P&O FERRYMASTERS has acted to provide a more efficient service for new lorry drivers arriving at British Steel’s site in Scunthorpe with the introduction of a ‘Meet & Greet’ reception facility.

Since its launch in November more than 900 drivers have been inducted and more than 1,300 trailers checked, greatly improving the flow of drivers onto the site and reducing the number of rejected trailers.

Claire Reynolds, P&O Ferrymasters’ H&S Manager for Contract Logistics in Britain, said: “Two driver induction employees and eight safety inspectors man the Meet & Greet, which operates every working day from 6am to 8pm.”

“A first-time driver will undergo a pictorial induction and then complete a competence test before being issued with an induction card. The driver’s trailer will also be checked to ensure it is fit for purpose and ready for loading before they are allowed to proceed to the loading area at their allocated time slot.”

“Complemented by the Timeslot system, the facility improves the flow of drivers onto the site and reduces the level of rejected trailers. The next step will be to extend the initiative to other flows at Scunthorpe including domestic, container and tipper traffic.”

Martin Welch, British Steel’s Internal Logistics Area Manager Road, said: “This facility enhances our site entry experience, ensuring that safety and customer service comes first. Over the coming months the new specific multi language logistics induction will be included. Partnership working is key to business success.”

P&O Ferrymasters is a leading pan-European provider of logistics solutions. The company serves 20 strategic locations in 12 countries across the continent, operating integrated road, rail and sea links via a fleet of 4,000 trailers and containers. P&O Ferrymasters also owns a rail terminal in the Romanian city of Oradea, which facilitates the onward movement of goods to Britain from Asian countries via the Silk Road.

The company is a division of P&O Ferries, which sails on eight major routes between Britain, France, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Holland and Belgium. It operates more than 20 vessels which carry 10 million passengers, 1.6 million cars and 2.2 million freight units every year.

P&O Ferrymasters

About the Author: John Loughran