August 2006 Premier Magazine is published by Knorr-Bremse for the UK Commercial Vehicle Industry

Inside: R e g F l a c k K e n n y R a y m e n t

V O S A L i f e S c h m i t z C a r g o b u l l H i - 5

Spurious Parts Truck Racing Service Centres

c o n t e n t s

Welcome to Knorr-Bremse

Premier Magazine is published by Knorr-Bremse Systemsfor Commercial Vehicles Limited.All articles have been approved by donor companiesand/or organisations before going to press and thereforeunderstood to be correct at the time of going to press.Responsibility for any misinformation contained withinapproved articles supplied by donor companies and/ororganisations cannot be accepted by Knorr-Bremse ortheir agents. Any opinions expressed in any suchinformation are not necessarily accepted or endorsed bythe company.

Should you have any news or viewsabout our magazine please contact:

Tim FordSales and Marketing ManagerMobile: 07977 988851Rebecca StoneSales and Marketing Communications ExecutiveTel: 0117 9846 207

Knorr-BremseSystems for Commercial Vehicles LtdCentury HouseFolly Brook RoadEmerald Park EastEmersons GreenBristol BS16 7FE

Tel: 0117 9846 100Fax: 0117 9846 101

Email: premier@knorr-bremse.comwww.knorr-bremse.co.uk

Reg Flack:It’s all about trust

Simon Craddock

magazine

“It’s all bangers and mash…you maythink what does Knorr-Bremse andbangers and mash have in common?Well, what don’t they!!!Knorr-Bremse has a wealth of customersspanning the globe involved in all typesof industry… so hauling the potatoes toyour favourite supermarket on the dailyfood run is reality! As our global culturechanges and consumers demand highersafety standards Knorr-Bremse believesthat all ‘sausages’ are not the same!!!This issue of Premier focuses on theseriousness of spurious parts;Fundamentally what does this mean toyou? Should you compromise on safetyfor the sake of a few pounds?We hope you enjoy this issue of Premierand find that the stories are bothinteresting and informative. As a brandyou can trust, Knorr-Bremse believesthat its customers are the very heart ofthe business.”

Simon CraddockManaging DirectorMobile: 07977 988843

Where do potatoescome from?

VOSA Life

Schmitz Cargobull:Trailer Triumph

Tim Ford:Spurious Parts

Truck RacingRound up

Knorr-BremseService Centres

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18/19

12/15

10/11

06/09

04/05

ExcitingTrailer breakthrough

Knorr-Bremse is‘Best Brand’

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Reg FlackSharon Clancy meets

Knorr-Bremse Service Centre - R.J. Flack & Son Ltd

It’s all abouttrust”“

05March town centre... and Jessey

“On the oil rigs, the first thing you learn is that safetycomes first and that you cannot take risks. It is thesame with brake servicing: maintaining trailers in asafe, roadworthy condition, means following theprocedures correctly.”Reg’s biggest claim to fame is that in 1979 hemanaged the installation of the then world’s largestcrane which towered over the Discover Seven Seas oilplatform - the platform itself capable of drilling morethan 4,800ft into the sea bed. Four years later, hedecided his days on the ocean waves were over andsettled in the small market town of March inCambridgeshire (with his faithful canine companion'Jessey' - always at his side) to start his own trailerrental and servicing business, RJ Flack Trailer Services.Five years ago, he became an authorisedKnorr-Bremse Service Centre in the Anglian region.His wide customer base includes food producing andpackaging companies, paper companies and oildistributors, running a variety of trailers from flatbedsto top-of-the range temperature controlled trailers. Reg likes the fact that Knorr-Bremse places as muchemphasis on safety as he does. “As an authorisedKnorr-Bremse Service Centre, we attend regulartraining courses to keep us updated on newdevelopments and the workshop receives regularaudits. It’s all part of ensuring operators can trust theservicing agents to do the work properly and toconsistent standards.“

Reg says there is no substitute for experience but says he has been impressed with TEBS (Trailer Electronic BrakingSystem). “It has speeded up fault diagnosis tremendously. That is good for us and good for customers because wecan get their trailers back on the road faster. Pole wheel faults are a typical example,” explains Reg. “Often a faultysensor is blamed, but corrosion of the pole wheel or damage to the cable casing can also be to blame.I simply plug in the laptop to the diagnostic port on the trailer electronic control unit (ECU) and the diagnosticssoftware will tell me immediately if the sensor is the problem.”Part of Reg’s business is trailer refurbishment, which can involve axle and brake replacement. “Replacing thecomplete trailer running gear sounds expensive, but if you are operating expensive trailers such as oil tankers, anew trailer can cost you £70,000 or more, so refurbishment, costing a third of that, makes sense and usefullyextends the life of the trailer.Reg insists on fitting TEBS and RSP (Roll Stability Program) when refurbishing axles. “If you choose an ECU for TEBSwhich already contains the sensor, adding the RSP feature is simply a question of switching it on. It’s not muchextra work or cost and it improves safety.”Reg also advises operators to check the brake operation and performance on any new trailers joining the fleet.“All trailer builders check the trailer brakes are operating, but they are not braking experts. For example, sometimesthey turn the ECU off, so if drivers are complaining about braking balance on a new rig, a non-operating ECU couldbe at fault. If it is less obvious, excessive tyre wear on the trailer may be the first indication that the EBS, whichbalances out the braking effort over all the wheels, is not turned on. As a Knorr-Bremse Service Centre, Reg has theauthorisation and the software to check and, where necessary, reset the braking parameters. Knorr-Bremse retainsfull traceability because agents have to enter their own details and those of the trailer, together with the workdone.“It’s all about trust. People know they can trust us to keep their trailers in safe condition. When those vehicles areout on the road, you want that peace of mind.”

