Embassy Site Services’ success relies heavily on our robust internal transport team. They play a crucial role in ensuring our projects are delivered to the highest standard.
In a recent interview for Embassy Unfiltered, Transport Manager Liam shared insights into our fleet operations, safety protocols, and his vision for the future of sustainable construction transport.
Leadership From Experience
With over two decades of experience in the transport industry, Liam brings valuable perspective to his role at Embassy. After serving in the army until 2004, he spent nine years as a lorry driver before pursuing additional qualifications, including his transport manager certification. This hands-on experience has proven invaluable in his current position, which he has held with us for over two years.
“Because I’ve been a driver, I know what it takes,” Liam explained. “I’ve had good bosses and bad bosses, like all drivers have. It’s about building rapport and having respect with them. They know if I’m talking, I’m talking from a level of experience.”
Safety First
Our commitment to safety is clear from our comprehensive daily protocols. The day starts early at 5:30 AM, with multiple checks performed before the keys are handed over to drivers. Each vehicle undergoes weight verification and load security checks before leaving the yard.
Embassy also operates under EU TACHO rules, which strictly regulate driving times to ensure safety for our drivers, the public and our clients.
The transport team maintains high vehicle safety standards through regular and mandatory inspections, essentially the equivalent of an MOT. These thorough examinations cover everything from brake systems and air suspension to seatbelts and other operational facilities.
Liam also highlighted a notable safety feature of their HGVs which is the fail-safe air brake system, which automatically immobilises the vehicle in case of brake failure – a crucial safety measure, especially when loading and unloading on hills and busy areas.
Pioneering Sustainable Transport
As we look towards the future we are actively working towards a more sustainable transport future. Some of our planned initiatives include:
- Implementation of Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED) training
- Transition to electric or hybrid company cars
- Ongoing evaluation of alternative fuel options for HGVs
While we are eager to adopt more sustainable technologies, Liam shared insight into the fact that current electric HGV technology isn’t yet practical for our specific needs, and hydrogen fuel cells face cost barriers. “Hydrogen extraction and storage costs are still prohibitively expensive,” he explains. “We’re only in the first decade of hydrogen-powered vehicles, compared to nearly a century of combustion engines. The costs need to come down for extraction, transportation, and storage before we can develop more hydrogen-powered larger vehicles.”
Staying Ahead of Industry Changes
The transport industry is constantly evolving, particularly regarding safety regulations. For us at Embassy, it’s crucial we stay ahead of these changes through proactive measures, such as preparing for the upcoming Direct Vision Standard 2 (DVS2) by upgrading our fleet where needed.
This is also reflected in our staff training programs within Embassy Academy. We aim to ensure all employees are up to date on the latest accreditations and training, no matter their role within the business.
Looking to the Future
Safety within the construction and transport industry has changed so much over the past 3 decades. Our transport department, under Liam’s leadership, maintains a forward-thinking approach while ensuring current operations meet the highest standards of safety and efficiency.
Through a combination of experienced leadership, rigorous safety protocols, and a commitment to sustainability, our transport division continues to play a vital role in the company’s success, now and in the future.
Watch the full interview with Liam here on our YouTube Channel: