James Day examines some of the many suppliers present at this year’s CV Show and what they can offer the coach and bus industry
Spanning three halls at the NEC in Birmingham, the number of suppliers exhibiting at the CV Show is enormous. While not all of them are relevant to coach and bus operators, there are plenty of familiar faces and products relevant to coach and bus, as well as commercial vehicles.
What follows are some of the highlights from this year’s exhibitors. [wlm_nonmember][…]
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Alcolock UK
Alcolock UK’s range of breathalysers was on display, including the V3 interlock.
Designed for commercial environments, the device inhibits vehicle operation if sufficient alcohol is detected in the driver’s breath.
The system can now be connected with WiFi, logging data and automatically transmitting it when the vehicle comes into range and is authenticated by the fleet WiFi base station. There is also the option to have a Focus camera installed, allowing for positive identification of the driver each time a breath sample is given.
Alfatronix
Alfatronix displayed its full range of USB chargers at the show. This included a waterproof USB charger, the IP65, designed for use in the sidewall of the vehicle, where it may be more susceptible to water and humidity.
A retrofit wall mounted pod was also shown, as an ideal solution for operators who decide to install USB chargers after a vehicle has been delivered.
Claire Phillips, Sales Director at Alfatronix, explained that the company was also working on its low voltage disconnect systems.
She said: “The systems disconnect different pieces of equipment to preserve the battery. They are often used with CCTV, which is allowed to keep running long enough to carry out a remote download before being shut off to prevent battery drain.
“The system is designed to always preserve vehicle battery life as a priority, so if it detects that the battery will deplete before the usual timeframe has passed, it will shut off the CCTV to ensure the vehicle can be started when it next goes into service.”
Asset Alliance Group
Just over two years ago, Forest Asset Finance was acquired by Asset Alliance Group, which is now made up of four finance companies each targeting different markets. Forest is the coach and bus specific firm.
The change of ownership has allowed Forest to fund vehicles itself, instead of acting as a brokerage. This has led to significant annual growth over the last two years.
The company is also looking into the prospect of selling vehicles itself once they are returned. This would require recruiting the right staff to run this part of the business.
Cogent
Cogent was demonstrating its Swift seat, a side-stowing seats designed to save space in wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
Rhys Kotschy, Managing Director of Cogent Seating, said: “We initially designed the seat for TBC Conversions. It wanted something lighter which would fit around a VW Transporter wheelarch. Since then, we’ve been able to trim the weight down considerably.”
Some bespoke seat stitching was also on display, including diamond stitching and a football-style stitch.
“We’re not so focused on launching new products, but on reducing the weight of our existing range,” Rhys added. “We engineer as much comfort as possible in the seats while keeping the space taken and weight low.”
Eberspächer
Taking centre stage on the Eberspächer stand was the Ariel Hipercar prototype, an all electric high-performance two-seater supercar from Ariel Motor Co.
The vehicle, which features bespoke interior air-conditioning and battery-cooling technology designed by Eberspächer, has a power output of 1180bhp from four separate electric motors. It is expected to go into production in 2020.
As usual, a number of minibus suppliers shared the Eberspächer stand, each with some of the company’s equipment onboard.
The company also announced improvements to its Airtronic D2 and D4 diesel-fuelled air heaters. Eberspächer said it has reduced both power consumption and weight, while almost doubling expected service life.
Eberspächer has also replaced and upgraded a number of its air-conditioning evaporators, and said it has been able to bring the cost down in some instances.
Koller Engineering
Koller Engineering was displaying its new Fall Stop barrier for vehicle lifts.
Andy Nurrish, UK Sales Manager, said the company had been asked by some customers to look into producing a safety device for the back of vehicle lifts. He said that injuries from falling from lifts are more common than injuries from accidents involving the vehicles.
The device utilises a small section of track positioned perpendicular to the usual floor tracking in a vehicle. A ‘lollypop’ barrier slots into this track section, allowing it do be removed and attached with absolute ease. Two safety straps then connect to this rear barrier to surround the passenger.
