News & media > Press Releases
2010 Press releases
Images to accompany this press release:
| 
|
Thursday 25 March 2010
May Gurney's eco drive to cut carbon emissions
May Gurney has put 104 staff across the country through an eco-driving course as part of its bid to cut carbon emissions by half by the end of 2012.
The Norfolk-based infrastructure services company hopes to cut carbon emissions from its fleet of vehicles by 15 per cent, in the process saving more than £1 million a year on fuel.
The company’s drivers cover hundreds of thousands of miles a year working on contracts for rail, waste, highways and utilities.
The first group of employees underwent training in Norfolk, Yorkshire, East Sussex, Lincolnshire and Cornwall, with before and after results showing a 15 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency.
Martyn Bromley, of May Gurney Utility Services, went on the course and said: "I’m very supportive of May Gurney’s aim to become carbon neutral and found the training to be really useful.
“I'd recommend it to every road driver, not just people in our line of work. It’s surprising how much difference it can make to saving fuel and reducing CO2 emissions just by using the gears differently. It has changed the way that I drive at work and when I’m driving outside of work for the better too.”
Tom Macagno, May Gurney’s head of sustainability, said the early results of the trials had been “very encouraging”.
“There is a double benefit here, both environmental and financial,” he added. “More than 90 per cent of our carbon footprint comes from vehicle emissions, so if we can reduce them by between 10 and 20 per cent then that’s a significant step towards our goal of eventually being carbon neutral.
“We are now looking to see if the efficiency improvements shown immediately after the training are sustained over a prolonged period, with a view to training all of our drivers.
“The training is simple and inexpensive, and as long as you are prepared to give the time off you will get your money back very quickly.”
Dr Macagno said the eco driving methods were also safer, reducing the risk of accidents, injuries, downtime and insurance claims.
A range of initiatives - from video conferencing to cycle to work schemes – has resulted in a very encouraging 13.3 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions since April 2009.
The company has also launched a promotional campaign for its 5000 staff nationwide called SLIM UR CO2, which promotes the eco-driving message.
The campaign, which challenges all drivers to change their behaviour behind the wheel, provides stickers and key rings emblazoned with the SLIM message, which stands for Speed, Litres, Idling, Mileage.
May Gurney’s eco-driving tips:
Speed - Slow down and observe the speed limit.
• Speeding is a contributory factor in 26% of road fatalities.
• Fuel efficiency drops significantly over 60 mph.
• Speeding and dangerous driving damages our reputation.
Litres - Drive efficiently to maximise your litres.
• Revving your engine wastes fuel.
• Check your vehicle monthly; check tyre pressures and if you are carrying unnecessary weight.
• Avoid accelerating or braking too hard and try to keep your steering as smooth as possible.
Idling - Reduce your idling time.
• Turn the engine off when you’re in a queue or waiting for someone.
• Avoid congested areas to help reduce your idling and travel time – and your stress levels.
• Turn off all power accessories before switching off your engine.
Mileage - Plan your journey to cut your miles.
• Work out the most efficient route for your trip and fit in as many jobs as possible.
• Check you have what you need before you leave to avoid making a return journey.
• Consider sharing the journey to work or at work with colleagues.
-ends-
Notes to editors:
Photo one: Sustainability evangelists Emma Pye and Nadine Peet.
Photo two: May Gurney’s SLIM UR CO2 poster.
About May Gurney
May Gurney is an infrastructure services company. We are committed to helping our clients in the public and regulated sectors deliver sustainable improvements to front-line services across the UK.
We make sure that the road, utility, rail and waterways networks and public buildings are well maintained and that household waste is collected, managed and recycled. These essential maintenance services, which are based on long-term contracts, are the ones that are visible to local communities, and make a very real difference to the quality of life. They keep the country running.
Our track record in delivering great operational performance has built long-term relationships with our clients, who rely on us to support and anticipate their current needs and improve future outcomes. This focus on excellent customer service drives May Gurney.
And we never forget that our clients trust us to engage with their customers - communities and individuals - on their behalf. It's a responsibility that everyone at May Gurney takes very seriously.
May Gurney. Delivering essential services for our communities.
