Author: Matthew Wilkinson

DAF Dealership HTC Group recently hosted key members of the Ballyvesey rental division—Centurion Truck Rental, Falcon Vehicle Solutions, and DGC Vehicle Rental— and some of their longstanding customers including Scarab Sweepers on an exclusive, 36-hour visit to DAF’s headquarters and manufacturing sites in the Netherlands and Belgium.

The trip offered these valued customers a firsthand view of DAF’s cutting-edge production processes, including the striking New Generation 25 vehicle range, the latest advancements in electric vehicle technology and the latest software updates, showcasing DAF’s commitment to redefining industry boundaries and creating the vehicles of tomorrow.

Tony Dumpleton, who hosted several customers with a keen interest in DAF’s innovative software updates and electric models, led the group through a fascinating tour. Their visit began at DAF Trucks Westerlo, Belgium, where they explored the ultra-modern cab and axle manufacturing facility, a flagship of automation and advanced technology. The tour then continued at DAF’s main factory in Eindhoven, where the rest of the truck production takes place, leaving attendees inspired by the scale and sophistication of the DAF production line, its extensive robotics, and “out of this world” technology.

Oliver Boucher, Commercial Director of Centurion Truck Rental, shared his enthusiasm: “Highlights for me were seeing the high-tech manufacturing process, the sheer scale of robotics in their production, and learning more about DAF’s direction directly from their Head of Sales. It was inspiring to see so many new, innovative products in the pipeline, and to understand DAF’s approach to decarbonisation. This experience enhances our sales team’s expertise, helping us stay ahead in recommending sustainable options to our customers.”

Reflecting on the experience, Darren Moore, General Manager of Falcon Vehicle Solutions, appreciated the strengthened personal connections: “Whilst on the trip, meeting the group and putting a face to a name of someone I had previously spoken with makes future contact more personal. I agree with Oliver—the DAF manufacturing process we saw is impressive and gives us plenty to discuss with our customers.”

Representing HTC Group was Key Accounts Manager, Marcus Kemp, Tony Dumpleton, Wesley McCarthy and Mark Gibson. Kemp commented, “It was fantastic to reintroduce our customers to the global DAF brand and showcase the dedication that goes into every DAF vehicle. This visit was an opportunity to connect our customers with DAF’s leadership and reinforce our shared commitment to quality and innovation. We’re looking forward to their insights and are confident our shared goals will benefit the entire Ballyvesey customer base.”

With individuals from customers and sister businesses Falcon Vehicle Solutions, Centurion Truck Rental, and DGC Vehicle Rental in attendance, the trip highlighted the strength of collaboration within the Ballyvesey group. By engaging directly with DAF’s leadership team, Ballyvesey members are now better equipped to bring the latest in DAF’s groundbreaking technology and sustainable solutions to their customers, reinforcing Ballyvesey’s commitment to providing future-forward and high-quality options across their fleet.

Ballyvesey Holdings Makes a Strong Impression at TCS&D Cold Chain Hub Event 2024

The TCS&D Cold Chain Hub, held at the NEC in Birmingham on 9^th and 10^th October, was a significant event for the cold chain industry. Ballyvesey Holdings, a leading provider of refrigerated transportation solutions, made a strong impression by showcasing six of its companies and their comprehensive range of products and services.

HTC: Leading the Way in Electric Transportation

HTC, part of Ballyvesey Holdings, played a pivotal role in the event by exhibiting the cutting-edge DAF XD and DAF XB Electric, trucks. These vehicles showcased the company’s commitment to sustainability and innovation in the transportation sector. David Price, Electric Vehicle Specialist at HTC, expressed his enthusiasm for the event and the opportunity to network with industry professionals.

Montracon: Delivering Tailored Refrigerated Solutions

Montracon, another Ballyvesey Holdings company, highlighted its range of high-quality Refrigerated Rigid Bodies. These bodies are designed to meet the specific needs of customers in the cold chain industry, offering features such as single or multi-temp fridge motors including diesel and electric, barn or shutter door options, and various safety features. Dean Ridgill, Sales Operations Manager at Montracon, emphasised the company’s dedication to providing exceptional products, services, and support to the market.

A United Front: Ballyvesey Holdings End-to-End Services

The TCS&D event provided a platform for Ballyvesey Holdings to showcase its comprehensive range of services, with DMC, DGC, Centurion Truck Rental, & Falcon Vehicle Solution also in attendance. By bringing together six of its companies, the group demonstrated its ability to offer end-to-end solutions for refrigerated transportation. This includes truck rental, trailer rental, vehicle maintenance, and more.

