Based in Erith, JM Clark Ltd opened for business in 2012 with 1 road sweeper and now operates nearly 30 vehicles, sweeping, car lifting and bitumen spraying.

Compliance and Logistics Manager, Jack Rozasty explains how the company has made significant steps in improving fleet efficiency and through the continued support of FORS, making improvements to road safety standards.

“The company was first made aware of the FORS scheme through Vince Dignam at the City of London, who told us what the scheme was and the support FORS offered. We knew straight away the company would benefit from being a part of it.

We passed our first bronze audit in 2014 which set a benchmark. The auditor was helpful and offered support, advice and guidance that assisted us towards further accreditation.

Having gained Bronze, we set to making use of the tools FORS has to offer, especially the online management tools which have been a success in adjusting and improving transport management systems in order to meet further FORS accreditation. The e-learning and classroom-based training courses are excellent, especially Safe Urban Driving (SUD), and LoCity Driving.

“Implementing FORS systems via staff training and management tools has supported the business as an efficient and safe operator.” Leigh Cairns, Managing Director.

“FORS are setting standards in the industry with additional training that helps us to create and maintain high safety standards”. Jack Rozasty, Compliance and Logistics Manager.

With a mixed fleet and varying operations, it makes a standard kpl difficult to calculate. However, through a number of initiatives, such as upgrading vehicles, undertaking specific work, using data taken from telematics, having ones to ones with drivers on driving standards and behaviour and providing remedial training, the programme has improved fuel efficiency year on year by 39.44%. With more and more choice and availability in the market, our next focus will be to look where we can change the fleet to achieve lower or zero emissions and are targeting a 10% reduction by this time in 2020.

The health and fitness of our drivers is important which we monitor by completing an in- house medical declaration form every 6 months. We are providing initiatives for them to change the mode of travel to work and have provided information on alternative ways, hoping for some small changes at least.

Our drivers largely come from recommendations, but we are currently reviewing ways to encourage new drivers into our sector, thinking about schools and colleges. One particular area we are looking at is Defence Relationship Management and are looking to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant. We are also in the process of adding a recruitment section to the company website.

As a result of progression, we have looked at and recorded the noise we make and where there is potential to reduce it. Apart from purchasing the latest vehicles, the equipment we use doesn’t offer much opportunity, so we have focused on the driver. We have issued a Noise Code of Conduct that informs the driver of the do’s and don’ts they must adhere to when arriving at and whilst on site.

Looking to the future, we look at technology and how it is moving forward, however, as yet the move to alternatively fuelled vehicles is a step away for us. We continue to invest in the latest cleaner and more fuel-efficient euro 6 vehicles that have seen an improvement in reducing our fuel usage and reducing harmful emissions.

We now positively promote FORS by speaking to the suppliers we use and where we can only use ones that are FORS accredited or have made a commitment to be FORS compliant. All our vehicles have FORS livery on them, promoting the scheme.

“JM Clark Ltd is proud to be a member of a scheme that continues to support its operators to create and maintain the high standards that are expected especially in our industry sector. Gaining Gold accreditation will mean we’ve come a long way and further build on the reputation of the company as a high-quality operator”. – Leigh Cairns, Managing Director

You can find us at: http:www.jmclarksweeperhire.co.uk

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