Erecting cranes and platforms on deep sea oil-drilling rigs is nota typical career path to running a successful trailer servicingbusiness, but Cambridgeshire-based Reg Flack says it teachesyou there are no shortcuts to safety.

Where do potatoes come from?Kenny Rayment

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QA Sharon Clancy tells us more

come from?

Pioneering new technology is often left to large fleets,who can afford the time and the cost if it doesn’t workout. One exception to this rule is Cambridgeshire-basedKenny Rayment Transportation, the first operator inthe UK to specify disc brakes on both tractors andtrailers.

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Rayment has been in the haulage industry for over30 years, starting as a driver. He now runs KennyRayment Transportation, which specialises indelivering packaged vegetables into supermarkets.The company operates 13 tractors - all but one ofwhich are Mercedes Benz Actros units - and 35trailers, all on disc brakes and all but two equippedwith Knorr-Bremse brakes. The trailer fleet is a mix ofcurtain-siders, stepframes, bulkers and refrigeratedtrailers. The fleet is devoted to transporting potatoes.They collect potatoes from farms all over the UK, plusa small amount of produce from France. The loads aredelivered into the Greenvale food packing plant atFloods Ferry in Cambridgeshire and the packagedvegetables shipped onwards to supermarketdistribution centres and stores around the UK in thetemperature controlled trailers. The operation may sound straightforward, especiallyto hauliers having to handle mixed loads, but, aseveryone knows, supermarkets are demandingcustomers who have high service level expectationsand no tolerance for late deliveries whatever thereason. Rayment’s fleet is specified to meet thoseexpectations. Today, over half of trailers sold in the UK have discbrakes, but back in 1997 when Rayment put the firstone into service in the UK, disc-brakes on trailers wasa radical idea conceived by DaimlerChrysler engineersdeveloping the new Actros tractor unit. The Germantruck manufacturer argued that an integratedundercarriage, with tractor unit and trailer on thesame axles and braking system was the future, sodeveloped the Discos disc-braked trailer axle, inconjunction with Hendrickson.

Many operators were sceptical, even though therewas the promise of longer brake life and reduceddowntime, there was a premium to pay for discbrakes. Drum brakes were familiar territory for theworkshop, too. Forward-thinking operators such as Kenny Rayment,however, saw that matching the braking system onthe truck and trailer made sense - a safety andmaintenance point of view. Professionalism inRayment’s eyes, means embracing technology, notresisting it. As an ex-driver he also appreciates the need to givedrivers the equipment to do their jobs comfortablyand safely. “Our view is that if you can’t do it properly,you shouldn’t do it at all. Drivers have enough to copewith without worrying about whether the truck hasbeen serviced properly. In some situations, their livescould depend on the vehicle’s safety systemsoperating properly. It’s our responsibility to makesure they do. We have a fully-equipped workshopon site. No vehicle which is not in tip-top orderleaves the premises.”

* TEBS - Trailer Electronic Braking System** RSP - Roll Stability Program

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Once you’vegot TEBS, RSPis an additionalsafety featurethat costs littlebut could savea life.

KennyRaymentTransportation

The performance of disc brakes out on the road stillimpresses Rayment. “When I took the first disc-brakedrig out, I could not believe how responsive the brakeswere. All it needed was a light touch on the brakepedal. When you are the driver of a maximum weightartic, that’s a reassuring thought.”Rayment reckons that far from paying for the cost ofpioneering disc brakes on trailers, he has reaped thebenefits. “Disc brakes are a lot easier to maintain. Theinspections are straightforward and when they doneed work, there are fewer moving parts, so lessdowntime. The calipers and pads have given usextended life compared with drum brakes. We’ve onlyhad one seized caliper since the first trailer went intoservice and that was down to driver error.”Rayment is now embracing the latest developmentsin trailer braking: TEBS* and RSP**. “TEBS balancesout the braking effort on the tractor and trailer,and it does help the drivers if they find themselvesin a difficult situation on the road.

Once you’ve got TEBS, RSP is an additionalsafety feature that costs little

but could save a life.”

”

“Rayment may be a perfectionist when it comesto the safety of his vehicles on the road, but is moreof a risk- taker when it comes to his hobby.He drives the power boat for Harvey Robinson,who came second in the National Junior water skiingchampionships in 2005.This year, the two take a step up to the Europeansenior championships and Rayment’s latest deliveryis designed to ensure they can compete:it’s a new Mercury V6-engined 300hp powerboatwith a top speed of 95mph!

