First operators receive FTA Truck Excellence accreditation

The first three operators to achieve Freight Transport Association (FTA) Truck Excellence accreditation have been announced.

Bidvest Foodservice, London Borough of Redbridge and Sainsbury’s have all achieved Truck Excellence accreditation, with London Borough of Redbridge and Bidvest Foodservice also demonstrating compliance with Transport for London’s (TfL) Work Related Road Risk Clause (WRRR), which is recognised by TfL as an alternative scheme equivalent to FORS Bronze accreditation. 

Truck Excellence is a voluntary, industry-governed scheme that audits a truck operator's compliance with their O-licence undertakings, joining the well-established Van Excellence scheme under the Fleet Excellence banner. 

Truck operators register and seek accreditation to the standards through an on-site audit, and upon passing the audit the organisation is registered as a Truck Excellence accredited member.  Additional items can be added to the Truck Excellence audits, which Transport for London (TfL) will accept for WRRR clause in its contracts. 

James Hookham, FTA’s deputy chief executive, said: “We are delighted to recognise our first accredited Truck Excellence members. 

“Operator Licensing has been the national fleet operating recognition standard for over 40 years and it is important that those operators maintaining high standards of compliance with all their Undertakings can now be recognised publicly for this achievement. 

“Truck Excellence gives reassurance to customers, shareholders, staff, and other stakeholders, including regulators.

“By adding the required audit items, operators are also able to demonstrate compliance with Transport for London’s Work Related Road Risk requirements for contractual purposes. 

“The London Borough of Redbridge and Bidvest Foodservice are our first such accredited members and we are confident of other operators and procurers specifying this standard for contractual purposes in the future.”

Eddie Cross, head of transport engineering services at London Borough of Redbridge, said: “Compliance should always be the top priority for transport fleets. At Redbridge we have worked with the FTA on Van Excellence, and Truck Excellence was a natural progression to bring our O-licence fleet policies and procedures into line.  

“Not only does this accreditation give confidence in our fleet operation, but it is a big boost to the team that has worked hard to meet the requirements of the standard.”

Graham Rennie, Bidvest Foodservice director of fleet, said: “It’s a privilege to receive this accreditation and be recognised by the FTA for our strong compliance culture, first rate processes and high levels of attainment in relation to the Operator Licensing undertakings. 

“It gives our leadership team and our customers peace of mind that we’re operating at a high standard and we are proud of our team for their hard work in helping us achieve this.”

Nick Davies head of transport operations for Sainsbury’s, said: “We are constantly looking to raise the bar on compliance so we are proud to obtain the FTA’s Truck Excellence accreditation for our Transport Fleet Operation. This has been an 18-month journey, working with the FTA and some of the UK’s best fleet operators to design and implement the Truck Excellence standard within our business and raise the bar in the industry.”