Commercial fleet briefs: Latest industry news from Driver Hire, Copart, FTH Hire Group, Pocket Box, Trailersync, M&H Carriers and Y3K

HGV recruiter celebrates 40 years of business

Driver Hire is marking 40 years in business after deploying 16,000 candidates to cover half a million shifts in 2023.

The company began in 1983, initially as a one-man-band, while today it is one of the UK’s largest specialist logistics recruiter.

Driver Hire expanded from recruitment into training, with the advent of Driver CPC a major source of growth for this side of the business, and now offers a large range of LGV and HGV training courses from Driver CPC to new driver training, management training and health and safety IOSH training.

In 2023, the company delivered 52,000 Driver CPC training days, as well as helping more than 500 people enter the industry via licence acquisition training.

Richard Owen-Hughes, group marketing director said: “We saw the move to providing training as a natural extension of our business and are now the UK’s largest single provider of Driver CPC courses.

“We help new drivers into the industry as well as helping current drivers keep up to date with their training and gain new skills.”

The company supported 4,500 companies across the UK, recruited 12,000 new candidates, and deployed 16,000 drivers to cover over half a million shifts to keep the economy moving in 2023.

“It’s an honour to have helped businesses recruit drivers for 40 years, and to be in a position to continue to aid the industry for 40 more years and beyond,” said Chris Chidley, Driver Hire’s CEO. “2023 was another excellent year for Driver Hire, and we’re not slowing down going into 2024.”

Copart announces new operations centre and expands existing site

Copart UK has announced a new operation centre in St Helens, Merseyside, (pictured above) and an expansion of their Sandtoft ‘Super Centre’ in the North of England to create a 130-acre site.

Copart’s 16-acre St Helens site (formerly leased by Cazoo) is strategically placed between Manchester and Liverpool, will increase their Northwest capacity by 50%.

Jane Pocock, CEO of Copart UK and Ireland, said: “The investment into this additional capacity demonstrates our continued commitment to our customers by enabling growth, EV handling, and increased volumes due to the expected forecast of further extreme weather events.”

Menahwile, the expansion of their Sandtoft ‘Super Centre’ in the north of England will create a 130-acre site.

This new acquisition of an ex-IAA/Synetiq site of 20 acres adjoins the 65 acres of land added recently at Sandtoft, making it the largest Copart ‘Super Centre’ in the UK.

SME fleets choosing technology to improve compliance

Small-and medium-sized fleets are seeking to streamline driver and vehicle compliance by replacing inefficient spreadsheets and paper-based methods with digital tools according to Pocket Box.

The software specialist has experienced strong levels of growth since the launch of Pocket Box Fleet, with more than 5,000 managed vehicles already added to the system in its first year.

“Smaller fleets have traditionally pushed back against excessive complexity when it comes to technology adoption, so we have created a software solution that prioritises simplicity and ease-of-use,” explained Jason Laight, chief operating officer at Pocket Box.

“This is putting business owners and fleet managers back in the driving seat, giving them added control and complete peace of mind that vehicles are kept road legal and safe, while staff are fit and eligible to drive.”

Pocket Box Fleet was launched at the beginning of 2023 to provide a way to maintain compliance, reduce risk and save time and money.

The web-based management tool automates fleet-related processes as well as stores relevant data and documents electronically, with at-a-glance visibility of key vehicle and driver information, tasks and forthcoming renewal dates and deadlines.

In the past year, it has been integrated with complementary fleet technology to bring together a growing range of data sources into a single system.

“Over 80% of the businesses we talk to are still using spreadsheets, whiteboards, and paper-based files to manage their fleet, which is hugely labour-intensive and causing an unnecessary headache to managers, admin staff and drivers,” continued Light.

“Business owners are increasingly recognising the need for digitised solutions to better handle fleet-related tasks, gain real-time visibility of critical information and create an electronic audit trail to comply with legal requirements.”

Y3K introduces tracking and video telematics solutions with Smart-I Range

Y3K has launched its Smart-I tracking and video telematics range, which its founder says provides fleets with access to the latest technology at a fraction of the price of existing manufacturers.

The London based tech company, founded in 2000 by Paul Singh, has created a range of products to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes.

“For too long, the benefits of video telematics and tracking have been out of reach for many businesses,” said Singh, CEO of Y3K.

