Spillard News

Continuous industry related updates

Quotation for the Supply of a Vehicle Telematics Platform

A development is required that will allow you to view real time footage of a vehicle’s cameras through a URL (website) platform. You will also be able to view historical footage by dialling into the harddrive of the DVR that is installed on the vehicle.

Additional information that will be viewable through the website is:

Vehicle position

Vehicle historical journeys

Vehicle speed

The platform should also have screen that will allow:

Tacho download software to be viewed and alerts created when the driver is getting near to his limited driving hours and/or has exceeded his driving hours

View and alert diagnostics from the can bus system to inform the transport manager that there is an issue with the truck.

Using the diagnostic information the system should report the fault with the local dealer and schedule in a fix.   

Should you require further info or wish to discuss this opportunity please contact Craig Spillard 01902 79 79 30

Spillard fulfils vision for a record £5m year after commercial vehicle boost

Helping the commercial vehicle sector reduce ‘blind spots’ has put a Wolverhampton-based safety solutions provider on course for a record £5m year.

Spillard Safety Systems, which celebrated its 25th birthday in 2017, has secured a number of new contracts with DHL, Marston’s and Tesco’s One Stop stores to fit its vehicle video surveillance, four camera system to over 1500 vehicles in a bid to improve driver performance and reduce accidents.

Over £800,000 of business has been won that will see it expand by nearly 20% over the course of the next six months, with ten additional engineers already taken on to cope with current and future demand.

The Wolverhampton-based firm is also in the process of launching its new video telematic service ‘Spillard Live’ which gives companies real-time, remote access to footage taken on all of it’s camera systems.

“Mining, construction and plant have typically been our core markets and, whilst we are still seeing market share grow in these sectors, it is the sudden spike in orders for commercial vehicles that is putting us on target for £5m,” explained Pete Spillard, Managing Director of Spillard Safety Systems.

“Major retailers with big fleets and distribution companies are switching on to the dangers of ‘blind spots’, not to mention the additional benefits that comes from giving their drivers improved all round awareness using our four camera system.”

He continued: “One of our engineers will conduct a visibility study on-site and then work with the customer to develop the right solution for their vehicles or mobile equipment. This could be a camera system, specialist mirrors, or warning lights…and in some instances all of those solutions in one centrally controlled system.

“As well as reducing accidents and improving safety, our technology is increasingly being used to prove liability in the case of accidents, a previously expensive issue for companies who often had no way of proving what actually happened.”

Founded in 1992, Spillard Safety Systems has evolved into one of the UK’s largest mobile safety equipment suppliers to the construction, quarrying and mining industries with a customer base ranging from global conglomerates to original equipment manufacturers.

It has created fifteen new jobs over the last eighteen months, increasing its service engineers to more than half of its 43-strong workforce. A focus on developing its own talent has also seen the company invest in four apprentices, with the possibility of more to follow if the pipeline of new orders materialise.

Craig Spillard, Finance Director, commented: “We are constantly innovating our product range to make sure we are the forefront of solutions that help ‘kill blind spots’ and make driving or operating equipment safer.

“More and more organisations are adopting our technology and we will continue to work with local authorities and other safety providers to remain the authoritative force in mobile safety solutions.”

S&B Waste teams up with Spillard to increase vehicle safety

One of the UK’s leading skip hire and recycling companies has tapped into technology born in Wolverhampton to help its drivers cut out blind spots and reduce insurance claims.

S&B Waste Management & Recycling, which employs 70 people at its base in Monmore Green, has invested significantly into installing mobile safety equipment from Spillard Safety Systems on to a number of its fleet.

Bosses at the company decided to use Optronics 360°, the world’s first aftermarket surround view system for industrial vehicles, to improve the operator’s view and this has already resulted in more efficient operation on sites, fewer accidents and less damage due to scraping walls or other objects.

“We operate 40 vehicles every week and across the course of the year we make over 20,000 journeys,” explained Steve Broadley, Managing Director of S&B Waste.

“A lot of these are made on tight streets or construction/industrial sites where there are lots of different hazards, many of which are difficult for our drivers to spot. Our first instinct is safety – both for our staff and the general public – so we approached Spillard Safety about some possible solutions.”

He continued: “Experts from the firm came out and went through our entire fleet, providing feasibility studies on the different options available and the difference they would make. After much discussion, we eventually went for trialling Optronics 360° on four of our DAF and Scanias.

