The HGV Fleet Forum, hosted by Isotrak, was attended by a cross section of the industry, including a large number of logistics personnel from a range of operations - a mix of large and recognisable retailers and hauliers, SMEs, suppliers and industry bodies. Delegates took part in a day of presentations and discussion sessions, and were given the opportunity to network with their peers and a variety of hardware and software suppliers.
The HGV Fleet Forum was the follow up event to the successful LCV Fleet Forum, held in February at Isotrak's head office in Milton Keynes. The HGV Fleet Forum was held at the picturesque Catthorpe Manor in Lutterworth, Rugby, in order to accommodate the increased interest from delegates and partners. The day was also extended to 4pm to allow for an agenda packed with credible speakers, gathered to discuss the topics delegates had requested during the registration process.
High profile speakers such as Jack Semple, Director of Policy at the Road Haulage Association (RHA), James Hookham Managing Director of Policy & Communications at the Freight Transport Association (FTA), Kirsty Cooper, Logistics Manager at Robert Wiseman Dairies, Terry Skelton, Fuel Program Manager at Turners (Soham), and Darragh O'Dwyer, GM Leeds Transport Hub at Arla Foods, engaged delegates with presentations around Legislation and the Euro 6 Standard, Telematics and Driving Style, EPoD, Longer Trailers and Driver and Union reaction to 'Spy in the Cab' technology.
There were plenty of discussion sessions, providing delegates with the unique opportunity to openly discuss application of specific technology and principals within their own operations and above all, to explore further possibilities while gauging the opinion of their peers. Lively debate around the extensive reports available from a telematics system and how best to manage the issue of 'Spy in the Cab' from a driver and union perspective peppered the day. Carbon legislation and the introduction of longer trailers in the UK spurred great interest and a variety of questions from attendees.
James Hookham, Managing Director of Policy & Communications, FTA comments: 'I found the level of engagement and questioning to be informed and challenging. The audience seemed interested in the subjects FTA was leading on and prepared to discuss and understand the implications.'
Breaks and the lunch period were extended to allow delegates to network with peers and solution providers. Guests were directed to an expo area which played host to logistics mobile solutions provider Kratzer Automation, enterprise mobility software company Airclic, asset management solutions providers Ryzex, hardware producer Honeywell, real time despatch solutions provider DA Systems, logistics solutions provider Enterprise Software, and the suppliers of the complete on-demand vehicle maintenance and compliance system - R2C.
Suppliers were on hand to answer delegate's questions with regards to their solutions, how they could be applied to delegates respective operations, and the functionality and associated benefits in terms of efficiency and reduced overall costs.
Alan Gunner, Sales & Marketing Director, Isotrak comments: 'We're delighted with the buzz created by our forum events. We were keen to establish a valuable and beneficial series of events for our customers, partners and the wider industry to meet, debate current topics and share common experiences across a number of transport and logistics sectors. Judging by the feedback and requests for forthcoming dates - we've achieved that aim. Thanks have to go to everyone that's attended, taken part and contributed significantly to making the events the fixture they now are.'
Isotrak have already received much positive feedback from delegates with regards to the running of the day, the choice of speaker and presentation content, as well as the group discussion sessions. Isotrak vehicle tracking and telematics plan to continue to make Fleet Forums a regular event with the next scheduled for autumn 2012.