Chambers has formed its very own First Aid Fire Fighting Team (FFFT), by working with S. E. Business Services (SEBS) and drawing on the expertise of the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service.

SEBS, which is part of Surrey County Council, has exclusive access to Surrey Fire and Rescue Service’s highly trained fire fighters – who offered us their skills in emergency response, first aid and fire prevention. Together they have trained a number of members of the Chamber’s team to use firefighting equipment so that they can effectively respond immediately to an emergency as well as delivering vital first aid.

The team can now deal with emergencies before the fire service arrives on the scene, delivering water from a fire hose onto flames within 90 seconds. In the unlikely event of a fire, this quick response is vital to stop it spreading and can prevent a full-scale emergency.

The team has also been trained to hand over smoothly to the fire service, which really helps when they arrive on the scene, gaining valuable minutes when dealing with an emergency.

This initiative has so far been a great success, with our team learning valuable new skills that will keep our staff, premises and customers safe in the unlikely event that we ever need them. S. E. Business Services and Surrey Fire and Rescue have given our FFFT fantastic support and we look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.

We are proud to have added another efficient new vehicle to our ever expanding fleet: a Mercedes Econic 2630. This investment is another step forward as we deliver innovative new technologies to help us improve all the services we deliver, as well as adding more capacity.

The Mercedes is a special-purpose truck which offers air suspension along with a lifting and lowering function on all axles. The fuel consumption of the Econic has been reduced by up to 4% along with dramatically reduced emissions; as much as 90% lower when compared with previous engines.

With a six-cylinder engine and six-speed Allison automatic suspension, the vehicle can handle all types of waste from wet waste to bulkier items. Its tough compaction mechanism and wide internal body make light work of industrial and large items and offers the highest standard of durability. The integrated trade lift has been supplied with VWS Enviroweigh bin weighing equipment, in line with the rest of our vehicles.

We can’t wait to introduce this brand new member of our fleet to our valued customers.

In a high octane weekend at Brands Hatch, Chambers sponsored driver Andrew Jordan challenged not only for the Independents title, but also raced for 2016 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship crown. After an incident filled event he claimed the Independents title for the third year.

Andrew was confident he could make it up the grid having qualified in 13th position in the opening race but, unable to avoid the abandoned Chevrolet of Hunter Abbott, he was forced to retire, resulting in him missing out on the overall championship.

Following excellent work by Andrew’s pit team, he was back up and running for the second race of the day, maintaining his advantage in the points going into the third and final race. Finishing eleventh in the season’s finale allowed Andrew to take lift the Independents’ title for the third time – having previously won in both 2012 and 2013.

Andrew said: “The BTCC field this season has arguably been more competitive than ever with lots of strength in depth, so to come away from the season with a championship title is a fantastic achievement for everyone who is involved with this programme.”

“As ever in this game, there have been ups and downs as the season has progressed, but on the whole I’m really pleased with how it has gone. The aim was to win races, fight at the front of the field, and pick up some silverware this season; which is exactly what we have done.”

We look forward to seeing him back and fighting for the title again in 2017!

Chambers has evolved rapidly since its inception in 1969, driven by its willingness to invest in new premises, equipment and technology.

We have been investing heavily in new vehicles and on board technology in recent years.

Continuing this ambitious investment programme, we are currently installing innovative new software across our entire fleet. PURGO, designed by Vehicle Weighing Solutions (VWS), is helping us access valuable new live data, as well as offering a comprehensive set of tools to allow us to manage, track and report on the various stages of waste management and disposal.

A key feature of the new software is the use of ‘on approach notifications’, which alerts the team by text or email when a vehicle is due to arrive on site. This is calculated through a combination of historic journey data and real time satellite navigation information.

Designed to integrate with our existing bin weighing system, PURGO will help to streamline and improve our waste collection service. The user-friendly interface of the in-cab tablet has been easily adopted by the drivers and the use of the device is not only reducing in-cab administration, but office administration too.

Chambers has been trialling the state-of-the-art software since early 2016, reviewing the software’s reliability and performance. The technology will now be introduced under a phased implementation plan, which is scheduled to conclude by the end of 2016.

The introduction of the new system not only supports Chambers’ operations, it builds on the strong relationship that has been developed with VWS. Over the past five years, for example, ENVIROWEIGH bin weighing has been fitted to the company’s refuse collection vehicles, including the retrofit of all existing vehicles in the fleet. This stream of data has already helped us build on our high standards of service.

