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System Edström expands team with UK Sales Manager for Wholesale

System Edström has appointed Chris Angel as its first UK Sales Manager for Wholesale. The new role is an essential component of the recent management team restructure, which has been designed to build on the growth System Edström has achieved in the UK over the past three years.

Chris previously worked at Van Guard, where he spent nine years as National Sales Manager and Head of Sales. He also has experience as an Area Sales Manager in the building supplies trade.

The role focuses on managing and developing System Edström’s expanding wholesale channel. “My job will be to work closely with dealer partners and distributors, maintaining those relationships and developing core business,” says Chris.

System Edström Commercial Director David Sawford said: “The appointment of Chris in this role demonstrates our commitment to building the future of our business. We work with superb dealers and installers across the UK. Having one person dedicated to managing those relationships as they continue to grow is vital. This gives us the team we need to make the most of the opportunities the industry presents.”

Chris adds: “My proactive attitude and in-depth knowledge of the industry will benefit both System Edström and its partners. I aim to hit the ground running and build on the excellent brand and products System Edström is known for, and to take our customers, old and new, to the next level.”

System Edström appoints new UK Sales Manager for conversions

Van racking supplier System Edström has appointed James Cosgrove as its new UK Sales Manager responsible for the conversions sector.

James has been with the company for almost seven years, during which he has served as Area Sales Manager, covering most of the regions in the UK at various times. Previously, he spent 12 years working in the metrology industry for Mettler Toledo. His new role will see him head up sales for the company across the UK, leading a team of five area sales managers.

The appointment comes as a result of the significant growth in sales that the company has achieved over the past year. This has necessitated a restructure of the sales team and the creation of a new role of UK Sales Manager for conversions, charged with building on that success.

As UK Sales Manager, James will be primarily responsible for the growth of the direct conversions side of the business, driving the throughput of fleet conversions at the company’s workshop in Corby, Northamptonshire.

“My priorities are to support the sales team in achieving their goals, focus on continuing to build strong relationships with our lease partners and making a sustained effort to raise our brand position within the industry,” says James.

“We have a great product, a trusted brand and, most importantly, a strong team that is customer-focused,” he adds. “These are very exciting times for the business as we maintain strong organic growth supported by an ever-expanding professional team and continued owner investment. It’s genuinely great to be a part of the journey!”

Commercial Director David Sawford said: “We are delighted to be able to appoint James as our new UK Sales Manager for conversions. This new role will be essential as we look to continue our growth over the coming years. System Edström has gone from strength to strength, with sales increasing year on year, and we are confident this trend will continue under James.”

How to make a difference on the road with sustainable driving

Do you want to minimise your impact on the environment when you’re on the road?  The good news is, there are lots of sustainable driving practices that not only help reduce carbon emissions but also save you money. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or planning your first road trip, small changes in driving habits can make a big difference in creating a greener and more sustainable world.

What is sustainable driving?

Sustainable driving means driving in a way that has a minimal negative impact on the environment. This can mean using less fuel, choosing electric or hybrid vehicles, or reducing the weight of your vehicle. And the good news is the everyone can do it.

Benefits of sustainable driving

Reduced carbon footprint: 

One of the biggest benefits of sustainable driving is that it can help reduce your carbon footprint. When you drive sustainably, you’re using less fuel and emitting less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Over time, this can make a big difference in the fight against climate change.

Lower fuel costs:

Sustainable driving can also help you save money on fuel costs in the long run. By driving more efficiently, you’ll use less fuel overall and end up spending less money at the pump. Additionally, eco-friendly vans often come with government incentives that can further lower your fuel costs.

Reduced maintenance costs:

Another benefit of sustainable driving is reduced maintenance costs. When you put less wear and tear on your van, you’ll need to take it in for service less often. This can save you money over time on things like oil changes and brake repairs.

Simple practices for sustainable driving

When it comes to making a difference on the road, there are some simple sustainable driving practices that everyone can adopt.

Drive efficiently:

A good way to reduce your impact is to drive more efficiently. That means no speeding, no revving your engine unnecessarily and no excessive idling. It’s also helpful to keeping your tyres inflated to the recommended pressure.

Keep your van in good condition:

A well-maintained van is not only more efficient, it also produces fewer emissions. So, make sure you keep up with regular servicing and check-ups.

Choose eco-friendly tyres and fluids:

When it comes time to replace tyres or fluids, choose options that are better for the environment – there are plenty of options available these days.

Consider electric vehicles:

If you’re in the market for a new van, seriously consider an electric vehicle. They have come a long way in recent years and offer many benefits over traditional petrol or diesel vans.

By following these simple tips, you can make a big difference when it comes to sustainability on the roads.

Sustainable driving not only benefits the environment, it can also help you save money. By implementing these tips in your daily routine, you will be well on your way to making a difference when it comes to reducing your emissions and becoming more sustainable both on and off the road.

And don’t forget that System Edström can help, too. We’ve worked hard to improve our environmental credentials, by reducing the weight of our products and our use of plastics, using Swedish high-strength steel and much more. For more information, check out our Green Report.

Remember, every little bit counts!

 

Load items securely in your van

Making sure your van is loaded safely

It’s important to remember that drivers are not just responsible for the way they drive when they’re on the road. They’re also responsible for the safety of their load. But it’s not just the driver that has that responsibility – fleet managers and other people in authority within the company can also be held to account.

Writing for our partners at Driving for Better Business, Mike Hayward, Partner for Road Transport, Crime and Regulatory at Woodfines Solicitors, says: “It is not only an offence committed by the person driving that vehicle but also by anyone who causes or permits this to take place. For instance, a fleet manager permitting a vehicle to go out on the road with an unsafe load could result in the business also being prosecuted.”

Crucially for van drivers and fleet managers, people can be guilty of an offence if harm is caused by: “The weight, position or distribution of its load, or how it is secured.”

Sanctions for offences can include penalty points for the driver or severe fines. But more importantly, as Mike writes: “The consequences of a vehicle being dangerously loaded could lead to a serious incident, leading to an investigation into dangerous driving or causing serious injury or death by careless or dangerous driving. It is not then a case of dealing with fines or penalty points, but instead a risk of a custodial sentence.”

For more information on your responsibilities as a driver or fleet manager, visit the Driving for Better Business website and check out Mike’s article, Safe loading – a legal update to help take a load off your mind.

At System Edström, we help customers avoid these consequences, by incorporating in our advice and design solutions features that reduce these risks. Through the use of anchor points, load restraints, specific positions for heavy equipment and weights checks so axle and gross weights are not exceeded, we can help you make sure your loads are secure.

The System Edström team at the Kibworth Duathlon

Kibworth Duathlon raises more than £4,000 for LOROS

More than 100 people took part in the Kibworth Duathlon on Sunday 2 April, raising over £4,000 for Leicestershire charity LOROS. The charity provides support for adults suffering from terminal conditions.

The participants were cheered on by a host of supporters, who were also able to donate to the cause on the day. The event was a joint effort between Kibworth Easy Riders, Fleckney and Kibworth Running club and Kibworth Cricket Club.

Organiser Hardeep Lall said: “What a day! Thank you to all the participants, and all the community and wider supporters, as you all made the difference and the event a great success. We would like to thank all the clubs involved in making this event happen. We will update the final figure raised for LOROS on our Just Giving page, but it looks like it will be a whopping figure.

“I was amazed at the turnout,” Hardeep continued. “We ended up with 44 teams for what turned out to be another great event. There were some fantastic performances from the runners and riders, who turned in some quick times. We will be setting a date for next year’s Duathlon very soon and look forward to seeing you all there.

“We are all delighted with the result and pleased that everyone enjoyed the morning. Thank you to the three key sponsors who have supported us throughout the planning and donations: David Sawford, at our main sponsor, System Edström; Sarah Smith at Byron Health; and Mike Osborne at Focal Business.”

David Sawford (far right) with compere Huw Edwards, and James Coyle and Kate Tyrrell of EV ChargeSafe

System Edström congratulates EVChargeSafe at Fleet News Awards

We at System Edström had the pleasure of attending the 2023 Fleet News Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London on Wednesday 15 March. The event brought together representatives from across the UK’s automotive and fleet industries to celebrate another successful year for the sector.

We were particularly delighted to sponsor the award for Outstanding New Product of the Year, which was presented on the night to James Coyle and Kate Tyrrell of winners EV ChargeSafe by our commercial director, David Sawford. The company was honoured for its charge point rating system.

The judges said: “EV Chargesafe is a structured, independent assessment of public charge points across the UK that adds value for every electric car user. It fills a real need for information, with clear safety benefits for vulnerable drivers, and has the potential to be the standard for the industry by promoting confidence in the public charging network.”

