As Aebi Schmidt and Amey continue toexplore avenues of mutualopportunity, a variety of Schmidt

products are working on projects in Sheffield,Northern Ireland and Scotland, with moreunits to follow.

The £2 billion Sheffield Streets AheadProject is designed to bring up to standardand then maintain the city's roads,pavements, street lighting, bridges andstreetscene over the 25-year contract period.Amey needs to tackle 2,050 miles ofpavement and 1,181 miles of road in additionto a street cleaning service, which includes themaintenance of 2,500 litter bins and thecollection of 500-600 tonnes of waste eachmonth.

The £5.8 million per annum NorthernIreland DBFO (Design, Build, Finance andOperations) project demands Amey operatesand maintains approximately 125km of thestrategic road network within NorthernIreland.

The M8 is the busiest motorway inScotland and one of the busiest in the UK.Amey is a part of the Scottish RoadsPartnership (SRP) consortium, a Ferrovial-ledgroup appointed by Transport Scotland todeliver a £415 million motorway networkproject. Amey is responsible for theoperations and maintenance of the threemotorway routes for 33 years from 2014.

Involvement in such high profile projectsrepresents a breakthrough in terms of forginga long-term partnership with Amey.

Richard Guy, Senior BusinessDevelopment Manager for Fleet and Plant atAmey, said: "We have been aware of Schmidtproducts for a number of years, but it is onlyover the past two or three years that we havebuilt up a strong relationships with them.Initially, we started engaging with the Schmidtteam in order to meet some of our clients'specification requirements, particularly inScotland. The Schmidt product met all of theirrequirements, and the spreaders providedinnovative technology."

Mike Moore, Key Account Manager atAebi Schmidt, said: "We are never concernedabout not being a client's chosenmanufacturer from the outset. What'simportant is that we demonstrate over thelong term that we're available and responsive

and, if given the opportunity, we would valuetheir business and be prepared to work hardbefore, during and after the delivery ofequipment."

Richard added: "During the last fewyears, the team has been exceptionallysupportive of us on a few large tenders, andthe relationship has grown from there. Withthe Sheffield contract, we arranged a seriesof demonstrations to see which precinctsweepers worked best in each location, sothe decision to buy Swingos was madefollowing operational trials, and operatorfeedback."

Sheffield is using a number of 6 m³ and 9m³ dedicated spreaders, and has recentlyplaced orders for some additional spreaders;Northern Ireland has put to work 26t 9 m³dedicated spreaders and ploughs, with theAutologic and Thermologic systems; and two6 m³ spreaders have been sent to M8, fromwhere orders have been placed for five 32t12 m³ dedicated spreaders and ploughs, in

addition to a 32t de-mountable spreader andplough, again with the Autologic andThermologic systems.

Richard said: "Schmidt's Total LifetimeCare (TLC) concept has been made very clear to us right from the outset, and itdoes genuinely seem to be more than just aslogan. The upfront support that we havereceived from the whole team when we havebeen bidding for work, throughout thedelivery process, and then ensuring that thecontracts are happy with the equipment,demonstrates their commitment to usthroughout the product life."

Richard added that the overall cost ofownership is more important to Amey thanthe up-front costs in its aim to get maximumutilisation of assets throughout their lives."Asset life, technology, maintenance costs,ease of use for the operators, reliability,response, and repair times are all importantfactors to us in driving down the cost ofownership and operation," he explained.

www.aebi-schmidt.co.uk

“TLC more than a slogan,”says Amey

“The Schmidt product met all of their requirements, andthe spreaders providedinnovative technology.”

Schmidt in poleposition for Euro 6As Schmidt's new Euro 6 Swingoscontinue to roll off the productionline, Tobias Weissenrieder, the ProductManager for Sweepers, explains whykeeping in line with regulations wasjust the start.

Fleet managers in the UK could take delivery ofup to 100 units of Schmidt's new Euro 6 Swingoin the next year, as the manufacturer receiveswidespread interest following the official productlaunch at the IFAT show in Munich, Germany thisspring.

Production is well underway in southernGermany at the St. Blasien-based facility, wheremanufacturing will be running at eight to 10 unitsper week.• Continued on page 3

Amey has picked products from across the Schmidt portfolio for workon major long-term projects around the UK.

The nextgenerationspreader is on itsway

It will transform the way you work• New control systems

Smart spreading just got smarter• Enhanced performance

Accuracy, efficiency and savings• Increased resilience

Class leading reliability and durability

Launching soon at roadshows across the country.Contact us now to find out more.Visit http://stratos3.com

TLC

Sweeping Winter Airport Mowing

02Aebi Schmidt UK Ltduk-sales@aebi-schmidt.com01733 363393

Taking deliveryof a Schmidtproductrepresents anexcitingmoment in acustomer'sjourney with us,

as many of the stories in thisissue of Connection show.

It's a shared experience thatbegins with consideration of aproduct, continues through thetender and ordering process, todelivery of top of the rangeequipment and, mostimportantly, culminates in TotalLifetime Care (TLC) throughoutits service life.

We can chart one suchjourney over a 10-yearpartnership with the Ministry ofDefence, where Liquid AirfieldDeicer Sprayers and AirfieldDeicer Trailers have recentlyadded to their army of Schmidtvehicles. We value the long-termrelationship we have with theMOD and are proud to takeresponsibility for ensuring themachines involved in this latestorder meet their availabilitytargets over the next 15 years ofservice.

