January 2008 Premier Magazine is published by Knorr-Bremse for the UK Commercial Vehicle Industry

Inside: Grant Welsh Commercials

Billy Bowie Tankers Electronic Clutch Actuator

Dingbro Ask The Experts - Managing Risk

2007 Truck Racing Review Service CentresTRAINING

2008dates for your

diary on

page 21

Welcome to Knorr-Bremse

Premier Magazine is published by Knorr-Bremse Systemsfor Commercial Vehicles Limited.All articles have been approved by donor companiesand/or organisations before going to press and thereforeunderstood to be correct at the time of going to press.Responsibility for any misinformation contained withinapproved articles supplied by donor companies and/ororganisations cannot be accepted by Knorr-Bremse ortheir agents. Any opinions expressed in any suchinformation are not necessarily accepted or endorsed bythe company.

Should you have any news or viewsabout our magazine please contact:

Tim FordSales and Marketing ManagerMobile: 07977 988851Stephanie CraigSales and Marketing Communications ExecutiveTel: 0117 9846 207

Knorr-BremseSystems for Commercial Vehicles LtdCentury HouseFolly Brook RoadEmerald Park EastEmersons GreenBristol BS16 7FE

Tel: 0117 9846 100Fax: 0117 9846 101

Email: premier@knorr-bremse.comwww.knorr-bremse.co.uk

Simon Craddock

magazine

2007 saw truck and busregistrations in the UK down slightlyon the 2006 level, but demandacross the rest of Europe was, andremains, at an all time high.Some vehicle manufactures reportorder books up 30% on theirprevious best ever years, and leadtimes for some models are in excessof 1 year. The trailer market sawsimilar demands, and axlemanufacturers capacities stretcheduntil they too were quoting leadtimes not seen for many years.As we start 2008 there is no end insight to this demand.Knorr-Bremse is making significantinvestment across Europe toincrease production to support allour customers whilst continuing toproduce the highest qualityproducts.

Simon CraddockManaging DirectorMobile: 07977 988843

c o n t e n t sGrant Welsh Commercials:

Knorr-BremseService Centre

Billy Bowie Tankers

Knorr-BremseElectronic Clutch Actuator

Dingbro:Knorr-Bremse Distributor

Managing Risk

2007 Truck Racing Review&

Knorr-Bremse Training Diary

Knorr-BremseService Centres

22/23

14/17

12/13

10/11

06/09

04/05

Scania

18/19

20/21

Knorr-Bremse Service CentreGrant Welsh Commercials Ltd

As a teenager - and award winningmotor engineering apprentice - GrantWelsh knew he was destined to runhis own business.

Scottish roots, UK perspectiveby Steve Law

At 27 he left his job as the foreman of a Scania services company to start his own commercial vehicle servicesbusiness. With £10,000 of savings to finance the start-up, a contract to service a 35-strong haulage fleet, a smallworkshop just outside Kilmarnock and a determination to build a UK-wide organisation, Grant Welsh Commercials(GWC) began life in 1997.10 years on and Grant can look back on the landmarks – the times he ceased to be reliant on one customer, firstexceeded £1 million turnover, and survived a potentially fatal bad debt when a key customer collapsed. Today, with customers in haulage and public transport, GWC operates from a 4-bay 12,000sq ft workshop with 6mobile workshops. The main focus is medium-sized fleets and the work encompasses all major brands, includingDAF, Scania, Mercedes, Volvo, Renault and MAN.The business employs 14 heavy commercial technicians, 4 fully trained apprentices and an auto electrician, allbacked by a team of parts, sales and administration professionals. In addition, GWC is building partnerships withsimilar organisations south of the border so that it can offer customers UK-wide service and breakdown support.The GWC workshop takes in a diverse range of trailers with braking systems from all major manufacturers,although Grant Welsh has noted a significant increase in the number of Knorr-Bremse roll stability systems.“Several of our customers haul trailers loaded by third parties so the nature of the load – and centre of gravity –can vary widely. There were half a dozen rolling incidents to my knowledge, where the driver had taken the sameroute for years, but the guys who opted for RSP seem to have eliminated the problem.”

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Financial controls“Providing a great service is not enough if you intendto be around to look after your customers for the longterm” Grant explained. “You have to address thebusiness fundamentals too; having proper financialcontrols in place is equally as important as investingin the latest diagnostics tools. Serious customers valueworking with successful companies that consistentlydeliver professional services at realistic rates, notoutfits who undercharge to get the work then areforced to close down.”As the company grew, Grant recognised that heneeded the assistance of someone with the financialmanagement experience to complement his ownengineering and organisation skills, and decided torecruit a business advisor who could monitor andadvise in a non-executive capacity. “In 2005 I found a business partner with thenecessary skills and the relationship is working verywell” Grant explained. “When you’re re-investing theprofits and intent on building a substantial business, itpays to bring in professional expertise. These days wereview GWC’s financial performance in detail everymonth and take care to assess the financial standingof the client companies we take on too.”“A big factor for any expanding company is recruitingsufficient staff of the right calibre” Grant added. “Wordof mouth can work in both directions; we’ve beenable to hire some first class people through personalrecommendations of colleagues and now GWC’sreputation is making us a target for potentialemployees.The next major landmark will be the opening ofanother, larger service facility in Scotland – maybe intwo to three years – and we’ll continue to pursueoptions for building GWC’s capability in England andWales.”

Providing a great service is notenough if you intend to bearound to look after your

customers for the long term“

”

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Running heavy commercial vehicles and enhancing the environment may not appear to be naturalbedfellows, but one of the UK’s largest and most modern fleets of special purpose tankers is busycleaning up the environment in numerous ways that benefit the wider community. From its base in Kilmarnock, Scotland, Billy Bowie Special Projects Limited delivers a wide range oftanker and waste disposal services on a 24/7 basis to local authorities and industry throughout the UK.