When asked the most common failure amongst HGVsand PSVs, Nick identifies the brakes as one of themain areas “Quite often we see that the brake pads orshoes have been relined prior to the test and have nothad chance to bed in properly, which can give areduced efficiency reading.”“Also the current system uses a simulated weightwhere possible, but this cannot always be applied asthe construction of the vehicle / trailer does notalways allow our equipment access. We thereforerecommend that vehicles come laden for the testwhere possible on such vehicle types. We also have ahire laden test trailer available for 3 axle artic unitswith air suspension.”Though the annual test does improve the condition ofvehicles it has always been recognised that on its ownit’s not enough to ensure vehicles are roadworthy forthe entire year. As Nick explains “One of the first waysto identify early recognition of potential problems ona vehicle is for the driver to conduct a walk-roundcheck prior to its use. Drivers are responsible for thecondition of their vehicles when in use and thereforemust be able to report any defects that could preventthe safe operation of vehicles. As part of acomprehensive maintenance programme the walk-round check has always been recognised as animportant element to maintaining the roadworthinessof vehicles.”A number of other vehicle inspection services are alsoavailable at Kidderminster GVTS. These include COIF(Certificate of Initial Fitness) tests on PSV’s, ReducedPollution Certificates (RPC), TIR (vehicles carrying

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Originally built in 1968 the Kidderminster GoodsVehicle Testing Station (GVTS) has undergone a radicaltransformation. Part demolished and rebuilt in early2003 as part of VOSA’s Test ModernisationProgramme, the station has played a pivotal role inhelping improve road safety, environmental standardsand reducing vehicle crime. Boasting an impressivetest hall with three ‘Class A’ inspection lanes includinglonger and deeper inspection pits and with theaddition of a purpose built Vehicle Identity Check(VIC) and Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approvalinspection facility; VOSA’s pilot project has paved theway for the further modernisation of seven othertesting stations since its inception.Like many VOSA testing stations, Kidderminster GVTSprovides a range of licensing, testing and enforcementservices. “It’s our aim to help improve theroadworthiness of vehicles, the environment and toencourage operators and drivers to comply with roadlegislation” explains Nick Paling, station manager.“We provide an excellent, reliable service for ourcustomers with the continual improvement of roadsafety always at the forefront of our thinking.”Situated alongside the A449 the station serves theexceptionally busy West Midlands area and canperform approximately 90-100 full annual tests a day.The station’s throughput is mainly Heavy GoodsVehicles, Public Service Vehicles and Trailers.Particular emphasis is placed on the speed andefficiency with which the tests flow through.

Nick says “We aim to offer an annual test appointmentwithin 15 days of its request and complete all testswithin 90 minutes upon arrival.”“It is hoped that later in the year customers will beable to make vehicle test bookings online using theinternet, but customers can already pay for the testselectronically with the latest e bookings system weare now utilising. That’s in addition to the existingoptions via phone, fax or face-to-face bookings in thestation reception. The online option will provide evengreater choice and flexibility for our customers.”To ensure the continual delivery of an efficient andaccurate testing practice, nine qualified members ofthe Kidderminster GVTS testing team carry out a widerange of inspections with Health and Safety being ofparamount importance. High visibility jackets, pitsigns, hard hats and ear defenders protect the testingstaff and customers alike from potentially dangerouspitfalls.The test itself follows a straightforward procedure,broken down into four distinct stages; topside (A-Stage); underside (B-Stage); headlights (C-Stage);and roller brakes test (D-Stage). During the test thevehicle presenter will be asked to do certain thingswith the controls of the vehicle – such as rocking thesteering wheel, operating the lights and brakecontrols, etc.With failure rates in line with the national average,some minor defects, such as headlight aim or aninoperative light bulb can be rectified at the teststation. Though most vehicles need to be taken awayto be repaired and returned for a re-test.

As part of a nationwide programme of modernisation, Lee Southen joined the VOSA revolution to findout how the first refurbished test station has fulfilled its customers ever-increasing requirements.

VOSALifegoods sealed for customs purposes), ADR(certification of vehicles for use under internationalarrangements for carriage of dangerous goods) andNotifiable Alterations (the mandatory inspection ofvehicles that have been modified).The station was also one of the first to provide VehicleIdentity Checks (VIC), successfully helping to close thechannels for illegal and potentially dangerous vehiclesbeing returned into the marketplace following awrite-off. In addition to improving the road safety ofvehicles, Education and Advice courses are providedabove and beyond the free information and advicealready available, to help give operators and drivers aninsight into how to prepare their vehicles for test andidentify their main pitfall areas. Nick is keen toemphasise their importance “These courses areinvaluable for anyone who is responsible for themaintenance and preparation of vehicles for annualHGV and PSV testing. As a result of attending thesecourses, past delegates have found that by employinga more systematic approach to inspecting theirvehicles they have maximised their chances ofdetecting defects that may have otherwise attracted afailure at annual test.”So what does the future hold for VOSA and itsnationwide testing stations? According to Nick it ischampioning safer, cleaner and more economic roadtransport with which Kidderminster GVTSis exemplified as a leader in a modernand efficient public service.

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safer, cleaner and moreeconomic road transport“ ”

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AndrewMorley / RonCamfield

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TRAILERTRIUMPHThe retirement ofSchmitz Cargobull legendRon Camfield means thatEurope’s leading trailerbuilder has a brand newface for UK sales andmarketing. Premier’sMichelle Whitefoot meetsboth men to find outwhat’s in store.

