Camfil Farr filters transport management with
Masternaut satellite tracking and mobile PDA system

Global air filtration company Camfil Farr has revolutionised UK-wide productivity and customer service levels with real-time vehicle tracking and PDA software from Masternaut Three X.

The integrated web-based solution allows the company to manage its delivery fleet and drivers in real time. It also provides two-way communication of jobs, accurate navigation to supply and delivery locations and proof of delivery. This saves more than two hours a day in administrating and managing the fleet.

Camfil Farr uses the Masternaut-based system to expedite and cost-effectively manage transporting over a million products a year - including its speciality low-energy air filters - to customers across the UK. The company reinvests its transport cost savings into strengthening the UK fleet capacity and continuously enhancing its customer service. The vehicles also provide a valuable advertising opportunity by endorsing "Low energy air filters" as permanent vehicle advertising

Michael Bolton, Camfil Farr Transport Manager, reports that Masternaut supports the company's vision to evolve its business.

Michael Bolton added: "We began our transport operation with a single vehicle for delivering around 7,000 cartons of filters a year. With our extended fleet of Mercedes Sprinters, we now deliver about 150,000 cartons of product each year. Masternaut provides us with a total transport solution in all-in-one easy-to-use package to make this happen. Also, it keeps our customers informed of their order and delivery status as they can simply log into the system using a secure interface."

The paperless system is completely web-based giving Camfil Farr great flexibility for adapting it to meet any situation. For example, Bolton has an instant live view of the UK road network with the system's digital map feature and he can also use Highway Agency camera feeds to monitor road conditions.

"The combination of the digital map on our plasma screen with live camera views was useful during the harsh winter. I could see precisely what was happening on the roads and take action, reassigning deliveries or sending alternative route information to our delivery drivers. It gave us the edge in safety terms and kept us working," notes:

Camfil Farr is the world leader in air filtration and clean air solutions, with 22 production plants and R&D centres in the Americas, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. The With more than 40 years of experience, Camfil Farr delivers value to customers worldwide while providing everyone with something essential - clean air.

For further information, e-mail: media@masternaut.co.uk or view website: www.masternaut.co.uk  Refer to page 34

IAM Drive & Survive help companies drive leaner and greener

With the unpredictability of petrol prices, most businesses have found their fuel bills rising. In this climate, and with the effect of transport on the environment under constant scrutiny, IAM Drive & Survive has seen an increase in demand for its fuel-saving and greener driving training course, ecolution.

Customers completing the IAM
Drive & Survive course have reported significant savings to their fuel bills, with one delegate achieving a 55.2 per cent increase in their mpg (miles per gallon).
Commercial Group, one of the largest office suppliers in the UK and a user of ecolution training since 2009, has seen an improvement in mpg for all of their drivers. Commercial Group is a substantial fleet operator with over 84 per cent of its baseline carbon footprint being attributed to its fleet of vehicles.

The company expected a 15 per cent improvement from providing environmentally responsible driver training but using ecolution enabled the drivers to exceed this, with drivers seeing improvements ranging from 20 per cent to 40 per cent over the six months after training. For an average driver, this equates to a cost saving of over £750 and a 2.2 tonne reduction of CO2 each year.

"Our drivers said they were amazed at how much fuel could be saved by changing a few basic ways of driving," said Simon Graham, Environmental Strategist for
Commercial Group.

"As over 84 per cent of our baseline carbon footprint was from our fleet vehicles, the way that our people drive is very important to our environmental programme. ecolution has had a significant impact on our overall carbon reduction programme, helping to slash our carbon footprint, save us money and provide a better service to our customers. ecolution has helped us achieve a 75 per cent reduction in the carbon footprint of that fleet."

Simon Elstow, Head of Training at IAM Drive & Survive said: "Greener driving is top of the agenda so it's not surprising we're increasingly being approached by companies who are serious about reducing their carbon footprint and making cost savings. I often hear from customers how delighted they are with the results as well as just how simple the eco techniques are to pick up and apply."

ecolution has helped Commercial Group achieve the Green Business Award for Carbon Emissions Achievement and Ambition in 2009 and the European Office Products Award for Environmental Sustainability in 2010.

