AFI Uplift renews FORS gold accreditation with help of Vacu-Lug retread tyre

AFI Uplift, one of the UK’s leading powered access hire companies, has renewed its FORS gold accreditation with the assistance of leading independent UK retreader Vacu-Lug Traction Tyres. As part of the accreditation, which is centred on improved safety, efficiency and environmental standards, fleet operators are required to demonstrate that appropriate measures have been taken to monitor and, where possible, reduce the noise pollution of their fleet. The firm’s fitment of Vacu-Lug retread tyres on its delivery and collection vehicles and engineer’s vans has resulted in both significant C0₂ savings and noise reduction.

“We use a combination of Vacu-Lug new and remould tyres on the steer, drive and trailer axles of our commercial vehicles,” adds Nick, “and the largest contributor to our carbon footprint is our delivery and collection fleet and our engineers’ vans, which in 2016 equated to 75 per cent.”

In 2016, the company’s total carbon footprint was 5,575 tonnes. After specifying Vacu-Lug retread tyres, the company has reduced this by more than 30 tonnes. This was achieved by a combination of greater usage of retread tyres, recycling unusable casings and improvements in Vacu-Lug’s production process.

Furthermore, Vacu-Lug has also worked with AFI Uplift to reduce their tyre noise emissions to the lowest level, through ensuring that the most appropriate tyres are being used.  To this end, they have provided expert advice regarding the most effective tyres to use, according to the axle and trailer position, to minimise the impact of noise.

“AFI are committed to health, safety and the environment,” says director Nick Higgins, “This has been highlighted by our success in achieving FORS Gold, underlining our commitment to managing our carbon footprint and to reducing our impact on the environment. Vacu-Lug has worked with us to help us to achieve these goals.”