Family-run Croydon logistics firm ELB Partners has achieved the remarkable milestone of a 10th consecutive Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) Gold award.
ELB managing director Peter Eason said the achievement was testament to the hard work of his team, who have consistently met the exacting requirements set out by FORS.
The Pallet-Track member, which moved from Croydon from Wimbledon in 2021, retained the industry’s top accolade after another comprehensive audit of its fleet of 60-plus trucks and trailers.
ELB has invested heavily in low emission, high-specification vehicles over the last decade to meet the ever-growing challenges of operating as an independent haulier in London.
It is the capital’s only independent haulier to have held the FORS Gold accreditation for this length of time, which recognises its commitment to vehicle safety and environmental best practice.
The fleet’s EURO6 engines all meet Low Emission Zone (LEZ) regulations, with the investment in camera technology to improve driver vision and protect vulnerable road users also ensuring they are Direct Vision Standard (DVS) compliant.
ELB also retained its Bronze and Silver accreditations as part of the root-and-branch audit.
Peter added: “This is a huge milestone for us and a real testament to our hard-working team who have made it happen.
“It’s getting harder and harder to achieve this accreditation every year, alongside the unique challenges and regulations we face as a logistics business operating in the capital city.
“Every year, there are additions to the FORS requirements and every year we have met them. Congratulations to everyone, especially Dan Philpot and Sam Cates, who have once again worked painstakingly to ensure our operation meets FORS’ strict standards.”
Peter said the award continued to future-proof the firm, as the FORS Gold standard is increasingly being recognised by businesses when they select a logistics partner.
“We’ve been in business for nearly 55 years and hitting these high standards will help ensure we’re here for another half a century and more,” added Peter.
FORS, which offers gold, silver and bronze awards, is a method of recognising fleet operations that comply with the requirements of the FORS Standard which is based upon lawfulness, safety, efficiency and environmental protection. Fleet operations are audited against the requirements of an approved FORS certification body.
ELB was established in 1970 as a three-person partnership and Peter bought the business from his father George in 1985. It now employs around 60 staff and moved to a new 60,000 sq. ft headquarters in Beddington Farm Road in 2021.