Talking of journeys (andservice), Schmidt ServiceEngineer Terry Butters is at thestart of a long road ahead—inmore ways than one. The newrecruit has only been with thecompany a few months but willbe flying the flag among a teamof cyclists riding over 600 milesfrom Blackpool to Paris overeight gruelling days in thissummer's Tower to Tower CycleChallenge. Sponsor him atJustGiving.com/Terry-Butters1.

Good luck, Terry!'Finally, I hope you enjoy our

articles about the launch of twonew products, the Stratos 3spreader with state-of-the-artcontrol system; and our Euro 6Swingo, the only Euro 6 compactcurrently available in the UK.'

Thank you for reading.

Alison ConroyUK Sales and MarketingManager, Aebi Schmidt

The Schmidt Swingo fitted with a speciallycontrolled droplet weed spraying systemplayed a key role at the SprayCDA

roadshow at Walsall Football Club recently.SprayCDA, a division of Maxwell Amenity Ltd,

team up with Aebi Schmidt to provide weedspraying attachments for Swingos. The roadshowrepresented an opportunity to show the solutionto local authorities; around 25 people attendedthe event at Walsall, while another similarroadshow at Lingfield Park was equally wellsupported.

John Riggall, a Director at SprayCDA, said:"We deal with a lot of customers that AebiSchmidt works with in contractors, local authorityand cleansing teams. We decided to have aroadshow to update them about legislation onpesticides and EU directives, for example, and itmade sense to have a Schmidt Swingo fitted witha weeding application onsite."

John has noted increased interest from localauthorities in this particular weeding solution astightened budgets have forced them to take suchmaintenance and cleansing activity back in-house.

"We've noticed a lot more interest and it willgrow further," he said. "There was a lot ofenthusiasm for the product at the roadshow andmore people will embrace the concept, I'm sure.Drivers can sweep channels and spray weeds atthe same time. The driver of the Swingo is incontrol of when he deploys the hazard-freesolution."

Aebi Schmidt and SprayCDAmake a winning teamContractors and local authorities multi-task with sweeping and weed spraying solution.

Embarking ona journey

Welcome

SprayCDA designed thespecial Swingo attachment

User-friendliness was a key consideration during thetender process as Chesterfield Borough Councilplaced an order for two new Aebi Schmidt Swingos.

The repeat business is the first time that thecouncil will lease the units from Specialist FleetServices, a specialist in vehicle contract hire andfleet management.

Keith Thurman, Supervisor, Landscape andStreetscene Services, who has seen the councildeploy eight Schmidt units on his watch, said:"When making a decision on which equipment tobuy we will assess tenders against a variety ofcriteria, including cost and the views of our drivers."

Drivers' safety and comfort was the focus ofrecent enhancements to Aebi Schmidt's Swingos.The entire driver's cab, which is soundproof, hasbeen subjected to a renewal process. The lightingsystem has been provided a modern face and thework and long-distance lights are mounted on theroof of the cab, thus, provide better illumination.

Other features include a multifunctional steeringwheel fitted as standard and an ergonomic controlpanel attached laterally to the door, so that thedriver does not have to fold back or turn away thearmrest to leave the vehicle. The standard compactsweeper Swingo 200+ includes air-conditioning.

Save the date10 July 2014, JCB HQSchmidt Stratos 3 GritterLaunch, JCB HQAebi Schmidt in associationwith the CIWM Business Club,invite you to join us at theprestigious JCB headquarters inUttoxter for the launch of thenext generation of Gritter.• Grand unveiling of the

Stratos 3, the next generation gritter

• Extensive equipmentdisplay and demonstration

• Industry networking• Appendix H clarificationPlaces are limited, so reserveyour space now.For further details emailkatherine.daunt@aebi-schmidt.com

Chesterfield Borough Council's Keith Thurman (left)with Craig Fuller of Specialist Fleet Services.

Chesterfield takesdelivery of two newSwingosCost and views of drivers wereconsidered during tender process fornew sweepers.

An innovative Aebi Schmidt winter clearingsolution, comprised of two proven technologies, isexpected to be adopted by UK airports having beena huge success clearing and deicing cycle ways inHolland.

The Towed Sweeper Sprayer (TSS) is a two-pronged solution to snow-covered areas; first itsweeps snow aside before applying a deicing liquidto prevent the buildup of ice and falling snow tokeep areas safe.

The Netherlands was a demanding test groundfor the TSS, with cycle paths snaking across ruraland urban areas of the country. Routes are wellmaintained to ensure safe passage for cyclists eveninto bordering nations.

The product is introduced in response tocustomer demand to shorten the time taken toclear and deice small streets, parking lots andbicycle paths but, having proved hugely successfulacross the North Sea, airports will note the

versatility of the product and the advantage ofbeing able to attach the TSS to existing vehiclefleets, such as tractors.

David Harvey, a Project Manager at AebiSchmidt UK, said: "A lot of airports already havetractors and the application is like a miniatureTowed Jet Sweeper (TJS); the TSS can clearperimeter roads and access roads within the airportitself."

In fact, the first design concepts derived fromthe basic Compact Jet Sweeper (CJS)/TJS rangefrom Aebi Schmidt's airport portfolio.

David added: "We are placing more emphasison this product being used at UK airports as theytypically have tractors onsite already. Theconfiguration of the machine, borrowing provenprinciples and technology from within the SchmidtGroup, lends itself to efficient clearing of snow andslush, preventing ice buildup on internal footpathsand aircraft stands."

Airports take note as Towed Sweeper Sprayer proves worth on challenging cyclepaths in Holland.