Sending 44 tonners to improve the environment

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Cleaning up landfillThe environmental controls on landfill - the deposit of waste to land – have grown dramatically over the last 15years. Often mineral working and extraction sites are used as landfills, providing a means to restore land. Todayapproximately 70% of UK household waste is landfilled at around 4,000 licensed sites. When biodegradable waste, such as paper and waste food, is disposed of in a landfill, the resulting breakdown bybacteria produces gas and soluble chemicals. The soluble chemicals combine with liquids in the waste (egrainwater) to form landfill leachate.The leachate can be hazardous due to the chemicals within it that can contaminate land and water. In fact if itdoes escape to the environment it is often difficult to rectify and may create effects that will remain for many tens

of years. One of the major means of controlling leachate is the use of mineral and synthetic liners to create a seal so that the leachate can be contained and collected.

Billy Bowie Special Projects Limited services a number of these schemes, removing the leachate so that it can be properly treated before being discharged to sewer or

surface water - according to local licence conditions.

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RecyclingA significant new development was the opening ofthe company’s first Waste Transfer Station inKilmarnock, enabling Billy Bowie’s to accept lowhazard waste from domestic and commercialcustomers for recycling. This facility will also be ableto accept heavy sludge which can be mixed withorganic material for subsequent disposal at landfill.“Our services are focused on creating a cleanerenvironment and the Waste Transfer Station is anotherway to benefit the community whilst enabling us toprocess low hazard waste in an environmentallyfriendly manner” explained Billy Bowie, ManagingDirector. “We’re also committed to recovering as muchmaterial as possible for re-use and / or re-processing.”“Some of the waste arrives pre-sorted, but most ismixed and has to be segregated into specifictypes of waste - plastic, timber, paperand metal etc.” Mr Bowie added. “Thenext step is a vertical compostingunit which will take green wasteand various sludges etc. from alltypes of commercial and domesticpremises. We’ve invested £1.5m inthe system and when it’s up andrunning in 2008 we will be ableto turn bio-degradable wasteinto fully usable compost insideeight weeks.”

Fish farmingScotland is the third largest salmon farming nation in the world, currently producing some 10 per cent of globalfarmed Atlantic salmon. This equates to the export of some 12 million whole salmon in 2006, with a retail valueapproaching £700m. With this volume of fish the industry generates a substantial quantity of unwanted offal. It’s common to treatthis by maceration and preservation in acid, a process known as ensiling. One of the benefits of ensiling isthe reduction of unpleasant odours associated with fish farms using alternative methods of storing offalprior to disposal. Billy Bowie Special Projects Limited periodically remove the contents of the ensiling tanks fora subsequent rendering process which separates the silage into a protein concentrateand an oil extract which then go forward as raw materials for processes to produceagricultural feed-stuffs, cosmetics and other products.

Today the business operates fromdepots in Kilmarnock, St Helens andSheffield with a fleet of almost 70vehicles that includes:

Gully emptiers with jetting pumps

Articulated vacuum tankers withpayloads of up-to 33,000 litres

Liquid ring, high performancetankers

Rigid vacuum tankers withcapacities from 5,000 to 20,000litres

Industrial jet washers

High performance ‘Disab’ vacuumunits

Roll on Off Skip vehicles

Chain lift Skip vehicles

Tippers and Walking Floor/ EjectorTrailers

Starting with one vehicle in 1991,founder and Managing DirectorBilly Bowie has built a business

that is now respected andrecognised – courtesy of its

vehicles’ distinctive yellow livery –from Lands End to John O’ Groats.

“Routine services include gully emptying and draincleaning, septic tank, intercepter and culvert cleaning”said Billy Bowie Transport Manager, Alisdair Clark.“We also deal with a wide range of dry waste,together with all aspects of factory cleaning and oilpollution control.”

Liquid wasteWith over 16 years experience working with waterand waste water treatment plants, motorwaymaintenance contractors and numerous othercommercial customers, Billy Bowie Special ProjectsLimited is recognised as a leader in liquid wastemanagement. Their services range from emptyingunderground interceptors through to controllingsurface water, with collection, treatment and disposalthroughout the UK. Some vehicles are even equipped with medium tohigh pressure jetting facilities for blockage removaland clean-up operations. The biggest tankers cancollect and transport up to 33,000 litres of liquidwaste in one visit.

Dry wasteFor dry waste, the company offers a comprehensivecontainer supply and transportation service usingde-mountables, slave tanks and commercial skipssuitable for sand removal, digesters, grit and solids.Materials typically collected include sand, wood,metal, glass and general waste such as rubble andearth.

Alisdair Clark

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Managing the fleet”We’re currently transporting over 2500 tonnes dailyand addressing some of today’s biggestenvironmental headaches, such as removing theliquid drained from landfill sites (leachate) and thedisposal of fish farms’ waste.” Alisdair Clarkcommented.“Delivering a service in such a heavily regulated fieldrequires a very major commitment, not only in termsof investing in the latest vehicles and equipment, butkeeping them in optimum running order.All of our vehicles undergo four-weeklysafety inspections by manufacturerapproved service

organisations, in addition to daily driver’s checks.““Our oldest truck is four years old and we buy around15 trucks and 12 new trailers every year. Needless tosay, we also place a high priority on ensuring that allstaff are fully trained in the approved techniques andprocesses.”“Billy Bowie Special Projects Limited is very much ahands-on business, virtually all of the management –including the managing director - hold class 1 HGVlicenses” Alisdair Clark added. “This means that we’reall capable of testing out new vehicles and, of course,standing in to drive if there’s an urgent requirement.”The company runs 40 trailers, and is very familiar withthe effects that different liquid loads have on tankerbraking and handling. “Many waterworks are sited onthe top of hills, with waste treatment works at thebottom, so it’s not uncommon for our drivers to betravelling 15 miles on a winding single track road. “said Alisdair Clark. “Empty or full tanks aren’t too bad,but a partially full tanker can be unpredictable.

You often have to leave enough space for the contentsto foam up and the liquid will sway even with thelatest baffles. So it puts additional demands upon thedriver – and particularly heavy loads on the brakingsystems.”To address this problem, Billy Bowie Special ProjectsLimited has been specifying the Knorr-Bremse RollStability Programme (RSP) on all tankers acquired inthe last two years. RSP uses a lateral accelerationsensor fitted in the braking system to protect heavyvehicle trailers against roll over.“EBS on the tractor and trailer does give us a costsaving in terms of the wear and tear on the brakes -because all the brakes come on together not just thetrailers - but the major motivation is safety” saidAlisdair Clark. “In fact we ensure that everyoneworking at Billy Bowie understands that while we’reall responsible for delivering a first class service, safeworking practices are still the number one priority.”

