The 2013 Microlise Annual Transport Conference hailed as a huge success.
Posted on 23. May, 2013 by Len in Customers, Microlise - In the News, News, Partners, Product
Microlise held its Annual Transport Conference at the East Midlands Conference Centre on the 14th of May 2013. Hosted by Quentin Wilson, over 400 delegates heard from a number of leading industry figures about how they are bringing best practice to their transport and logistics operations. The full day event was broken down into a number of themes; reducing fuel usage, costs & emissions, improving health and safety and the enhancing customer service.
Key note speakers came from a range of industry sectors and membership and compliance bodies and covered a variety of topics. Speakers shared their thoughts, predictions and experiences with the audience at the conference and in many cases, made themselves available for questions in the exhibition area during interludes.
Geoff Dunning, Chief Executive of the RHA gave the opening address, speaking about the challenges that the industry has faced over the last 12 months and highlighted the challenges that were on the horizon and how only operators who are profitable, compliant and sustainable will succeed.
Beverley Bell, Senior Traffic Commissioner for Great Britain gave an interesting and entertaining presentation on what is expected of transport operators in the UK today, highlighting how companies often think they understand the requirements of compliance with operating license regulations, and illustrated how, in many cases, they simply don’t. Some of the examples Beverley gave were both amusing and hair raising!
Nick Hay, MD of Fowler Welch Distribution made an interesting and compelling argument that telematics was not the silver bullet to improving fuel economy and fuel efficiency, but how getting the culture right was paramount. Nick contended that telematics is a vital tool in measuring the effectiveness of this culture. Nick has Microlise Fleet Performance Telematics deployed across his fleet and reported an improvement in MPG of 6% in 12 months, which continues to rise. Nick also shared with the audience the significant reduction in accident rates and insurance costs Fowler Welch have experienced in the same period.
Graham Lackey, MD of Brit European highlighted the pioneering work Brit European are doing in the use of dual fuel vehicles within their fleet, the huge investment they have made in this area and the support received by government funding. Graham and his team have been particularly innovative in how they have overcome the issues with range and the reticence of fuel suppliers to make investment in gas bunkers on truck routes by developing their own mobile gas station, which they use to support their fleet and prove to fuel companies that there is demand in a location before moving the mobile platform on. Graham will use Microlise to measure the efficiency of the dual fuel vehicles in his fleet going forwards.
Oli Wanklyn, Operations Coordination Manager at BSKYB took delegates through the challenges BSKYB have faced in driving the benefits of Telematics through their engineering fleet operation given the size of their fleet of over 2500 vans, highlighting the limited amount of time that team and regional managers have available to spend with their engineers, which are all ‘home based’. Using information from Microlise Fleet Performance Telematics system as a base, BSKYB have put in place a simple communications and reward package that has resulted in an overall fuel economy improvement of 7% and a reduction in speeding of over 90%.Alex Fiddes, Executive Director Next Generation Testing at VOSA gave an overview of the work VOSA do to help to ensure safety compliance in UK fleets, the challenges the UK faces from some overseas operators and the work VOSA do in targeting rogue drivers and operators. Alex played a video of a horrific road accident in which 7 people were killed that left nobody in the conference hall in any doubt as to the danger of not maintaining heavy goods vehicles to the required standards.
Simon Chamberlain, MD of Chamberlain Transport presented at the Microlise annual conference for the second time. Simon was again well received as he gave an informative and interesting view of the world from a successful, medium sized, family owned operator. Simon detailed the benefits he has seen from the Microlise Fleet Performance Telematics system over the lifetime of the solution – right from the first vehicle implementation through to his recent addition of Smartwitness cameras connected into the Microlise system. Like Nick at Fowler Welch, he reiterated that Telematics isn’t a ‘magic wand’ and the importance of good management and the right driver culture.
Andrew Gadd, Progamme Manager at Interserve FM talked about how Interserve, a large facilities management company, fitted Microlise tracking units to their van fleet this year and how telematics data contributes key management information to their SustainAbilities programme.
Jim Hochin, Director of Operations at Openfield and Ian Fisher, VP IT – Strategy, Planning & Innovation at DHL opened their talk by depositing a huge wad of paper delivery notes on the stage by ways of highlighting that, due to the nature of what DHL collect and deliver on behalf of Openfield, they generate 480,000 pieces of paper every year for around 120,000 loads of grain being collected from farms and delivered to manufacturers. Ian & Jim explained how using Microlise’s innovative SmartPOD application on Android phones, will allow DHL drivers and sub-contractors alike to remove this paperwork in a very cost effective and easy to use manner.Shaun Foley, COO of Bidvest Logistics shared with the audience how Bidvest have made an improvement of over 5% in fuel consumption. Bidvest logistics have been a Microlise customer for a number of years and use a range of Microlise Transport execution modules across their fleet of over 400 food service trucks, pioneering the Microlise Customer Service Board. Shaun explained the importance of customer service to Bidvest and how Microlise helps to differentiate their service with the ability to provide real-time delivery exception information to their customers. This has enhanced their customer’s service experience – even when things were not necessarily going to plan on a trip.
