CV Show – Products & Services

As well as the minibus applications covered by Rob at this year’s CV Show, there were many other gems of interest making it a valuable show to attend. Chris Peat scoured the stands to bring the most relevant equipment and technology news.

Accessories and vehicle equipment

On the AT Industries stand, representatives were available to take visitors through its extensive range of in-vehicle upholstery and automotive textiles.

Members of Bridgestone staff were there to tell visitors about its coach and bus tyre range, which includes the U-AP 001 all position urban tyre, its R249 Ecopia steer and Ecopia H-Drive 001 drive and R-Steer 001 amongst others.

New from Capital Seating was the KAB GSX 3000 range of driver’s seats. The collection includes the GSX Base, the GSX Partner and GSX Comfort (available in right and left hand drive varieties). Examples of its other seating ranges were also displayed.

Various wheel safety devices were shown by Checkpoint, including its Checkpoint Original wheel nut indicator. The device fits to wheel nuts and its movement indicates whether a nut has loosened or overheated. It comes in sizes ranging from 17mm to 50mm. The company can also provide its Dustite, which acts as a wheel nut indicator and a dust cap.

Continental Tyres had examples of its tyres on display, in addition to its ContiPressureCheck tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

Heating and air conditioning systems were promoted by Eberspächer.

Flettner were there, showing off their ventilators. They are commonly used on minibus conversions, with models specifically adapted for these smaller vehicles.

Giti Tire’s Urban applications were on display, including the GSR225.

Goodyear promoted the range of tyres it can provide for bus and coach applications. This includes the Marathon Coach all position tyre.

Hankook introduced its AU03+ bus tyre, which has an enhanced load index of 150/145J. This follows the market trend for vehicles to be fitted with tyres possessing a higher load index, as well as being in line with customer demand. It features higher shoulder rigidity and sturdy sidewalls to guard against damage from curbing.

A new seat leg fitting from Köller was displayed, which allows seats to be removed and refitted easily. Called FAB, the fitting is designed specifically for bonded floor systems on minibuses and has been made for one handed operation. It can be colour coded to match interiors and has an anti-rattle mechanism.

PanaVise showed a range of mounts for items such as sat navs and mobile phones.

Hand washing equipment was displayed by Teal. Its Handeman Xtra hot water on-vehicle washing device is designed to be used outside a vehicle and is intended to be easy to use. It can provide up to 15 ten second washes. It features a ‘finger tip’ controlled flip tap and its three litre ‘WasteSafe’ system retains all the dirty water.

New from Unwin was a BraunAbility cassette lift, which it believes will be a major contender in the market. Mounted under the floor of the vehicle, it has been designed to be lightweight, coming in at 130kg. It has a lifting capacity of 350kg, which it claims gives it the best lift to weight ratio in the industry.

 

 

Compliance and training

Dispensing free Yorkie chocolate bars and information on transport law was Backhouse Jones. The business offers its BackUp package, which provides 24 hour legal cover for a fixed annual fee.

A range of software packages were shown by Driving Test Success, aimed at aiding people taking their PCV driving test to pass. It has ‘The Complete Theory Test’, which allows users to take mock theory tests. It also has ‘The Complete LGV and PCV Driver CPC Case Study Test’ for trainee drivers. The latter provides the opportunity to practise hundreds of interactive multiple choice questions.

Visitors who signed up to FORS (Fleet Operators Recognition Scheme) at the show received a 50% discount on their first year’s membership. The voluntary programme is dedicated to promoting and improving best practice amongst operators. Auditors from the organisation were on hand to answer queries on its audit process.

Coach and bus specialist at Invergold Associates, Neil Rowe, attended the show to meet existing and potential customers. With a vast experience to draw on, Neil can work with operators to help them stay in line with all regulations. The company also handed out a quick reference guide to help avoid infringements, as well as a mini guide on drivers’ hours.

Licence Bureau re-launched its Compliance Management Services (CMS) with the new Permits to Drive feature. This package allows users to add the required driving documents for each company driver to the portal, with a Permit to Drive issued when they meet the necessary criteria for the vehicles they operate, helping ensure they remain fully complaint and legal.