All of our vehicles undergo four-weeklysafety inspections by manufacturer

approved service organisations“ ”

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The efficiency and dynamics of a vehicle dependlargely on the type of drive technology used incombination with a perfectly balanced coordinatedtransmission and gearing system. In automatedtransmissions, the Knorr-Bremse Electronic Clutch Actuator (ECA) plays an importantrole in contributing to the efficiency,safety and comfort of moderncommercial vehicles.

Knorr-Bremse ECA - Electronic Clutch Actuator

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impending need for the replacement of the frictionplates before any failure.

The ECA and its control system is designed in such away that changes to the air supply pressure does notcause unwanted clutch operations. The 4 solenoidvalves, travel sensor and a non-return valve ensurereliable and secure gear change operations.

Features of the ElectronicClutch Actuator include:

◊ Gear shifting without use of theclutch pedal ◊ Automatic clutch self-adjustment ◊ Clutch application without joltingor surges ◊ Electro-pneumatic controlledsmooth clutch operation at start /stop and gear change ◊ Optimal clutch application leadingto reduction of wear to the clutchplates and a reduction in fuelconsumption

By the end of 2007 Knorr-Bremse will have supplied350,000 Electronic Clutch Actuators to the Europeanmarket. 288,000 units have been supplied for ZFapplications which include popular MAN, DAF andIveco models and 56,000 units have been supplied toRenault and Volvo for their I-Shift gearbox.

To support the aftermarket Knorr-Bremse havelaunched 2 rationalised versions of the ECA to coverall of the main applications, part numberK015874N50 can be used for the ZF gearbox forMAN, DAF and Iveco, and part number K015875N50for the Renault and Volvo I-Shift gearbox.

The ECA fitted to the ZF gearbox can be changedwithout any software intervention. However, whenreplacing the ECA for the Volvo and Renaultapplications the vehicle's monitoring system will haveto be re-set informing it that a new unit has beenfitted. This re-setting can be carried out by a Volvo orRenault dealer or by the Knorr-Bremse NEO diagnostictool.

For further information Technical DocumentY041609-EN-000 is available to download fromwww.knorr-bremseCVS.com or upon request canbe sent out from Knorr-Bremse UK.

The Knorr-Bremse ECA is used in commercial vehicleswith automated manual or fully automatictransmission units, and its main function is to operatethe clutch (engaging and disengaging), but has alsobeen designed with vehicle dynamics in mind togreatly reduce any jolting or surges during clutchapplications.

The ECA is mounted onto the clutch housing attachedto the gearbox, and applies the clutch automaticallyas commanded by the gear box electronic controlunit. The clutch application and release process iscarried out pneumatically.

To enable the smooth pulling away of a vehicle, aclutch must be able to engage with small progressivemovements. However, a clutch must also be able tooperate under conditions where a quick clutchengagement is required, e.g. hill-starting. Therefore avariable response time for the engaging anddisengaging of the clutch is required to meet thesedemands. To do this the Knorr-Bremse ECA uses 4solenoids to precisely control the flow of air to operatethe servo, 1 large and 1 small diameter air flowsolenoid to engage the clutch and 1 large and 1 smallsolenoid to disengage the clutch.

The position of the ECA's main piston (which alsorepresents the position of the clutch friction plates),is continuously communicated by the servo's travelsensor direct to the gearbox's Electronic Control Unit(ECU). This enables the ECU to accurately identify thecurrent position of the clutch lever, and means thatengaging and disengaging operations of the clutchcan be permanently adjusted to suit current drivingdemands and conditions. Furthermore, theidentification of the position of the clutch lever,particularly at the position where the friction platesengage, enables the ECU to determine the wear of the

clutch friction plates. Consequentlythe driver can be informed

about an

Clutch Actuator

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In fact Dingbro’s senior management – headed byco-founder and Managing Director Allan Dingwall –have a healthy obsession with detail which extendsfrom the way individual items are stored in the specialracking in each depot, through to every aspect of the‘customer experience’.

“We’ve all experienced how growth can distanceorganisations from the more subtle – but no lessimportant – aspects of customer service “ said AllanDingwall. “But in Dingbro’s case our commitment tostaying close to the customer has been proven tomake sound business sense. Much, if not all, of thegroup’s expansion and diversification into related areashas been driven by listening to our customers, thenthinking through the detail of how best to meet theirrequirements – and it’s worked!”Naturally a company of this scale needs processes, butall Dingbro systems are firmly based on commonsense and experience. For example, at the Bellshilldepot (Dingbro’s most recent opening) there is apractical approach to managing the phones. “Wealways aim to have two people for every phone at the

Small details drive big numbers at Dingbro850 staff, 250000 sq ft of storage, 90,000 active part lines, 18 locations, 290 delivery vans, £13m worth ofcomponent stocks – the sheer scale of Dingbro belies the attention to fine detail that underpins the success ofScotland’s leading independent commercial vehicle parts distributor - Steve Law reports.

director.While commercial vehicle parts and associated services still play a very large part in the business,Dingbro also supplies parts and electrical componentsto the auto trade and well as automotive paints andindustrial equipment. A separate division also catersfor the shipping and offshore oil industries, primarilyin the supply of filters and batteries.

All Dingbro depots have workshop facilities for cars,truck and trailer brake relining, a service licensedunder the terms of SEPA, the Scottish EnvironmentProtection Agency. In Bellshill alone, the workshop isfitted with over £40,000 worth of brake service tools.

“Our market is very demanding and distributors arenaturally expected to be able to provide a vast rangeof components and parts off the shelf” said LesMacdonald. “We take our position as a leadingindependent supplier very seriously; our staff aretrained to the highest standards and, as a highintegrity business, we will only supply the best qualityoriginal equipment parts.”

front desk” explained Bellshill depot manager, TomSmith. “That means that when one person isfollowing up a phone enquiry in the warehouse,another is on hand to man the phone.”And while the senior management of manydistribution organisations will only delve into thedetail daily or even weekly, Dingbro managers monitor the order/delivery performance of individualdepots on an hour by hour basis, with the facility todrill down to examine the status of particular orders ifnecessary.