Most big corporations would admit that whenone senior executive is replaced by another,circumstances can make handovers a rushed,if not rare affair. However at SchmitzCargobull, Europe’s biggest name in trailermanufacturing, the introduction of the UK’snew Sales & Marketing Director has been apositively civilised experience – to the benefitof the business and its customers.The textbook, year-long succession plan,officially completed at April’s CV Show, wasinitiated in 2005 when man-and-boy trailerexpert Ron Camfield decided to retire fromthe career that has been his passion for 33years. As both Sales & Marketing Director ofSchmitz Cargobull UK and Chairman of itsused trailer remarketing operation, A1Schmitz Cargobull Limited, the former RoyalAnglian Regiment man planned to make aclean break from working life when theprospect of two knee operations looked likelyto slow him down. “I’ve had a full career inthe trailer industry and although I still loveevery minute, it’s time to put all my energiesinto retirement,” he explains. “Happily with noimmediate rush we had time to find theperfect replacement. The result was AndrewMorley, and I have to say that theinvolvement, support and training invested inthis handover by Schmitz Cargobull inGermany has been second to none.”y / RonCamfield

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Morley will also be responsible for marketing thecompany’s future-facing Cargobull Telematics,Cargobull Finance and Schmitz Cargobull Parts &Service operations. “I’m not a background boy,” heemphasises. “Getting to know customers at first-handhas been essential - especially as fleet cost-cuttinghas led to the loss of many expert engineers.Operators rely increasingly on manufacturers toprovide guidance on the right product for the rightjob, and that’s why I feel passionate aboutunderstanding the trailer market.”This passion extends to working with the SMMT onthe mandatory UK registration of trailers by 2012.“We are the only European country without trailerregistration and it leaves us open to vehicle thefts andhi-jackings. We can’t even keep track of how manyimports are entering the market. This makes our job ofaddressing customer needs much more difficult.Trailer registration is simple and could be a fabuloustool if used in the right way.”Product development has been central to SchmitzCargobull’s UK ethos for some time. The companyintroduced a new dry freight box van in 2005featuring Schmitz Cargobull’s patented ‘Ferroplast’technology; and Morley hints that a lower cost versionretaining the same quality and durability will belaunched shortly to appeal to wider markets.The convenience and safety benefits of the company’snew ‘Freepost’ pillarless Curtainsider have generatedan exceptional response. Also in the pipeline is anexpanded range of short wheel base trailers for thegrowing urban market, and a new security curtaininnovation for Curtainsiders. Braking systems areanother part of Schmitz Cargobull’s qualitycommitment. All of their UK-fitted EBS systems aresupplied by Knorr-Bremse as well as the growingnumber of discs and calipers – a relationshipbenefited by the international coverage and workingstyle of both businesses.

Camfield first became involved in trailer rentals onleaving the Army, before joining York Trailer Rentals asa Rental Administrator in 1973. Spells as ManagingDirector of a small rental firm and A1 in Essex led himon to Central Trailer Rental (CTR) where his career tookin technical direction, trailer acquisition and MDresponsibility for the firm’s East European, French andNordic operations.“I was specifying and purchasing trailers from everymajor manufacturer in Europe and gained a goodgrounding across the whole industry,” he says. “In theend I picked Schmitz Cargobull to work for because tomy mind, they were the pick of the bunch.”Camfield joined Schmitz Cargobull in 2000 when thehistoric, family-owned company acquired A1International Ltd. This acquisition followed the earlieracquisition in 1991 of the manufacturing operation ofYork Thermostar to form Schmitz Cargobull (UK)Limited. The company’s site is located in theunderstated moorland town of Harelaw, outsideDurham and thanks to considerable investment inrecent years, now boasts an impressive new plantalongside the original production facility - bothworking to world class, ‘Just in Sequence’ practises.Inside, the production lines are immaculate andmanned with quiet efficiency. Thanks to continual improvements Reefer semi-trailerproduction has grown to more than 1,000 units peryear with Curtainsider production in excess of 1,500units. On the day of our visit dozens of impeccablenew semi-trailers surround the twin factories,destined to swell the fleets of both UK and exportcustomers. In his time Camfield has seen some majordevelopments change the face of trailermanufacturing. Amongst the highlights he lists theintroduction of air suspension (“a marvellousdevelopment”); the innovative Schmitz bolted and

galvanised chassis technology; larger container sizesand advances in multi-compartment, refrigeratedtrailers.The competitive environment also makes him keenlyaware that trailer manufacturers must deliver aninnovative, efficient and cost-effective product thatcompetes on all-round service, not just originalmanufacture. To deliver that product at Schmitz Cargobull, Camfieldadopts a strong ‘people’ philosophy. “I have a ‘feet onthe floor’ attitude. I believe in people, in teamwork;and I have some excellent colleagues around me.That’s why I wanted to be fully involved in therecruitment of my successor.”Appointed after a demanding recruitment processthat successor, materials handling specialist AndrewMorley, is at first glance quite a different prospect forthe business. After a career in the forklift industryspecialising in capital equipment sales, in 2002 hejoined Toyota Industrial Equipment as National SalesManager incorporating a marketing remit. Today - likeCamfield - the charismatic Morley sports SchmitzCargobull’s red corporate tie and bull-elephant logopin with pride. Both men agree that Morley is more marketingfocused whilst Camfield has a sales-led approach –yet the two men share a consistent commercial vision.Morley explains: “People can be fearful of change, sothe Schmitz Cargobull board created an invaluableinduction period so I could get to know the business,our people and our customers inside out. As part ofthis I have been privileged to work alongside Ron forthree months and have found his insight, involvementand support invaluable. I certainly share his views onour long-term strategy. As part of the group’s target ofmaking 60,000 trailers Europe-wide by 2010 mymain remit will be to double UK trailer sales; so I willbe looking carefully at new markets and ensuring wehave the right products to exploit them.”

