As the end of 2015 draws near, Independent Hauliers, Sussex Transport reflect on some of the successes of their incredibly strong year…
We started 2015 on a real high, having been awarded a ‘Highly Commended’ accolade at the Adur and Worthing Business Awards.
Managing Director of Sussex Transport, Damian Pulford
We’ve acquired 12 new vehicles and recruited a total of 22 new staff across all sectors of the business.
A brand new software install for our Transport Team at both depots means we can effectively track the whereabouts of all of our vehicles at any one time – allowing us to advise customers of accurate timescales for deliveries and collections. The new systems means there is less paperwork, less room for error and far more efficiency between drivers, customer sites and the transport offices.
We have Euro 6 technology across the entire fleet – Euro 6 is the name given to the legal limit of emissions produced by a vehicle over 3.5t. It refers to the maximum amount of pollutants – predominantly particulate matter and nitrogen oxides (NOx) – a diesel engine is allowed to produce
In February we were asked to carry out a top secret mission for the BBC and move a giant 9m statue of the iconic STIG character from ‘’Top Gear’’ to Poland, to help promote a new global BBC channel . The build up to this move was a closely guarded secret, our lorry was sign written especially for the job and we were able to track its progress through Twitter as people tweeted about #BigStig. The statue made a final journey to China later in the year.
In August we achieved the FORS Gold accreditation –one of around just 25 hauliers in the UK! With FORS, we now have a Best Practice specification to work to. All of our new vehicles come with 4 way recordable camera systems, close proximity warning systems, turn-left alarms and vulnerable road user signage. The training and equipment has enabled us to negotiate a better deal on our insurance premiums and our insurers even contributed to the cost of equipment. We have also tendered for and won larger contracts due to achieving the FORS accreditation.
We sponsored and attended the Worthing Velodrome event during the first weekend in August , which drew a constant stream of visitors – especially those wanting to sit in our Mercedes Actros Lorry which we opened up to the public! Click HERE to watch one of our drivers explain why we were there!
Festival Season was exceptionally busy for Sussex Transport this year – Glastonbury, various events at Goodwood and Hyde Park, VFest, Winter Wonderland, horse racing, Ideal Home Exhibitions and Wildlife all had something delivered or installed by Sussex Transport – in fact we won long term contracts on the back of some of our work this summer – which means a guaranteed busy festival season in 2016.
We’re continuing to support the Lancing Business Parks BID and work closely with local schools, Adur and Worthing Business Partnership, Coastal West Sussex, Kent Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance and Worthing Churches Homeless Project. Supporting local businesses and charities where we can.
With a 27% increase in turnover in 2015 – which means we must be doing something right in our business – the future is certainly looking bright for Sussex Transport! We take pride in training our staff to be considerate of cyclists, other road users and the environment and providing the best possible service we can.
2016 sees the introduction of a new, state of the art Warehouse Management System and plenty more good news stories to report!
A huge thanks to all of our dedicated staff and customers alike – and we wish you a very merry Christmas and a prosperous new year!