“We’re excited to launch the Smart-I range, which makes this technology affordable and accessible to everyone.

“Our products are designed to help businesses improve safety, efficiency, and compliance, while also reducing costs.

“We believe that every commercial vehicle and asset should be equipped with video telematics or tracking, and we’re committed to making it possible for businesses of all sizes to benefit from this game-changing technology.”

He added: “The Smart-I range is just the beginning of Y3K's commitment to driving technology forward and we will be announcing many more features and products throughout 2024.”

M&H Carriers named one of the top 50 fastest growing businesses in Scotland

Haulier and distributor M&H Carriers has been named one of the top 50 fastest growing businesses in Scotland.

M&H Carriers — which has depots in Aberdeen, Inverness, Dundee and Argyll — has been ranked 35th on the Fast Growth 50 Index in Scotland.

Managing director Fraser MacLean (pictured) said: “2023 has been a successful year for M&H Carriers for many reasons — not least our peak festive season, which consistently saw over 15,000 items a day travelling through our network.

“Three hundred drivers, warehouse operators, administrators and executives work hard each and every day to ensure our customers — and their customers — receive an exemplary delivery service.”

In September, M&H Carriers signed a mutually beneficial deal with DHL International at its Argyll and Inverness depots, following a significant increase in national deliveries with DX following the collapse of a competitor.

MacLean said: “Our partnerships with Pallet Track, DX, DPD and DHL International mean that we have a significant suite of delivery options to offer our customers.

“Feedback from DHL International on our new service has been excellent, and I am very proud of the way our team has integrated these new deliveries within our business.

“We are always looking for new ways in which to improve our service for customers, offering them greater value for money and access to a wider range of delivery options.”

Trailersync aims to improve truck-trailer safety with new sensor

Following extensive trials, Trailersync has announced the launch of a suite of services.

Research conducted by Trailersync concluded that 35% of transport trailers are involved in an accident each year, principally because the driver doesn’t have good visibility around the vehicle.

This can be for a number of reasons, including the truck’s mirrors don’t allow for adequate visibility, and/or the existing ultrasonic sensors aren’t reported as misaligned following damage or are ignored altogether because of consistent inaccuracy.

To solve all these problems Trailersync has developed Trailersync Sense which includes SmartSensor, a new type of sensor for trailers based on SensorGuard, a patent-pending Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) technology developed by Trailersync.

This new ADAS technology monitors sensors, automatically detects sensor misalignments/defects and sends notifications to the driver (locally) and to the transport company via email notifications.

To help logistics companies monitor and visualise vehicle activity data, Trailersync Dashboard provides real-time analysis.

Trailersync solutions are currently being trialled with eight companies in the Netherlands and Belgium, with full commercial rollout planned for Q2 2024.

Max de Feber, co-founder of Trailersync, said: “We have designed a suite of solutions that are accurate, robust and remain connected.

“Thanks to our SensorGuard technology, our manoeuvring assistant will remain 100% reliable for drivers, helping fleet owners to significantly reduce accidents and costs while increasing safety and efficiency for many years to come.”

FTH Hire Group praises MV Commercial for ‘exceptional’ service

FTH Hire Group has commended MV Commercial’s bespoke livery service and quick vehicle turnaround times, after taking delivery of a refurbished DAF LF 230 and four new DAF CF 480 rigid trucks, all mounted with beavertail plant bodies.

Delivering the vehicles in less than two months, MV Commercial used its in-house expertise to ensure the specification of the trucks matched FTH Hire’s requirements, alongside providing a customised livery finish for the business.

James Carr, transport manager at FTH Hire Group, said: “We are very impressed with the support we’ve received from the MV Commercial team, from the quality of the vehicles and their timely build turnaround, through to the professional livery service – they have really helped us to accelerate our fleet upgrade programme.”

Joining similar beavertail plant bodies, the new arrivals will be based at the company’s depots in Airdrie, Basingstoke, Farnham, Guildford and Southampton. FTH Hire Group also operates sites in Chelmsford, Farnborough, Horsham, Maidstone and Reading.

The new 8x2 32-tonne DAF trucks will be used to deliver a wide range of plant and equipment, including excavators, telehandlers, forklifts and dumpers, to local contractors.

FTH Hire Group is a family business with more than 40 years of experience in providing plant and tool hire services to building and landscaping contractors across the UK.