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Econ Standard issue 91_Econ Standard 20/09/2021 20:03 Page 2

‘know how’ ‘know how’

Econ spreads the word Econ to open £7M

on the Benefits of Engineering Facility at

MirrorCam Technology Gateway Business Park

Econ has recently added the first MirrorCam equipped Mercedes-Benz to its fleet. The family owned business, which makes more than 85 percent of the UK’s
The 4x2 Arocs chassis arrived via Dealer Northside Truck & Van, a trusted Econ winter road maintenance vehicles has purchased a 24-acre site at Sowerby
supplier for the past 14 years. An 18-tonne 1824 variant, it has a ClassicSpace S-cab Gateway some 11-miles from its Ripon headquarters.
and is powered by a 7.7-litre, 175 kW (238 hp) in-line six-cylinder engine.
When completed the facility – which will be landscaped to minimise any impact on the environment -
MirrorCam is Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ acclaimed alternative to door mirrors. The system employs roof will house a 2,933 sq m building featuring an area office, workshop, spray booth, brake test unit,
mounted, rear facing cameras, which relay their images to screens mounted inside the cab, on the underseal spray area, 20-bay maintenance compound and 18 inspection pits.
A-pillars. Not only does MirrorCam provide much-enhanced rear visibility, but it also eliminates the large,
forward-facing blind spots created by mirror housings. As a result, Econ’s MirrorCam equipped Arocs merits Being developed by Yorkshire based Triton Construction, it will also include hard parking for the firm’s
two Direct Vision stars from Transport for London, one more than it would if fitted with conventional mirrors. winter hire fleet. When the site is handed to Econ in Spring 2022, the company has said up to 50 jobs
will be created.
Econ Engineering Operations Director, Jonathan Lupton, emphasises MirrorCam technology’s advantages for
gritter drivers working on dark nights and in blizzard conditions: “in addition to the improved visibility, Jonathan Lupton, Econ Engineering’s Operations Director said:
MirrorCam should be much less susceptible to the typical problems of dirt, rain and icing up”. The cameras “Econ Gateway marks another major milestone in our 52
are also compact and mounted higher so are less vulnerable to accidental damage than normal mirrors, history, and one that demonstrates the strength of the company
highlighting potential savings in repair costs. Jonathan Lupton commented “The chassis is very versatile and an excellent base for and dominance of the winter roads maintenance vehicles sector.
our bodies, with front frame adaptions for the ploughs and live drive PTOs to power
Over half of Econ’s current fleet of more than 800 vehicles are based on Mercedes Benz Actros, Arocs and the hydraulics for salt beds and spinners. The trucks fuel efficiency, coupled with the “Over the last few years our winter hire fleet has grown to over
Atego models. The Mercedes Benz Arocs is now a mainstay of the Econ fleet. A further 46 are currently in build potential for electrical powering of some equipment means we can help customers 1,000 units, and these gritters, which are hired to councils and
at its production facility, while Northside Truck and Van will be delivering another 40 chassis later this year. reduce their carbon footprint. highways authorities across the UK, will be housed at the new site.
“Here, during the summer months they will be serviced and
readied for to return to clients in the autumn, ahead of winter
setting in.
Econ examining greener “Because the location of this new site is rural, we are ensuing
that its impact on the surrounding area is mitigated by careful
landscaping. Solar panels on the roof will also reduce our
alternatives to diesel carbon footprint and running costs.”
Councillor Mark Robson, Leader of Hambleton District Council,
said: “I am delighted that Econ has chosen Sowerby for its
expansion plans, bringing with it 50 jobs. They join a fast-
Econ Engineering is looking at alternative fuels to diesel to power its growing group of businesses in the district which chose
gritters with two possibilities which are hydrogen and Hydro-treated Hambleton because it offers a great location and connectivity
Vegetable Oil (HVO), which are currently being trialled by truck along with the infrastructure needed to succeed.”
manufacturer, DAF.
In 2019, Econ opened its first satellite engineering hub in Alloa,
But at this stage it, and the rest of the commercial vehicle sector, doesn’t see electric power as Scotland and last year added a further facility in the Welsh
an option, as in severe weather gritters need to be working almost 24 hours a day, with just capital of Cardiff.
short periods off the road for re-fuelling and re-loading their grit hoppers.
Whilst the use of hydrogen in Heavy Goods Vehicles are still in the experimental stage it is
already in use by a small number of DAF truck fleet operators. It can be used in any diesel
engine, either on its own, or mixed with red or white diesel and is 90 per cent cleaner than its
red and white counterparts. It is particularly popular by fleet operators in colder climates as it
has a lower freezing point than oil derived diesel. Econ Continues to Impress at Cheshire East Highways