Dutch test ground for clearingconcept bound for UK airports

Les Bullock, Area Sales Manager at Aebi SchmidtUK, said: "The roadshows were a huge success.We've since had requests for machinedemonstrations and people were interested in thesweeper and weed killer that was on show at theWalsall FC event."

SprayCDA designed the special Swingoattachment; when fitted to a new Swingo it is

typically attached at Schmidt in Peterborough butcompanies have also had them fitted to existingfleets.

John finished by saying Aebi Schmidt andSprayCDA make a winning team: "Ourrelationship with Schmidt is based on this systemand the great team we work with. We work verywell together and long may that continue."

“The roadshows were a huge success. We've since had requests for machine demonstrations and people were interested in the sweeper and weed killer that was on show at the Walsall FC event.”

Airports will note the versatility of the TSS.

“A lot of airports already havetractors and the application is like aminiature Towed Jet Sweeper (TJS)”

Sweeping Winter Airport Mowing

Councils join forces to tackletough terrain with Swingo fleetSix Aebi Schmidt Swingos will be put to work acrossStaffordshire Moorlands District Council and High Peak BoroughCouncil after staff who will be operating the vehiclesunanimously agreed they were their preferred choice.

• Continued from page 1

Fleet and highways managers in theUK have already taken an interest inthe latest model, while theircounterparts in Germany,Switzerland, the Netherlands andFrance will all place orders as theylook to update sweeping fleets andkeep in line with the Euro 6emissions regulation, a new normfrom the European Commissionaimed at reducing emissions ofnitrogen oxides and particulatematters, effective October 2014.

However, as TobiasWeissenrieder, the Product Managerfor Sweepers at Aebi Schmidt,explains, fleet managers shouldlook beyond fuel emissions whenmaking their next purchasingdecisions, particularly whenpresented with the challenge ofenhancing efficiency while cuttingcosts.

"We're always interested inbeing the first company to givecustomers the best products and thebest sweeper, which fulfils the legalrequirements but above and beyondthat we want to give customers thebest product possible," he says.

Schmidt launched the Swingo200+ not long after the turn of themillennium and Weissenrieder saysthe latest milestone marks thefourth major evolution in theproduct's lifetime.

"We anticipate most interest tocome from existing customers whoare updating their fleets," he says."With Euro 6 they can have a fullsuccessor that combines telematicsand fleet monitoring technologywith lower fuel consumptions, lowerexhaust emissions, lower noise andthe best operator comfort available.

It is as environmentally and userfriendly as possible."

Much of the progress he refersto can be attributed to changes toregulations—and that will continueto drive future innovation—butSchmidt is a proactive manufacturerand there are a raft of other benefitsto note. All round, dual circuit discbrakes as standard provide safe,straight-line braking, for example,while taking delivery of a Schmidtsweeper marks the start of acollective culture of care andresponsibility between fleetmanagers and the equipmentmanufacturer, which goes hand inglove with Aebi Schmidt's TotalLifetime Care (TLC) ethos.

Data sweepOperational data is something of abuzz topic, particularly among localauthorities aware that data can helpthem be more efficient.Weissenrieder explains how thedata technology built into the newSwingo helps fleet managerstranslate information intoquantifiable savings andimprovements to working practices.

"All data can be downloadedwith a telematics system so fleetmanagers can access it to find outhow the machine was running thatday or across a lifetime," he says. "Itis possible to optimise settings to keep fuel consumption as low aspossible, for example.

"When fleet managers takedelivery of a Schmidt Swingo theyare already getting an efficientmachine," Weissenrieder adds. "Butfleet managers get an overview ofthe software that they can use toreact to information and enhancetheir efficiency further."

Take for example the globalpositioning system (GPS) on thehighest telematics packageavailable to Schmidt customers.Fleet managers can download amap that shows where the Swingohas been that day; a colour-codedkey shows where it was sweeping,driving and in traffic.

Weissenrieder explains: "Fuel,engine speed, engine temperature,

work mode, and real sweepinghours are all relayed back to thefleet manager via the map and theycan work out different routes thatmaybe more efficient. If a driver hasbeen using fuel without sweepingon a section of road, it might bepossible to adapt their pathway onfuture assignments."

Market trendsWith the UK and Germany set tolead consumption of Aebi Schmidt'snew Euro 6 Swingos, Weissenriederand the product team mustanticipate the buying habits of eachmarketplace.

"We develop machines tocustomer requirements and theneeds of their market," he says."The UK [for example] likes twobrushes at the front of the Swingo,while some areas in Germany andthe Swiss prefer three. The two-brush version is easier to handleand is subject to less wear, thus,maintenance is reduced."

Switzerland, the Netherlandsand France will also take delivery ofsome of the early models off the St.Blasien production line, whileScandinavia, Italy and Spain won'tbe far behind. Weissenrieder says:"We effectively provide the productswith country packages toaccommodate trends."

While Aebi Schmidt's Euro 6Swingo is a triumph in innovation,Weissenrieder and his team arealready working on the next model.

Alison Conroy, UK Sales andMarketing Manager added: “Euro VSwingos are still available in limitednumbers. For those customers whowould like look at other options,Euro IIIB will still tick all the rightboxes.”

In an effort to improve the utilisation of its fleet oftractors and other equipment during the wintermonths, Ace Plant has ordered another two AirportTowed Jet Sweepers (TJS) from Schmidt.

The sweepers will be attached to JCB Fastracs atSchmidt’s Peterborough facility and delivered to aUK airport as complete machines. The airport willretain the TJS units but the tractors will only be hiredfor the winter period.