Driving tips given within the courses also help delegates become safer drivers. IAM Drive & Survive's fuel saving tips include: 1) Keep your vehicle moving as long as you can, even in traffic queues. This saves fuel because you're not stop-starting and it is safer: the less often you are stationary, the less likely you are to be hit from behind. 2) Plan ahead to avoid the need for heavy braking. This improves fuel economy, keeps you moving and makes you a safer driver because you are more likely to anticipate hazards. 3) Check your vehicle regularly to ensure it operates efficiently. In particular check your tyres - their inflation has a big impact on fuel economy. This also means you're less likely to break-down in a vulnerable place. 4) Remove unnecessary weight, including roof racks, car clutter and unnecessary heavy items in the boot. Excess weight reduces fuel economy, and reducing clutter ensures you stay focused and prevents anything loose in the car getting lodged under your pedals. 5) Use air conditioning and climate control sparingly as they significantly increase fuel consumption. Don't forget though that air-conditioning can help demist your windows in the colder months. 6) Experiment changing your gears up earlier, for petrol engines 2,500 rpm (revs per minute) and diesel engines 2,000 rpm. Many drivers find that this gives their driving a much needed focus, leading to safer driving.

IAM Drive & Survive in profile
IAM Drive & Survive is the commercial subsidiary of the IAM and promotes occupational driver improvement throughout the fleet/business community. IAM Drive & Survive helps employers achieve their duty of care to employees and also help to reduce road accidents whilst driving on business

For further information, view website: www.iamdriveandsurvive.co.uk or ecolution website: www.ecolution.uk.com

You can also follow IAM Drive & Survive on its Twitter website: www.twittercom/IAMdrivesurvive

A speed switch from Chalwyn simplifies stopping an over-speeding engine

A new speed switch, the RevGuard, has been added to the Chalwyn range of electronic engine control systems. This speed switch continuously monitors engine rpm and, should the engine rpm exceed a pre-set limit, transmits a signal to close the air intake shutoff valve to stop an over-speeding diesel engine.

Well proven on vehicles and stationary engines in the harsh Canadian climate, these compact and durable switches work with both 12 volt or 24 volt power and a choice of speed input options in one product. Encapsulated against fuel, moisture and dirt, they have a wide -30°C to +75°C operating temperature range, making them ideal for vehicles working in refineries or gas plants.

Engine speed is monitored either via a magnetic pick-up mounted on the engine's flywheel housing or a pulse signal from the alternator. Having automatic reset, a local trip indicator, screw terminals for easy installation and an aluminium frame for ruggedness, they are compatible with Chalwyn energized-to-stop SVX valves, or an air pressure system commonly found on larger trucks to activate a Chalwyn MPX or PVX intake shut off valve.

Functionality also includes a simple test button that temporarily reduces the trip point to two-thirds of the desired rpm limit, enabling initial installation and system tests without over-speeding the engine.  The trip point is easily adjusted in the field, with a repeatability of less than 1% deviation, and there is provision for a remote test switch allowing demonstration of the system for a safety inspector.

Also available for Chalwyn butterfly valves are actuation kits that include components to make installation easier. Popular items in these kits include manual override switch, solenoid relay, circuit breaker and fittings for pneumatic systems. A new 'Systems Guide' booklet is available on request.

Chalwyn in profile
Chalwyn is a leading manufacturer of safety products for diesel engines which are required to operate in hazardous areas where combustible gas, vapours or dust may exit, or in situations demanding special safety precautions. The company has sales and support offices worldwide.  Chalwyn is part of AMOT. 

For further information, view website: www.dieselsafety.com

AMOT is a global control solutions company, offering specialised mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electric and electronic control components for a wide range of industries, including oil and gas, power generation, transportation and marine.

For further information, e-mail: info@amot.com or view website: www.amot.com