TruckandTrackAutumn2019

Truck and Track Autumn 2019 www.truckandtrack.com 36 FUEL MANAGEMENT Since 1994, Merridale has been producing built-to-order products using only the best, tried and tested components. With all Merridale products designed to achieve a minimum life of 10 years and meeting strict ATEX standards, there is no compromise on build quality. Merridale refuse to use cheaply made, counterfeit or recommissioned parts, instead sourcing the highest quality possible from trusted manufacturers. However, Merridale isn’t only focused on the quality of its products; there is also an emphasis on after sales care and support. Once your new fueling equipment is installed, Merridale can provide you with access to its software and technical support helplines, inspections and calibration services, repairs and ongoing updates when available. The housing units on Merridale’s products are designed to ensure that internal components are easily accessible for maintenance and repair, as well as being easy to update rather than having to replace the whole system. Whether you require a complete fueling system or just particular components such as a new fuel tank, pump, fuel management system or upgraded software, Merridale can offer you a solution to suit any size fleet over multiple or single depots. With fleet managers needing their vehicles to be highly reliable, it should go without saying that their fuel system should also be dependable. Merridale systems are installed at over 4,000 sites across the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands and Europe. They are trusted by some of the UK’s biggest fleet operators, some of which have continued to use Merridale for over 20 years. Belowis a trioof case studies that highlight the features, advantages and benefits of the Merridale range. Tardis Environmental UK Merridale’s vLink system was introduced in 2013 and is now a first choice for a growing number of fleet operators. Developed in conjunction with the University of Wolverhampton as part of a Government-sponsored Knowledge Transfer Programme, the vLink is a rugged snap-on and quick release communications cablewhich enables the fuelling point to automatically authenticate the vehicle being refuelled. Designed to speed up depot fuelling, the vLink system consists of a reader unit on an umbilical communication cable which reads the vehicle ID from a contact plate attached to the vehicle. When used as an alternative to data tags, it offers a more robust option for use with dedicated fleet vehicles in harsher working conditions. Where it is not possible for a fleet vehicle to be fitted with a contact plate, the system can be used in conjunction with a handheld data tag. Since 2014, Tardis Environmental UK Ltd has been using the vLink system alongside a range of other Merridale products. When asked about their reasons for choosing the system over data keys, Tardis’ company buyer Donna Bryan said “We found that using the vLink system would be much better for us as there is a risk of drivers losing data keys or not returning them if they leave the company. The contact plate is attached to the vehicle and gives us peace of mind that it can’t be lost, broken or swapped with other drivers.” Tardis also uses Merridale’s advanced web-based platform, FuelWorks, as part of its fuel management system. Designed in house byMerridale, the software allows users tomonitor fuel usage, efficiency and stock, predict restocking requirements and evaluate environmental impacts, therefore enabling users to adhere to FORS reporting standards. “FuelWorks is very user friendly and simple to navigate, I found that I got to grips with it after one training session. It has made a huge difference to our reporting andmonitoring. We can see exactly who Merridale Pump & Fuel Management