In the words of Les Macdonald, Dingbro area managerfor Scotland’s Central Belt: “The ultimate aim is tomeet the customer’s requirement and a lot of time inmanagement meetings is given to discussing newways of enhancing the service further – it’s a neverending process.”Dingbro’s ‘listen to the customer’ philosophy has takenit a long way beyond the initial aspirations of AllanDingwall and his brother Ken, technical andoperations director, when they founded the companyin 1973 with Allan’s wife Helen, the group’s finance

Dingbro Knorr-Bremse Distributor

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Our market is very demanding“ ”

Allan Dingwall

Tom Smith Les Macdonald

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SCANIA14

These days, a truck dealer has to do more thansell trucks to win an operator's business.Sharon Clancy talks to Tim Pugh, UK BusinessDevelopment Director at Scania about thecompany’s holistic attitude to its customers.

Ask any truck driver, given the choice, what make of truck they would like to drive and aScania will usually be high up the list. The Swedish truck maker has an enviable reputationfor building high-quality trucks which are liked by both drivers and operators. There are 92 service points in the UK. Around half are owned by Scania itself and halfoperated by a group of seven independent dealers. “A mix of franchised dealers andindependents helps us ensure we offer operators a high-level of consistent service,” saysPugh. “We can trial new initiatives through our own dealers and then roll-them out to theindependent franchises. It reduces the risk for franchises, but at the same time when thereis a benefit for our customers, we can quickly roll it out to the whole network.“

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“The Sheffield call centre is basically a national PartsReception and Sales centre” explains Pugh. “We arenot trying to change the valuable relationships ourcustomers have with their dealers. What we are tryingto do is ensure they get a better standard of partsservice than if they rang or called into the local dealer.Cut-off times for next-day delivery of parts will belater, for example, and the call centre is staffed bytechnical staff, who can help answer any queriesoperators may have on parts identification, forexample.”Having a single call centre will help streamline theoperation and provide national information aboutwhat is happening to vehicles in service, explainsPugh. “We can also monitor the parts availability on anationwide basis. We know which dealers hold whichparts and which vehicles are registered with thatdealer for maintenance. So we can ensure that dealersservicing trucks with PTO equipment, for example,have the necessary parts, minimising downtime.”Knorr-Bremse braking components are, of course,embedded into the Parts Direct programme, sooperators are assured they are getting genuine parts.

The company has introduced several initiativesas part of a new range of services called ScaniaTotal Transport Solutions, which are designed toassist operators in all aspects of their businessfrom vehicle acquisition to on-goingmaintenance and repair requirements. Itincludes everything from fully built up rigidtrucks to ancillary equipment maintenance andaccident repair management services.

For example, it has just launched a mobile servicescheme that offers operators mobile servicing ofancillary equipment such as tail-lifts, fridges, shutterdoors, air-condition systems and wheelchair lifts.“Many operators already have their vehicles andtrailers maintained by the Scania network, so it makesperfect sense for them to also entrust their ancillaryequipment to us.” The 70-strong nationwide fleet ofmobile engineers will work on truck, bus and coachoperators' premises or, if necessary, at the roadsideand offer a complete installation service andsafety-certification to ensure on-going legalcompliance. Scania has invested £1m in staff trainingand state-of-the-art service vehicles and equipment.

Parts DirectA new-style parts operation called Scania Parts Direct,based in Sheffield, has been rolled out to the franchisedealer network. Operators requiring parts call adedicated telephone number. From there the order isrouted to the central UK warehouse in Milton Keynesand distributed from there via the operator’s localdealer.

There are nohidden costs“ ”

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Fitted partsAnother innovative scheme introduced by Scania isFitted Parts. “There is a misconception amongoperators that OEM truck dealers are also the mostexpensive option when it comes to have componentsreplaced,” admits Pugh. “That’s not always the case.Now the most common jobs can be carried out at acompetitive fixed price to standard fitting times.”Knorr-Bremse replacement brake discs and pads areincluded in the scheme, as are alternators, radiators,starter motors, wheels bearings, track rod ends, airbags, water pumps and clutches. Pugh thinks the transparency of the pricing willappeal to operators. “There are no hidden costs. Wealso believe that a responsible approach to fitted partsinvolves much more than the price of the part orlabour. The parts supplied are to the latest technicalspecification and fitting is by an expert Scaniatechnician. The part is covered by a 12-months partsand labour warranty, and we offer free recovery if thepart fails and consequential damage cover should thepart fail or cause subsequent damage to other parts.

All-makes partsSome truck makers offer an all-makes partsprogramme, but Scania is not one of them. “Our viewis that we cannot promote Scania quality andencourage operators to fit genuine OE replacementcomponents at the same time as offering will-fit partsto operators of other truck marques. Our USP is thatwe are expert at everything to do with Scania.”What Scania has launched, however, is a trailer partsservice. “Operators do want a one-stop shop approachfor trailer parts, and some of our dealers also servicetrailers, so it makes sense to use our purchasingpower to offer them attractive prices. It alsocomplements the ancillary parts service we offerthrough our Mobile Engineer scheme. “

Quality paysScania’s engineering heritage demands anAftermarket focus on quality service, says Pugh.“Operators keep their vehicles for three, four, five ormore years. It is up to us to ensure that customerexpectations for quality service are fulfilled.”

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QBE Motor, formerly known as Ensign, is the motorinsurance division of QBE European Operations, part ofQBE Insurance Group, one of the world's leadinginternational insurers and reinsurers. The division has80 years experience in commercial vehicle and busand coach insurance.“QBE works closely with clients to help them identifyand reduce potential sources of claims” said QBEMotor Managing Director, Matthew Crane. “We are

Risk management is a critical issue for fleet operators,service companies, component suppliers andmanufacturers. Steve Law talks to three organisationsthat are making it their business to help.

