FORS – the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme – has accredited its 4,000th Member. In a notable milestone, Cargo Express was recently welcomed into the scheme as the latest FORS Bronze member following the company’s successful initial audit. With safety, efficiency and environmental protection at its heart, FORS promotes and encourages best practice for commercial vehicle operators while providing practical advice, training workshops and eLearning modules.
Since FORS was transferred by Transport for London in 2014 to a concession arrangement, membership has grown by over 30% and has significantly extended its reach across the UK. Today, with 4,000 Members on board, and representing over 200,000 trucks, vans and PSVs, FORS is now established as the go-to accreditation scheme promoting best-practice in the transport sector – and with a membership profile right across the UK.
Birmingham-based Cargo Express joins a rapidly expanding FORS community of truck, van and PSV operators who have embraced the scheme in its quest to drive up standards of on-road safety, productivity and environmentally friendly operation. The company, which operates a 24/7, UK and European distribution and warehousing service, reports that FORS has already made a positive impact on its business.
“We’re really very pleased with how FORS membership has already provided commercial benefits for our operation,” said Operations Manager, Dan Harris, “FORS has put us in the shop window for new work and and we can present demonstrable savings as a result of streamlining operational systems and educating drivers on driving more defensively and, therefore, more economically.
“The FORS sticker on the back of our trucks means we take our on-road responsibilities seriously,” said Harris, “ and my advice to any truck operator is to get on board with FORS. While FORS provides expert guidance on operational efficiencies, it recognises that safety is paramount. Drivers are on the front-line of the operation,” he said, “and so it’s imperative they fully embrace the FORS commitment to best-practice. FORS is helping us to help them.”
Figures released by FORS show impressive improvements across a range of operational parameters. Compared to data obtained in 2014, FORS Members saw a 17% reduction in collisions, a 34.5% reduction in slight injury collisions and a 4.3% improvement in fuel economy.
“We’re thrilled at the success of FORS,” said FORS Concession Director, John Hix, “and 4,000 Members – representing a 30% increase in membership in just two years – is a graphic illustration of the intention of operators to drive up standards in the industry. Better efficiency and environmental protection are beneficial to any operation, of course, but it is no exaggeration to claim that lives are being saved as a result of improved safety procedures and ancillary safety equipment fitted to vehicles.”
