Page 1 - Econ Standard 90

Econ Standard Issue 90 March 2021_Econ Standard 12/05/2021 13:56 Page 1

‘know how’

Diverse fleet for Powys

Powys County is an extensive, largely upland and extremely rural county
in mid-Wales covering 5,000 square kilometres (approximately one Standard · Issue No.90
quarter of the area of Wales). It is also the most sparsely populated
county in England and Wales, with only 25 people per square kilometre.

As a result of its rurality, the county’s road network, including trunk roads, comprises primarily
of single carriageway with no motorways and only three miles of dual carriageway. There are Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council has been a longstanding Econ customer and this new
many narrow roads and steep gradients, so hired vehicles must be able to operate order comprises the majority of their spreading fleet.
and service this terrain. In particular, there must be careful specification to maximise payload Econ continues to
and manoeuvrability to ensure drivers and crew members can operate the vehicles safely. Kevin Lewis, Fleet Manager at Neath Port Talbot
impress at Neath continue our relationship with Econ because they
County Borough Council, commented: “We chose to
always supply very reliable units that are great value
Port Talbot for money. We have found the service from Econ
great, and especially convenient with the depot situ-
ated in Cardiff. The new vehicles have been very
good and reliable through the winter months.

We received an order from Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council We haven’t had a lot of snow yet this year and only
had to put the ploughs on a couple of times for a
for a purchase contract in January of last year for a number of our small amount of snow on certain routes, but we
vehicles. By the summer of 2020, we had delivered four new Econ QCB have had some cold spells. Gritting has been our
swap body spreaders with tippers and a Roadmender body. main focus and the new vehicles have helped throughout.”

Powys County Council is responsible for the entire county’s winter maintenance duties on a
number of road classifications. Their initial tender with Econ was in 2016 for four years and this
has been re-tendered for another four years. The variety of road classifications and routes
means the Council operates a diverse winter maintenance fleet of varying vehicle types and
sizes, including: 18t 4x2; 18t 4x4; 26t 6x4; 26t 6x6.

Econ has demonstrated its ability to provide the best specialist services, ensuring that Powys
County Council has the right vehicles for its specific needs. For example, we were asked for the
vehicles to offer excellent hill climbing ability and in-gear flexibility at GVM on single-carriage-
way roads.

21 year watch

for Cardiff Depot

Manager

Ron Currie came across Econ by chance after looking Corporate Director of Environment and Regeneration Nicola Pearce (centre) with gritting staff.
through job advertisements on the internet. Fast forward
21 years, after travelling up and down the country the
equivalent distance of reaching the moon and back twice,
he is now receiving his long service award.
When Ron started with Econ, he worked primarily on gritters as a service Fantastic training
engineer, travelling around doing repairs out of a van. Over the years,
Econ’s hire fleet ‘took off’ so he broadened his skills to repairing chassis as Ron has circumnavigated the earth 39 times during his time at Econ
well as traditional gritters. and support for
To thank Ron for his commitment, he has
been presented with an engraved watch (Ron Ashcourt
is pictured with Econ’s Operations Director,
Jonathan Lupton). Ron, who is now Econ’s
Cardiff Depot Manager alongside his service
engineering role, said: “I could tell from the The Ashcourt Group started in 1996, building student
number of people who stuck around that Econ homes. In 2009, the Group expanded, building much larger
was a company I wanted to work in for a long purpose-built student accommodation for external clients
time. Everyone is extremely knowledgeable which increased the need for more construction machinery.
but always happy to help out, share that After purchasing a number of quarries and other
knowledge and work as a team.
strategic acquisitions, the Ashcourt Group expanded their
I’m getting my watch now, but there are many offering, unveiling their Highways Division in 2017.
people who still work for Econ and had done
long before I joined - I’m still the new kid on Fast forward to June 2020, Econ were contacted by Dale Arnott of Thompson
the block! Commercials for a quote to supply a 5 Cubic Mtr Twin Chamber Hotbox for the
Ashcourt Group. Econ were contacted to complete some on-site operator
It’s great to be recognised for working for a training in August 2020. As a result of the successful training, Ashcourt ordered
length of time. Many companies don’t bother four new Econ machines through Thompson Commercials to hire out to
and just view you as another number, but at external customers.
Econ, you’re treated as family and truly feel
appreciated.” Ian Donkin, Transport Manager, said: “The training and support we have
received on the Econ products has been fantastic and they have performed
really well for us, especially with them being able to maintain the asphalt
workable for longer periods. It makes the vehicles a great addition to our
ECON ENGINEERING LIMITED ever-growing fleet of plant and machinery.”
50th Anniversary

Boroughbridge Road, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 1UE England Delivery and training of the first unit were completed on Friday 26th March
2021 and the next three units are following close behind in the coming weeks.
1969 -2019 Tel: 01765 605321 · Fax: 01765 607187 · Email: sales@econeng.co.uk · www.econ.uk.com