Managing Risk

18

in-house engineering team – which has the addedbenefit of providing an independent perspective tothe investigation.”

FailuresWhere component failures are found, it’s necessary toascertain whether these were as a consequence of thecollision or had failed or existed previously. It issometimes necessary to send components, tyres andbraking components, for example, away for specialistforensic analysis. Several years ago QBE investigated a situation where anumber of its client’s coaches caught fire in apparentlyunrelated incidents. Using a team of forensic andengineering specialists working alongside VOSA anumber of manufacturing faults were identified. Thisled to a vehicle recall programme but, armed with thedetailed information, QBE were able to ensure that itsclient’s vehicles were comprehensively remedied andwas able to issue certificates of fitness for each vehicleso that they could be insured and reinstated with theminimum delay. “QBE welcomes any steps that make its clients’businesses better and safer. Public safety isparamount” Matthew Crane added. “If evidencesuggests that the design or manufacture of a vehiclecomponent could have caused an accident, then theinsurance company could take steps to prove that in acourt of law. People buying and selling commercialvehicle components should always be sure that theyknow the origins of the part concerned.”

Insurance broker Boyd & Co has been based in Paisley,Scotland for 35 years, although its commercialbusiness has grown significantly in recent years and itnow services clients in all areas of Scotland andbeyond. Boyd & Co has a very strong presence in thebus, coach, haulage and related industries and seesthe client/broker/insurer relationship as a tripartitewhere close cooperation is to the business advantageof all. “Part of our role is to advise clients how best to puttheir house in order, in terms of a sensible approach torisk management” said Boyd & Co. Director, EricRichardson. “We help our clients produce acomprehensive report covering the background of theproprietor, details of the vehicles, repair &maintenance processes, defect reporting, incidentanalysis records, premises, driver recruitment andtraining etc. - the more comprehensive picture we canpresent, the better the rate the underwriter will puton the risk. That’s the role we as the broker fulfil – notjust knowing the best rates in the market, but

The Insurance Company – QBE

The Insurance BrokerBoyd & Co

prepared to offer bespoke solutions, along withpackage and cross class products to provide coverwhere many insurers are not able or prepared to.”“Should one of our clients’ vehicles be involved in aserious accident QBE has 24/7 resources to supportthem, from providing accommodation for strandedpassengers to accident investigations in conjunctionwith the appropriate organisations” Matthew Craneadded. “Where more specialist vehicles are involved we use outside engineers – reporting into our

QBE Motor Managing Director - Matthew Crane

VOSA Head of Vehicle Safety - Jeffrey Sweeting

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VOSA provides a range of licensing, testing, trainingand enforcement services with the aim of improvingthe roadworthiness of vehicles, ensuring thecompliance of operators and drivers, and supportingthe independent Traffic Commissioners.“As the competent enforcement authority in theautomotive sector, VOSA investigates reports of safetydefects in a wide range of products, from componentparts to vehicles.” Said Jeffrey Sweeting, Head ofVehicle Safety. “We may then initiate a technicalinvestigation to establish whether there is a deficiencyin the design or construction of the product whichcould cause an unexpected failure with catastrophicresults.”Since 1979, when the first Code of Practice on VehicleSafety Defects was established, 43 million vehicleshave been recalled under this programme – all withthe full co-operation of manufacturers. VOSA is very aware of the problems presented byspurious parts. “We’ve seen many examples ofcomponents that look identical to the original but,when tested, fall far short in terms of performance”Jeffrey Sweeting explained “We conduct tests withthe original part manufacturers to provide thenecessary evidence – where deficiencies are proven -for us to address the issue with the manufacturersresponsible – if we can identify them. “

The Vehicle &Operator ServicesAgency

Expertise“We look to see whether the problem was caused bythe way a component was fitted, serviced or due to afault in design and/or manufacture” Jeffrey Sweetingadded. “We will use experts to analyse this for us andoften involve manufacturers such as Knorr-Bremsewho have the necessary expertise backed by forensicengineering resources in-house. In one case we testeda spurious antilock braking part on a trailer and foundthat it wasn’t performing at all. And unlike theoriginal part, there was no facility to program thecomponent to diagnose the problem.”The challenge is how to get back to themanufacturers of the spurious parts and to makethem aware of the deficiencies. VOSA sharesinformation with its counterparts throughout Europeon the safety issues pertaining to all vehiclecomponent parts and now has a relationship with theproduct safety authorities in China (AQSIQ).“We also monitor what’s going on elsewhere in theworld” said Andrew Tudor, Automotive Engineer forVOSA’s Vehicle Safety Branch. “Things that can occurwith products in the US, for example may not happenin the UK, and vice versa. When you put a productinto another region it can be affected by the verydifferent road and climate conditions. In fact mostvehicle manufacturers regard the UK to be the mostchallenging environment – we have more corrosionrelated problems than anywhere else in the world!”

VOSA Automotive Engineer Vehicle Safety Branch - Andrew Tudor

Director Boyd & Co - Eric Richardson

advising clients how best to run and manage theirbusiness from an insurance perspective.”

Public liability“The bigger an accident, the more likely that aninvestigation will be carried out” Eric Richardsonexplained. “If faulty brakes are believed to have causeda serious coach accident, for example, and theoperator can prove that the failings were due to athird party maintenance company, the operator wouldhave comeback on the liability policy of the companythat provided the service.”“The public liability section of the operator’s fleetpolicy would respond initially to the claim from theinjured parties. The fleet insurer would settle the claimwith the injured parties, and then look to recover, ifthere were grounds, against the insurance cover of theparty that serviced the vehicle. If the case could beproven the operator’s fleet insurers would bereimbursed for the amount settled on that claimunder a principle called subrogation.”“If however the servicing company could prove thatthe servicing had been carried out correctly and thatthe failing was due to a defective part, they couldsubrogate against the manufacturer of that part undertheir product liability cover” Eric Richardson added.“And that highlights a danger in using parts if youdon’t know where they’ve come from…”“If you buy parts from a reputable manufacturer youcan be confident that product liability cover will be inplace, but in the case of products from unknownsources, the claim trail may stop with the party whofitted the part because there is no one to pass it onto.” said Eric Richardson. “There is also now a growing risk that claims may bemade against business owners personally – as well asthe company, and a growing number of our clientsare now taking directors and officers cover as a matterof course.“

British youngster ChrisLevett has beenmaking a realimpression in the 2007FIA European TruckRacing Championship -the 23 year oldBromsgrove haulierending the season astop British driver and8th overall in the finalclassifications.Although there were some ‘hiccups’ along the way inthis - his first full season of international competition- Levett was really flying high in the Bird’s/AtkinsRacing MAN, gaining several podiums and an outrightwin in the Czech Truck GP at the Autodrom Most.Here in the UK, up to the summer Chris Levett lookedlike a good bet to take the national title… althoughhe finally had to settle for 2nd place in theDelphi/BTRA British Championship after a dramaticseason where his fortunes swung wildly.

After a bit of a disastrous ‘rough and tumble’ weekendin the Barcelona season-opener, the year really startedin fine fashion at Pembrey in south Wales - whereChris powered the blue MAN to three victories. Thiswas a significant day too – as Levett had secured thefirst-ever race win for the new common-rail MAN D-26 engine. The engine was working well…and sowere the brakes, Knorr-Bremse of course! Another Spanish outing in early June - to the tightand twisty Circuito de Albacete (a real dust bowl inthe middle of nowhere, Spain!) proved to be ‘characterbuilding’ for the young British driver. The first raceended with the Bird’s MAN perched on top of thecrash barriers on the second turn of the opening lap!In fact Chris was the innocent victim of theover-enthusiastic ‘team-mates’ (not any more) EgonAllgauer and Gerd Korber coming together at thehead of the pack. The two yellow MANs wentspinning into the gravel, but when the AustrianAllgauer came back across the circuit it was directlyacross the face of Levett on full bore!Chris had to take avoiding action…so that’s how hecame to be parked rather closer to the grandstand

On the Sunday he was certainly on course for anotherpodium before the local man Albacete pushed himwide, losing Levett several places and some valuablechampionship points. While the rest of the Europeancompetitors licked their wounds and packed away forwinter, the Bird’s boys still had two importantmeetings to come.First a third visit to the Welsh motorsport centre(Pembrey), which hosted another three British Championship races. Levett was hot favourite to winagain in Wales, but it just didn’t happen; a gearboxproblem brought a DNF (did not finish) in the first outing. Race two saw Chris blast from the back of the grid to finish a strong second. Then in the last race ofthe weekend, having finally got his nose ahead of thatman Oliver, Levett got a push at the hairpin and wasrelegated to the runner-up spot again!Two weeks later and the season finale brought out ahuge crowd in some fabulous late autumn conditionsat Brands Hatch. Chris headed the pack into thedaunting Paddock Hill bend and then pulled clear tosecure the first win of the weekend. In the last race he looked set for a repeatperformance, but braked just a little too late, locked awheel and slid off into the gravel trap…end of race,end of season!Possibly not the fairytale season end retiringTeam boss David Atkins was hoping for…but that’s racing!

than the circuit designer had intended…After an ‘all-nighter’ to straighten the truck Chris was fired up for the Sunday at Albacete…only to suffer agearbox failure in the early stages. Exit stageright…next stop back at Pembrey in just 5 days!The return to Wales saw a return to top form withLevett taking one win and one runner-up spot (to hisvastly more experienced rival Stuart Oliver), helpingmaintain a 5-point lead in the BTRA British Championship.From Wales the ‘circus’ rolled on to Nogaro in southwest France; four more points-scoring results including a super 6th in the Sunday Euro Championship race for Chris.Next up was the annual outing to Nurburgring; thebiggest event of the truck racing calendar attracting over 200,000 fans to a fabulous weekend in the Eifel.This one features races counting towards both theEuropean and British Championships.All was going well in the Birds camp and after astrong second in the Saturday BTRA race Levett wasdetermined to make amends and turn the tables onOliver in the Sunday outing. Sure enough he qualifiedthe MAN on ‘pole’ and led the pack away from therolling start, but then the gearbox gremlins struckagain leaving poor Chris stranded trackside as his rivalcollected the silverware (and 11 valuable points).Two weeks later and we were all back in Britain for areal ‘summer’ weekend of action at Thruxton - the UK’sfastest race circuit. But a damp track on Saturdayupset the form book with David Jenkins (Sisu)securing a surprise win and Chris slid home in 5th.Sunday’s race brought a secure 2nd for Levett, butOliver’s win put him nine points ahead!A short summer break in the calendar gave everybodya much-needed chance to re-charge the batteries andLevett was certainly refreshed and flying as the Euroseries moved east to the Autodrom Most in the CzechRepublic. Beaten only by Italy for the superb line-upof grid girls (!) the Czech race will certainly stay inChris’ memory for a long time as on the Sunday hescored his first-ever European Championship victory.From Most the series moved on to the famousLe Mans circuit.The Bird’s MAN was still flying high with Chrissecuring a strong 4th in the Saturday race and thengetting a foot on that famous podium with a fabulousthird the next day.Misano (Italy) saw Chris in the points again (a best ofa 6th) and then we reached Jarama for the final of theFIA European Championship series. Watched by anenormous and enthusiastic Spanish audience Chris seta sizzling pace to claim 4th and 6th in the Saturdayoutings.