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I will be looking carefully at newmarkets and ensuring we havethe right products to exploit them”

“Surveying the rows of new vehicles parked onthe site, Morley confirms his interest incustomers both large and small. “Althoughbig fleet operators make up a fair amount ofour sales we want even more smallerbusinesses and owner-operators toexperience the benefits of dealing withEurope’s leading trailer company. After all,Schmitz Cargobull is more than just amanufacturer of semi-trailers. Having saidthat, the modular nature of our range meanswe are often custom-building to individualspecifications, making us flexible and fast. It’sa total package.”Camfield offers the last word on what he seesas a healthy future for both Morley and thecompany: “I’ve seen some of Europe’s biggesttrailer companies go down by spreadingthemselves too thinly, but here weconcentrate on what we’re good at. So I’vebeen delighted that the last few months havebeen a handover between like minds. It hasmade me confident that Andrew willcontinue what I’ve started - and make surethat we’re not just the biggest in the business,but the best too.”

Extended warranty concept by Knorr-Bremse, promises to reduce risk and giveadded peace of mind to purchasers of articulated trailers.

The launch of an excitingbreakthrough!

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Hi-5... only £75!

Hi-5... 5 years extended parts and labour cover!

Hi-5... gives you peace of mind on the reliability ofa high value trailer chassis component!

Hi-5... no hassle, we put right any genuine claim!

Hi-5... from a global brand you can trust!

Rolled out at the Commercial Vehicle Show earlier thisyear, Knorr-Bremse’s memorably-named Hi-5 is a firstfor the trailer industry. Providing haulage operatorswith five years’ extended cover on the Trailer ElectronicBraking System (TEBS) Module when purchasing atrailer from new, Hi-5 adds new meaning to theconcept of ‘fit and forget peace of mind’. Fitted as standard by the majority of leading trailermanufacturers and specified by some of the biggestfleets in Europe, the use of Knorr-Bremse TEBS isgrowing at a phenomenal pace. So the nominal fee of£75 for Hi-5 cover on such a high value system makessound commercial sense.TEBS is part of Knorr-Bremse’s extensive productprogramme, and has significant advantages overtraditional control systems in terms of initial responsetime and brake control. In practical terms it givesbalanced breaking across all axles – helping toprotect incautious drivers. There is also a big reductionin the number of valves on the trailer compared toexisting Anti-lock Braking Systems, a realsimplification for the installer. Knorr-Bremse continuesto set new standards in brake and chassismanagement and with the launch of Hi-5 it looks tocarry on this trend. Richard Veasey, Fleet MarketingExecutive explains: “As a unique, extended cover

product that protects operators from the high costsusually associated with failure outside warranty, Hi-5is ideal for those trailer operators seeking bothreassurance and cost effectiveness.I think the concept hits the nail on the head.Trading conditions in the British haulage market arecertainly tough, and it’s never been more important tocontrol costs when margins are tight.”As a market-leading, global company able to sourceand supply braking systems of exceptional quality,failure for Knorr-Bremse is a rarity. However, if theunthinkable happens and the TEBS Module fails,

I think the concept hits the nailon the head”“

To take advantage of this important offer, specifyKnorr-Bremse Trailer EBS Braking Systems, with 5years’ extended cover (Part No, KB500) on the TrailerEBS Module when purchasing your new trailer.

operators can expect to pay in the region of £650 for areplacement module at trade price plus labour.“This is where Hi-5 comes into its own, extending theinitial two year warranty with an extra three years’cover,” continues Veasey. “For an additional up-frontfee, Hi-5 will secure and keep costs to a minimumthroughout the product lifecycle of a TEBS Module.”“More than 140,000 Knorr-Bremse Trailer EBS BrakingSystems are in service throughout Europe, so Hi-5underlines Knorr-Bremse’s confidence in itsperformance!”

Richard Veasey, Fleet Marketing Executive - Knorr-Bremse UK

citing

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pt hits the nail

Bremse UK

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Tim FordSpuriousParts

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means cheap these days.We know of one company that bought 50 low-gradefoot valves, all so badly made that every single onewas subject to a warranty claim within six months.It was fortunate that the parts concerned were backedby a warranty. Most items of this type aren’t, asanother unfortunate firm will testify. It tested everytrailer control valve it bought from a certain supplier,only to find that 50 per cent of them didn’t function. Itended up scrapping the duff ones because thesupplier wouldn’t honour the claim it made. Onewonders how well the other 50 per cent functioned inservice.Low-grade levelling valves have turned up too, andhave even been offered to hauliers as “a genuineKnorr-Bremse product built in the UK under licence”.Needless to say no such licence has been granted, andany claim to the contrary is pure fiction. The peopletouting these items around at less than half the priceof the genuine article had never sold brake partsbefore, and had received zero training. Labels thatmight have revealed the true origins of thesecomponents had been removed.In one case Knorr-Bremse alerted a haulier who hadbought some of these items to the fact that they werenot genuine parts. He returned them to the supplierimmediately. His policy, wisely, was to fit genuineitems only. Surely levelling valves don’t matter all thatmuch? Try telling that to bus passengers, or tohauliers carrying sensitive loads such as computers.Poor quality levelling valves result in a rocky ridewhen cornering, and may make the vehicle unstable.Once again that’s bad news for road safety.We’ve also come across air dryers with an OEdesiccant cartridge but a base of dubious origins.Needless to say the base had no identificationnumbers, and was in fact a copy of one of ours,though not made to anywhere near like the samestandard.Components shipped in from who knows wherearen’t the only problem. Time and again we come across badly reconditionedparts – hand brake valves for instance. In some casesthe items fitted to them during the reconditioningprocess – if reconditioning is the right word for it –are substandard and not to original specifications.We know of one company who were reconditioningvalves as a side line. When challenged over an issuethey admitted they had no liability insurance to coverthem for this activity!If a substandard part fails, and people are (God forbid)killed and injured as a consequence, then the operatorto whose vehicle it was fitted will be in very hot waterindeed. At best, he could face action against hisO licence, including revocation – and that spells theend of his business. The fact that he was ignorant that

