VEHICLE NEWS
AGM routeMASTER provides a Better Service for Reading waste specialists
As the availability of vehicle tracking equipment continues to improve, it’s not just transport operators who are interested in the information it provides, but increasingly their customers too - especially at the blue-chip end of the market.
That’s exactly what happened for Reading-based waste management and disposal specialists, A Better Service, when as part of their continuing growth, they won a contract to serve public water supplier Thames Water.
“We’re a family-run business,” Director and Transport Manager Darren Bicknell said. “My father started it 36 years ago, then my brother and I came on board, growing it vehicle by vehicle up to the 33 trucks we now operate.”
Provides Tracker Reports
The company’s main occupation is tanker services, including gully-emptying, the servicing of septic tanks and cesspools, dealing with blocked drains and sewage disposal.
“We used another system before going over to AGM routeMASTER but as our fleet grew, ease of use became a much bigger consideration and that’s what won us over,” Bicknell added.
Periodically, Thames Water audit their suppliers, asking for tracker reports for certain vehicles covering certain periods, he now finds this much easier to do.
“Visually AGM’s system is brilliant,” Bicknell explains. “You just have to look at it and
everything’s there and easy to use, which is one of the reasons why we went with them. We needed next to no training either – it’s simple from the off.”
Now the cloud-based routeMASTER system is up and running, Bicknell and his staff can use it as a failsafe record of just where their vehicles were at any given time, and because it also shows when the PTO on the tankers is engaged, he can prove what they were doing too.
“As well as enabling us to periodically double-check the hours our drivers are booking and thereby avoid costly discrepancies, Thames Water also need the loading and disposal times entering on their tickets” he explained.
“No human is perfect, however, and every now and again a driver may miss one of these.
“Now I can just check it and put it in myself, which is really handy,” Bicknell said.
Looking positive for Hyva UK in 2017
2016 was a key year for Hyva UK and despite the economic and political uncertainties, the truck market remained strong with the company doing as well as ever.
Hookloaders and skiploaders both maintained their market shares with combined sales of over 800 units, while sales of tipping cylinders also rose significantly to their highest ever levels. Key to this success was the new and strengthened management team introduced in the spring, enabling wider and closer contact with vehicle operators across the UK.
The products didn’t stand still either - significant introductions during the year included the hand-held TRR ‘Handy’ remote control skiploader operating system, and the announcement of Hyva’s entry into the truck-based crane market.
2016 also saw Hyva products of all types 56
SHM February, 2017
being specified for bank stock vehicles owned by many of the main chassis manufacturers, including DAF, Mercedes- Benz, Volvo, Iveco and MAN.
For 2017, Hyva’s prospects look even better, with sales of the new crane range being perhaps the most visible. Orders taken for multiple units towards the end of 2016 (including both smaller and very large models), will break cover on finished vehicles early in the spring. For skiploaders, the TRR Handy module is now also being introduced for vehicles in the lighter weight ranges below 18T GVW. With such vehicles principally being used in congested residential applications, TRR Handy models offer significant advantages in operating safety and efficiency.
This year will also see Hyva placing added emphasis on its HyvaCare aftermarket programme. Aimed particularly at
skiploader and hookloader operators, HyvaCare offers everything from industry- leading warranty through to bespoke fixed price servicing packages designed to maximise vehicle efficiency and uptime whilst reducing overall operating costs.
With business steadily expanding, Hyva UK fully expects to continue strengthening its’ headcount at both its Manchester HQ and out in the field. In Scotland John Cargill has now taken over as Regional Sales Manager, and his responsibility also includes Ireland.
Hyva UK managing director Mike Taylor comments “We will continue to build on our strengths and reinforce our market- leading position.
“Hyva is now the only manufacturer of hydraulic and truck-based bulk handling equipment to offer the full range of tipping cylinders, skiploaders, hookloaders and cranes.”
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