“If you’re working as a single driver, you sometimes have to leave the passenger three or four feet in the air while you board the vehicle to help get them inside,” Andy said. “This system allows this to be done much more safely. We’ve tested the product up to 800kg take make sure it is safe and strong.”
Currently the product is only compatible with underfloor lifts, but Koller has plans to develop it for the internal lift market if it is successful.
Lloyd Morgan Group
Having carried out audits for several coach and bus operators taking part in the DVSA Earned Recognition trial, Lloyd Morgan Group was promoting its various auditing and training services which are designed to help operators stay compliant.
Its range includes O-licence awareness, Driver CPC and roadside assistance training, the latter of which is designed to help service engineers to stay safe when attending a breakdown scene. Specialist vehicle inspection training with an optional IRTEC accreditation is also available.
The company also offers a PSV roadworthiness and categorisation of defects course, along with a course for workshop supervisors and first line managers to help inform them of their roles and responsibilities.
Other services offered by the company include digital and analogue tachograph analysis, driver licence checks and vehicle inspection and maintenance compliance services.
MAHA
MAHA showcased its wireless column lifts, which offer a lifting capacity of 7,500kg per column.
The product is supplied with a five year warranty and is designed to function under any conditions and be easy and convenient to move, thanks to a hydraulic dolly at each column. MAHA said the overhead drive unit creates more space in the work area, while the control unit is built to be robust and splash-proof, with a wear-free membrane keyboard.
The standard system uses four columns, though this can be expanded to eight.
Merridale
Merridale has updated the electronics behind a number of its fuel management products, and also started building them out of stainless steel.
The company was finding that its hydraulic parts could reliably last for 15-20 years, but the cabinet itself might only last 10. This change in material helps keep all of the parts consistent.
Nationwide Transport Breakdown Services
Nationwide Transport Breakdown Services (NTBS) aims to provide a breakdown recovery service covering the whole of the UK and much of continental Europe, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The company does not ask for a joining or annual subscription fee – it is pay on use, with all services accessed through a single phone number.
Novadata
Novadata was promoting its involvement with Earned Recognition, along with its remote downloading of digital tachographs.
Chairman and Founder, Derek Broomfield, said: “We’re delighted to be involved with the scheme at this early stage, as it very neatly fits with our many years spent supporting operators in managing and planning ahead for their compliance with transport legislation.”
The company was also promoting its training offering, which includes management CPC, Driver CPC, ADR and DGSA training, as well as operator awareness training.
Passenger Lift Services
Passenger Lift Services (PLS) was showing its new i-Class inbound lightweight passenger lift.
The lift offers three types of platform, with a 425kg lifting capacity as standard. It is also designed to be quiet to operate, making it well suited for picking up passengers in residential areas, thanks to its anti-rattle design and ‘super quiet operation.’
The example displayed at the show was an i-Class 2BB EVO SP, a version where the lift floor splits into two halves as it is stowed, which neatly fit against the side of the vehicle interior. This allows the driver to still see clearly through the rear of the vehicle when the lift is installed.
Rhino
Commercial vehicle step manufacturer Rhino Products was exhibiting with AVS Steps, which it recently acquired. AVS produces powered steps for minibuses, ambulances and patient transport vehicles.
Road Tech
Road Tech’s Tachomaster division is offering a 12 week free trial for its Earned Recognition-compliant system.
The Tachomaster system has analysed over 110 million cards, charts and vehicle downloads since it was launched in 2006. Costing £1 per driver per week, the system has no contract or joining fee.
Aside from this, Road Tech also offers the Road Runner transport management system, Falcon vehicle tracking, Checkmaster DVLA licence checking software and preDrive, which monitors and automates daily walk around checks.
Texa
Texa was demonstrating its eTruck remote diagnostics for commercial vehicles.
The system helps to identify faults with the vehicle while it is on the road, and allows the driver to be informed. Once the vehicle is stopped, the driver can be given instructions and potentially be able to put the issue right themselves. Nothing will ever be done without the driver’s knowledge, or when the vehicle is in motion.
Texa claims that the system can potentially pay for itself if just a single recovery callout is prevented in this way, and it is particularly valuable for any operator running long distance services, especially if they carry out work across the channel into continental Europe.
