Fleet solutions under one roof

Running a vehicle fleet is a far more complex business than simply sourcing and purchasing vehicles. In recognition of this, the Commercial Vehicle Operator Show will showcase a wide range of products and solutions to optimise fleet efficiency

Written by Robin Dickeson, commercial vehicle affairs manager, SMMT

With the transport industry firmly in the grip of recession in early 2009, the CV Show Partnership reluctantly took the decision to cancel the 2009 CV Show. So the new CV Operator Show, from 13 to 15 April at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, is the first major road transport and automotive service industry meeting place since 2008. It is aimed at fleet truck and van operators, as well as owner drivers.  
    
The organisers expect the event will deliver millions of pounds worth of business to an already wide and growing range of firms. The show covers a broad spectrum of products and services to support your business and is expected to attract visitors from all areas of the road transport industry.  
    
Major tyre manufacturers and tyre service firms will be at the Show, with ATS Euromaster, Goodyear Dunlop and Michelin featuring a wide range of their tyres for fork lift trucks through to road-going tyres for the biggest of the heavy mob. Each supplier will be taking orders at the show, offering special ‘show only’ prices and deals.

Right van man
According to the Commission for Integrated Transport (CfIT), the last ten years has seen a 40 per cent increase in van use. This will not come as a surprise to LCV operators, whose vehicles are employed across an ever-widening range of purposes. Evidence of the trend has been seen at recent CV Shows, with the increasing number of options available to visitors adding value to a van or light truck.
    
2010 will be no different, with leading converters showcasing a variety of ways to get best use of a van or light truck. Variety is the spice of life for the likes of Chambers, Eberspacher, Tevo and Sortimo, as their solutions are presented for just about every operator need.
    
Several new van launches are also expected around the time of the CV Operator Show, with Fiat, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault and Vauxhall taking advantage of the focused attention of media and commercial vehicle operators to promote their products.
    
As new vehicle purchases were put on hold by operators last year, the focus of this year’s CV Operator Show fits well with the delayed replacement cycle. It is important that operators know how to keep existing fleets running longer and more efficiently, so the show will have a firm engineering focus.
    
Since 2004, when light vehicle manufacturers first appeared at the CV Show, the number of visitors operating LCVs has grown from less than 30 per cent to 52 per cent, representing almost 15,000 buyers last year. The trend to increased use suggests even more interest this April.
    
The show also covers the complementary and vital maintenance workshop and service garage sector – including franchised or independent garages, bodyshops, motor factors, fast fit and parts and accessory retailers.
    
“In simple terms, the people that keep the UK’s vehicle fleet running will find the CV Operator Show, together with Workshop 2010, a must-see event. Its unique nature will give visitors the opportunity to see a huge range of those vital support services under one roof,” said Bob Sockl, organiser of the CV Operator Show.
    
Each aspect of the vehicle maintenance business will be covered in a dedicated location, giving visitors a one-stop shop to update their knowledge of the latest and upcoming technology.
    
Big, well known firms like Somers Totalkare and Stertil will showcase their latest kit alongside a host of other equipment suppliers. Diagnostics takes the lead for many exhibitors, with increasingly clever technology to help cut workshop costs by fast fault-finding on every make and model of car, van and truck.
    
Autodiagnos and Omitec will be there too, while Texa plans to build on its success at last year’s CV Show. V-Tech and Launch X431 have both booked big stands, with special show offers and will provide valuable technical advice to visitors.
    
Garage equipment firms are also booking space – Bradbury, Gemco, Maha and Tecalemit are amongst the ‘blue-chip’ companies exhibiting in 2010, attracted by past successes at the CV Show.

Training
Tachodisc will use its stand at the CV Operator Show to help promote its wide range of transport training. The firm offers training at operators’ sites its premises, including Operator and Driver Certificates of Professional Competence and courses on drivers’ hours, digital tachographs, working time, defect reporting, safe and economical driving, customer care and more.
    
Many exhibitors will use their stands as an interactive showcase for visitors, providing technical updates, advice and guidance on the latest technologies. This offers an excellent opportunity for visitors to contribute to their individual Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes.
    
Every operator of vehicles is under tremendous pressure to operate their fleets as efficiently as possible. However, they must also comply with an enormous amount of legislation that is imposed on them. At the Show, visitors will be able to find out from VOSA about its approach to enforcement and compliance, and talk to other exhibitors to find out how to improve the environmental performance of their vehicles. The UK road transport industry is already considered one of the safest and most efficient in the world, and the CV Operator Show offers more opportunities to improve.

The latest technology
The latest technology will be on offer from companies like Cybit, TomTom WORK and Roadtech, already major players in UK and European markets.  
    
The vital science of logistics means that however well maintained a vehicle fleet may be, to take the long route anywhere means that your fuel bill and operating costs are increased. Use of good fleet management and route planning systems helps cut mileage and fuel. Less fuel used also means lower emissions, so everyone is happy.
    
Networking opportunities offered by the show should not be under-estimated, and the show gives visitors and exhibitors alike the chance to update themselves on both product and industry news.
    
The event is owned by the CV Show LLP, comprising the Road Haulage Association, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and IRTE Services Ltd, the trading company of the Society of Operations Engineers. Crystal Communications manages the organisation, stand sales and marketing on behalf of the Partnership.

For more information
Visit www.cvoperatorshow.com