CEMEX making great strides in FORS accreditation

2016 will see further implementation of scheme across company’s aggregates and asphalt businesses

CEMEX UK say great strides were made in 2015 to ensure that more subcontractors used by the company met the standards of the Fleet Operators Recognition Scheme (FORS).

By the end of 2015, some 169 subcontractors in CEMEX Logistics, covering aggregates, asphalt, bulk cement and building products, were FORS registered or accredited, while in Readymix, where all the operators are independent haulier contractors (IHCs), the Greater London fleet of 66 operators are all accredited.

CEMEX say a key element in the success of the Readymix business in 2015 was working with FORS to instigate a quality-management system which would help individual hauliers to achieve accreditation. This year work will continue with IHCs who operate in major conurbations outside London.

In the aggregate and asphalt business, 150 subcontractors who transported more than 65% (by volume) of aggregates and asphalt in 2015 were FORS registered or accredited. The target for 2016 is over 80%.

FORS is a voluntary certification scheme run by Transport for London (TfL). Last month TfL announced that there are now more than 3,500 registered accredited operators, highlighting ever-increasing support for the scheme and a commitment to raise professional standards.

CEMEX UK joined the scheme in 2009, and in 2014 were one of only 22 companies to achieve the Gold standard nationwide. Reaching this level required the company to demonstrate that its Logistics fleet of 300-plus aggregate, asphalt and cement vehicles and drivers were operating to the highest standards to manage road risk, reduce environmental impact and enhance operational efficiency.

‘In 2015, we made FORS standards mandatory for the 70 primary hauliers in our aggregates and asphalt businesses. In addition, health and safety audits with all contractors are now aligned with FORS standards to ensure we are consistently achieving a high standard as a fundamental part of our operations,’ commented David Hart, director of CEMEX Logistics.

He added: ‘2016 will see further implementation of this ethos. We only want to work with hauliers that have health and safety as a fundamental part of their business, helping to improve overall road safety and reduce the wider impacts of fleet operations.’