LicenceCheck were on hand, including its MD, Richard Brown, to discuss licence checking issues.

A joined up approach to helping operators demonstrate compliance was the focus for Novadata at this year’s show. It displayed its newly expanded range of vehicle and driver check record books, including its new Unforeseen Events Record Book, an Agency Driver Declaration Book, a Licence Verification Audit Book, a Vehicle Maintenance Inspection Book and a Vehicle Defect Rectification Book. Additionally, the company was talking about the training it can roll out to help ensure an operation stays compliant.

TireCheck was promoting its InFleet tyre management service. The solution provides a ‘360 degree’ visibility of fleet tyre stock using real time information. It presents information on tyre performance, costs, conditions and stock levels across an operation. Scheduling of inspections, service, repairs and reports are also made. A monthly fee is charged and there is no ‘large initial investment’.

Technology and software

Celebrating ten years of its VDO digital tachographs was Continental. The company has manufactured tachographs since their original introduction in 1969. When digital took over, the business says it ‘evolved’ the technology, adding a list of features and benefits. These include the addition of one minute rule functionality, quicker data downloading, manual entries via SmartPhone technology, remaining driving and rest time displays, as well as easier transfer of important data such as fuel consumption. It was also using the show to promote the addition of an option to record manual entries remotely on its VDO TIS-Web tachograph management solution.

Tachograph analysis and compliance management solution, Smartanalysis, was displayed by Descartes. The cloud based software as a service (SaaS) package stores tachograph data on the company’s secure servers, with the analysis tools available on its website. The company also showed its Smartlicence system for managing driving licences and verifying licence details with the DVLA.

Andy Anderson of C-Vista Ltd was showing the Inventure Automotive Electronics FMS Gateway. The device is a CANbus interface and is able to monitor a variety of factors processed by the vehicle’s onboard electronic communication system.

Although it displayed a truck, Magtec was promoting a solution that can be used on buses. The company designs, manufactures and builds full electric systems for PCVs in the UK. According to the company, its Drivetrain is 94% efficient and is available with outputs of up to 3,000Nm of torque and 200kw power. The electric drives have a range of up to 260 miles and a payback time of less than five years.

Amongst its TachPro tachograph accessories and consumables, Digital 2000 promoted the Digifobpro. This is a complete vehicle unit and driver card solution for digital tachograph data. The new generation of the unit has recently been launched. It features a full colour screen, more buttons intended to provide simpler navigation, a USB connection, graphic reports and Bluetooth connectivity. It enables driver card and vehicle unit analysis. Its memory is split into 1GB for 4,000 tachograph files and 3GB for user configurable storage. Digital2000 was also handing out walk around check infographics, aiding drivers in these essential checks. TachoSys, the creators of the Digifobpro, were displaying the latest generation of that product.

Lytx was promoting its DriveCam programme, which identifies, prioritises and helps prevent the causes of poor driving before they lead to an accident. It monitors driving and provides real time feedback, uploading video and data to a secure wireless connection to the Lytx Review Centre. Its analytics package highlights the cause of poor driving and prioritises actions needed to reduce fleet risks. It also provides coaching for drivers. Greyhound uses the technology.

One of the latest advancements with Merridale’s equipment is its integration with telematics systems, exchanging odometer details amongst a variety of other data. Stephen Hannan from the company highlighted the importance of getting wise to how the reclassification of diesel as a flammable substance affects fuel storage at depots.

MiX Journey Manager, a new electronic journey risk management solution, has been launched by MiX Telematics. Linking in with its MiX Fleet Manager platform, it allows users to process journey requests, approvals and real time monitoring. It helps risk assess, plan and monitor journeys. The show also gave the company the chance to introduce its new MD for Europe, Marc Trollet.

RoadHawk dash cams, DVRs and related accessories were some of the products promoted by Trakm8. In February this year, the RoadHawk HD 2 was launched, which offers a choice of either SuperHD images or 1080p at 60 frames per second. It can also be linked to a telematics unit.

Demonstrations of Road Tech Systems’ various software packages, including telematics and tachograph analysis systems, were demonstrated.