There was also time set aside for networking over coffee breaks and an excellent hot buffet lunch, where attendees could also spend time browsing a number of Microlise partner stalls displaying complimentary technologies and services. The eco driving competition was also a huge success with the top three delegates winning a Kindle Fire. This year’s conference sponsors were MAN whose display of latest generation MAN Euro 6 trucks in the external exhibition area was met with great interest. Brit European also brought along one of their new dual fuel trucks, complete with a JCB (another Microlise customer) on a low loader, for people to look at. Graham Lackey commented, “The number of delegates showing interest in the Brit European presentation and our truck on display is indicative of the level of interest in the duel fuel debate and testament to the quality and organisation of the Microlise Transport Conference.”The conference presentations were wrapped up by a thoroughly entertaining talk from Ben Collins, formerly “The Stig” on BBC Top Gear, who shared some of his varied and exciting experiences during his time as a racing driver and Hollywood stunt man.
Feedback from the day has been hugely positive so far, with over 90 delegates already pre-registered for next year’s event – which continues to increase.
The Microlise Transport Conference was met with positive comments regarding the event overall like, “It’s the most useful conference I have ever attended” and “I was really impressed. I liked the sessions from companies who were making the same journey. Quality line up, very impressive…”The speakers were highly praised with comments like, “I thought the speakers were all excellent…” and “The themes were topical and made interesting by each of the individuals presenting”.
At the same time, it would appear that we were, “spot on” as one delegate put it, with this year’s themes. “The selected themes were perfect for the day, tinged with regulatory and compliance content which was then supported by relevant companies sharing their positive experiences with Telemetry.” Comments directed at specific speakers such as, “Chamberlain Transport reflected what I see in my own day to day job,” suggest that the topics were completely relevant to the audience.
Bob Harbey, the director at Microlise responsible for the event said, “We are delighted with the success of this year’s event, we have almost doubled the number of attendees from last year’s conference. It is testimony to Microlise and our customers that so many people were happy to stand up and tell people about how they are using Microlise technology, coupled with good organisation and processes, to improve their transport operations performance. I would really like to thank all our guest speakers for their fantastic contribution, as well as convey our gratitude to all of the delegates who made the effort to attend”. Bob concluded by saying that plans were already underway for next year’s free event and that he was encouraged by the feedback from delegates which indicated over 95% of attendees would recommend the event to their colleagues.
Microlise highlighted as key CSR partner to Carlsberg
Posted on 20. May, 2013 by Len in Customers, Microlise - In the News, News, Partners, Product
In an interview in this month’s Transport & Logistics Magazine, Carlsberg’s National Fleet Compliance Manager, Phil Thompson, highlights the effect that Microlise telematics has had on it’s fleet and the knock on effect it’s had on Carlsberg’s CSR programme. Carlsberg have achieved a 4.8% fuel and carbon emissions saving in year 1 of implementing the Microlise System to monitor driving style. A further 1% in year 2 has also been achieved.
Phil comments, “It’s easy to concentrate on our main purpose – delivering beer, but there’s a man and a machine behind that as well. What telematics has helped do is make us look at ourselves, and how we go about our day-to-day operations.”
But Phil is keen to highlight the important role their drivers had to play. “The drivers really took our fuel efficiency measures on board, which aided our endeavours because they proactively wanted to make the gains we were asking of them.”
For the full article, visit http://www.tandlonline.com/magazine/
(Carlsberg UK – Driving Down Carbon Emissions – Issue 134 will be published online from Wednesday 22nd May)
Watch the ‘Microlise and Carlsberg in Partnership’ video to find out more…
Microlise Transport Conference reaches new heights
Posted on 17. May, 2013 by Len in Customers, Microlise - In the News, News, Partners, Product
This year’s Microlise Transport Conference always promised to be valuable event to the transport industry. With big hitters like DHL, Fowler Welch, Bidvest, Brit European and Chamberlain’s speaking, it’s no wonder the Microlise Transport Conference is now the biggest conference of its type in the UK. Beverley Bell (Senior Traffic Commissioner for Great Britain), Alex Fiddes (VOSA), Geoff Dunning (RHA) added a compelling compliance slant to the presentations whist Oli Wanklyn (Sky) and Andrew Gadd (Interserve) highlighted the effects Microlise telematics has had on their substantial LCV fleets.