a defective part had been fitted is unlikely to beaccepted as a defence.At worst, an operator could face a corporatemanslaughter charge.Nor will the company who supplied the itemconcerned escape scot-free. He’s likely to face amassive claim for compensation. It’s highly unlikelythat he’ll be able to pass the bill on to the supplyingfactory, the importer will probably have mysteriouslyvanished, and his own insurance may not cover him.The repairer who fitted the component may be hit bya claim too, and he too may find his insurance won’trespond.Contrast this litany of disasters with dealing with areputable company like Knorr-Bremse and itsaccredited distributors.We have over 100 years of braking experience andemploy some 12,000 people in over 50 countriesworking to the highest standards. We spend millionsof pounds annually on research and development –£90m in 2005 alone – and we have to meet thedemanding standards set by the world’s leadingvehicle manufacturers.What’s more, we’re accredited to ISO TS16949. It laysdown the quality system requirements for the design,development, production, installation, and servicingof automotive related products – and it’s by no meanseasy to attain. Naturally we are fully covered againstproduct liability claims. At Knorr-Bremse we believethat any safety-related part offered for sale in the UKshould be clearly branded and bear an identitynumber. Furthermore, the distributor should be ableto produce test data and give details of his productliability cover.

Tim Ford - Sales & Marketing ManagerKnorr-Bremse UK

We feel so strongly aboutthis that we intend to drawthis matter to the attentionof transport minister,Stephen Ladyman, at theearliest opportunity.Government action is vitalif a catastrophe is to beaverted.

Road users in the UK are being put at serious risk by ahuge influx of cheap, low-grade safety critical truckbraking parts made in overseas factories with poor tonon-existent quality control and appalling workingconditions. The astonishing thing is that it is perfectlylegal to import and sell these replacementcomponents, despite the hazards they present. That’sthe case even though there is no evidence that theyhave been properly tested, and no indication of whatthe results of those tests were.Even if one of these products does cause a massiveaccident, there’s almost zero likelihood that action willbe taken against the manufacturer. That’s becausethey aren’t branded and don’t carry part numbers orbatch codes. This means that their origins cannot betraced. What’s more, the lack of identification makesthem impossible to recall if a fault is found.So what’s their appeal? They’re cheap – but their lowfront end-price could result in the hapless haulier whohad them fitted incurring a long list of costs he hadn’tbargained for.They’ll need replacing more frequently than areputable component sourced from an establishedmanufacturer, like Knorr-Bremse. That means moremoney spent on parts and the labour required to fitthem, and more downtime - time when a truck or atrailer is in the workshop and not earning its living.Nor are such parts as easy to fit as properly designeditems made by Knorr-Bremse. They may take a lotlonger, and workshop hourly labour rates are by no

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Carrying theKnorr-Bremse colours forthis year’s British TruckRacing Championshipis the young truck driverfrom Bromsgrove - ChrisLevett.Trucks and the Haulage Industry havebeen in Chris’s blood ever since he canremember, and as soon as he was legallyold enough to get behind the wheel, hejoined his father, Andy, at Bird’s GroupageServices Limited. Bird’s has a number ofdepots around the UK with their HQcentrally based at Oldbury in the WestMidlands. The large fleet (mainly Scaniaand Mercedes) operate Europe-wide andChris’s day job keeps him well occupied onthe long hauls. But it wasn’t only trucksthat fired Chris’s passion - it was truckracing too!Chris was born into a racing family asfather Andy was then driving for theScania works team - which racedsuccessfully throughout Europe.Truck racing in the UK declined in the early90’s, but the sport has been going througha welcome resurgence in popularity overrecent years with more teams incontention, more spectators andconsequently more sponsors.

More information:www.btra.co.ukwww.birds.co.uk

The 2005 season closed with the final round of theBritish Championship held at Brands Hatch - andwatched by the ever enthusiastic Chris Levett. Withtruck racing now attracting up to 18 trucks on the gridand Brands Hatch offering a great day’s racing, Chriscould no longer resist the temptation - he too wantedto take up racing and who better to talk to than‘Mr Race Truck’ himself - Dave Atkins (Premier 04/05).

Now, as the 2006 season slips into gear, Chris has justthe right package behind him - the fully race tunedMAN TGA race truck prepared by Dave Atkins, plus thespecialist ‘Atkins’ race mechanics and support vehiclesat each race.The first outing for Chris was at Pembrey - SouthWales. Pembrey is not a good circuit for spectatorcomfort, but it is popular with those teams whoneed to iron out any early season bugs, whiledriving under race conditions. But with his handson the flying MAN - ‘rookie’ Chris did exceptionallywell. Two 3rd places and one 2nd place is a greatstart to the points table and for the new facein the paddock.