The team from Senco Software were at the show telling operators about its data downloading, analysis and reporting service. The company works with independent analysts from across the UK who understand the transport industry. Having been in business for over 20 years, its solutions are designed to aid in operational compliance.

A range of camera devices were shown by Trailer Vision, including a 360 degree DVR system. This device records using several cameras covering the front, rear and sides of the vehicle. The footage recorded by these are combined to provide a view right around the bus or coach. It is intended to eliminate blind spots.

An extensive range of fuel management and dispensing products were displayed by Triscan. Its systems include the Apollo R2, an upgrade to its legacy fuel management equipment, which helps its customers migrate to its Odyssey World real time software. It also promoted its pumps, tank gauges, tanks and Kisskey OBD automated fuel management device.

New product features were launched by TruTac, including its TruControl tachograph analysis product in a variety of languages, including French, Polish and Welsh. It has also been given the new feature of eSignLive for secure digital signature capture and a range of reporting improvements. Additionally, a new Driver Licence Expiry report shows the expiry date and driving licence number of staff, in addition to easier filtering and category selection features. Its TruChecks product for daily walk around checks has been enhanced with new graphics and easier to manage functions.

Vehicle CCTV and telematics were displayed by Vision Track, with examples of its range were on show. These include forward facing cameras, 360degrees multi-camera and blind spot view devices and mobile DVRs.

Workshop equipment and management

For savings on fuel, BG Products has a solution. The company can be hired to clean entire fuel systems, ridding them of deposits that negatively affect engine efficiency. Its BG Engine Performance Restoration service cleans deposits from piston rings, restoring peak compression to ensure maximum power and efficiency. The company has evidence of its process having a significant affect on the efficiency of some of the largest fleets.

As well as examples of its vehicle lifting equipment, Blitz Rotary also showed its new kingpin press.

Fraser Wakerley of JHM Butt was displaying Ceteor battery chargers on the Ceteor stand. Of particular note on that display area was the new Lithium charger range, which is available in 12v and 24v versions. Also on show was an example of the SEMAD ‘Simply’ range of coil spring compressors, designed with the up most safety in mind.

Various component washers were shown by D-Grease. The company also promoted its waste management solutions. It can sell or lease manual and automatic washers, as well as de-rusting equipment.

A diesel particulate filter (DPF) cleaning system was shown by FSX Europe. It was part of a range of DPF related equipment, which includes its TrapBlaster, a fully adjustable unit to fit most filters. Its cleaners use a patented process, using air knives that scan both ends of a DPF. They measure airflow to determine filter functionality.

A new 13tonne pit jack specifically designed for ATF lanes was displayed by Majorlift. It has twin chrome rams, twin air motors, air assisted lowering, a fully adjustable top beam with independently operated extension arms and spring loaded rollers. A range of lifting accessories are also available for it. Majorlift works with Danish manufacturer, Compac, to provide its products in the UK and the two companies shared a stand. The Danish firm was showing its new air hydraulic jack designed specifically for low floor buses.

Fluid handling equipment from PIUISI was shown. The Italian manufacturer provides a range of products for dispensing and measuring fuels, lubricants and other liquids, including AdBlue.

Premier Pits was there with its demo pit, promoting the various inspection and repair pits, as well as the ATF lanes it can roll out.

PressurePro Pulse, a tyre performance management solution, was launched by RF Tracking. It includes an in-cab display with an easy to read screen, quick glance alerts and fully adjustable vehicle layouts and screen views. It has the capability to monitor up to 80 tyres at once and can store up to five pre-programmed units. It allows users to monitor any type of vehicle. Using CANbus and RS232 connectivity, built in data logging and microSD card storage, the system brings significant levels of integration and data collection abilities.

Two new lifts from TotalKare were displayed, a new two post lift and a light four post fixed lift.

An impressive stand was presented by VL Test Systems, complete with a range of the company’s extensive workshop equipment. The business provides an array of products for ATF lanes, including brake testers, headlight checkers and suspension testers.

Drive over tyre pressure management solution provider, WheelRight, which won a safety award at Intertraffic Amsterdam used the show to highlight a recent study indicating that the UK has around 25 deaths and nearly 1,500 serious accidents every year as a direct result of defective or poorly inflated tyres.