“The trial has been a resounding success with S&B staff reporting a whole host of operational benefits. Visibility, when performing their jobs, has improved dramatically and this has made staff more efficient within their roles. This has resulted in more journeys and increased customer satisfaction in the process.”

S&B Waste, who provide general and specialist waste disposal for a host of public and private sector clients, has taken its commitment a stage further by also investing in Spillard’s Optronics Foresight System

This uses a four camera system and a digital video recorder, which captures action from all around the vehicle. In just a short space of time, this has proved invaluable for providing liability on accidents and reducing the company’s insurance pay-outs.

Steve added: “Prior to the technology being installed, we had to use the driver’s version of events and this was difficult to prove when dealing with insurance firms. Now with the system recording footage, we have already won three cases that were being contested, saving significant payouts and reducing annual premiums in the process.

“It has been one of the best investments we’ve made and has already paid us back fivefold in terms of improved driver performance, increased safety and reduced insurance and repair costs.”

Craig Spillard, Director of Spillard Safety Systems, concluded: “Once a company has seen the technology and how it works in their environment, nine times out of ten they will use it across their entire fleet.

“This is exactly what happened with S&B Waste. What we try and do is make the process as simple as possible, with one of our experts working with their head mechanic on installation and training him to how to use the system – this way he can pass on his knowledge to the drivers.

“Ongoing maintenance and service is included across all vehicles giving the customer complete peace of mind that they are doing everything they can to reduce blind spots and prevent accidents.”

Wolverhampton firms join forces to help school pupils understand the rules of the road

More than 900 pupils from across the West Midlands have been educated on the rules of the road to help prevent accidents and save lives.

Children from five different schools across the region took part in the week-long event, which was organised by Blakemore Logistics.

They were given the opportunity to view an A.F Blakemore vehicle to highlight the dangers of playing near large HGVs, as well as a series of classroom activities designed to showcase potential issues of travelling to and from school.

Spillard Safety Systems was again invited to take part and experts from the Wolverhampton-based firm laid out specially designed mats to demonstrate all of the blind spots a driver has to contend with.

It was the first time the Road Safety Week targeted Year 7 pupils, a group specially chosen as for many of them this will be the first time they commute to school on their own.

Schools who took part include Heath Park, Moseley Park, Sandwell Academy, Shire Oak Academy and St Thomas More. 

Liz Bell, A.F. Blakemore Community Affairs Officer, said: “As a food and drink distributor – with more than 300 of our vehicles on the road each day – we have a responsibility to educate pupils about the importance of road safety.

“Each year we incorporate a new element into our core road safety campaign and we are delighted to be partnering with Spillard Safety Systems to raise awareness of blind spots and the risks that young people may come across on their journey to school.”

Spillard Safety Systems’ Carl Falconer agreed: “We are very passionate about saving lives on our roads so were delighted to join forces with our client A.F. Blakemore to drive home the ‘safety’ message.

“The mats are a very simple approach, but really hit home and immediately pupils and teachers can see how large the blind spots are for drivers of these large vehicles and what they can do to avoid being in them.

“If the campaign prevents one accident or saves a life then the entire week will have been worthwhile.”

10 years of object detection- VCAS helping to kill the blind spot

2017 is an important year for Spillard in Wolverhampton, a leading supplier of mobile safety solutions.

It celebrates its 25th anniversary in business and also marks a decade since its groundbreaking VCAS (Vehicle Collision Avoidance System) was first considered as a key piece of technology in the battle to ‘kill the blind spots’ and reduce accidents and fatalities on site dumpers.

VCAS was first introduced when Spillard were approached by Tarmac National Contracting to assist in the development of an automated braking system on rollers.

However, in 2008, the ultrasonic sensor system was adapted for dumper trucks following discussions with Brian Hume of Balfour Beatty.

Peter Spillard, Managing Director of Spillard Safety Systems, picked up the story: “Brian approached us after a very serious incident occurred on-site. It was then that we worked together to develop a safety aid that would improve safety for all on-site and try to prevent incidents from happening again.”

It was proven that this innovation aided safety by providing both audio and visual LED warnings to objects detected only within the envelope of the machine’s blind spot. There was also no override function and operators could not ignore or switch off the system.

“A lot has happened since Balfour Beatty approached us to look at a new solution for dumper trucks and I’m proud to say that thousands of VCAS units have been fitted across the UK since then.”

He continued: “The innovation behind the system focuses on the use of non-contact sensing technology, which offers a 4 metre primary sensing zone. This is communicated via both visual and audible warnings alerting the operator of immediate dangers.”

