30-04-2008 - "Screen Test" tick for VMI Vans
Driver safety rises to the top of the list for Vendia company VMI this spring, conscious of the advent of the Corporate Manslaughter legislation in April (2008) that puts an extra onus of responsibility onto employers, especially those safeguarding the welfare of workers on the road.
In their quest to provide customers with quality products and service, come rain or shine, the VMI workforce spend much of the working day on the road - with all the attendant road safety implications, exacerbated by climate change and the increasing number of storms.
In some of the wettest weather conditions of the year, Blackburn-based VMI has been experimenting with a revolutionary way to improve its already impressive road safety record: their latest move is a windscreen coating treatment, using advanced molecular nano-technology, which has been successfully applied to a sample of its 50-strong van fleet across the North-West and South Wales.
The Screenguard™ treatment acts to deflect rain or snow on windscreens, forming the moisture into beads or droplets on contact and preventing the ‘smear factor’ which reduces driver visibility in severe weather conditions. VMI drivers involved in the test found that they needed to use their windscreen wipers less and they could see the road ahead much more clearly.
Managing Director Mark Molnar says: "Seeing hazards just one second earlier equates to having a 30-metre advantage in avoiding accidents, so the treatment makes perfect sense from a driver safety point of view."
The company anticipates business benefits, too, in terms of reduced fleet insurance costs. As Mike Potts, Chief Executive Officer of Vendia Group, says: "The team at VMI have made a convincing case that driver visibility - and by implication vehicle safety - is greatly improved with the use of this treatment. "It now makes sense to apply the coating across the Vendia fleet – involving 120 vans averaging around 20,000 miles per year. The treatment lasts for around 12,000 miles, so it’s well worth the investment."
Further details of the Screenguard product can be obtained via www.screenguard.info.
Editor’s notes:
VMI Ltd is a leading provider of vending solutions in the North West of England and a member of the Vendia group of companies. With over 30 years experience, VMI has an unrivalled reputation for product quality and delivery a quality service through its dedicated engineering and customer service staff. VMI Ltd, Castle Street, Furthergate Business Park, Blackburn. BB1 3DJ Tel: 01254 262 893. Website: www.vmi-ltd.co.uk.
Screenguard™- the revolutionary and durable safety treatment for vehicle windscreens. After a quick and simple application, Screenguard™ permits safer driving in wet conditions by deflecting raindrops from the glass as “beads” at speeds over 30mph.This overcomes the problem of reduced visibility caused by rain filming across the screen, and reduces the need for wipers. Screenguard™ is a trademark of Signo Ltd
Signo, surface protection technology specialists, offer a range of innovative, single application products that provide durable protection for many exterior and interior surfaces, preserving the original outward appearance, improving performance, and significantly reducing perpetual maintenance costs. Signo products protect and enhance: Glass and Vitreous surfaces, Porous Stone, Textiles and Polymer products. Signo brands include: Showerguard™; Fabric Shield™; Flexiguard™ (Porous Stone surfaces). The company has offices on the Isle of Wight and in Shropshire UK. www.signo-spt.com
Vendia UK Ltd is one of the largest beverage and snack vending companies in the UK. It is part of the international Vendia Group which is based in Holland and also has vending operations in France. Vendia’s unique strength is its network of strong local operating companies and management teams, who leverage their regional knowledge and experience to deliver better products and services, whatever the required vending package. Vendia companies have particularly strong knowledge and experience in five market sectors: Leisure, Business, Education, Public Service and Retail.
The company is based at:
17 Rufus Business Centre
Ravensbury Terrace
London
SW18 4RL
United Kingdom
T : +44 (0) 20 8879 8354
F : +44 (0) 870 762 8985
www.vendia-group.com
info@vendia-group.com