Freight Best Practice News

28th February 2007

The Freight Best Practice Team today published a new Case Study specifically aimed at tipper operators. The publication which is free of charge, aims to highlight the many potential savings offered by specifying articulated tipping vehicles instead of rigid vehicles.

The Case Study – ‘Reducing Costs with Articulated Tippers’ – includes two case studies: one reviewing a large operator, Lafarge Aggregates based in Leicester; and the other a medium sized operator K&J Contractors based in Barnstable. The study illustrates how both operators have experienced substantial savings by reviewing the composition of their fleet.

The Case Study takes a practical approach showing the advantages and disadvantages of both rigid and articulated vehicles. It also includes cost tables and charts identifying how the two companies have made savings.

Lafarge Aggregates have increased each journey payload by 8,400kg which results in a saving of a staggering 17,540 miles per vehicle annually. K&J Contactors Ltd have experienced similar improvements, saving 9,393 miles annually per vehicle, that is an estimated 1,236 gallons of diesel which equates to a saving of £4,488 per vehicle per year.

Nick Elliott, National Transport Manager for Lafarge Aggregates, said:

 ‘We found out that artics are more efficient and sustainable and cause less damage to the roads than rigid tipper vehicles. When reviewing our own fleet performance, we realised they suit our business well and can support our customers by reducing road movements by as much as 30%'

This Case Study along with all Freight Best Practice publications is completely free of charge, and can be obtained by calling the Freight Best Practice Hotline on 0845 877 0 877.