Sports photo-journalistback through the 2007 truck racing season

It all started as a bit of a joke“

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nalist Jonathan Reeves lookse 2007 truck racing season

a bit of a joke

”

Adios AtkinsThe world of truck racing will be a little bitless colourful next season…in the pit laneanyway!David Atkins, the most successful TeamManager in the history of truck racing, hasfinally bowed out of the sport after 23 yearsof virtually full-time involvement. But David isas well known for his ‘distinctive’ hairstyle(s)as much as for his on-track success.“It all started as a bit of a joke at DoningtonPark in 1984.” explains Atkins - who is nowemigrating to New Zealand.“I was asked to look after the engines of thetwo Mitchell Cotts Mercedes - driven by SteveParrish and Barry Lee. It was a one-off event,just a bit of fun. Little did I know that within 5 years we would be operating a full blown factory Mercedes Supertruck and that itwould keep me busy for the next twodecades."The Atkins / Parrish partnership proved to bethe most successful ever in the Europeanseries - with ex-biker Parrish collecting no lessthan five FIA Championships at the wheel ofan Atkins Mercedes.In 2004, after Atkins made the switch to the

Racetruck category and MAN machinery,Stuart Oliver was the next of his drivers tocollect a European crown in the FIA series.This season Atkins has run the twoKnorr- Bremse equipped MANs of Chris andAndy Levett for the Bird’s/Atkins Team andagain was the top British team in theEuropean series. But the 2007 season didn’treally end on a high for Team Atkins…In the final race at Brands Hatch in November both of his trucks ended up parked in thebarriers!“That sums it up really,” said a remarkablyrelaxed Atkins “I only got involved in truckracing by accident, accidentally became aTeam Manager…and today both Chris andAndy crashed out in accidents!”I think his laid-back (sometimes nearhorizontal) attitude in times of near-crisis willgo down well with the Kiwis with their ‘Noworries’ lifestyle - and we’ll miss him for bothhis pleasant company and the many ‘photoopportunities’ he’s provided us with!“I’m emigrating with my family to NewZealand, but I will be leaving another specialfamily of people here in the truck racingworld” said David.

We all wish Dave Atkins the best of luck!

Traditional 2 Day CourseMarch - 11th / 12thJune - 10th / 11th

October - 21st / 22nd

2 Day Modular CourseMay - 13th / 14th

September - 2nd / 3rdNovember - 18th / 19th

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TRAINING

2008Traditional 2-day courses covering all aspects ofKnorr-Bremse products from basic air brake systemsand air disc brakes to ABS and EBS diagnostics.Modular Courses will first cover all variants of theKnorr-Bremse Air Disc Brakes and will involve anextensive practical session. The second module willcover Trailer Electronic Braking Systems (TEBS) andwill include comprehensive work on diagnostics.The price for both 2-day courses is £250 per person.In addition we are able to offer training courses to suitsales staff and these can be tailored to suit individualcompany needs. These courses can be delivered atKnorr-Bremse’s office or at a venue suitable toyourself.

Please call 0117 9846 222 forbooking details and moreinformation.

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At your service! Knorr-Bremse UK & Republic of Ireland Service CentresUnited KingdomService CentresAberdeenshireH.F. MoirDerek MoirBirchwood Works, Kinellar, Aberdeen. AB21 0SH01224 790 411

AntrimNeville GrahamMichelle McAlisterUnits 1-9, The Creamery, 29 Church Road, Ballynure, Co. Antrim,BT39 9UF028 9334 2427

AntrimRent-A-MercNorman McBride87 Dargan Road, Harbour Industrial Estate, Belfast, BT3 9JU028 9077 9755

ArmaghToal Truck ServicesJohn Toal21-23 Rathtrillick Road, Middletown, Co. Armagh, BT60 4HT02837 569 701

AyrshireGrant Welsh CommercialsGrant WelshUnit 12B, Olympic Business Park, Drybridge Rd, Dundonald,Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. KA2 9BE01563 851 015

BerwickshireBilly CoweBilly CoweTower Farm, Cockburnspath, Berwickshire, TD13 5YU01368 830 242

BuckinghamshireRing RoadStuart ChalmersGawcott Road, Buckingham, MK18 1DR01280 814 741

CambridgeshireR.J. Flack & Son LtdReg Flack19 Longhill Road, March, Cambridgeshire, PE15 0BL01354 657 235

CardiffTanners ElectricsPhil TannersWhittle Road, Leckworth Industrial Estate, Cardiff, CF11 8AT02920 225 580

CheshireAM BellSam GreavesHawkshead Quarry, Leek Old Road, Sutton, Macclesfield, Cheshire,SK11 0JB01260 253 232

CheshireBibbys CommercialsColin MurraySherbrook House, Winwick House, Warrington, Cheshire,WA3 7EW01925 762 143

CheshireThe Hulme GroupLee DrummondWarren Road, Trafford Park, Manchester, Cheshire, M17 1QR01618 776 071

CheshireTruck Services SandbachDarran TarrantSpringvale Industrial Estate, Millbuck Way, Sandbach, Cheshire,CW11 3HT01270 768 370

ClevelandNorth East Truck & VanWalter WhealdonCowpen Bewley Road, Haverton Hill, Billingham Cleveland,TS23 4EX01642 370 555

CumbriaTitterington Truck & TrailerPeter TitteringtonUnit 7 Sandysike, Longtown, Carlisle, CA6 5SR01228 792 600

DerbyshireTranscare 28 LtdDarren ParkinUnit 1, Lydford Road, Meadow Lane Industrial Estate, Alfreton,Derbyshire, DE55 7RQ01773 832 697

DerbyshireTrucktekMark PollockThe Elms, Moorfarm Road East, Ashbourne, Derbyshire,DE6 1HD01335 340 510

DorsetPLC CommercialAndy Burridge14 St Georges Avenue, Parkstone, Poole, BH12 4ND01202 722 288

DurhamBraketech Northern LtdDavid LeeHetton Lyons Industrial Estate, Hetton-le-Hole, Tyne & Wear,DH5 0RH0191 526 3753

East SussexMick Gould Commercials LtdToby GoldsmithThe Royal Oak Garage, London Road, Flimwell, East Sussex,TN5 7PJ01580 879333

EssexBCSBarry Craven9 New Rd, Rainham, Essex, RM13 8DH01708 522 101

EssexCrusely Trailer Engineering LtdDave ElyBotany Way, Beacon Hill Industrial Estate, Purfleet, Essex,RM19 1SR01708 861 144

FifeSealand Trailers - RosythSteven AddisonUnits 5&6, Forties Campus, Rosyth Europarc, Rosyth, Fife,KY11 2XB01383 419 205

GlasgowMackenzies (Cambuslang) LtdGordon MackenzieSomerville Street, Cambuslang, Glasgow G72 7EB01416 419 504

GloucestershireCollett Transport ServicesAndy CollettBibstone Farmhouse, Cromhall, Wotton Under Edge,Gloucestershire, GL12 8AE01454 269 606