This is the second recent order Ace Plant hasplaced with Schmidt having been impressed with theperformance of two previous Jet Sweepers.

Founded in 1973, Ace Plant is a specialist hirecompany with a fleet of over 100 tractors, which ithires to a range of markets including agriculture,construction and retail. It also boasts a full range ofdust suppression equipment and lighting towers.

The company wanted to improve its productivity

during winter months and, in an effort to do so, hasspent the past eight years gradually raising its profilein the UK airport sector.

Steve Brimson, Works Manager at Ace Plant,said: "A bulk of our business is dust suppression sowe were busy in the summer while our range oflighting towers was our 'winter business' once theclocks went back. However, utilisation during thewinter months became an issue so we had to find amarket where we could level out the playing field."

Positive experiences with the previous SchmidtTJS units have led to Ace making an even biggercommitment to use the manufacturer to leverage itsposition in the airport sector, as Steve explained: "Wewill continue to push Schmidt products as we growin this sector. As we take on more clients we will nodoubt be purchasing more of their kit to ensure weare giving our customers top quality products."

“It drives like a van; that's not product promotion—it's reallytrue. I would prefer to drive the new Swingo than sit in theoffice the whole day!”

Schmidt in pole position for Euro 6

The two authorities joined forces toform a strategic alliance in 2008 tomaximise opportunities through jointprocurement exercises saving residentsmoney and ensuring both councilshave been able to freeze council tax inrecent years. This procurement exerciseto tackle cleaning operations across thealliance area is the latest example ofhow this innovative joint workingprovides efficiencies for both councils.

Three units are based in one depotat Staffs Moorlands, while the otherSwingos are operated from threeseparate locations within High Peak.

Specialist Fleet Services (SFS), aspecialist in vehicle contract hire andfleet management, secured the tenderto supply vehicles to both authorities in2013, and Schmidt emerged abovecompetitors in a number of areas,including cost and operatorfriendliness.

SFS had been supplying StaffsMoorlands with vehicles for over adecade, and Schmidt equipment since2006. They said: "The alliance fits

cleaning operations well because of thesynergies between the neighbouringcouncils in terms of high, rural areas,which can be exposed to similarconditions."

Shaun Stonier, SFS WorkshopController, based in Staffs Moorlands,added: "The tendering processcompared Schmidt models with likealternatives from other manufacturersand the Swingo emerged as thepreferred choice for the customer.Operators tend to like Schmidtmachines; a lot of the improvementsthat have been made to the productover the years have enhanced thatfeeling."

Robin Cummings, Street SceneTeam Leader for the allianceauthorities, said: "It was important forus that we achieved value for moneyand, equally, that our staff who will beoperating these vehicles were involvedin selecting them. I'm pleased to saythat the Swingo was a firm favouriteand was given the thumbs up by all theteam."

Playing aces at airportsMilton Keynes company uses strength of Schmidtbrand to increase airport presence.

"We will continue to push Schmidt products as we grow in this sector," said Steve Brimson,Works Manager at Ace Plant.

Sweeping Winter Airport Mowing

04Aebi Schmidt UK Ltduk-sales@aebi-schmidt.com01733 363393

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is awaiting deliveryof the first of 30 Schmidt units after its AirCommodities Team placed an order for AirfieldDeicer Trailers (ADT) to complement its fleet of 20Liquid Airfield Deicer Sprayers. The order includes a15-year in-service support contract and an option fora further 20 units. Richard Saunders, AirCommodities Team, Airfield Vehicles, at the MOD,explains what the equipment will do and why theMOD chose Schmidt to supply it.

What challenge do the Schmidt products address?RS: The Liquid Airfield Deicer Sprayers and AirfieldDeicer Trailers address the following challenges:• To ensure that airfield operating surfaces

remain free from ice during winter monthsenabling safe aircraft movements duringadverse weather conditions.

• To accurately and automatically dispenseairfield deicing medium at a specified ratethroughout a range of vehicle speeds.

• To be easily operated with the ability to adjustthe dispensed rate of deicing product at thepush of a button.

• To be airportable.• To remain in service for 15 years.

What factors did you consider in choosing asolution?RS: Factors we considered were:• That the machines had to be Commercial Off

The Shelf (COTS).• That the machines had a verified record of

operation with excellent demonstratedperformance.

• That the machines are built and configured toan identical standard.

• To have confidence that the supplier could notonly supply a fit for purpose machine butprovide the support to enable its reliableoperation for its 15-year life.

How were Schmidt looked upon favourably in thearea of proven COTS product/support solution?RS: Schmidt are acknowledged world leaders in thesupply and support of airfield vehicles and have aportfolio of equipment that will meet anyrequirement.

Schmidt have recently been awarded thecontract to supply 30 Airfield Deicer Trailers. Thesenew machines will compliment our fleet of 50Schmidt Swingos, 12 Schmidt AS900 AirfieldSweepers, 38 Schmidt AS990 Airfield Sweepers, 20Liquid Airfield Deicer Sprayers (LADS), 28 SchmidtCompact Jet Sweepers and a Schmidt Towed JetSweeper TJSC630.

Schmidt now supply the MOD with all of itsairfield clearance needs, be it FOD, snow or iceprevention.

How was performance demonstrated?RS: The availability of the Schmidt machines iscontinually being measured and to date has neverfallen below a required availability of 95% acrossthe entire fleet.

In what circumstance could performance be ofparamount importance?RS: Performance is always of paramountimportance but more so when the machines arebeing operated in an extremely remote andhostile location. In these locations you need amachine that starts at the turn of a key andoperates at the push of a button. If for example amachine is urgently required to be deployed byair, I have the confidence that given the workSchmidt have done in conjunction with the JointAir Delivery Test and Evaluation Unit (JADTEU) themachine can be prepared for air transport quickly,but more importantly when the machine arrives ina remote environment it can be made ready foruse without the need for specialist tools orworkshop facilities.

How important is Schmidt's Total Lifetime Care(TLC) ethos?RS: The ethos of Schmidt's TLC says it all about acompany who has the confidence to provide asupport solution for the life of the machine. I needthe confidence that the machines currently inservice remain so for their planned life. Be it thesupply of spare parts, the supply of engineeringsupport or the supply of training, in 15 years timeI fully expect to receive the same service as I amenjoying at present.

Did the MOD embrace Schmidt's consultativecare approach? What do you understand abouttheir after sales service?RS: I have a great deal of experience with regardto the After Sales service Schmidt offer. Providingan immediate solution to a call taken at 04:30 on aSunday morning says it all to me. There is neverany drama or crisis with Schmidt, I know that if asituation should arise, I can rely on Schmidt to getin, sort it and get out.

Why is lifetime cost more important than cost atpurchase?RS: If you want a machine to have a 15-year lifeyou have to ensure that a support solution will bein place 15 years from when the machine ispurchased. The MOD currently have 15 yearavailability contracts with Schmidt on themachines we operate, Schmidt are responsible forensuring the machines meet our availabilitytargets. To this end it is in Schmidt's benefit toensure that they provide us with a machine thatthey can confidently support. Experience hasproven that buying a machine without taking intoconsideration the supportability is not good value.I want the through life support of our machines tobe a partnership between Schmidt and the MOD.

Alison Conroy, UK Sales and Marketing Managerat Aebi Schmidt, said: "We value the long-termrelationship we have with the Ministry of Defence.Schmidt is proud to take responsibility forensuring the machines involved in this latest ordermeet the MOD's availability targets over the next15 years."

Airport's winteroperations take offAttendance at Aebi Schmidt annual conference leads to EastMidlands Airport's landmark purchase.

East Midlands Airport, part ofManchester Airports Group (MAG), hastaken delivery of one of the mostsignificant additions to its winter fleet inrecent history—a de-mountableSchmidt FS 105 Cutter Blower.The airport boasts the sixth longestcivilian runway in the UK, at a length of2,893 metres, with around 70,000movements per year.

East Midlands' on-site firefightersand operations teams are responsiblefor keeping the runways clear of snowand ice during the winter months so theairport can continue to serve more than80 leisure and business destinations.

Firefighter Rupert May and hiscolleague Lee Bowyer oversaw thepurchasing process of the CutterBlower, and a tractor large andpowerful enough to mount it on, withAebi Schmidt Key Account ManagerMike Moore supporting themthroughout.

It was a process that started whenRupert and Lee attended the AebiSchmidt annual conference atRockingham in Northamptonshire lastMay, taglined by a 'Future andInnovation' theme that captures EastMidlands' recent step forward in winteroperations.

Rupert said: "We have a good trackrecord for snow clearing and keepingthe runway clear of snow is our mainpriority when bad weather occurs. Wehave invested heavily in snow clearingequipment to clear the runway,

taxiways and aprons over the years, butone of the problems that we haveencountered is clearing the snowbanksthat build up where we've movedsnow."

Schmidt's de-mountable FS 105Cutter Blowers are extremely efficient atclearing high levels of hard, icy snow.They are also capable of removing theside walls of snow left behind by snowploughs.

"Manchester Airport has got adedicated Cutter Blower but that wouldhave been too big for us," Rupertexplained. "Mounting the unit to atractor means we can use the vehicle forother work throughout the rest of theyear. It was an obvious choice for us andalthough it’s a significant investment, it’sone we know will make a differencewhen clearing snow.”

Training sessionsSince taking delivery of the CutterBlower towards the end of the lastwinter season, the firefighting teamhave been familiarising themselves withthe equipment, which included atraining session led by Schmidt and thetractor manufacturer. Rupert said: "Westart preparing for winter in October butwe have already drawn up a trainingpackage for the tractor and the cutteritself as it's important we can operateboth together under pressure."

East Midlands Airport will benefitfrom Schmidt's Total Lifetime Care(TLC) ethos, which Rupert added was animportant element of their buyingconsiderations. He said: "The wholeteam have been fantastic throughoutthe process. Mike Moore has helped ustremendously in choosing the rightproduct and the right vehicle to mount itto. We have every confidence that theywill be able to deliver first class servicethroughout our ownership of theproduct."

Schmidt's de-mountable FS 105 CutterBlowers are extremely efficient at clearing high levels of hard, icy snow. They are also capable of removing theside walls of snow left behind by snowploughs.

Pete Read, Jan Warmelink, André Brink, Richard Saunders, Rene Wender, FS Jase Hunter, and Schmidt’s Mike Moore.

Defending MOD's airfieldsagainst winter elementsLiquid Airfield Deicer Sprayers and Airfield Deicer Trailers add to growing army ofSchmidt vehicles at the Ministry of Defence.

Sweeping Winter Airport Mowing

05Aebi Schmidt UK Ltd

uk-sales@aebi-schmidt.com01733 363393

Apprentice setssights onrewarding careerat SchmidtPeterborough-based apprenticeKarolis Zilinskas combines workshopand computer skills as he commitshis future to Schmidt.