Once again, Quentin Willson chaired the conference displaying his genuine interest in the industry and the progress it’s made over the last 12 months. Quentin also had a chance to meet fellow ‘Top Gear’ man Ben Collins (former ‘Stig’) who rounded up the day’s proceedings with an entertaining and enlightening glance into the world of movie stunt coordination and high speed driving.
With over 400 delegates, the conference was a huge success and the feedback so far has been extremely positive.
Microlise and Carlsberg in Partnership
Posted on 15. May, 2013 by Len in Customers, Microlise - In the News, News, Product, Uncategorized
Microlise and Carlsberg in Partnership
Microlise have released a new video case study outlining their partnership with Carlsberg. Microlise work closely with their customers to help them to achieve the best results from the system long after installation.
Carlsberg are a global company producing over 35 billion bottles of beer each year with sales in over 140 countries. In the UK they employ 1800 people and their fleet travels approximately 15 million kilometres every year.
Microlise began working with Carlsberg nearly 3 years ago and have helped improve fleet fuel consumption by 4.8% in year 1 and by a further 1% in year 2.
Watch the Microlise and Carlsberg in Partnership video now.
The Microlise Annual Transport Conference offers more in May…
Posted on 16. Apr, 2013 by Len in Customers, Microlise - In the News, News, Partners
Microlise launch SmartPOD mobile phone POD application
Posted on 21. Mar, 2013 by Len in Microlise - In the News, News, Product
Microlise – raising community spirit.
Posted on 06. Mar, 2013 by Len in Microlise - In the News, News, Uncategorized
When our staff take it upon themselves to get involved in local community projects and youth sports, we do our best to actively encourage it. As a result, Microlise are proud shirt sponsors of Kenilworth Wardens under 16’s football club.
Kenilworth Wardens were established more than 50 years ago in wartime Kenilworth. The club was started by Air Raid Wardens and have grown to be a flagship club in Warwickshire for football, cricket and running at all ages. They are now an FA Development Chartered Standard club and also a Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) and have a Clubmark in cricket.

The under 16’s football team compete in the Under 16’s Coventry Minor League and are managed by Phil Langley, Microlise’s Senior Business Benefits Manager.
“We’ve got great teams ranging from under 7’s to seniors,” explains Phil, “and support from business is not only helpful but totally essential to local youth development in this country and Microlise takes its social responsibility very seriously.”
Paul Calver, Juniors Football Chairman commented, “Kenilworth Wardens Football Club strives to provide football to the local community, to develop players and harness talent, in a safe and secure environment. This is only possible by generous sponsorship, such as that of Microlise and the sponsorship of our talented under 16’s team. As a club we are very grateful for their support and look forward to the team showing off their new kit”
Matthew Hague, Product Strategy Director at Microlise added, “When I was approached by Phil I jumped at the chance to have Microlise sponsor the under 16’s team shirts. Our staff are what makes our company a great place of work and we do what we can to encourage them to put something back into their communities like Phil has done for some years now.”
£50k JCB recovered thanks to tracker
Posted on 25. Jan, 2013 by Len in Microlise - In the News, News, Product, Uncategorized
A stolen JCB fitted with a tracking device has been found eight miles away hidden in woods off the A46 in Market Rasen. The £45,000 to £50,000 JCB loader – which was fitted with a LiveLink satellite tracking device – was stolen from a farm off High Street, Caenby, in the early hours of the morning on Wednesday, January 16.
It was discovered hours later the same day thanks to real-time location information. The farm owner was alerted to the theft via text message. Tracking then revealed it had been driven and hidden in Market Rasen.
The police, LiveLink and JCB dealer Peacock and Binnington teamed up to recover the machine and its attachments. Peacock and Binnington company director Andrew Whiteley said: “The recovery of this stolen machine in a matter of hours of the theft proves beyond a doubt the benefit of the JCB LiveLink system.”
About LiveLink
JCB LiveLink is an advanced telematics system that enables their large and medium machine operators to better protect their machines and accurately monitor and improve performance. In conjunction with this, JCB and Microlise have designed a new product called LiveLink Lite. Intended specifically to meet the needs of JCB Dealers and customers who operate smaller JCB machines for which the other LiveLink products are not suited.
The LiveLink Lite product provides the user features such as: Machine location, Operating Hours monitoring and reporting, Tow-away alerts, Real-time geo-fence and curfew alerts, Emailed service reports, and Email & text security alerts. All to provide JCB customers with: enhanced machine security and theft recovery, improved control of machine usage & maintenance planning and reduced VOR through improved product support.
LiveLink Lite is currently available as an after market fitted solution consisting of two parts, the system hardware (ECU) and a messaging service agreement (MSA) and can be purchased from any JCB Dealership (see below for contact details)
For more details on the LiveLink Solutions and to contact JCB click here.
2013 – The year ahead by Commercial Motor
Posted on 14. Jan, 2013 by Len in Customers, Microlise - In the News, News
WELCOME TO 2013 – and welcome to the good times, at least for some! December’s Trucking Britain highlights operators in a broadly positive frame of mind. Nearly half of the survey respondents (42%) expect volumes to increase in profit, while only 14% expect a decrease in volumes and 21% a decrease in profit. The analysis highlights the outlook for 2013 broken down by type of operation, fleet size and primary sector served, and reveals some harsh truths.
It’s no surprise that the larger the fleet, the greater the positivity: 55% of operators with 50 vehicles or more expect an increase in volumes in 2013, compared with 31% of fleets with one to 10 vehicles; and 45% of operators with 50 vehicles or more expect an increase in profit in 2013, compared with 33% of fleets with one to 10 vehicles.
But, crucially, the analysis by type of operation reveals that logistics and contract distribution firms are overwhelmingly accentuating the positive: more than three-quarters of them (76%) expect an increase in volumes in 2013, while only 8% expect a decrease. More than half (56%) expect an increase in profit, while only 16% expect a decrease.
In contrast, only 29% of hire or reward hauliers expect an increase in volume, while 15% expect a decrease. And only 9% of own-account operators expect a boost in volumes.
A more positive outlook
Analysis by primary sector served shows almost universal positivity, with the notable exception of operators in the agriculture sector: by volumes, only 9% expect an increase and 18% expect a decrease; and by profit, none expect and increase, but 45% expect a decrease.
Having garnered respondents’ views about volumes and profit, we then asked them about their fears for 2013: it’s no wonder that more than half of the respondents (52%) flagged the price of fuel as their biggest concern. But it’s not the only worry: many highlighted the impact of late-paying customers and large debts, while others mentioned the rising cost of maintenance.
Some respondents took a strategic view: “Any further decline in business has a big impact because we work for all different business all around the country,” said one.
Another said: “Lack of volumes due to companies tightening their belts and pretty much ’seeing what the new year will bring’ in relation to the economy.” While another respondent said: “The continued uncertainty of recovery out of the recession. Although the government has stated that even though we have not gone into a third dip, the recovery out of the double-dip recession could take up to 2015/16.”
Many respondents mentioned rates – whether the inability to increase rates or cowboy operators undercutting. One said: “There is pressure on rates to stay the same when I need to add in the replacement cost of vehicles and trailers, which I have put on hold for three years.”
Another revealed: “Too many hauliers will drop their prices in the first quarter to build work. Then in the second quarter a number of hauliers will go under, leaving low rates for the surviving hauliers. I believe that we will see a contraction in the number of vehicles and operators, as a number of hauliers that have been hanging on will finally run out of reserves.”
Euro-6 still an issue
Three respondents highlighted the introduction of Euro-6 as a concern, while another mentioned “poor-quality drivers with no education, especially those who think it’s macho to drive a lorry” as a key concern. Another is worried about the Driver CPC deadline moving ever closer.
But it’s not all worries and fears: there are hopes as well. One respondent offered this as the best thing that could happen to their business this year: “The market, VOSA and the traffic commissioners take out all the under-performing hauliers, which will leave a better market for law-abiding hauliers.” Another’s hope is “that we preform to levels we have in 2012.”
There were some sector-specific wishes, such as increased government spending on housing. “The Scottish government is putting up a huge sum of money for affordable housing over a number of years starting next year, so hopefully this will keep us busy in Scotland,” said one.
There were some pie-in-the-sky suggestions, including a number of people hoping for lottery wins, while someone offered this: “Somebody gives us a big cheque for the keys to the front door and we get a one-way plane ticket to a warmer climate.”
Sticking with the unlikely, a third of all respondents want to see a drop in fuel price.
For the full article please visit www.commercialmotor.com.
Microlise partners with Towergate Insurance
Posted on 10. Jan, 2013 by Len in Customers, Microlise - In the News, News
Microlise have been selected by Towergate Insurance Motor as one of the preferred providers for their telematics based insurance product, ‘Towergate Fleetcare+’. Microlise have been chosen for their innovative product offering and high quality customer service.
Towergate Insurance has over 30 year’s experience in the commercial vehicle sector. Their Fleetcare+ product is designed to help clients reduce and manage the risks they face in the world of transport.
Towergate’s dedicated Claims Liaisons Managers working with clients by analysing their telematics data and implementing an appropriate risk management programme designed specifically for their business to help reduce risk across their fleet. Their advice can help reduce the risk of an accident and help improve driving behaviours. This offers the client an opportunity to not only benefit from potential premium savings and a long term profit share arrangement but also every day costs such as those related to fuel consumption.
For more information on Towergate Fleetcare+ please call 0844 892 3467 or visit www.towergateinsurance.co.uk .