David Price, DAF’s sales manager “We are examining a number of ways in which our winter
maintenance vehicles can move away from traditional fossil fuels. Our partners at DAF are
pioneering HVO, and this is fuel that has plenty of merits.
“Electric gritters are just not an option as the battery cannot deliver the necessary power to run Jonathan Lupton – Operations Director - Econ
a chassis and operate the hopper at the same time. And a recharge would take hours, which David Price - Sales Manager – Municipal – DAF Trucks Ltd
just isn’t viable, in snow conditions” Ann Mary Myers - PACCAR Leadership Development Program

In 2020, we supplied Ringway Jacobs Ltd Cheshire East with a 3 Cu Mtr Single Chamber
S&R Construction Ltd sticks hotbox mounted on a 12t Chassis. The vehicle was delivered on time and within a week, Econ
had provided enhanced training for a number of operatives including a dedicated trainer,
video clips and a comprehensive manual. Econ also enabled DAF specific training for the DAF
with Econ Hotboxes for chassis, all-in-all allowing the vehicle to be ready just one week after receipt. The vehicle is
used on a daily basis as it was ordered to replace a spot hire vehicle. David Bonehill, Head of
Fleet and Plant at Ringway Jacobs Ltd said, “the Econ vehicle provided us with an enhanced
reliability & longevity vehicle and equipment, in particular impressed with the gas bottles stowage bracket as there
is no manual handling. It really is unique in design”.
As a result of our successful, longstanding relationship with Ringway Jacobs Ltd, we were asked
S&R Construction, based in the West Midlands, was founded in 1998. The company Over the past two years, Econ has regularly provided Hotboxes to to build them a new 18t QCB Hotbox 5 Cu Mtr Twin Chamber, which we are currently
provides affordable, sustainable gas, water and electric mains and utility Ringway Jacobs Ltd, part of the wider Ringway group responsible for manufacturing now. Ringway Jacobs Ltd are keen to use and promote our QCB technology
installation services for an array of clients. looking after over 50,000+ kilometres of the UK’s highways network. within their areas and are highly interested in our market-leading technology. The new vehicle
It was ten years ago that the company first came across Econ Engineering and it was then that it selected its Econ’s vehicles used by Ringway Jacobs Ltd in Cheshire East are operated will afford them flexibility to quickly change from using a Hotbox to a Gritter, which they believe
hotboxes for use as part of its service offering. throughout the year, with the majority being Gritters that have will be a huge asset for their fleet.
Since then, S&R has continued to use Econ products, with a current fleet of four hotboxes. Two of which are Snow Ploughs during the winter, and Hotboxes for routine surface repairs, Our personal approach to each client doesn’t go unnoticed with David, who said, “Econ is
recent additions which have been wrapped in the company’s colourful branding. potholes and maintenance for clients all year round.
dedicated to every customer, big or small, and values everyone equally. Not only that, when
Steve Sankey, Director and Owner of S&R Construction Ltd says of the Econ product range: “Econ’s receiving a vehicle from Econ you can also get the full R&M package where engineers can
hotboxes are very good, reliable vehicles. They are also easy to maintain and have great longevity. come out on incredibly short notice. The quality of Econ’s service and products are second to
“We are very happy with their products, which can be evidenced by the fact we have used them for over ten years.” none, and as long as their vehicles are available we will continue using them”.

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