Having passed his Level 2 apprenticeship lastyear, Karolis Zilinskas is on the way to Level 3qualification—and a full-time position atSchmidt's facility in Peterborough.

Karolis joined Aebi Schmidt, after passing A-Levels in Business Studies and Information andCommunication Technology (ICT), on a two-yearLevel 2 apprenticeship programme in thecompany's largest workshop in Peterborough.There, he works with staff overseeing themaintenance, repair and overhaul of equipment.

Aebi Schmidt runs a successful schemewhere apprentices work alongside experiencedstaff, gain job-specific skills, earn a wage andstudy towards a related qualification, one dayper week or on a block release basis.

Karolis' vision for the future is bi-focal as hisone-year Level 3 Diploma in Plant Mechanics atthe National Construction College at BirchamNewton affords him time to work in the office oncomputer-aided design (CAD), where he usestechnology to create 3D models and drawings forvarious engineering projects.

Karolis said: "At first I was open minded butas I progressed through A-Levels I startedthinking about doing something with CAD. I sawan opening at Schmidt and as I lived around thecorner I thought I would see what opportunitieswere available."

He is passionate about retaining bothworkshop and office roles, having thrived on theshop floor and behind a computer screen. "I'mhoping that my apprenticeship will lead to a full-time position in the workshop, allowing for part-time CAD work," he said. "I prefer the workshoprole but I enjoy the variation."

Moreover, Karolis believes the two roles gohand in glove and each helps him be moresuccessful at the other. He explained: "Being inthe workshop gives me a perspective on theengineering of the products. I work from handdrawings and transfer them to CAD. Recently Ihave been drawing the mounting frames thatmake a connection between the chassis and thespreader."

He added: "As I'm doing it I always have thebigger picture in my head. I only started doingdrawings a while ago but I already had anunderstanding of what the spreaders do andhow they work.”

"We're the market leaders. I'm constantlyaware of that whether I'm in the workshop orin the office." said Karolis Zilinskas

Sweeping Winter Airport Mowing

Local authorities are takingadvantage of Aebi Schmidt'snew, economical, lightweightSnow Plough, which is based onthe high performance andreliability of the renowned SNKmodel.

Somerset County Council andDoncaster Metropolitan BoroughCouncil are among those quickon the uptake of the user-friendlySNP, highlighting the product'saccessibility to local authoritieslooking for cost-effective snowclearing solutions.

David Harvey, a ProjectManager at Aebi Schmidt UK,said: "Historically we have beenvery successful with the SNK, adesign which recently has beenadopted by other manufacturersbut it is largely seen as apremium performance plough forlarger authorities, contractorsand airports. We needed aproduct that better related to theneeds of local authorities and, inthe SNP, we have the perfect fit—as recent orders prove."

The SNP is available in twosizes—2.7m wide and 3m wide—and is suited to the removal ofwet snow and slush. Suchconditions require a durablesolution that is easy to handleand quick to start up, requiring aslittle maintenance as possible.The SNP delivers local authoritiessnow removal performance forrural and urban areas, particularlysuited to UK winter weatherconditions.

David worked with decisionmakers at Somerset when theywere looking for a value-for-money, quality solution to fit theroads and terrain in the region.They ordered the 2.7m-wideplough due to the narrow roads,typical of the county's terrain.

Doncaster, meanwhile,ordered the larger model havingtendered for three Snow Ploughs.

David recalled that his point ofcontact at the council wasintrigued by the ability tointegrate the product withexisting spreaders, whilst tickingthe other boxes related to priceand efficiency.

David said: "Depending on itssize, the SNP is a suitableattachment for a range ofvehicles that authorities may

already have in their fleets;connecting and disconnecting theattachment takes only a fewminutes."

The SNP's self-supportingplough blade is fitted in avibration-absorbing steel framethat is both sturdy and flexible,owing to its diagonally braceddesign. David added: "Theoptimised geometry of the blade,

cutting edge and bladeangle ensureoptimumsnow ejectionregardless ofthe amountandconsistency ofsnow beingcleared. Beingspecifically

designed for clearing wet snow,the closed blade form eliminatesthe need for an additional snowdeflector."

Additional local authoritiesare expected to follow SomersetCounty Council, DoncasterMetropolitan Borough Counciland others, in acquiring the user-friendly Aebi Schmidt SNP aheadof the upcoming winter season.

Aebi Schmidt's Peterborough factory is oneof only a handful of facilities that hasreceived testing accreditation under theIndividual Vehicle Approval (IVA) scheme tocomplete registration of its own equipmentand that of other manufacturers.

The introduction of the IVA scheme,effective October 2014, follows thereplacement of the Driving StandardsAgency (DSA) and the Vehicle and OperatorServices Agency (VOSA) with the Driverand Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). Thenewly-formed DVSA is responsible forsetting, testing and enforcing driver andvehicle standards in Great Britain.

The scheme is applicable to making orimporting a single vehicle or a number ofvehicles in certain categories, includinglight goods vehicles (up to 3,500kg),medium to heavy goods vehicles (morethan 3,500kg) and trailers. There are twoother approval routes—EuropeanCommunity Whole Vehicle Type Approvaland National Small Series Type Approval—but vehicles submitted for IVA inspectionsneed to demonstrate that they generallycomply with the technical provisions ofDirective 2007/46/EC.

Schmidt Technical Manager Andy Reillyhas been working on IVA accreditation fortwo years to ensure the company benefits,firstly, from being able to carry outregistration onsite and, secondly, providinglocal firms with an alternative totransporting equipment long distances tocomplete registration processes.