Ballyvesey Holdings presence at the TCS&D Cold Chain Hub solidified its position as a leader in the refrigerated transportation industry. The company’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and customer service was evident throughout the event. As the industry continues to evolve, Ballyvesey Holdings is well-positioned to meet the changing needs of its customers and drive the future of cold chain logistics.

Sapphire Vehicle Services is seeking passionate car mechanics or technicians to join our growing team. If you have the ambition to ‘think big’ and are ready to take on exciting challenges, we invite you to apply.

The plan is to train up people who already have a foundation of relevant experience, by giving them the skills needed to work on heavy vehicles.

Sapphire bosses hatched the scheme to help bolster their ranks, after identifying a scarcity of qualified, experienced technicians in the market.

“We’re an ambitious business with plans for growth,” said Group Commercial Director Grant Tadman. “But to be able to expand, while continuing to offer our customers the very high levels of service they expect, we need to recruit.

“HGV technicians of the high calibre we demand are in short supply, so we decided to tackle the problem head-on. We already have an apprenticeship programme, which takes young people, typically fresh from college – but that is a longer-term project.

“Alongside it, the Technician Upskilling course we’ve devised will take people who already have much of the knowledge and experience they need, and fast-track them straight into our workshop teams.”

The fast-growing independent commercial repair specialist is now inviting a new crop of applicants for places on its training programme.

“As Grant says, this course is targeted at people with a strong foundation of relevant experience,” affirmed Sapphire Training Manager Nick Fryatt. “Most will already be working as car or van mechanics, although we’ll also consider people who might be in related fields – possibly working on marine engines or agricultural vehicles.

“We’re looking for a group of up to 12 candidates. We’ll take them on as full-time employees and provide them with a 12-month programme consisting of six blocks of classroom training, each a week long, interspersed with time back in the workshop where they can put their new skills to use in a real-life setting.

“At the end of the year we expect all to pass their IRTEC accreditations and become fully fledged heavy vehicle technicians, with a recognised professional qualification which typically comes with a higher rate of pay than car mechanics can earn.

“They’ll also be working for a successful, expanding business that values ongoing career development, so there’s a great deal of potential for further improvement. All they need is the determination to learn and succeed.”

Classroom training will take place at Sapphire’s Northampton depot and be delivered by partner Blyth Automotive. Sapphire operates workshops across country, though, so applications are invited from candidates based anywhere in the UK.

Each week-long block will focus on a different topic, starting with an Inspection & Maintenance module and continuing through Chassis, Electronics, Diagnostics and Transmission before a final Review of the entire course content.

Sapphire’s successful apprenticeship programme, meanwhile, continues to take an input of eight or more candidates per year. Over two years, our apprentices gain invaluable hands-on experience and earn a nationally recognized NVQ Level 3 qualification in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair.

“Both of these projects have another benefit,” added Grant Tadman. “As well as training in technical skills, those on the courses have a chance to learn about Sapphire and gain an appreciation of our very strong customer service ethos. The idea is that when they graduate, they are fully equipped, in every sense, to slot successfully into our teams

“We’re always on the lookout for competent and experienced truck technicians but there’s a shortage of qualified people across the country. That’s we are being proactive and training our own. This two-pronged approach has required a major spending commitment but we’re convinced it’s money well spent, and that we’ll benefit from a significant return on our investment, in the shape of a crop of highly effective and dedicated workshop team members who will help to drive our business forwards.”

Ryan Jones, a former car mechanic with three years of experience, recently completed Sapphire’s upskilling program. Now a valued member of our team, Ryan is based at our Ham’s Hall depot, conveniently located just 10 miles from his home in Tamworth

“The scheme was attractive to me because I’ve always wanted to work on trucks, ever since I was a kid,” he said. “That aside, though, it’s a great opportunity. I’m already earning more than I did previously and have lots of potential to progress my career. There’s no shortage of encouragement for staff here to continue to train and increase their expertise and qualification level. I also find trucks much easier to work on – there’s a lot more room to manoeuvre than in the crowded engine bay of a typical modern car!”

Sapphire Vehicle Services, a leading provider of commercial vehicle aftersales services, maintains over 28,000 trucks and vans across 13 workshops nationwide. We proudly serve a diverse client base, including major supermarket chains and other industry leaders.

Anyone eager to join the programme should contact Hayden Knight, 07521 428124, hayden.knight@ballyvesey.com

www.sapphirevs.com

www.linkedin.com/company/sapphirevs

The TCS&D Event 2024 was held at the NEC in Birmingham on the 9th and 10th October. It was a brilliant two days of showcasing our Rigid Fridges, and why they are tailored to customers’ specific needs!

