SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC COMMITS TO CONVERTING 100 PER CENT OF ITS UK & IRELAND CAR FLEET TO ELECTRIC BY 2025 S


chneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has announced that it will electrify


1200 vehicles by 2025 for its own fleet. The commitment marks a significant step towards making the world’s most sustainable company even closer to carbon neutrality. “Electric mobility, coupled with decarbonisation, decentralisation and


digitalisation of energy, is key to achieving the target to reduce global CO2 emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 and put a halt to climate change. The core of our strategy is providing energy and automation digital solutions for efficiency and sustainability and we’re already enabling many businesses on their mission to achieve a greener future,’ said Kelly Becker, Zone President for Schneider Electric UK and Ireland. This will enable Schneider to directly reduce its climate impact by


preventing the creation of 64,400 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year by the end of the transition. David Hall, Vice President, Power Systems comments: “Schneider Electric’s commitment reflects our commitment to carbon neutrality, and our goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do and everyday our


employees have a crucial role to play in positively impacting climate. This is another way in which we are enabling them to contribute to a more sustainable future by reducing emissions and our dependence on fossil fuels.” It is also a vote of confidence in deploying a fully electric fleet complete


with investment in AC and DC charging across its sites around the UK&I, with medium voltage and low voltage electrical distribution equipment. This will ensure supply, PV to generate energy, battery storage to store and a microgrid to monitor all sites’ power needs and usage which helps to develop and evolve Schneider Electric’s Sustainability strategy. The scheme has been designed by a dedicated project team that includes a


driver focus group, tax and treasury, fleet, Indirect Procurement, HR, rewards, payroll and communications. In the UK, Schneider Electric is already helping a range of companies install


EV chargers and power infrastructure – including the Electrical Utilities, fleet providers, forecourt owners, hospital trusts, airports, universities, city councils, like Nottingham City Council, Berkeley group, Environmental agency, Elexent and Arriva.


FLEET MANAGERS REPORT AN AVERAGE OF 20 WORKING DAYS LOST DUE TO COVID- 19 N


ew research from Verizon Connect has revealed the substantial impact that


government-enforced restrictions and health & safety guidelines, triggered by the COVID- 19 pandemic, has had on UK fleet management businesses. While many fleet-based businesses were


classified as essential throughout the pandemic and were able to continue operations, the majority faced new challenges which impacted efficiency and profitability. 62 per cent of fleet managers said that their supply chains were disrupted as a result of the pandemic, and 51 per cent said they had to make significant cuts to their operational budget. Almost three in five (58 per cent) said that


following health and safety regulations such as social distancing had made the business less efficient and the majority (52 per cent) said that it has been difficult to comply with


constantly changing guidance. On average, fleet managers lost four working


weeks (20 days) as a result of the pandemic. 7.5 working days were lost due to staff self- isolating, 6.5 working days lost due to driver sickness or illness and a further six working days due to temporary travel restrictions. Technology played a key role helping fleet


managers thrive during the pandemic. Half said they adopted new tools to boost efficiency and 49 per cent said that they would not have maintained business continuity or achieved success without a fleet management solution. One area where fleet management helped was contact tracing, with 52 per cent saying they adopted a fleet management solution to support contact tracing protocols. Derek Bryan, Vice President, EMEA, Verizon


Connect, comments: “Businesses of all shapes and sizes are under the pump as a result of


the pandemic. SLAs are getting harder to hit, budgets are shrinking, and regulations are constantly changing. During these difficult times, fleet managers need the right tools that help make their business better and adapt when a spanner is thrown in the works. “The research shows that fleet management


tools are the key to unlocking the best of your business. From aiding with new regulations such as contact tracing, to giving total visibility of vehicles and assets, helping to improve safety and driving efficiency – the right fleet management tool is the key to getting an advantage over the competition and ultimately to survival.”


For further insights from the survey, visit:


https://www.verizonconnect.com/uk/resources /ebook/fleet-manager-survey-2020/


NEW RESEARCH REPORT REVEALS THE EXTENT OF THE SKILLS SHORTAGE IN THE ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY AMIDST COVID-19


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ew research into the extent of the skills shortage has found that the engineering & manufacturing industry is the worst affected


with 85 per cent of businesses currently feeling the strain from a lack of skilled workers. The report, by multi-discipline recruitment specialist, Search


Consultancy, also added that on average, businesses in the industry are 18 per cent understaffed with the average lead time to hire a suitable candidate standing at just below four months. The research also looks into the causes of the skills shortage in the


engineering & manufacturing industry and the impact it is having on businesses. Of those surveyed, 40 per cent say that a simple lack of qualified candidates is the main contributing factor. A further third of managers cite a lack of willing apprentices as a major issue and 29 per cent list an ageing workforce as a cause for concern. As a result of the skills shortage in their industries, 40 per cent of


managers say staff have to work longer hours with one in five facing larger operational costs. One third of managers surveyed admit to having a disengaged workforce and a further 31 per cent are unable to fulfil work commitments to clients and customers. Rich Westhead, managing director of engineering & manufacturing at


Search Consultancy, said: “The food & drink sector is the UK’s largest manufacturing industry and the demand for staff currently exceeds supply. The significant growth and continual focus on new products in this sector also means there is an increase in food science and new product


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developments roles which are amongst the most difficult to recruit. Engineering roles still remain as the key skill shortage within the industry. “Working closely with businesses, we are shifting the focus to be on the


employees of a organisation, not just to offer a competitive salary but also on the soft benefits that candidates are increasingly interested ln. Whether this is a solid work/life balance or the potential to pursue ongoing training whilst on the job, it is important we show people that a career in engineering & manufacturing is engaging, innovative and provides candidates with limitless potential to grow..” To support organisations impacted by the skills shortage, Search


Consultancy has curated advice from business leaders within its “Mind the Skills Gap” report. To download the report and find our more information about Search Consultancy, visit https://bit.ly/3c5gPVx.


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