Trucks

Branston on course to save more than £60,000 per year in fuel following Volvo driver training course

Potato business Branston is making significant fuel savings from its 33-strong Volvo truck fleet following an in-depth driver training programme utilising Volvo Connect.
Branston on course to save more than £60,000 per year in fuel following Volvo driver training course
Branston Group Transport Manager Luke Braddow has been delighted with the fuel saving results his team have delivered following in-depth training utilising Volvo Connect.

The company has boosted its average driver scores by more than 10 points and increased fuel efficiency by roughly one mile per gallon – equating to a saving of well in excess of £1,000 per week.
 

The initiative was instigated by Group Transport Manager Luke Braddow, who worked with Stace Whitehead, Fleet Solutions Manager at Crossroads Truck & Bus, to come up with a training plan to cover all the firm’s drivers across its three depots in Lincoln, Ilminster and Abernethy.
 

“We knew by improving driver behaviour we could have a real impact on our business, improving safety and getting far better efficiency from the vehicles – the data we have gathered so far has proved us right,” says Braddow. “With fuel costs getting higher, it’s so important to squeeze every penny out of the trucks as possible.
        

“The training delivered by Stace was very thorough and this was then backed by follow-up sessions with our in-house driver trainer. We are now monitoring each driver’s overall score and mpg via the Volvo Connect app. Over the first nine-week period we saved ourselves around £10,500, meaning savings should be in the region of £62,000 over a full year – and potentially more if diesel costs rise further.”
 

Branston’s fleet of Volvo FH 6x2 tractor units average 180,000 km per year. Paired with either curtainside or refrigerated trailers, the trucks collect potatoes from farms across the UK and deliver into supermarket regional distribution centres.
 

Its latest model FHs were acquired last year, coinciding with Braddow’s arrival at the company which was the catalyst for the training programme. Via the Volvo Connect app, each driver is given a fuel efficiency score out of 100 which is based on performance in four key areas: engine and gear utilisation, speed adaptation, anticipation & braking, and standstill. Those marks are closely monitored, with additional support and guidance given to those drivers with the lowest rankings.
 

“We’ve colour coded the scores into green (99-90), amber (89-85) and red (below 85),” explains Braddow. “Then we will have specific conversations with those in the red to help them to move higher up through the levels.
 

“The message is really getting through to the drivers and helping to keep our mpg as high as possible across the fleet. They all have the Volvo Connect app downloaded and are monitoring it daily, which creates healthy competition.”
 

Established in 1968, Branston is one of the UK’s biggest potato buyers, packers, distributors and marketers, handling around 350,000 tonnes of potatoes a year and supplying some of the largest retail, wholesale and food manufacturing customers in the country.

For further information, please contact:

Martin Tomlinson
Head of Media, Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland
Tel: +44 7775 938063
Email: martin.tomlinson@volvo.com

Volvo Trucks supplies complete transport solutions for discerning professional customers with its full range of medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Customer support is provided via a global network of dealers with 2,200 service points in about 130 countries. Volvo trucks are assembled in 12 countries across the globe. In 2023 approximately 145,000 Volvo trucks were delivered worldwide. Volvo Trucks is part of the Volvo Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial engines. The group also provides complete solutions for financing and service. Volvo Trucks’ work is based on the core values of quality, safety and environmental care.