Dutch specialist precast concrete haulier Driessen Speciaaltransport has become the first FORS member to attain FORS Gold outside of the UK.

Based in Horst, Driessen Speciaaltransport, which became a FORS member in 2013,  has a fleet consisting of a range of in-loaders, V-frame loaders, low-loaders, extendable flatbeds and diagonal loaders, each specially equipped for precast transporting precast concrete.

Owner Fred Driessen says the organisation chose FORS to help maximise efficiency and win new work with each stage in the FORS process helping the company improve its safety, performance and efficiency.

“Our FORS Bronze audit showed us how useful it was to gather information and maintain processes across the business. It was a bit of an eye-opener to have a good view of our company, trucks and drivers.”

Driessen said FORS has also helped the company improve safety standards and become cut fuel consumption, with a 6% reduction in C02 since 2017. FORS safety requirements have also helped deliver a significant cut in the number of vehicle incidents, thanks to the installation of multiple on-board cameras,whilst the driver training modules have reduced tacho violations.

Joining FORS also helped the company expand its international offering, added Driessen. “One of our clients asked us if we could take care of the transportation of precast concrete to build apartments, factories, and jails in the London area, and we realised this was a good opportunity for our company to broaden our operations.

"We have a modern light-weight fleet which combines a high payload and maximum sizes of the products we transport, so our trucks are suitable to do this kind of transportation,” said Driessen.

Driessen Speciaaltransport progressed to FORS Silver in 2017 which Driessen said helped impress customers. “FORS Silver gave us an elevated status, which our customers welcomed. We installed cameras on the trucks and supported all of our drivers through the Safe Urban Driving training, allowing them to experience how pedestrians and cyclists feel when a large truck passes them in a city. In addition, our Transport Manager Johny Berkvens has qualified as a FORS Practitioner.”

The company has now progressed to FORS Gold which Driessen said is an important step. “FORS Gold accreditation means a lot to our organisation, and I am very proud to see our vehicles carrying the FORS sticker. We are a company that transports under the highest safety and operational standards and with excellent vehicles and drivers. We have gone from concrete to Gold.”

FORS Director John Hix, says: “We are delighted to welcome Driessen Speciaaltransport as our first Dutch FORS Gold operator. This achievement is a testament to the hard work the whole team has put into raising standards across their business.”

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