While driving for Bird’s Chris’s main route takes himthrough Germany. At the time of our interview, Chrisand the Atkins team are preparing the race truck for adifferent kind of German road - the awesomeNurburgring! As well as hosting a leg of the EuropeanTruck Racing Championship, this circuit has been partof the British calendar for some years - it’s just one ofthose quirky things, but an excellent venuenevertheless. OK - so there has to be a first time foreverything, but when your first time out in a racetruck was in front a few Welsh sheep, then yoursecond is going to be in front of a potential 200,000knowledgeable and very, very vocal spectators -maybe this is where the season and a new careerreally begins! Good luck Chris - Premier will speak toyou again in November.

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Knorr-Bremse is ‘Best Brand’

Knorr-Bremsehas beenranked 1stin the brakescategoryamongst the‘Best Brandsof 2006’.German based publishing house ETM and DEKRA - atesting and inspection company, recently carried out acustomer opinion poll on 10,000 trade press readers.Readers were surveyed to find out the ‘best brands of2006’ and the ‘Best Commercial Vehicles of 2006’within the truck industry. Knorr-Bremse achieved 1stplace as the reader’s preferred brand in the brakescategory.

Heinz-Dieter Wigges, Chairman of the Board ofManagement of Knorr-Bremse Systeme fürNutzfahrzeuge GmbH, received the award at aceremony in Stuttgart attended by representativesfrom the commercial vehicle industry. Mr. Wiggesquotes: “We are delighted that this specialist publichas selected Knorr-Bremse as the best brand in thebrake category. This honor is a token of the confidencethat decision-makers and operators have in ourproducts. As the world’s leading manufacturer ofbraking systems for commercial vehicles we will do allwe can to ensure that we remain the preferred systemsuppliers for our customers and continue to set thebenchmark for innovative and reliable products.”

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Knorr-Bremse UK & Republic of Ireland Service CentresAt your service!United KingdomService CentresAberdeenshireH.F. MoirDerek MoirBirchwood Works, Kinellar, Aberdeen. AB21 0SH01224 790 411

AntrimRent-A-MercNorman McBride87 Dargan Road, Harbour Industrial Estate, Belfast, BT3 9JU028 9077 9755

AyrshireGrant Welsh CommercialsGrant WelshUnit 12B, Olympic Business Park, Drybridge Rd, Dundonald,Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. KA2 9BE01563 851 015

BerkshireJohn Graham CommercialsJohn Graham115 Blackamoor Lane, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 8RW01628 777 509

BerwickshireBilly CoweBilly CoweTower Farm, Cockburnspath, Berwickshire, TD13 5YU01368 830 242

BuckinghamshireRing RoadStuart ChalmersGawcott Road, Buckingham, MK18 1DR01280 814 741

CambridgeshireR.J. Flack & Son LtdReg Flack19 Longhill Road, March, Cambridgeshire, PE15 0BL01354 657 235

CardiffCardiff Bay Truck ServicesDavid HarrisClipper Road, Roath Dock, Cardiff, CF10 4EW02920 458 625

CheshireAM BellSam GreavesHawkshead Quarry, Leek Old Road, Sutton, Maclesfield, Cheshire,SK11 0JB01260 253 232

CheshireBibbys CommercialsColin MurraySherbrook House, Winwick House, Warrington, Cheshire,WA3 7EW01925 762 143

CheshireThe Hulme GroupLee DrummondWarren Road, Trafford Park, Manchester, Cheshire, M17 1QR01618 776 071

CheshireTruck Services SandbachDarran TarrantSpringvale Industrial Estate, Millbuch Way, Sandbach, Cheshire,CW11 3HT01270 768 370

ClevelandNorth East Truck & VanWalter WhealdonCowpen Bewley Road, Haverton Hill, Billingham Cleveland,TS23 4EX01642 370 555

CumbriaTitterington Truck & TrailerPeter TitteringtonUnit 7 Sandysike, Longtown, Carlisle, CA6 5SR01228 792 600

DerbyshireTranscare 28 LtdDarren ParkinUnit 1, Lydford Road, Meadow Lane Industrial Estate, Alfreton,Derbyshire, DE55 7RQ01773 832 697

DerbyshireTrucktekMark PollockThe Elms, Moorfarm Road East, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, DE6 1HD01335 340 510

DorsetPLC CommercialAndy Burridge14 St Georges Avenue, Parkstone, Poole, BH12 4ND01202 722 288

DurhamBraketech Northern LtdDavid LeeHetton-le-Hole, Tyne & Wear, DH5 0RH0191 526 3753

East SussexMick Gould Commercials LtdToby GoldsmithThe Royal Oak Garage, London Road, Flimwell, East Sussex,TN5 7PJ01580 879333

EssexBCSBarry Craven9 New Rd, Rainham, Essex, RM13 8DH07855 750 482

EssexCrusely Trailer Engineering LtdDave ElyBotany Way, Beacon Hill Industrial Estate, Purfleet, Essex,RM19 1SR01708 861 144

FifeSealand Trailers - RosythStephen AddisonCamperdown Rd, Port of Rosyth, KY11 2ZT01383 414 145

GlasgowMackenzies (Cambuslang) LtdGordon MackenzieSomerville Street, Cambuslang, Glasgow G72 7EB01416 419 504

GloucestershireCollett Transport ServicesAndy CollettBibstone Farmhouse, Cromhall, Wotton Under Edge,Gloucestershire, GL12 8AE01454 269 606

GloucestershireMark EdgeworthMark EdgeworthWoodside, 6 St Edwards Road, Stow on the Wold, Cheltenham,Gloucestershire, GL56 0LX07977 849 436