Totalkare
Totalkare displayed its two post lift system, which offers a lifting capacity of 5,500kg and is designed primarily with vans and minibuses in mind.
An addition to the company’s core product range, a key advantage is that the two post lift does not raise the vehicle by its wheels, allowing free access for engineers to work on them and other components which could be obstructed by the mechanisms of other lifts.
Tranzaura
Tranzaura attended the CV Show this year with entirely new branding. This includes a new logo, a new website and the slogan ‘Transport technology, redefining safety.’
The company’s KATE system has also been renamed to Driver Connect. The system is designed to promote dynamic learning and remote worker communications to get the best from drivers.
Emma Gill, Marketing Manager, explained: “Driver connect forms a virtual comms bridge which connects the office to the lone worker – the driver. The system is about connecting the disconnected and making them feel more included. We believe this can help reduce staff turnover.”
The company also announced partnerships with FTA, whose members can benefit from a preferred rate from Tranzaura’s products, and the charity Brake, who are working with Tranzaura to improve road safety. The company also said that all of its products have FORS accreditation.
TruTac
Compliance and tachograph software firm TruTac hosted an Earned Recognition ‘drop-in’ session on its stand during the last day of the CV Show, following the official launch by the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency).
In the company of both DVSA and O-licence management system provider SilkThread, the TruTac team presented its Earned Recognition dashboard which customers can use free-of-charge to benchmark their own performance against Earned Recognition key performance indicators.
Roger Dent, Earned Recognition Product Specialist from DVSA, said “I am pleased with the take up of Earned Recognition and proud with the way industry leaders are welcoming the standard. Earned Recognition has proved to me, both as an individual and an industry professional that UK operators are as passionate about road safety as the DVSA.
“The uptake so far has been wonderful, and we will maintain the momentum by ensuring everyone involved in road transport recognises that the standard is there to drive compliance, which equals safer roads for all.”
“We had a superb response from a number of customers who are already participating in the scheme,” said Jemma James, TruTac Commercial Director. “We met many others who simply wished to find out how to benchmark themselves against the Earned Recognition standards.”
“The show was a great success for us and it was a pleasure to provide so many friends, old and new, with important information regarding Earned Recognition, while unveiling new compliance control solutions from TruTac.”
Truckfile
Truckfile was promoting its range of software to assist operators.
The range includes Fleet Management, Driver Safety Check, Workshop Management and Telematics. There is also a Technical Application, designed to replace paper-based inspection and job sheets, and Digital Compliance, which provides fleet operators with access to a comprehensive and secure suite of information needed for government compliance schemes.
Vision Techniques
The award-winning BrakeSafe system continued to be the main focus of Vision Techniques. The system is specifically designed to prevent dangerous and potential fatal accidents caused by vehicle rollaways, by automatically applying the handbrake is the driver forgets to do so when they leave the vehicle. The system is designed for use on all makes and models of vehicle, and be installed at OEM level or as a retrofit.
The system works without vehicle ignition and requires no input from the driver.
As well as BrakeSafe, Vision Techniques offers the StopSafe emergency stop button, radar-based auto braking, VTRecord CCTV and systems to detect and prevent collisions with vulnerable road users, amongst other products.
VL Test Systems
VL Test Systems had a standard five year warranty deal for all equipment sold during the show. Attendees have been given up to three months to place an order which includes this.
It addition to this, the company announced a guarantee that its gritted brake test rollers will remain gritted for the life of the machine. If for any reason the gritted rollers wear out, the company said it will replace them free of charge.
The company has also updated the software behind a lot of its products.
Unwin
The main development on show from Unwin was the U-Seat, with an example on display in smart two-tone leather. The product has been tested on the company’s Spacefloor flooring and can be used with Unwin’s Seat Locker and TwinLock seat legs. It has also been tested and approved to the M1 standard.
“The idea is to offer a complete solution,” said Florence Vaughan-France, Unwin Marketing Coordinator. “This is the first pure seat offered by Unwin, and we will have a reclining version available in the future, along with a version with a swivel base for side stowing.”
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