Case Study - Greene King

Profile

Company Name: Greene King
Business Sector: Brewing and Distribution
Postal Address: Abbot House, Westgate St, Bury-St-Edmunds, Suffolk
Postcode: IP33 1QT
Fleet Size Overall:

493
Light Commercial Vehicles 60 vans
LGV:

100
Company Cars: 271
Private vehicles used for business purposes: 62

Company Overview

Greene King has operated public houses and brewing for over 200 years, combining successful traditional ale brands with modern forward thinking and has grown steadily from its base in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk to become a leading pub retailer and brewer.

Nature of Operation and Driving Activities

We have 95 vehicles (Drays) delivering to pubs, clubs and wholesalers around most of the UK from our five distribution centres. There are three LGV trunk vehicles that are double shifted five days/nights per week that deliver to our own depots and national accounts. The company car drivers are based all over the country.

Organisational Structure

Greene King have their own in-house advisor (DSA registered for car, LGV & Fleet) who has worked for the company for fifteen years and can, therefore, relate to and understand the issues that face both the dray crews and bulk fleet drivers. He has also been involved with the RoSPA advanced driving group at a local level for sixteen years and holds a Diploma in advanced car instruction and is well qualified to give assessments and advice to Greene King’s car fleet (over 330 drivers).

Work Related Road Safety Policy and Procedures

The Greene King company car policy states that all new drivers must show their licences and report any motoring offences to their line manager. In addition, they must have an assessment when they join the company.

Work Related Road Safety Guidance for drivers

All of our LGV fleet drivers produce their driving licences for inspection every three months. Car drivers do this on an annual basis. If a driver commits a traffic offence for instance, speeding; missing a traffic light etc., then they will receive further training with the Company trainer.

Specific examples of procedures

All Greene King company vehicles carry “Accident packs” which consist of information about looking after oneself and others at the scene; accident forms to record information and, most importantly, a disposable camera to record damage not only to our vehicle but also any third party damage.

Auditing and review

All Greene King insurance data is independently collated and sent to the company trainer who will speak to the respective line manager about how best to deal with the incident. If it is speed related then training out on the road will take place but if it was damaged caused whilst manoeuvring an LGV then advice and training would take place in the yard.

Performance measures

Although Greene King has grown significantly over the past seven years the number of crashes involving its vehicles in 2006/2007 reduced by over 24%. Our insurers are working with us to ensure we get the best possible premiums in recognition for the work we have done.

Accident reduction

See above.

Financial and other benefits

Greene King self insures for the first £10,000. Last year by training its drivers and collecting better evidence after an accident to enable better defence, Greene King’s costs fell by over 54%, a saving of £158, 000.

Lessons learned

At one time Greene King would have just accepted that accidents happen and that the costs came off the bottom line. However, by highlighting the risks associated with Driving for Work; the importance of work related road safety and the financial implications for the company, Greene King has improved its safety performance and its profits. Additionally, these measures help to keep all of the company’s drivers safe and risk aware whilst driving for work.

Current and future developments

Greene King has monthly campaigns at its Head Office and all of its depots on topics such as drink driving, tyres and driver fatigue. Moving forward, Greene King are considering buying an eyesight testing machine that could be used by all staff, not just company drivers. This would be a major benefit as most people drive a vehicle, even if not work related.

Additional information

Greene King has achieved three RoSPA MORR awards:

  • 2006 – Silver
  • 2007 – Gold
  • 2008 - Gold.

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