Perth-based SSE (formerly known as formerly Scottish and Southern Energy) has taken the final three of 16 new roadmenders from Econ Engineering, writes Peter Brown.
The new vehicles feature a hotbox and self-loading debris tipper, rare equipment to be included in the same truck. The combination of these features means SSE is able to use fewer vehicles as one roadmender can dig up and repair a road.
Jonathan Lupton, Econ Engineering’s managing director, said: “We are extremely proud of our long-standing relationship as a road repair partner of choice with SSE, a leading energy company which, like us, has sustainability at its heart.
“This latest supply deal is not only testament to the talent of our fantastic workforce but also to the multiple advantages and benefits our all-in-one roadmenders provide. Our hotboxes and mobile road patching plant equipment keep road maintenance teams working more effectively and efficiently.”
Built at Econ’s factory in Ripon, North Yorkshire, the design of the roadmenders saves SSE time and money by eliminating the need for multiple crews, several vehicles and many trips to and from the site to complete a job. The latest delivery brings SSE’s Econ roadmender fleet up to 19 units supplied over the past eight years.
Gemma Trew, fleet operations and development manager at SSE, added: “Our ongoing partnership with Econ is a well-established one and continues to be highly beneficial for SSE. It comes from a shared ambition to improve and speed up the way vital public infrastructure is delivered and maintained, reduce impacts on the public and help the environment.
“Econ’s roadmenders have made a positive difference to the services we provide, and we look forward to welcoming these latest state-of-the-art vehicles into our fleet.”
Econ Engineering is well known for its gritters as the company has supplied 85% of the gritters used in the UK. It also produces a range of highway maintenance vehicles and its first electric gritter recently entered service.
