS performance management system was very helpful when organising our fleets’ fuel data. It simplified what usually is a complicated and tedious process.’ – Praeya Sahota, Director

Another tool from FORS that contributed to the improvement made in our fleets KMPL figures was from FORS’s e-learning resources. FORS provides drivers and management figures within a haulier business like ours with online driving modules, specifically designed to inform and educate people on HGV safety and fuel efficiency.

‘The FORS Cycle Safety module was very informative of vulnerable road users and helped our drivers gain a better understanding of their view of the road.’ – Praeya Sahota, Director

At Aggregate Haulage, we initially decided to progress from a bronze accreditation to a silver accreditation with FORS because we were taken aback, but pleasantly surprised by the significant improvement made with our fuel usage figures just from our first audit with FORS. Similarly, further improvements were made when working towards our silver audit which encouraged us to work towards a gold accreditation with FORS. Now at Aggregate Haulage, we are working towards a gold accreditation with FORS once again, as it has helped us work at our most efficient standard and helped us achieve our best KMPL output yet.

In the ­­­­­last twelve months, we have improved our KMPL by 16% thanks to FORS.

• At Aggregate Haulage, we know that the health of our drivers must be assured in order to avoid human error caused accidents on the road. Prior to employment, we ask that drivers complete a health questionnaire declaring that they are fit to work. Moreover, we ask that our drivers keep us informed of any changes made in their health. If any health concerns arise, will then refer the driver to a GP for further consultation.
• At Aggregate Haulage, when looking for new recruits, we do not discriminate against drivers with no previous professional experience in a HGV vehicle. As we have a two week buddy plan in place at Aggregate Haulage, this offers newcomers to the industry an opportunity to join our team. Our two week buddy plan allows the new recruit to ease into their new environment with the help and support of one of our experienced drivers.
• At Aggregate Haulage, we have added the FORS anti-idling method into our drivers training and driver handbook to lower our fleets’ noise production and to avoid unnecessary fuel usage. Furthermore, we have also read over the FORS Quiet Equipment guide to ensure we have the appropriate noise reducing equipment installed into our vehicles.
• At Aggregate Haulage, we carry out our business operations in 32T rigid Lorries that have an insulated body and power turn over (PTO) system installed. Currently, there are no alternative modes of transport available that cater to the needs of the asphalt and aggregate materials that we transport and deliver.

At Aggregate Haulage, in order to make continual fleet improvements we will continue researching for alternative methods of transport that are more environmentally friendly. Moreover, we will continue encouraging regular driver training with FORS modules and classroom courses.

To conclude, at Aggregate Haulage, we believe being FORS gold accredited has helped us acquire more business contracts, and increased our value and credibility as a freight business. Moreover, remaining FORS gold accredited will reassure our drivers and encourage them to continue working at this high standard that was made achievable by the FORS scheme.