FORS helps Epping fuel business reduce costs

New Era Fuels has achieved a 40% improvement in MPG and reached the highest level of accreditation, FORS Gold.

FORS is a voluntary scheme open to any company operating commercial vehicles across the UK or overseas.

Its goal is to drive-up safety, efficiency and environmental standards across the road transport industry, by helping fleets operate as safely and efficiently as possible, while also reducing their environmental impact.

FORS supports its members across the UK as they progress from entry-level Bronze, to FORS Silver and finally Gold, the highest level of FORS accreditation.

Reaching exceptionally high standards means New Era Fuels is now one of just over 300 operators nationwide that have achieved FORS Gold.

The fuels, oils and lubricant company based in Epping credits FORS Professional training and an upgrade to its fleet with its success, and says customers including McGee, Galldris and Oilfast, all cite FORS Gold accreditation as a key factor in their decision to work with the company.

Reg Geggus, CEO of New Era Fuels, said: “We chose to become FORS accredited to help us run our fleet as efficiently and safely as possible, installing the latest safety equipment on our entire fleet to ensure we are doing all we can to minimise our environmental impact.

“FORS Gold accreditation ensures we operate to the highest standards in the industry and helps set us apart from our competitors and increase our customer base, with many companies attracted by our FORS Gold status.”

In order to gain and retain FORS Gold accreditation, New Era Fuels invested heavily in staff training, with all drivers undertaking FORS online eLearning training every year, to ensure all staff know how to work as safely and efficiently as possible.

Geggus said: “We upgraded our fleet so all are now efficient Euro VI vehicles, and ensured all drivers are trained to use anti-idling driving techniques, which in combination with a robust tyre management policy, has seen our emissions fall sharply and our annual fuel costs drop significantly.”

Sonia Hayward, FORS manager said: “Congratulations to New Era Fuels.  Achieving FORS Gold accreditation is no mean feat, and really shows a company’s commitment to ensuring not only the utmost safety standards, but to proving their efficiency and commitment to lessening their environmental impact. 

“New Era Fuel’s impressive fuel cost savings shows how FORS can not only help lower operating costs but can help drive down emissions in road transport.”

The Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) is a voluntary accreditation scheme established in 2008.

It is open to UK and non-UK fleet operators, and to the organisations that award contracts to those operators.