Years later, VCAS is still going strong and VCAS 300 was introduced in 2015. “VCAS 200 was the starting point. However, due to its popularity and internal technical advancements we had to provide a more advanced system that went even further to protect workers”.

Spillard has spent more than £30,000 and hundreds of hours on R&D in enhancing VCAS to include a number of new features, such as warning lights for each main sensor for quicker identification of possible objects, night silent function to mute the system at inappropriate times in residential areas and a new ultrasonic tip sensor.

In the 25th year of Spillard, further work has been done that now allows VCAS 300 to be integrated with other features to create an all-in-one system taking safety to the next level. These include external warnings to other site users, rear VCAS radar and an Optronics camera system that improve a driver’s vision significantly.

Spillard, which employs 30 people at its Headquarters, enjoyed a successful PLANTWORX, with a significant number of enquiries placed for VCAS 300.

The company’s new 3 ton show dumper was a particular hit and this – alongside the specially created visibility mats – helped reinforce the importance of killing blind spots.

Spillard steps up its ‘Blind Spot’ campaign at PLANTWORX with VCAS 300 all-in-one upgrades

Spillard Safety Systems will use its appearance at PLANTWORX next week (6th-8th June) to showcase its upgraded VCAS 300 system that allows a string of new functions to be integrated to help reduce accidents and incidents on site. VCAS 300 detects both static and moving objects in the blind spot area.

The company, which employs over 30 people at its headquarters in Wolverhampton, will fit the new technology on to its 3 ton Show dumper truck that will make its first appearance on Stand D46.

With this live VCAS 300 a vision study will be mapped out to provide delegates with a firsthand insight into how the system works and the dangers that can be avoided.

“We developed off highway object detection in 1998 and VCAS has proven to be a very popular active system, with customers already choosing to fit VCAS 300 to their vehicles,” explained Peter Spillard, Managing Director at Spillard Safety Systems.

“The upgrade provides an all-in-one system that reduces any annoying false alerts by detecting only within the envelope of the machine blind spot. Using powerful non-contact sonic sensing technology provides an audible and visual warning (through LED display) and, for the first time, clients will be able to add a number of features to take it to the next level.”

He continued: “These include external warnings to other site users, rear VCAS radar and an Optronics camera system that improve a driver’s vision significantly.”

This year Spillard Safety Systems has been championing the removal of ‘blind spots’ in the construction and plant sectors for over 25 years.

It currently supports more than 100 different customers with the latest mobile safety equipment, whilst also working with various groups to educate them on the dangers of poor visibility.

Spillard will continue to spread this message to young students at the show by taking part in the Student Trail, with students visiting the stand able to view a large blind spot mapped out in front of the Show dumper.

Craig Spillard, Finance Director, concluded: “For many of our customers in construction and plant, investing in safety is a high priority. We are continually working with them to develop their approach to blind spots and to protect the one thing they all have in common.

“They all share a desire to improve the safety of their workers, other site users and the new VCAS additions will take this to the next level. Workers benefit from an integrated system with all the features in one neat package.”

In addition to the Show Dumper, the company will also have its Show truck there to promote other products, such as the Optronics range. Visitors will be able to take a seat, have a coffee and discover more about ‘blind spot’ management.

Spillard steps up its ‘Blind Spot’ campaign with the transport sector

 

One of the UK’s leading innovators in mobile safety equipment is challenging the transport, distribution and waste sector to cut out ‘blind spots’ once and for all.

Spillard Safety Systems, which is celebrating 25 years providing solutions to road safety problems, is urging companies to explore new technology that will allow their drivers to significantly improve their visibility on busy roads, congested city centre’s and difficult rural routes.

The Wolverhampton-based firm is currently working with more than 100 different clients, helping to educate them on where ‘blind spots’ occur and how – through new technology – they can be eradicated.

In addition to improving safety and reducing accidents, there is also evidence emerging of insurance premiums being reduced.

“This has been our passion since we started the business in 1992 and we have made a lot of progress…however, there is still a lot of work to be done until we can stop people being injured or losing their lives due to poor vision on vans, trucks and articulated lorries,” explained Pete Spillard, Managing Director of Spillard Safety Systems.

“The transport sector is slowly, but surely heeding the message. In the last year, we have seen sales in this area grow by 25% and this is expected to continue over the course of the next six months.”

