Masternaut telematics help lifesaving charity RNLI keep its vehicle fleet efficient and safe L


eading telematics supplier Masternaut is working with the Royal National Lifeboat


Institution (RNLI) to help the life-saving charity create a best-in-class, on-road fleet operation. While better known for its work saving lives


at sea, the RNLI runs a fleet of more than 1,000 vehicles, which are used for flood response, fundraising support and lifeguard patrol, around the coast of the UK and Republic of Ireland. The new agreement will initially cover 650 of these vehicles. The RNLI has turned to telematics tools to


reduce its CO2 levels by 25 per cent and improve the safety of its drivers on the road. In addition to that, the RNLI aims to minimise the fuel consumption by 10 per cent as well as reduce the risk of accidents. Masternaut will be providing CAN bus technology, Incident Management and Fuel


Monitoring to the RNLI, which reads data straight from the vehicle’s computer, rather than relying on location-based estimates. This allows the fleet manager to build a more accurate picture of real MPG, fuel consumption and mileage, as well as a clear understanding of safety risks, including speed, acceleration and braking. The RNLI will also use Masternaut’s smarter driver app, as an HMRC compliant solution for mileage recording, requiring minimal input from the driver. Lastly, the charity will be installing Masternaut’s


lightbar solution, which alerts the driver as performance thresholds are crossed with LED and audible warnings. This provides ongoing feedback to improve driving behaviour. Dhruv Parekh, CEO of Masternaut, said:


“Optimising fleet operations requires a holistic approach, from choosing the best vehicles, through to understanding how drivers are using


them. The RNLI has committed to ambitious goals for reducing its emissions output, while protecting the safety of its drivers and the public, and we are looking forward to working in partnership to reach them.” Nick Saunders, senior procurement category


manager, warehouse & logistics at the RNLI, said: “Road vehicles are an essential asset for us in delivering our lifesaving services around the coast of the UK and Republic of Ireland.” “As a charity, it is essential to us that we operate both as efficiently and safely as possible, while minimising any negative impact on the communities we serve. We see telematics as an important part of the answer in meeting these objectives, bringing down the cost of operating our vehicle fleet, improving the safety of drivers and other road users, and reducing our carbon footprint.”


PERMANENT MET LIDARS AT IRISH WIND FARMS Z


X Lidars deployed as SCADA-integrated permanent met mast replacements on


operational wind farms. ZX Lidars has delivered ZX 300’s to Statkraft Ireland for the purpose of assisting with operational wind farm monitoring including power performance tests through to the provision of wind measurements for production forecasting / reporting. The use of wind Lidars in this capacity reduces the working at height and


planning requirements associated with traditional met masts. In addition, Lidars can measure to higher heights across the full wind turbine rotor, and with greater certainty over long periods of time. Statkraft Ireland is part of Statkraft, Europe’s


largest producer of renewable energy, which develops, owns and operates renewable production facilities in Ireland. Statkraft Ireland has many years of experience both in the wind


sector and also with Lidar technology including ZX Lidars technology. ZX Lidars provides vertical and horizontal


profiling wind Lidars to accurately measure wind conditions remotely and above or ahead of their installed position up to several hundred metres. These accurate, independent wind measurements are a cornerstone in the development, construction and operation of wind farms globally.


PHARMA GIANT’S STAFF IN CO CLARE TO LOSE JOBS BY JUNE 2020 S


wiss-owned pharma giant Roche announced in 2016 it was to close its plant


at Clarecastle after it failed to secure a buyer. All employees at the Irish manufacturing arm


of pharma giant Roche in Co Clare will be made redundant by next June. That is according to new accounts for Roche


Ireland Ltd which show the firm recorded pretax losses of €1.7 million last year as revenues decreased by 11 per cent to €60.29 million. Some 132 workers were employed at the


Clarecastle plant at the end of last year and the


directors state that decommissioning works will commence next year and continue to 2023. The Swiss-owned pharma giant announced in 2016 that it was to close the plant at Clarecastle after it failed to secure a buyer for the site. The facility is currently in the process of a phased closure and the directors state this will be complete by mid-March 2020. The accounts disclose that the firm has set


aside €24 million for employees not yet departed but who have an expectation of employment termination by 2020.


The directors state that “this will be utilised by that date”. If the 132 employed at the end of last year stay on until next year, the average redundancy payment will be about €180,000 each. The accounts also confirm that a


decommissioning provision of €9 million for the plant was recorded by the end of last year. A note attached to the accounts states that


the estimate could change substantially as new facts emerge.


Source: Irishtimes.com Moody Logistics calls for increase in driver apprenticeships as part of ‘Love the Lorry’ week T


he managing director of Moody Logistics is calling on haulage firms to help solve a


nationwide shortage of HGV drivers by creating more apprenticeships. Caroline Moody, speaking during the Road


Haulage Association’s ‘Love the Lorry Week’, said: “The current shortfall in professional drivers poses a serious threat to the effectiveness of the transport industry as well as the future UK economy. Creating more driver apprentices is a practical and cost-effective way in which businesses such as our own can encourage a new generation to get behind the wheel. “I want to highlight the benefits of driver


apprenticeships as part of ‘Love the Lorry’ week and the huge career opportunities they provide.” Latest figures estimate the transport sector, which moves 1.4 billion tonnes of goods annually


across the UK, is facing a shortfall of more than 60,000 qualified HGV drivers. The family-run firm in Cramlington,


Northumberland, has already successfully put two apprentices through the driver programme operated by Tyneside Training Services (TTS). A third is due to sit an HGV test while the company is currently in the process of selecting its fourth driver apprentice. Melanie Thompson-Glen, business development


manager at Gateshead College, which operates TTS, believes such apprenticeships are a productive way of delivering professional and highly skilled drivers. Larger companies can fund the apprenticeship


through the Apprenticeship Levy, with smaller firms required to make a five per cent contribution, the remainder being paid by government. The average apprenticeship lasts 15 months


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with some companies choosing to recruit from within other areas of its workforce or from the over 25 age group. She added: “The scheme allows haulage


companies to provide an apprentice with much greater insight into the logistics industry as they work within the business whilst being trained in the core driving skills. “Many perceptions surrounding HGV drivers


are outdated. This is a modern technologically advanced industry where highly skilled drivers can be responsible for a lorry worth in excess of £100,000. The driver apprenticeship is a great way to attract new talent into the profession - where the average driver’s age is now over 50 – by companies supporting recruits and creating a pathway into a secure and well-paid future.”


IRISH MANUFACTURING | SEPTEMBER 2019 5


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