The event highlighted the importance of innovation in temperature-controlled logistics, and visitors responded positively to the Montracon Rigid Fridge! Our Rigid Fridge is suitable for vehicles 12-26 tonne, with options such as…

• Single & multi-temp options
• Barn & shutter door options
• Side door and access options
• Fridge motor options include Electric, hybrid or diesel
• Safety options include camera systems, cyclist detection
• In-cab temperature monitoring
• Aerodynamic fuel saver options

Our high-quality insulated panels are manufactured in-house to the highest standards. Our skilled and experienced workforce has decades of experience producing Rigid Fridges with Quality, Strength, and longevity built in. Our Rigid Fridges also come with comprehensive warranty, so you have that peace of mind that support is on hand to get you moving again, should you have the unfortunate event of a trailer breakdown. To enquire for a quote, use the contact details below!

The TCS&D Event was a fantastic opportunity for us to connect with industry professionals and potential clients, enhancing our visibility in the cold chain market. Overall, the event was a great success for Montracon.

Dean Ridgill, Sales Operations Manager, said “Both myself and Montracon were delighted to exhibit at the TCS&D Event this year at the NEC. It was great to showcase our latest innovation on our refrigerated Rigid Fridge range. It was also great to collaborate with our sister companies; HTC Group, Centurion Truck Rental, DMC Trailers, and DGC Vehicle Rental. We had a fantastic two days of speaking to lots of customers, suppliers, and lots of future contacts. We look forward to TCS&D 2025!”

Contact us:
01302 732500
sales@montracon.com

Last week, HTC Group exhibited at the TCS&D Cold Chain Hub, showcasing the cutting-edge DAF XD and the show-stopping DAF XB Electric. The event marked a significant moment for HTC Group as they promoted their sustainability credentials and demonstrated DAF’s commitment to the future of transport.

David Price, Electric Vehicle Specialist, highlighted the excitement around the event: “We were delighted to attend our first event promoting our sustainability efforts, and it was exciting to see so many other suppliers exhibiting sustainable products. It was a valuable opportunity to network with key suppliers and customers, gaining insight into how electrification will shape their future plans. Overall, a very worthwhile event!”

The DAF XB Electric, with its zero-emission capabilities and impressive range, drew a lot of attention, showcasing DAF’s leadership in sustainable, urban distribution solutions. Meanwhile, the DAF XD, with its Montracon refrigerator body, highlighted the versatility and efficiency DAF trucks offer to the cold chain logistics industry.

HTC Group’s presence at the event was a testament to their forward-thinking approach, aligning with the industry’s shift towards greener, more sustainable transportation solutions. In line with their sustainability goals, HTC Group is working in collaboration with Flexible Power Systems, bringing their customers an unparalleled end-to-end service for fleet electrification—from digital planning with advanced software platforms to ongoing servicing. This partnership ensures a data-driven, smoother transition to electric fleets, providing the support needed to get vehicles on the road and keep them performing at their best.

Contract Plant is the go-to option for hire contractors in need of a reliable re-hire partner! The factor that highlight’s Contract Plant from others is their exclusive focus on hiring to companies, rather than end users. This unique approach ensures that hire companies can entrust their valuable customers to Contract Plant without any concerns.

One of the key benefits of partnering with Contract Plant is that the equipment they provide is not branded; This subsequently allows hire companies to brand the equipment with their own company logo and identity. Amongst many other advantages, hire companies can maintain a consistent and professional image, reinforcing their brand presence in the market.

Contract Plant offers a wide range of equipment, specialising in powered access, waste management equipment and most recently, forklifts. Whether a hire company requires cherry pickers, scissor lifts, or waste management machinery, Contract Plant has it all. This comprehensive selection of fleet ensures that hire companies can find the exact equipment they need to meet and excel their clients’ demands.

Flexibility is another advantage of working with Contract Plant. They offer hire options on both flexible terms and contact rental basis. This means that hire companies can choose the length of hire that suits their specific project requirements. Whether it’s a short-term rental or a long-term project, Contract Plant has the flexibility to accommodate any hire companies’ needs.

The Managing Director of Contract Plant, Mark Kennedy, emphasises their commitment to becoming the partner of choice for all hire companies: “By holding the equipment that hire companies need and delivering it under their paperwork and brand, Contract Plant enables hire companies to expand their business with confidence. This approach not only provides convenience but also helps hire companies maintain a controlled cash flow, ensuring their operations run smoothly”.

In conclusion, Contract Plant stands out as the number one choice for hire contractors in need of a trustworthy re-hire partner. With their dedication to delivering unbranded equipment, a comprehensive range of options, flexible hire terms, and a focus on helping hire companies grow, Contract Plant is indeed a valuable asset for hire contractors looking to enhance their business operations.