David Sawford said: “Our congratulations to EV ChargeSafe, who are worthy winners of this award. Their innovative rating system is a great service that offers real benefits to drivers of electric vehicles.”

Also highly commended by the judges were Dropless, for their Hydroloop mobile water recycling system. Our congratulations to them and the other nominees in this category, as well as everyone who was nominated for an award on the night.

Meet the team: Craige White

Our new Area Sales Manager for the South East is Craige White. Craige joined the company late in 2022. Previously, he spent nine years working as a local business development manager at Vindis Van Centre Northampton, specialising in Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

Before joining Vindis he was in travel for 17 years, starting at Market Harborough-based Travelsphere, before moving on to a coaching holidays company. His experience has given him valuable transferrable skills and a broad knowledge of business. He has extensive knowledge of commercial vehicles and knows what it takes to get the most out of a van.

Craige believes building great client relationships and providing the best service are crucial. “It takes time to get to know customers and what they really need, so knowledge of dealing with people at all levels is essential,” he says. “Honesty is the most important quality to have. Most business is repeat or recommendation, so trust and good service are both vital.”

Outside work, Craige likes to spend time with his three children. He is also an avid football and motor racing fan and likes to play golf when possible.

System Edström Highly Commended at prestigious awards

We’re delighted to have been recognised for our expertise in the Converter of the Year category at this year’s What Van? Awards.

System Edström achieved a Highly Commended rating in the category. The award was won by temperature-controlled van supplier Coolkit. Our hearty congratulations go to them.

Commercial Director David Sawford said: “I’m so immensely proud of all the team at System Edström UK who have faced many challenges and changes over the past three years. To be recognised by the industry yesterday as Highly Commended was testament to the hard work and commitment our team demonstrate every day. Well done team, you deserve this.”

We were also really pleased to share the occasion with some of the members of our team in Sweden, including our CEO Steffen Karlsson.

A man with System Edström van | System Edström

Meet the team: Harvey Wright

Joining the company in the last month is Harvey Wright, who has taken up a new post in channel business development.

Harvey’s role will focus mainly on supporting our dealer partners. His brief involves strengthening our relationships with our partners, helping to maximise business opportunities for us and them. He will also be on hand to assist dealers with all their DnD queries and will work closely with work Erinna Payne on order processing.

Harvey joins the company from Sytner BMW, where he spent two years as a sales executive – his first role in the automotive sector. Harvey says of his time at Sytner: “I really enjoyed my time there. I loved being around prestige motors every day! But now I’ve moved on and I’m ready for a new challenge, with an eye to making great progress in my career.”

While at Sytner, Harvey gained important experience in sales, particularly when it comes to customer service. “To me, great customer service is all about personability, approachability, honesty and integrity, and making sure the customer journey is as seamless as possible,” he says.

He’s also excited to be working with such a great product. “After spending a week in the stores learning to love the product and all its functions, it’s a very easy product to sell – it does the talking for you.”

Outside of work, Harvey loves spending time both watching and playing football. He regular plays 6-a-side and is a keen supporter of Blackburn Rovers. Unsurprisingly, he’s also passionate about motors.

We’re sure you’ll joining us in welcoming Harvey and wishing him all the best for his career at System Edström.

System Edström supports Driving for Better Business

Among the key things we focus on at System Edström is the safety of drivers and their vans. As part of this commitment, we are a sponsor of the Driving for Better Business programme.

Backed by National Highways, the programme aims to help employers reduce the risks for those whose work takes them onto the country’s roads. The stated aim is to: “Control the associated costs and improve compliance with current legislation and guidance.”

According to Driving for Better Business: “Driving for work is one of the highest-risk activities that most employees undertake. It is also a significant cost to the business. Employers that manage road risk well have peace of mind that they are legally compliant, are regarded as better places to work, and perform at a higher level of efficiency than those that don’t.”

The programme’s website has a range of resources that help and advise companies on how to make driving safer. It also features a Van Driver Toolkit, which offers practical advice.

To support the programme, and to help our customers’ drivers, we are now placing Driving for Better Business stickers in every van we convert. Placed in the windscreen, in tax disc style, the stickers feature a QR code that takes the driver straight to the Van Driver Toolkit page on the Driving for Better Business website.

You can find out more about Driving for Better Business on the campaign website.

 

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