By Grant Higgins | Head of Transport at Greenmill
All our vehicles are FORS Silver accredited. The Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) is a voluntary accreditation scheme for fleet operators which aims to raise the level of quality within our fleet operations, and to demonstrate that we are achieving exemplary levels of best practice in safety, efficiency, and environmental protection.
When we initially had Bronze accreditation, this confirmed that we employed good practice and complied with the requirements laid out by the FORS standard. This includes demonstrating dedication to driver and vehicle safety, combined with improving operating practices through effective monitoring of fuel and tyre usage. To get FORS Silver accreditation we needed to provide evidence that our vehicles are fitted with the relevant safety equipment i.e. near-side vehicle camera to increase the visibility of the blind spot, and rear camera solution to increase the visibility of the rear blind spot, plus many more.
All drivers must complete professional development road-risk training, which includes 3.5 hours of practical on-road training with a bike, to raise awareness to cyclists. Fuel, emissions, air qualiry and anti-idling is a big part to FORS Silver. We need to be committed to the understanding and management of operational performance levels and the impacts on the environment. We monitor, manage and review fuel consumption, emissions and environmental impact, and ensure that activities will consider the health and quality of life of all our employees, customers, suppliers and the public.
More and more sites within the big cities in the UK require a minimum of Bronze FORS to deliver to their sites. All our customers need to do is request our details and we can send over the driver's name, reg, make, model and FORS number, so that they can book into the site. We will then deliver in the time slot that has been provided.
European Deliveries
Greenmill are now receiving more and more requests for deliveries within the EU.
With the wealth of experience and knowledge I have, after passing my CPC (in transport management in road haulage), I have gained both national and international contacts and connections within the transport sector. As a result, we are now well placed for arranging deliveries into the EU (since Brexit, it has been more challenging to deliver to the EU).
We will need our customers EORI number for the European country the work is being undertaken in. This will enable us to finalise the customs paperwork and allow for a smooth transaction and delivery process. Economic Operators Registration and Identification number (EORI number) is needed for us to import the goods into the EU. Without it we would not be able to deliver the goods.
