Setting higher standards and proving it - first accredited members announced by FTA Ireland

Thursday 22 March 2012

The first five companies to successfully achieve FTA Ireland's membership accreditation standard were announced and presented with their certificates at a conference in Dublin yesterday (21 March).

FTA Ireland (FTAI) was established in 2010 to promote high standards of vehicle operation and improve the reputation of Irish logistics with government and the public. An early commitment by its founder members was to develop an accreditation scheme to enable businesses to demonstrate their achievement of good practice through a formal audit against agreed standards.

The first five operators to successfully achieve FTAI accreditation are:

1. BOC Gases (Ireland) Ltd
2. Brake Brothers
3. Bus Eireann
4. REMY Distribution
5. Keelings Logistics

Representatives of the companies were presented with their Accreditation Certificates by Maurice Mullen, Assistant Secretary at the Department of Transport, during FTAI's Transport Manager conference which took place in Enfield.

All new members of FTA Ireland are expected to apply for accreditation within three months of joining and existing members will be audited during the rest of 2012.

Niall Cotton, President of FTA Ireland said:

"FTA Ireland was formed to allow those operators able and willing to achieve higher standards to stand out in the market and the eyes of the public. The accreditation scheme shows we really mean this and that there is clear daylight between accredited members and everyone else. I hope and expect that this will become a marque of excellence in Irish logistics."

Cotton continued:

"As President you would expect me to lead on behalf of our members, and I presented BOC's operations in Ireland as one of the first candidates for audit. It is a tough standard and we learnt a lot from the experience but I am delighted we made the grade."

Members are re-audited annually to ensure the high standards are maintained.

Cotton concluded:

"We are grateful to Maurice Mullen for presenting the first certificates today. I have already briefed the Road Safety Authority (RSA) of our plans and will keep them appraised of our progress as we develop the scheme alongside their own programme to enhance enforcement and the Department's Road Safety Bill."

Notes for editors

1. An overview of the scheme's standards is available 
2. Photographs of the presentation of certificates are available.
3. Images of the FTAI Accreditation marque for display on vehicles are available on request.

Further information is available from the FTA press office, email press.office@fta.co.uk, or from Tom Wilson on mobile: +44 (0) 7818 450559, direct line: +44 (0) 28 90466699, email twilson@fta.co.uk

FTA Press Office

01892 552255
press.office@fta.co.uk