HampshireK & D Trailer Services LtdTrevor FalkenerAndes Road, Nursling Industrial Estate, Southampton, SO16 0YZ02380 738 037

HampshireR & M CommercialsRussell BlackmanBell Road, Daneshill East Industrial Estate, Basingstoke,RG24 8FB01256 840 404

HertfordshireFoulger’s CVS LtdPeter FoulgerMelda Farm, Bury Lane, Melbourn, Royston, Hertfordshire,SG8 6DF01763 262 826

KentCoombe ValleyMartin Husk16a Primrose Road, Dover, Kent CT17 0JA01304 206 498

LancashireLynch TrucksSteven LynchBarnfield Way, Altham Business Park, Altham, Acrington,Lancashire, BB5 5YT01282 773 377

LeicestershireMidland Commercial Services LtdJames BrownHazel Way, Barwell, Leicestershire, LE9 8GR01455 840 994

LincolnshireM.V. GreatrixMerv. GreatrixMain Road, Stickney, Nr Boston, Lincolnshire, PE22 8AE01205 480 459

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se UK & Republic of Ireland Service CentresDublinCP CommercialsPeter Costello42B Baldoyle Industrial Estate, Dublin 13, Eire+3531832 1316

DublinRing Road LimitedShay MurphyJ19 Greenogue Business Park, Rathcoole Co. Dublin, Eire +3531401 3643

DublinTransport ComponentsChris HenesseyUnit 10, Parkmore Industrial Est. Long Mile Road, Dublin 12, Eire+3531450 4090

KerryKerry Coach ServicesMichael BuckleyWoodlands Industrial Estate, Park Road, Killarney, Co. Kerry, Eire+35364 31945

KilkennyKeogh CommercialsLiam KeoghGrowine, Waterford Road, Kilkenny, Eire+3535677 29983

LimerickPaddy Dore CommercialsMargaret DoreDock Road, Limerick, Eire+35361 228 422

OffalyTullamore Test & Repair CentreKieran McManusCloncollig Industrial Estate, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, Eire+353506 52057

RoscommonKelly TrucksJimmy KellyDrummond, Strokestown, Co Roscommon, Eire+353719 637 070

MerseysideFM EngineeringKen FlowerBurtonhead Road, St Helens, Merseyside, WA9 5EA01744 746 800

MiddlesexPhoenix Motors & Recovery LtdJohn O’NeilPhoenix House, Rivers Gardens, North Feltham Trading Estate,Feltham, TW14 0RD0208 890 8230

MidlothianGeorge StoutGeorge Stout4 Eskvale Court, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 8HT01968 673 247

MorayElgin Truck & VanSandy KennedyGrampian Road, Elgin, Moray, IV30 1XN01343 542 171

Newry & MourneO’Hare Truck & Trailer Services & RentalDan O’Hare41, Omeath Road, Newry, Northern Ireland, BT35 8QN028 3026 1272

North East LincolnshireClayden EngineeringDavid MoffittKiln Lane Industrial Estate, Stallingborough, Immingham,N.E. Lincs, DN41 8DU01469 571 203

PembrokeshireMansell Davies & SonDan StandingStation Yard, Llanfyrnach, Pembrokeshire, SA35 0BZ01239 831 631

SomersetBraketechDave MatthewsAnglo Trading Estate, Commercial Road, Shepton Mallet,Somerset, BA4 5BY01749 340 308

SomersetMartock Commercials LtdMalcolm TimbrellGreat Western Rd, Martock, Somerset, TA12 6HB01935 823 901

South Gloucestershire247 Trailer RepairsAndy MorganUnit B8, Backfield Farm Business Park, Iron Acton, Bristol,BS37 9XD07876 751 168

South GloucestershireHalls ElectricalTony HallUnit 16, Dean Court, Great Western Business Park, Yate, Bristol,BS37 5NJ01454 319 722

SuffolkSPR Trailer Services LtdSimon Rivers5 Walton Avenue, Felixstowe, Suffolk, IP11 3HH01394 275 590

West MidlandsTruck EngineeringCraig WilsonUnit 10, Holland Industrial Estate, Bentley Park South, Darlaston,WS10 8LN01922 741 755

West SussexAlex FreemanAlex FreemanUnit M + N, Ditching Common Industrial Estate, Hassocks,West Sussex, BN6 8SG01444 253 312

West SussexA J FreemanPhil MatthewsUnit 1, Forgewood Industrial Estate, Gatwick Road, Crawley,West Sussex, RH10 9PG01293 544 006

West YorkshireH & P ListerPeter ListerEmbassy Garage, Battye Street, Off Leeds Road, Dewsbury,WF13 1PD01924 454 595

Republic of IrelandService CentresArmaghToal Truck ServicesJohn Toal21-23 Rathtrillick Road, Middletown, Co. Armagh, BT60 4HT+35328 3756 9701

CorkJay CommercialsJohn McCarthyUnit 9, Ballycurreen Industrial Estate, Kinsale Road, Cork, Eire+3532143 1295

CorkTransport ServicesSean LoftusBallyvolane, Cork, Eire+35321450 7377

DonegalD & M Motor ServicesDoug PeachAssoroe Road, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, Eire+35371 985 1242

DublinAutomotive ServicesJohn MurrayUnit 58, Park West Industrial Estate, Lebroquay Avenue, Dublin 12,Eire+353 1612 0922