Andy acknowledged the safety benefits ofthe IVA scheme and stressed the importanceof Schmidt being able to save time andmoney in registering equipment (primarilyspreaders) as it rolls off the production line.

“Every vehicle of a certain type will needIndividual Vehicle Approval," he said. "Imaginethe inconvenience involved in transportingeach one to the next closest test centre [inDerby], incurring cost on the road, for the testitself and in the use of another company'sfacility. We can cut that cost in half and benefit

our customers in the process."Andy will oversee thesecond phase of

registration ofvehicles that have

already beenadvanced to

that stage

by the chassis manufacturer. At Schmidt, theDVSA will focus on the mounting process andaddition of spreader equipment and lighting,for example. Schmidt is an accredited centrefor vehicles in categories N2 and N3 whichrelates to their weight.

Andy added: "Our mounting process itselfwon't change but we have had to makesignificant investment in equipment to ensureour facility meets the required standards toregister vehicles under the new IVA scheme."

The major advantage to Aebi Schmidt isthe ability to register its vehicles onsite, aswell as the ability to take bookings fromcompanies in the area looking to use a localtest facility. Andy has already receivedenquiries and anticipates being operational asearly as June.• For more information contact

andy.reilly@aebi-schmidt.com

Equipment to complete registration onsiteSchmidt spreaders will receive Individual Vehicle Approval as they roll off the Peterborough production line.

The major advantage is the ability to register vehicles onsite, as well as the ability to take bookings from companies looking to use a local test facility.

“Connecting anddisconnecting theattachment takes onlya few minutes.”

SNP plough equipsauthorities for winterLocal authorities are attracted to new Snow Plough's quality and cost benefits.

UK Sales and Marketing ManagerAlison Conroy 07901 911003

Area Sales Managers Schmidt ProductsMark Howorth 07799 071611David Carswell 07970 125206Les Bullock 07799 071612Simon Stringer 07870 267209

Sales Support ManagerKatherine Daunt 01733 363395

Key Account ManagerMike Moore 07748 931762

Project ManagerDavid Harvey 01733 363391

Service Manager ScotlandDonald Kerr 07970 125227

Service ManagerKaren Bean 01733 363403

Sales and Service Dealer Aebi Products – ID SparesRichard Barnard 07860 613261Fiona Simpson 07970 652387

AEBI SCHMIDT UK LTDSouthgate Way,Orton Southgate,Peterborough PE2 6GPTel 01733 363393Fax 01733 363377Email: uk-sales@aebi-schmidt.com

Published by Aebi Schmidt UK Ltd.© Aebi Schmidt UK Ltd 2014.

For additional copies of this newsletter,or to be added to our mailing listplease contact Katherine Daunt.Katherine.Daunt@aebi-schmidt.com

Your contacts at Aebi Schmidt

Diary 2014Aebi Schmidt UK will have a strongpresence at a number of trade shows this year.Schmidt –The Next GenerationJCB head officeRochester10 July

Londonderry Garage ShowLondonderry16-17 July

Cold ComfortManchester Conference Centre30 September-1 October, Stand C7

RWM 2014N.E.C Birmingham16-18 September, Stand 5W70-X71

Schmidt Service Engineer Terry Butterswill be among a team of cyclistspedalling over 600 miles from Blackpoolto Paris over eight gruelling days in thissummer's Tower to Tower CycleChallenge, which sets off from BlackpoolTower on 23rd August.

The main sponsor of the 2014 Towerto Tower Cycle Challenge, organised bythe charity Challenge 4 Change, is afellow leading supplier to the winterservice industry, Safecote, while Schmidtis proud to be another high profilesupporting organisation.

Newcomer Terry is honoured torepresent the company, having beenhugely impressed by the people and theproducts since he made the switch fromthe earth-moving equipment sector thisspring. He said: "The support I'vereceived has been second to none;whenever I've required help or guidanceI've picked up the phone and hadimmediate access to supportive andknowledgeable colleagues. As a newemployee that makes a huge difference."

Terry, who will be 49 years old whenhe takes to the road in August, primarilyworks on Swingos but the diversity ofthe call-outs make for huge variety andjob satisfaction, while he will eventuallycover the whole Schmidt portfolio,including equipment at Cardiff, Bristoland Exeter Airports.

Mark Dutton, Managing Director atSafecote Limited, will join Terry in agroup of just eight people who will pedalthe entire course, while others areworking in teams or taking on sections ofthe route.

Challenge 4 Change aims to helpindividuals by removing barriers andbuilding stronger communities byforging links between the diverse groupsthat make up each community. It deliverstraining to groups of individuals,providing team and personaldevelopment.

The charity's Chief Executive, DavidDjordjevic, who will ride the 600-mileroute for the third time, said: "Thebiggest challenge for the guys doing thewhole route is in the mind; if you've gota base level of fitness it's an 80% amental battle. About 50 people will setoff with us for the Blackpool toManchester leg, but then the real teststarts as the second day is a tough climbthrough the Peak District."

Terry, who is familiar with physicalendurance having left the Army in 1991,concurs: "The biggest challenge will be

boredom," he said. "I've run twomarathons and it was the same thing;there's only so much you can take fromyour surroundings. But I'm lookingforward to it. The bike has been sat in thespare room for a long time since I used itin a triathlon and it's time to dust it off."

