The firm – which operates the largest fleet of 44-tonne crane offload delivery vehicles in the UK – says the award was the culmination of several years’ of development work, particularly with Hiab and SDC Trailers.
“Together, we set about designing a modern delivery fleet that incorporated the best equipment available, with the specific requirement that the safety of the operator, customers and other road users be a top priority,” explains Guy Ripley, regional logistics and fleet manager at Marshalls.
“Vehicle designs had to meet not only our own safety-related aspirations, but also those of the many blue chip clients we work with,” he adds.
The result: Marshalls included safety innovations such as 360 degree CCTV systems that give the driver a view of the entire vehicle and the load – including while in transit.
The firm also went for cyclist proximity sensors that detect hidden vulnerable road users when vehicles are turning left,
And it chose axle weight indicators to ensure loads are evenly spread and do not exceed axle limits.
Add to those, soft fall-restraint curtain sides on the trailer that retain cargo in an accident, plus bespoke load securing equipment with lashing points and punch plate decking built in, as well as a new trailer driver access system – and it’s not difficult to see why Marshalls took the CILT prize.
As for the loader, Marshalls went for a Hiab XS 099 HiPro Roller crane, which uses ultra-high strength steel, lightweight alloys, a lightweight engine, and optimised hydraulic and electronic systems to weigh in at just 2,000kg.
That includes the grab, and Ripley adds that, again, the emphasis is also on safety in operation, with a state-of-the-art remote control system – as well as fast and smooth control, and low fuel consumption.
“The new vehicle designs have led to a significant reduction in accidents and injuries to both our own employees and other people,” states Ripley.
“Our entire fleet is now designed to the new high level specification ... giving us an ever-improving accident record in an increasingly demanding work environment,” he continues.
“We were absolutely delighted to have been presented with the CILT’s Award for Excellence in Safety,” he adds.