according to the Leicester Mercury,a new £100 million hub is being built off the A5,opening end of next year,creating a 1,000 jobs 
anyone know if they are a good company to work for?
I also hear that DPD are building a new warehouse in Raunds, Northampton.
I recently drove for them out of the Oldbury depot. Nice people. All systems explained in a proper way. Given a very good booklet with all H&S requirements listed and all procedures for using dual fifth wheels, paperwork, seals etc. However it was not really for me for a couple of reasons and I’ll quote from the booklet:
" All drivers are to take legal breaks within the confines of a canteen facility where possible and not in vehicle"
" Legal breaks are to be taken at hub, secure depot or customer site."
" All routes are a no stopping policy. If driver stops, the traffic office must be informed immediately. After completing there stop and before leaving the driver must phone the traffic office and obtain a stop number. This number must be recorded by driver on tachograph envelope plus running sheet."
So basically if you wanted number one’s, two’s or maccy d’s for get it. It’s not for me to ask for permission to stop and as all vehicles have isotrak your movements are closely monitored.
I did some trunking for DPD about 2 years ago, and to be honest I thought they were pretty good. The equipment was okay, and the facilities were excellent. Good canteen and good food too.
At that time they also had a no stopping policy, and I seem to recall a light going out on my way from their Oldbury hub, on my way back to their Thetford depot, which is about to move to a brand new, bigger depot just up the road at Snetterton. I had to call the traffic office and they said to crack on to the depot, and not stop to fix it on the A14.
I think the reason I was given was that their insurance demanded records of stops, because of the potential for criminal activities. Of course, your tracked all the time you’re on the road, so they know if you stop for a quick ■■■■■.
As far as taking breaks in the canteen, they had that rule as well, but in effect, I always dropped the trailer on the right bay, and then went for four hours sleep in the cab, before heading up to the canteen for dinner, and then to the traffic office for the bay number for my return trailer.
I thought it was a great job, but schlepping up the A14/M6 every night was not my idea of fun on a regular five nights a week basis.
They certainly seem to have loads of money invested, and looking at their Oldbury distribution operation was fascinating.
Glad i’m not the only one who found the operation at the hub fascinating 
.
It was a pain though waiting for access as you had to go into the main hub to get paperwork and you need a pass to get in. So you were reliant on one of there own guys to let you in. And if you had a good feed in the canteen, the climb up the spiral staircase at hub 1 to the traffic office could be challenging. Always seemed such a strange place to put a very busy traffic office to me on the top of a building accessed by an external spiral staircase.
so,best to carry a pop bottle in case you need a leak!
carryfast-yeti:
so,best to carry a pop bottle in case you need a leak!
What…and fill it while driving… ?
greendalef:
" All drivers are to take legal breaks within the confines of a canteen facility where possible and not in vehicle"" Legal breaks are to be taken at hub, secure depot or customer site."
" All routes are a no stopping policy. If driver stops, the traffic office must be informed immediately. After completing there stop and before leaving the driver must phone the traffic office and obtain a stop number. This number must be recorded by driver on tachograph envelope plus running sheet."
So basically if you wanted number one’s, two’s or maccy d’s for get it. It’s not for me to ask for permission to stop and as all vehicles have isotrak your movements are closely monitored.
Another one not for me
100 million quid to spend and they build it next to a low bridge.
greendalef:
I recently drove for them out of the Oldbury depot. Nice people. All systems explained in a proper way. Given a very good booklet with all H&S requirements listed and all procedures for using dual fifth wheels, paperwork, seals etc. However it was not really for me for a couple of reasons and I’ll quote from the booklet:" All drivers are to take legal breaks within the confines of a canteen facility where possible and not in vehicle"
" Legal breaks are to be taken at hub, secure depot or customer site."
" All routes are a no stopping policy. If driver stops, the traffic office must be informed immediately. After completing there stop and before leaving the driver must phone the traffic office and obtain a stop number. This number must be recorded by driver on tachograph envelope plus running sheet."
So basically if you wanted number one’s, two’s or maccy d’s for get it. It’s not for me to ask for permission to stop and as all vehicles have isotrak your movements are closely monitored.
had workint there couple time about 2 years ago.they had all or near all Mecedes truck.then i make coupling i do suspension up,but was not possible coupled,after another man show me who this truck have small stick ,and if press this stick can lift just fifth wheels.first time seen.when drive in what possition must keep fifth wheels in this model of truck??/
Aye Farnborough & I saw one nearly hit that bridge with his decker one day due to a diversion as well, he might of clocked it anyway but my frantic flashing saved him I think, wasn’t far off it, had to screw it round in a little side cut bless him.
exit:
carryfast-yeti:
so,best to carry a pop bottle in case you need a leak!What…and fill it while driving…
Don’t you like a challenge at work now and again?
Andrejs:
had workint there couple time about 2 years ago.they had all or near all Mecedes truck.then i make coupling i do suspension up,but was not possible coupled,after another man show me who this truck have small stick ,and if press this stick can lift just fifth wheels.first time seen.when drive in what possition must keep fifth wheels in this model of truck??/
Single deck trailer in the up position, double deck trailer in the down position.
carryfast-yeti:
so,best to carry a pop bottle in case you need a leak!
Or do what I used to do when they were Geopost and phone them to tell them you were stopping at the next services.
stevegm3:
greendalef:
" All drivers are to take legal breaks within the confines of a canteen facility where possible and not in vehicle"" Legal breaks are to be taken at hub, secure depot or customer site."
" All routes are a no stopping policy. If driver stops, the traffic office must be informed immediately. After completing there stop and before leaving the driver must phone the traffic office and obtain a stop number. This number must be recorded by driver on tachograph envelope plus running sheet."
So basically if you wanted number one’s, two’s or maccy d’s for get it. It’s not for me to ask for permission to stop and as all vehicles have isotrak your movements are closely monitored.
Another one not for me
And these people actually get away with that ■■■■■■■■, what a bunch of ■■■■■■■
carryfast-yeti:
according to the Leicester Mercury,a new £100 million hub is being built off the A5,opening end of next year,creating a 1,000 jobs
anyone know if they are a good company to work for?
I work for them at Oldbury pay not brilliant but plenty of overtime as a Hub driver no weekends unless you want them. Time and a half Sat and Double Sun. Double and days Hol for bank hols so in theory triple. Some shifts 8.45 hours (8hours pay) but lot do have built in overtime and after 1800-0600 night rate as well (you get paid both if you go over 8.45 hours and finish between 1800-0600). Easy work and very up on all training. Shifts start from 0800-1600 (days). If based at a DPD depot (outbased not at a HUB) you are on very good money £28,000-£35,000 a year just for trunking (nights Mon-Fri). Yes there is no stopping rules but you have plenty of time to get to a customer for break and all depots and most customers have facilities you can use. I suggest you take your own grub and have plenty of liquids with you. I started via agency and they took me on I have no problems I just do my job
come back clock off and go home. Its depends on what you want but I like it.
thanks for the info Discodave i’ll have to keep a look out for them advertising.
When i was an owner driver for Securicor Omega Container Logistics Ltd out of Southampton docks,they had a no lay by stopping policy overnight.
We were all told they employed car drivers around the UK that would dob you in for not being in a secure parking area.It must have been a scare tactic.
With Dpd i guess all their trucks have panic buttons.
Some Italian firms have engine immobilisers which are controlled by a satelite system.
Driver hits the red button.Truck not moving until he calls in.As you know the Napoli area is well known for lorry hijackings.
Yodel have a similar policy…although if you are empty they didn’t mind you stopping.