The challenge's longest stretch is aleg-burning 100.69 miles on Day 6 (thefirst day on French soil) where cycliststravel from Calais to Amiens. Davidwarned that the first 23 miles out ofCalais are the toughest on the coursebecause of steep hills. All being well, twodays later, they arrive at the ChampsElysee after a final 31.75-mile stretch,which precedes a deserved celebrationevening dinner cruise along the RiverSeine.

Safecote's Mark said: "It's an honourto support the event for the first time as acompany and hugely exciting to take onwhat will be the biggest physical cyclingendurance test of my life."

Other Tower to Tower Cycle Challenge2014 sponsors include FibrelightCommunication Networks and TGCComputers. Support Terry and the teamat: JustGiving.com/Terry-Butters1JustGiving.com/DuttyYou can also find out more about thechallenge on Twitter by following@tower2tower1 or by visitingwww.tower2tower.org.uk.

You can follow Challenge 4 Changeat @c4cteambuilding and take a virtualtour of the impressive facility atwww.challenge4change.org.

New recruit Terry Butters will swap overalls for Lycra and pedalfrom Blackpool to Paris for charity this summer.

Schmidt Service Engineergets on his bike

Mark Howorth, Area Sales Manager forNorthern England, has set about buildingon the strong foundations laid over 12years of outstanding service by retiredpredecessor Allan Macleod.

Mark joined Aebi Schmidt in Januaryand is honoured to work the patch of asales manager who was so widelyrespected by colleagues and customersalike. However, while they are big shoes to fill—Allan was featured on the front cover of last spring'sedition of the Connection newsletter celebrating hisfinal landmark order—Mark is already making aname for himself, as recent orders prove.

For example, Merseytravel, the executive bodythat provides professional, strategic and operationaltransport advice to the Liverpool City RegionCombined Authority, had a competitor's sweeper onhire until Mark outlined the benefits of a SchmidtSwingo and secured an order, which was deliveredin March.

He said: "Drivers are sometimes in theirSwingos all day so comfort and efficiency areimportant to them. We covered everything in ourdemonstration and answered all of Merseytravel'squestions."

The Merseytravel deal stands out as a highlightof Mark's first few months at the company becausehe was able to oversee the initial approach,demonstration and delivery of the unit. "It was niceto take care of it from scratch," he said. However, heknows there will be many more to come.

"I had heard how good Schmidtproducts were before I started the joband I got an overview of that duringtraining in Germany but I only really sawit for myself and understood the extentto which we can benefit our customerswhen I got to working in the field andtalking to people on a daily basis," saidMark, who has sold agricultural and

playground equipment earlier in his career.He added: "Not only can we compete on price

but we offer a huge saving over competitors whenit comes to the lifetime cost of ownership,underscored by Aebi Schmidt's Total Lifetime Care(TLC) ethos."

Alison Conroy, UK Sales and MarketingManager, added: "It's great to have Mark on theteam. He's already proving how well he fits withthe Schmidt ethos and I know we can expect acontinuation of the TLC offered by Allan to all ourcustomers in the north."

Mark Howorth takes the batonNew Area Sales Manager is determined to further expand Schmidt'spresence in the north.

Sweeping Winter Airport Mowing

The challenge's longeststretch is a leg-burning100.69 miles on Day 6,which is Terry's firstday on French soil.

Nick Preston jumped at the chance tofront Aebi Schmidt's UK operations andwill do so with Total Lifetime Care (TLC)as his mantra. He has also unveiled thefive-point checklist that will form theframework to his leadership.

Nick replaces Henk Landeweerd,who is now heading up the Europeanorganisation that reports intoheadquarters.

"I was approached about this role andfollowing an introduction to the company andproducts I felt it was too good an opportunity torefuse," he said. "This role is different to myprevious roles in that I can now focus on creatingand moving forward our strategic goals ratherthan just concentrating on implementation."

Nick aims to maintain the leading positionSchmidt has built up over the years in both thewinter and summer maintenance markets, with aprojected goal to gain market share in all productsectors and markets. He expects his legacy to bebuilt around five key areas:1. Develop trust and credibility within the

organisation;2. Share the vision of a first class customer

service organisation that provides thebenchmark for customer satisfaction;

3. Communicate clearly, "as communication iskey within any successful organisation," hesaid;

4. Always be available to help everyone succeedthrough coaching, mentoring and listening;

5. Work hard, focus and be patient."I aim to develop the company further to

become the most respected within each of ourmarketplaces," he said. "We definitely have all the

ingredients we need to achieve that; ithas really struck me how knowledgeable,friendly and loyal everyone is at AebiSchmidt and I'm hugely excited aboutwhat the future will bring."

Nick has recently returned from theIFAT trade show in Munich, where AebiSchmidt launched its latest Stratosspreader and a new Euro 6 Swingo

compact sweeper at the world's leading show forwater, sewage, waste and raw materialsmanagement. He is passionate about retaining thecompany's image at such events.

"It is extremely important to have aconsistent trade show presence," Nick said,making reference in particular to the necessity toshow gratitude to existing partners, meet newcustomers and take advantage of the platformsfor launching new products that such eventsprovide.

"I have spent many years learning andunderstanding the many different and variedrequirements of customers" he said. "Whilst Iwon't reinvent the wheel I will continue toconstantly focus on improving it. Our customersunderstand that financial savings are made withregards to whole lifetime costs through therobustness and extremely high quality of theproducts and services that we offer.”

Nick Preston has praised the company's people and products having taken thereins as Managing Director of Aebi Schmidt UK.

New MD for Aebi Schmidt UK

“I aim to develop the company further to become the most respected within each of our market sectors.”