Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 11th April 2024 Issue no. 1109

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Britannia Washing Systems help keep National Express Fleet in fine fettle

For a high profile brand such as National Express, image is everything.

The Group delivers services in the UK, North America, Germany, Spain and Morocco, with more than 800 million journeys annually made on its buses, trains, light rail services and coaches. It strives for operational excellence in everything it does across the organisation, from its safety and CSR policy to choice of vehicle and livery.

In the UK, the company operates 2000 vehicles which are on the road seven days a week. Keeping them clean and in the pristine condition is a major logistical exercise but one that is eased by the network of Britannia washing systems the company has been using for over 30 years.

Manufactured by Smith Brothers & Webb, Britannia Washing systems are renowned for their reliability and longevity. It is for this reason that National Express head of Property Bus & Coach, Mick Mullins, has chosen the company as his preferred and trusted supplier.

National Express has over 20 washes installed across the UK at main garages and some of the coach owned operations. It is a network which is continuing to expand and National Express has recently installed a new Britannia Streamline in Travel West Midlands Walsall and had a complete refurbishment of a second system.

Offering exceptional wash quality, the Britannia Streamline is one of the most advanced in the company's product portfolio. Simple to install and maintain, it is a four-brush, drive through machine which will wash all types of passenger-carrying vehicles from minibuses to double deckers at up to 80 vehicles per hour.

With the gruelling schedule to which National Express operates, the Britannia Streamline suits the job perfectly.

"Given that each of our vehicles is in continuous operation the turnaround time from them coming in and going back out on the road is often very tight," explains Mick Mullins. "It is therefore imperative that we have a reliable washing system in place to keep the vehicles in good condition.

"I have found the Britannia Washing Systems to be nothing less than excellent. We have tried other companies over the years, but have always returned to Smith Brothers & Webb. They are able to swiftly respond to our needs and requirements and the fact that the company offers a full maintenance package with its own engineers is extremely important.

"Reliability is critical. For example, in Birmingham Central we have 180 vehicles returning to garage within a short timescale; we simply cannot afford to have a wash inoperative. In the event of there being a problem Smith Brothers & Webb engineers are able to give immediate attention to the washes and have immediate access to the parts so there is limited downtime. It is an ideal partnership."

Smith Bros. & Webb is one of the oldest, best known and most highly respected names in the commercial wash market. With a pedigree spanning 70 years, its Britannia washing systems are globally renowned for their unsurpassed washing quality, reliability and longevity.

Designed to cope with high volumes and differing sizes of vehicles, Britannia washing systems are engineered and manufactured in the UK and exported around the world.

Smith Brothers & Webb Director Andy Barracliffe comments: "We are proud to have such an esteemed name as National Express on our client portfolio.

"They are one of our oldest customers and as they have continued to grow so have we. It has been a tremendous relationship and one which we hope will continue for many years to come."

T: +44 (0) 1789 400 096
W: www.sbw-wash.com

21st April 2016