GloucestershireMark EdgeworthMark EdgeworthWoodside, 6 St Edwards Road, Stow on the Wold, Cheltenham,Gloucestershire, GL54 1AP07977 849 436

HampshireR & M CommercialsRussell BlackmanBell Road, Daneshill East Industrial Estate, Basingstoke,RG24 8FB01256 840 404

HampshireT. Faulkner ABS EBS SpecialistTrevor Faulkner1 Mandela Way, Fourpost Mill, Southampton, SO15 5RZ07977 132 833

HertfordshireFoulger’s CVS LtdPeter FoulgerMelda Farm, Bury Lane, Melbourn, Royston, Hertfordshire,SG8 6DF01763 262 826

KentCoombe ValleyMartin Husk16a Primrose Road, Dover, Kent CT17 0JA01304 206 498

LancashireLynch TrucksStephen LynchBarnfield Way, Altham Business Park, Altham, Acrington,Lancashire, BB5 5YT01282 773 377

LancashireKidds TransportMartin MorrisCaton Road, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA13PE01524 34334

LeicestershireMidland Commercial Services LtdJames BrownHazel Way, Barwell, Leicestershire, LE9 8GR01455 840 994

LincolnshireM.V. GreatrixMerv. GreatrixMain Road, Stickney, Nr Boston, Lincolnshire, PE22 8AE01205 480 459

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Republic of Ireland Service CentresDonegalD & M Motor ServicesDoug PeachAssoroe Road, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, Eire+353 719 851 242

DublinCP CommercialsPeter Costello42B Baldoyle Industrial Estate, Dublin 13, Eire+353 183 213 16

DublinRing Road LimitedShay MurphyJ19 Greenogue Business Park, Rathcoole Co. Dublin, Eire +353 140 136 43

DublinArgentScott Fletcher-JonesUnit 10, Parkmore Industrial Est. Long Mile Road, Dublin 12,Eire+353 145 040 90

KerryKerry Coach ServicesMichael BuckleyWoodlands Industrial Estate, Park Road, Killarney, Co. Kerry,Eire+353 643 1945

KilkennyKeogh CommercialsLiam KeoghGrowine, Waterford Road, Kilkenny, Eire+353 567 729 983

LimerickPaddy Dore CommercialsMargaret DoreDock Road, Limerick, Eire+353 612 284 22

OffalyTullamore Test & Repair CentreKieran McManusCloncollig Industrial Estate, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, Eire+353 579 352 057

RoscommonKelly TrucksJimmy KellyDrummond, Strokestown, Co Roscommon, Eire+353 719 637 070

LincolnshireR&A Scott Auto Services LtdAndrew Scott5 Sandars Road, Heaphman Road Industrial Estate,Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, DN21 1RZ01427 612 210

MerseysideFM EngineeringKen FlowerBurtonhead Road, St Helens, Merseyside, WA9 5EA01744 746 800

MiddlesexPhoenix Motors & Recovery LtdJohn O’NeilPhoenix House, Rivers Gardens, North Feltham Trading Estate,Feltham, TW14 0RD0208 890 8230

MidlothianGeorge StoutGeorge Stout4 Eskvale Court, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 8HT01968 673 247

MorayElgin Truck & VanSandy KennedyGrampian Road, Elgin, Moray, IV30 1XN01343 542 171

Newry & MourneO’Hare Truck & Trailer Services & RentalDan O’Hare41, Omeath Road, Newry, Northern Ireland, BT35 8QN028 3026 1272

NorthamptonshireNorthampton CommercialsAlan BuckleStoke Road, Rothwell, Northamptonshire, NN14 2SR0785 668 6363

North East LincolnshireClayden EngineeringDavid MoffittKiln Lane Industrial Estate, Stallingborough, Immingham,N.E. Lincs, DN41 8DU01469 571 203

PembrokeshireMansell Davies & SonDan StandingStation Yard, Llanfyrnach, Pembrokeshire, SA35 0BZ01239 831 631

SomersetMartock Commercials LtdMalcolm TimbrellGreat Western Rd, Martock, Somerset, TA12 6HB01935 823 901

South GloucestershireHalls ElectricalTony HallUnit 16, Dean Court, Great Western Business Park, Yate, Bristol,BS37 5NJ01454 319 722

StaffordshireDr. AirbrakeJeff LoweThe Brake Centre, Lyne Hill Industrial Estate, Penkridge,Staffordshire, ST19 5NU01785 714 447

SuffolkBrake GeometryScott Parker82 Nethergate Street, Bungay, Suffolk, NR35 1HE07920 042 074

SuffolkSPR Trailer Services LtdSimon Rivers5 Walton Avenue, Felixstowe, Suffolk, IP11 3HH01394 275 590

TyroneMcLoughlin CoachworksJohn McLoughlin270 Battlefield Road, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, BT71 7NP02837 548 418

West MidlandsTruck EngineeringCraig WilsonUnit 4, Holland Industrial Estate, Bentley Park South,Darlaston, WS10 8LN0121 568 3820

West SussexAlex FreemanAlex FreemanUnit M + N, Ditching Common Industrial Estate, Hassocks,West Sussex, BN6 8SG01444 253 312

West SussexA J FreemanPhil MatthewsUnit 1, Forgewood Industrial Estate, Gatwick Road, Crawley,West Sussex, RH10 9PG01293 544 006

West YorkshireH & P ListerPeter ListerEmbassy Garage, Battye Street, Off Leeds Road, Dewsbury,WF13 1PD01924 454 595

West YorkshireWilliams Tanker Services LtdDave CrispHowley Park Road East, Leeds, LS27 0BS0113 289 7990

WorcestershireTPS AutomotivesJohn HeidtHoobrook Trading Estate, Worcester Road, Kidderminster,DY10 1HY01562 822 446

Republic of IrelandService CentresCorkJay CommercialsJohn McCarthyUnit 9, Ballycurreen Industrial Estate, Kinsale Road, Cork, Eire+353 214 312 395

CorkTransport ServicesSean LoftusBallyvolane, Cork, Eire+353 214 507 377