The senior traffic commissioner is reminding fleet operators that new financial standing limits will apply from 1 January 2014.
There's money to be saved and deals to be struck on new commercial vehicle purchases. Laura Cork checks out the bottom line on fleet finance
Finance & Leasing
When it comes to tankers and other vehicles carrying hazardous materials, operations and engineering are very different to general road haulage. Brian Tinham reports
ADR Vehicles
Equipment and materials for body shops and paint shops don't come cheap – and neither does compliance with the likes of PAS 125. But getting damaged vehicles back on the road fast and fully functioning is what matters, says Steve Banner
Bodyshop EquipmentTransport Systems Catapult, part of the Catapult innovation and technology programme set up by the government's Technology Strategy Board, has installed: Chris Powell as chief financial officer; Mark Ruddy (ex of Network Rail) as chief operating officer; and Neil Ridley (who formerly led the Transport Knowledge Transfer Network) director of business development.
People
Scottish haulier D Steven & Son has acquired its ninth new Volvo FH 540 tractor unit, as part of an ongoing replacement of its 30-strong fleet.
Tractor Units
Ford has notched up 10,000 sales of its new Transit Custom in the UK, in the 12 months since its launch.
Light Commercial Vehicles
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) is warning HGV operators that complacency about Driver CPC deadlines is not an option, if they want to avoid heavy fines or possible 'O' licence suspension.
Driver CPC
Ford has announced that a new University Technical College is to be built at the site of its Centre of Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence (CEME), in Essex.
Apprenticeships
International transport firm Stardes, which provides services to the concert tour and event sector, has put its first Euro 6 DAF tractor unit into operation – a two-axle FT low-deck model, with air suspension all round.
Tractor Units
Scottish tipper business Central Demolition is using Thompsons to supply high-sided Loadmaster bodies with a full specification so that each vehicle can perform multiple duties.
Tippers
A truck test has revealed that using 'green' tyres instead of D-rated tyres saves 8.5% on fuel, equating to a saving of £1.3 million per year for a fleet of 300 trucks, and a CO2 reduction of 3,000 tonnes per year.
Tyres & Retreads