“There’s a whole list of reasons why it makes sense to outsource the maintenance of our refuse vehicles,” insists Simon Almond, managing director of the Exeter-based zero-to-landfill waste management company.
“These vehicles are very complex, expensive machines, and they require the attention of expert municipal vehicle engineers to keep them in tip-top condition,” he says.
“We used to be very reactive when it came to the maintenance of our vehicle bodies: we just used to fix them when they broke down and hire replacement vehicles – which can be very expensive,” he explains.
DCW outsourced responsibility to Gloucestershire-based RVS (Refuse Vehicle Solutions), which has used predictive measures not only to control fleet replacements but also to monitor driver damage and improve health and safety.
“Our vehicles need to be fit for purpose, reliable and they need to meet the highest safety standards,” comments Almond.
“RVS take care of all of that, and since they took over we have seen an enormous reduction in vehicle breakdowns.”