TRANSPORT
The base specification for the new vehicles was the latest Euro-6 DAF LF 220 with a bespoke curtainside body.
“Safety, efficiency and the need to minimise manual handling were critical considerations. Two key areas where we were able to bring our expertise was in the tail lift and the bespoke access ladder design and associated storage,” says Grogut
“Regarding the tail lift, Wickes required enhanced safety features. We worked with the body builder and the tail lift supplier to develop a bespoke tail lift design based on an aluminium platform with self-deploying passenger protection on both sides (safety gates), engineered to suit the application, and with a one tonne lift rating. The bespoke tail lift design was also fitted with power closing to reduce manual handling.”
Wickes’ existing fleet used a platform to access the load area, but Holliday wanted to move to a step-based system to improve safety and efficiency. Ryder’s engineering team worked with Wickes, the body builder, and the ladder manufacturer on the design of a new access ladder system for the load area. Grogut adds: “This is a more streamlined design developed uniquely for Wickes, which is easier to use and more stable. The development also involves an internal storage compartment for the ladder that is accessible from both sides of the vehicle.” In order to meet the required high safety standards regarding driver and pedestrian safety, the vehicle specification also includes British-
made TVG cameras and side scanners. These are robust, type-approved accessories with good warranty back up.
This was the first time that Wickes’ kitchens and bathrooms team had experienced Euro-6 technology and so Ryder worked with DAF dealer Ford & Slater on a ‘train the trainer’ programme to support the training roll-out to affected staff and drivers at Wickes. A training scheme on the new access ladder and tail lifts was also developed to support smooth deployment of the new vehicles into the Wickes fleet.
A successful partnership Holliday concludes: “Working with Ryder over a relatively short period of time, we have built up a strong basis of trust and we are really hitting the brief regarding our transport fleet. In particular, these latest vehicles firmly put into practice our corporate drivers of safety, quality, efficiency, adaptability and flexibility to cope with the demands of today’s retail environment. “Ryder did a great job in managing the integration of the new fleet additions. Over three days, they managed 16 vehicles into the fleet across the country, with 16 vehicles coming out, while keeping the operation running smoothly. One of the biggest accolades I can give is to say that the fleet changeover took place without anyone being aware!”
“We are now utilising these new vehicles in our day-to-day operations and testing their performance. We will feed the learning into our next vehicle orders.” BMJ
Dedicated account management
In addition to the supply of the vehicles themselves, Ryder provides a full account management operation to support Wickes on a day-to-day basis. This is led by Caris Crawford-Light, contract manager, who is based at Ryder’s Birmingham head office and who has been involved with Wickes from the beginning of Ryder’s relationship with them.
L-R: Dudley Holliday, Wickes and John Robinson, Ryder Director
December 2020
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
Crawford-Light comments: “My main objective is to ensure Wickes’ transport operation runs smoothly and efficiently. I liaise on a daily basis with the Wickes transport team at Northampton and I have full visibility of their daily operations to ensure the right support is provided. Wickes needs its vehicles on the road doing their jobs, so it is critical that plans are in place for when vehicles are off the road for servicing and maintenance, or in the event of a breakdown. I also work with them to plan when additional equipment may be required. “The retail environment is presently very challenging, which has led to the requirement for more home deliveries utilising the store replenishment fleet. We have been able to assist Wickes by flexing the contract to bring in additional vehicles when existing capacity is exceeded. We’ve also provided extra tractor units at peak times, in particular the summer months. “I visit the Wickes distribution centre in Northampton regularly, often basing myself there to help to better understand the demands on the transport fleet, and to help build the relationship. It’s important that we continue developing the relationship on an operational and strategic level. As part of this, I oversee the contract in detail and prepare quarterly KPIs, which we use for performance management, and to support a programme of continuous improvement and learning.”
29
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40
