Whitewell Logistics are a bespoke aggregate and asphalt haulier based just outside Ilkley, West Yorkshire, covering Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cumbria and Scottish borders. Emma Middleton, Compliance Manager, explains how Whitewell Logistics Ltd has achieved significant improvements through FORS including reductions in fuel use / reduced CO₂ emissions, lowered NOx and Particulate Matter emissions, maintained its road safety record and transport related fines/charges.

We came across FORS through our high-profile customers when they introduced a minimum of Bronze accreditation to work across their sites. We realised it would help us to achieve best practice and benefit us by improving our company profile.

Whitewell Logistics passed their initial audit first time round in May 2017. This was a brilliant experience for us as a company and showed us which areas we were fully compliant within the FORS standard, but also areas for our improvement. From here we were encouraged to go for Silver straight away, which we gained later in May 2017 and aimed to gradually progress to Gold which was initially passed in 2019.

Once accredited, we really made the most of the benefits on offer, in particular the various driver professional development tools, FORS Practitioner workshops, FORS toolkits, FORS Associates offers and discounts, etc. By doing so, it helped us to improve our policies/procedures. We have implemented an anti-idling policy and have seen improvements in our carbon footprint and fuel usage.

‘FORS has been invaluable within the staff training programme, as well as exceeding our customers’ expectations.’ – Rebecca Sorbo, Director

Whilst we have been FORS Gold hauliers, it has assisted the growth of Whitewell Logistics over the last few years gaining us higher profile clients, higher recognition within our industry and allowed us to win greater contracts as we were able to prove our dedication of compliance and safety to our customers.

‘Our customers satisfaction is our priority!’ – Barry Holmes, Director

Performance data – Below you can see our average MPG for years 2019 & 2020. The figures show we have reduced our MPG over the years even though our fleet size has continuously grown. To the expansion of the fleet between both years, the figures show an increase in gases in line with the increase of extra mileage.

Driver health and fitness review – Our drivers sign an annual driver declaration form to consent they have no known medical conditions which prevent them from driving at the time. Through this, they additionally consent to notifying us and the DVLA if they develop any conditions. The declaration aids Whitewell Logistics in monitoring driver health and fitness and keep incidents to a minimum.

Recruitment of drivers – Our company is currently signed up to the military covenant and where applicable, offers assistance to individual’s throughout doing their HGV test. The company has also assisted two individuals throughout their Transport Manager CPC in order to progress their careers within the industry.

Noise assessment – Fortunately, our customers sites are not located in noise sensitive areas, although we do monitor the daily activities of our drivers to ensure their Health and Safety at all times. Activities/zones which exceed 80 decibels, are designated as ‘Ear Protection Zones/Activities’, to which ear defenders are located in each truck and issued to all staff as part of PPE to use during these activities/zones as set out in our policy.

Modal shift and alternative vehicles – The company has researched all types of modal shifts/alternative vehicles, although these are not currently suitable for our industry. To reduce the company’s carbon footprint as a whole, Barry Holmes, Director, is currently researching an electric car as an alternative to the current company cars and we are engaged in a cycle to work scheme with a local cycle company.

In order to make continual fleet improvements we will continue to monitor our fuel consumption, driver health and fitness, and analyse/update our systems and procedures where needed.

We have positively promoted FORS by producing showing the FORS logo on correspondence/paperwork, our website and Facebook page. We also have ongoing plans to host a cycle awareness event in our local area alongside our customers, the local authority, fire service, schools, cycle shops, etc.

Whitewell Logistics Ltd strived to become the first Gold haulier in our local area. This gave us great satisfaction knowing we are working to the highest level of compliance and best practice, whilst also issuing us the advantage to improve our company profile. FORS Gold will enable us to continue seeking higher profile customers and aid us in the expansion of our fleet. Being Gold accredited would allow us to further promote FORS, continue staff professional development and assist in the continuation of improving our fleet operations and safety.

If you would like to show Whitewell Logistics your support, please like us on Facebook at https://en-gb.facebook.com/WhitewellLogisticsLtd/.

*Please note: All published FORS Gold case studies have been submitted by the accredited company named above and transcribed verbatim