He continued: “What’s driving this? A combination of wanting to be safe on the roads and the reality that the investment in removing ‘blind spots’ pays for itself through improvement in efficiency and can even help prove wrongful accident claims should it be needed”

Spillard Safety Systems has enjoyed significant success with its Optronics range of safety systems, which provide users with crystal clear vision when driving or moving around sites and difficult to navigate roads.

This includes:

  • Optronics 360° – the world’s first stand-alone surround view system for industrial vehicles
  • Optronics Wide Eye – fitted to the underside of wing mirrors, this nearside camera transmits a much wider field of vision than a traditional nearside camera and sends a high resolution picture to a dashboard monitor – ideal for spotting cyclists or other vehicles coming up the side of large vehicles
  • Optronics Foresight – a state-of-the-art digital video recording system that can record up to 8 channels

S&B Waste Management & Recycling, which employs 70 people at its base in the West Midlands, is one company that has invested significantly into installing mobile safety equipment on to a number of its fleet.

Bosses at the company decided to use Optronics 360° to improve the operator’s view and this has already resulted in fewer accidents and increased efficiency.

“We operate 40 vehicles every week and across the course of the year we make over 20,000 journeys,” explained Steve Broadley, Managing Director of S&B Waste.

“A lot of these are made on tight streets where there are lots of different hazards, many of which are difficult for our drivers to spot. Our first instinct is safety – both for our staff and the general public – so we approached Spillard Safety about some possible solutions.”

He continued: “Experts from the firm came out and went through our entire fleet, providing feasibility studies on the options available and the difference they would make. After much discussion, we eventually went for trialling Optronics 360° on four of our DAF and Scania vehicles.

“The trial has been a resounding success with S&B staff reporting a whole host of operational benefits. Visibility, when performing their jobs, has improved dramatically and this has made staff more efficient within their roles. This has resulted in more journeys and increased customer satisfaction in the process.”

S&B Waste, who provide general and specialist waste disposal for a host of public and private sector clients, has taken its commitment a stage further by also investing in Spillard’s Optronics Foresight System.

Steve concluded: “It has been one of the best investments we’ve made and has already paid us back fivefold in terms of improved driver performance, increased safety and reduced insurance and repair costs.”

Spillard set to launch Optronics HD at Commercial Vehicle Show

A new generation of technology that will help the road transport sector identify blind spots clearly is set to be unveiled at the Commercial Vehicle Show later this month (April 25th-27th).

Spillard Safety Systems, which is due to celebrate 25 years in business this year, will use the event to showcase its new Optronics HD range of safety systems, including Optronics Foresight systems.

This will be the first official appearance of its groundbreaking solutions with High Definition capabilities, providing users with crystal clear vision when driving or moving around sites and difficult to navigate roads.

“We have been at the forefront of eliminating blind spots for more than two decades now and reinforced that last year with the launch of the Optronics Wide Eye camera system, which provides a 180° view of the nearside of a vehicle, something that had not been done before,” explained Pete Spillard, Managing Director of Spillard Safety Systems.

“The natural next step was to launch Optronics systems with HD capabilities, so that the driver can have clear vision and never lose sight of the dangers again. This prevents injuries and protects life in the process.”

He continued: “What we’ve also noticed is that our technology is increasingly being used to prove responsibility when accidents happen and some of our clients have saved thousands on claims and insurance premiums. The fact that the recording is now in HD means vehicle number plates are visible so there will never be any question of who is responsible.”

Spillard Safety Systems will take its biggest ever exhibition space at this years’ Commercial Vehicle Show (Stand 4E110), with CMS Supatrak and their partner PIB Insurance Brokers.

Experts will be on hand to discuss the new HD range and also to demonstrate the firm’s innovative technology, including Optronics Foresight (a state-of-the-art digital HD video recording system) and the All Round Control System that provides companies with an integrated solution to managing numerous different solutions all at one time, such as seat belt sensor and nearside object detection.

“The Commercial Vehicle sector is worth about 35% of our £4m sales and that represents a 126% increase in the last twelve months,” explained Craig Spillard, Director.

He concluded: “We have worked hard to develop relationships in this field and demonstrate to them how our technology can help them operate safely and, in a lot of cases, save them money. One such example is S&B Waste Management & Recycling, who tested one of our systems and has now fitted it to more than 25 of their vehicles after productivity increased with more journeys being performed for their customers.”

Spillard set to help waste and recycling sector save lives with 180° ‘Wide Eye’ camera concept

New technology designed to save lives and prevent injury will be officially launched at the RWM Exhibition in Birmingham next week (13-15th September).

