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Fuel saver fuels success
Page 68
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In August. we were approached by the manufacturer of a fuel-saving device. No doubt many of you have been offered miracle cures and this product seemed no different.
As ever, we endured the technical sales babble, in this case how the unit heats the fuel to the optimal temperature, enabling the engine to burn the extra particulates. Although for all that this means to us they could have been talking about some plasmacharged particle de-ioniser. Suffice to say, our fitters remained very sceptical about the merits of this gizmo.
However, this company assured us that we would see a reduction in our fuel consumption of 1520 % and to demonstrate its faith in the product it offered to fit one free of charge. Never one to look the proverbial gift horse in the mouth, we agreed to trial it for a month.
Obviously, we monitored the vehicle closely before and after the product was litted.We ascertained that our artics covered 2,000 miles a week:and with the fuel-saving device fitted, the same vehicles are now using £120 per week less fuel.
To date, we have purchased 30 devices at a cost of £1,000 each, with fitting taking roughly two hours. Each one should have paid for itself after eight weeks and. thereafter, each device will save us £120 a week. By Christmas 2004, we will have saved £180,000 which equates to £6,000 per vehicle. With figures like these, we have taken delivery of devices not only for the remainder of our fleet but also for some vehicles which have yet to be delivered!
We are now speaking to the local vehicle licensing and tax office since these gadgets also reduce emissions. If they come within the required government legislation. we hope to receive a further £500 reduction on our annual road fund licence.! think Father Christmas has come early this year. but he was in pinstripes and drove a Mercedes. If you want to find out more about the product and the test results, call our general manager Neil Horgan (02920 79 80 81).
As diesel accounts for a large percentage of our running costs, it is one of the main costing components we use when pricing jobs. These savings have enabled us to absorb the recent government hike in fuel prices and, we can now offer more competitive prices.
So all in all, 2004 is looking very rosy Over the past couple of months we have been tendering for various contracts and, after months of courting, our hard work has come to fruition. As of next January, we have won transport contracts to the value of seven-figure sums.
To fulfil our obligations we have had to purchase a further 10 trailers and six tractor units. Our operator's licence is now pushed to the limit. Finding people to drive the new vehicles will be the next big challenge.
Once again.! guess it's time to look at developing the skills of our Class II drivers and begin the next training scheme. •