For more information about this release please contact Andrew Slater, Tel: 01603 727385, email aslater@maygurney.co.uk or Matt Ware at Tribe PR, Tel: 01603 417722, email matt@tribepr.com.
The Norfolk-based infrastructure services company hopes to cut carbon emissions from its fleet of vehicles by 15 per cent, in the process saving more than £1 million a year on fuel.
The company’s drivers cover hundreds of thousands of miles a year working on contracts for rail, waste, highways and utilities.
The first group of employees underwent training in Norfolk, Yorkshire, East Sussex, Lincolnshire and Cornwall, with before and after results showing a 15 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency.
Martyn Bromley, of May Gurney Utility Services, went on the course and said: "I’m very supportive of May Gurney’s aim to become carbon neutral and found the training to be really useful.
“I'd recommend it to every road driver, not just people in our line of work. It’s surprising how much difference it can make to saving fuel and reducing CO2 emissions just by using the gears differently. It has changed the way that I drive at work and when I’m driving outside of work for the better too.”
Tom Macagno, May Gurney’s head of sustainability, said the early results of the trials had been “very encouraging”.
“There is a double benefit here, both environmental and financial,” he added. “More than 90 per cent of our carbon footprint comes from vehicle emissions, so if we can reduce them by between 10 and 20 per cent then that’s a significant step towards our goal of eventually being carbon neutral.
“We are now looking to see if the efficiency improvements shown immediately after the training are sustained over a prolonged period, with a view to training all of our drivers.
“The training is simple and inexpensive, and as long as you are prepared to give the time off you will get your money back very quickly.”
Dr Macagno said the eco driving methods were also safer, reducing the risk of accidents, injuries, downtime and insurance claims.
A range of initiatives - from video conferencing to cycle to work schemes – has resulted in a very encouraging 13.3 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions since April 2009.
The company has also launched a promotional campaign for its 5000 staff nationwide called SLIM UR CO2, which promotes the eco-driving message.
The campaign, which challenges all drivers to change their behaviour behind the wheel, provides stickers and key rings emblazoned with the SLIM message, which stands for Speed, Litres, Idling, Mileage.
May Gurney’s eco-driving tips:
Speed - Slow down and observe the speed limit.
• Speeding is a contributory factor in 26% of road fatalities.
• Fuel efficiency drops significantly over 60 mph.
• Speeding and dangerous driving damages our reputation.
Litres - Drive efficiently to maximise your litres.
• Revving your engine wastes fuel.
• Check your vehicle monthly; check tyre pressures and if you are carrying unnecessary weight.
• Avoid accelerating or braking too hard and try to keep your steering as smooth as possible.
Idling - Reduce your idling time.
• Turn the engine off when you’re in a queue or waiting for someone.
• Avoid congested areas to help reduce your idling and travel time – and your stress levels.
• Turn off all power accessories before switching off your engine.
Mileage - Plan your journey to cut your miles.
• Work out the most efficient route for your trip and fit in as many jobs as possible.
• Check you have what you need before you leave to avoid making a return journey.
• Consider sharing the journey to work or at work with colleagues.
-ends-
Notes to editors:
Photo one: Sustainability evangelists Emma Pye and Nadine Peet.
Photo two: May Gurney’s SLIM UR CO2 poster.
About May Gurney
May Gurney is an infrastructure services company. We are committed to helping our clients in the public and regulated sectors deliver sustainable improvements to front-line services across the UK.
We make sure that the road, utility, rail and waterways networks and public buildings are well maintained and that household waste is collected, managed and recycled. These essential maintenance services, which are based on long-term contracts, are the ones that are visible to local communities, and make a very real difference to the quality of life. They keep the country running.
Our track record in delivering great operational performance has built long-term relationships with our clients, who rely on us to support and anticipate their current needs and improve future outcomes. This focus on excellent customer service drives May Gurney.
And we never forget that our clients trust us to engage with their customers - communities and individuals - on their behalf. It's a responsibility that everyone at May Gurney takes very seriously.
May Gurney. Delivering essential services for our communities.
For more information about this release please contact Andrew Slater, Tel: 01603 727385, email aslater@maygurney.co.uk or Matt Ware at Tribe PR, Tel: 01603 417722, email matt@tribepr.com.
News archive
Public Sector
Regulated Sector
Other News