Wolverhampton-based Spillard Safety Systems is going to reveal its Optronics Wide Eye Camera System, which uses a fish eye 180° view angle camera that will kill blind spots and increase vision dramatically for the driver.


The firm, which has already hit the national headlines for its VCAS 300 product, will be targeting recycling and waste management companies running large fleets of vehicles and looking to improve safety on the roads for all.

Fitted to the underside of wing mirrors, the new camera transmits a much wider field of vision than traditional systems and sends a high resolution picture to a dashboard monitor – ideal for spotting cyclists or other vehicles coming up the side of large vehicles.

Experts from Spillards will be in Hall 5, Stand W84-X85 to talk through the technology and also demonstrate a series of videos produced to highlight dangers and the benefits the technology provides in real-life working environments.

“We are seeing more and more instances of adults and young children being injured or killed by large vehicles operating on our roads,” explained Peter Spillard, Managing Director.

“And more times than not this is down to blind spots where drivers can’t see or have limited vision of what is around them. The launch of the Optronics Wide Eye Camera System is one step closer to removing a lot of the dangers and will definitely help the sector reduce accidents.”

He continued: “RWM is a fantastic show for us to unveil this new innovation, with more than 13,000 people attending over the three days. We believe there’ll be significant interest as it has been designed in response to industry demand, is easy to fit, completely waterproof and cost effective. There is definitely a need for this in the market.”

Spillard Safety Systems has evolved into one of the UK’s largest vehicle safety solution providers to the construction, quarrying mining, waste and commercial industries, with a customer base ranging from global conglomerates to original equipment manufacturers.

The company is hoping that its appearance at RWM will create new opportunities in the recycling and waste management sector, helping it take turnover from £3.5m to £4.5m by the middle of 2016.

In addition to its new 180° camera system it will be showcasing Optronics 360°, the world’s first aftermarket surround view camera system offering the operator a bird’s eye real-time view of the vehicle and its surroundings.

There will also be the firm’s new Commercial Vehicle Board on display, demonstrating the All Round Control System, an integrated solution to managing different safety solutions all in one manageable control box.

Peter concluded: “We have been talking to firms that operate in this sector and there is a renewed focus on investing in new solutions that will improve visibility and prevent any future accidents taking place.

“Optronics Wide Eye is the latest technology we are bringing to market and we are very excited about the positive changes it will deliver.”

Spillard hits Hillhead with the simple message…‘kill your blind spots’

Companies operating in the quarry and mining sectors will be given a unique insight into how they can kill blind spots on mobile equipment at Hillhead next week (28th -30th June)

Spillard Safety Systems will be heading to the show (Stand B37) in a bid to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities taking place in quarries and construction sites further across the UK every year.

Experts from the Wolverhampton company will be showcasing its latest solutions for improving vision, detection, warning and control including Optronics 360°, the world’s first stand-alone surround view system for vehicles.

It already lists the likes of Finning, Gunn JCB, Watling JCB, Liebherr and Marubeni Komatsu among its clients and is now setting its sights on securing another £500,000 of sales in this sector between now and the end of 2016.

“This is our fastest growing market as firms have really embraced technology in a bid to achieve maximum safety for their employees and the general public,” explained Pete Spillard, Managing Director.

“We have been working tirelessly with the HSE and companies from all parts of the supply chain to make mobile equipment safer, ranging from plant equipment to commercial vehicles.”

He continued: “This has led to us investing more than £200,000 in R&D every year to develop new solutions that offer even greater safety and this is reflected in Optronics 360° a major breakthrough in the fight to kill blind spots, and other innovative solutions.”

Spillard, which has seen sales hit £4m this year, will be bringing its special 16-tonne truck to Hillhead for the first time.

This is equipped with all of the company’s solutions, live video streaming and comes complete with visibility study equipment so they can demonstrate blind spots on a host of vehicles due to be on display.

It will also house the new and improved All-Round Control Systems, which provides an integrated solution to managing different safety solutions all at one time.

Embedding the latest technology in one simple box, the ARCS gives drivers and fleet managers complete peace of mind that all products are working and delivers operational safety when driving on today’s busy roads or manoeuvring in congested depots.

“Next week is going to be a busy time, as we have also been asked to be a panel member at the LAPV Future Fleet Forum,” explained Craig Spillard, Finance Director.

“I’ll be heading down there on the 29th to talk to fleet and transport managers on the measures they can take to improve safety of their vehicles. We are fast gaining a reputation as being the specialist in this field and are more than happy to be the educators if it means protecting lives.”

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