More recently, we chose VWS to fit their LOADWEIGH system on all of our compaction vehicles. This equipment helps the company stay safe, compliant, and protects both drivers and operatives – particularly when they are on site with no weighing facilities.

At Chambers we will continue to invest for the future, with innovative new technologies designed to improve the service we offer. The introduction of PURGO is just another example of our commitment to deliver the best service possible.

This weekend saw another spectacular race from Andrew Jordan, Chambers sponsored driver, at the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Silverstone.

Driving his Motorbase Performance-run Ford Focus, Andrew and the team at Pirtek Racing started the weekend sitting in seventh position on the BTCC table, but after a well fought race weekend Andrew stormed to within 31 points of the leader.

He is now one of only eight drivers in contention for the overall title at Brands Hatch on the first weekend in October.

After a second-place finish in race one – as a result of technical infringements – Andrew started from the front row in race two. Sitting behind competitor Tom Ingram during the opening laps, Andrew soon saw his opportunity and took the lead on the seventh circuit of the track.

Even with the deployment of the safety car, which caused the gap between Jordan and Ingram to close, he was still able to keep the lead to secure his second win of the season.

A further eighth place in race three, with maximum ballast, was enough to give Andrew the highest points score of the weekend, and leave him 31 points off the lead.

Talking after the race, Andrew said: “We put in a solid performance in race one and then the second was absolutely spot on. The car felt really good and I have a technique that means I look after the soft tyre well, so I was able to hold my position at the front even after the Safety Car period, when usually you are more at risk from the cars behind.

With this, his fourth Independents’ win and a string of second places to his name, he will take a 34 point lead into the Independents Championship on Finals Day, which will see the race for the Independents’ crown reach its climax.

Due to complete next spring, the two-storey HQ will house most of Waste Management Plc’s office based staff – including the management and accounts departments – who work at our existing offices at North Moors and previously at Jacob’s Well.

Finance director Emma Chambers explained: “These modern new offices will replace our existing head office at Slyfield. With more than 220 members of staff across our sites, this new base will enable us to centralise our operations, cut down on traffic movements and boost efficiency.”

We purchased the two acre site at North Moors last year to accommodate the new offices, and there are plans in the pipeline to refurbish the vehicle maintenance workshop also.

Pupils from St Catherine’s Girls School in Bramley, Guildford, visited Chambers to learn about how everyday waste is recycled as well as the importance of sustainable waste management.

During their tour around our Guildford Recycling Centre, the girls saw items including cans, bottles and paper being segregated, weighed and processed before being transported away to be turned into new products.

We also showed how we process and bale any non-recyclable residue – which is then sent to Germany to be burnt as fuel.

Teacher Mrs Edwards said the visit was both wonderful and informative, adding: “The girls returned to school buzzing about their experience …they have really had their eyes opened and their understanding developed. All of the girls have confirmed how their view of what happens to the rubbish they throw away has changed.”

We have welcomed another new addition to our 80-strong fleet of vehicles. Sporting the eye-catching Chambers branding, the brand new DAF LF 55 tipper truck is stationed at our Runfold centre – which specialises in recycling and selling aggregates including sand, soil and stone. The new truck has the important job of collecting and distributing aggregates on site as well as delivering to our customers near and far.

New DAF Tipper for aggregates

Supplied by Barnes DAF of Guildford, the striking vehicle has an impressive specification to match its looks. Powered by a PX7 6.7ltr engine producing 280bhp, it has a gross load limit of 18 tonnes and boasts an aluminium tipping body and in-cab tail release and tipping control. Achieving an average of 8.20 mpg, it is far more fuel efficient than its predecessor wh ich managed 6.31 mpg.

Chambers aggregates quary

Our Runfold centre, based on Guildford Road, prides itself on providing high quality, locally quarried and recycled aggregates quickly and cheaply. It houses a £1.8 million soil washing and recycling plant – one of only a handful in the country- which enables us to annually recycle over 100,000 tonnes of inert waste – including broken bricks and concrete, soil and stones – which might otherwise have ended up in landfill. These products are all produced in accordance with the Environment Agency Quality Protocols.

Earlier this summer we also took delivery of four new skip trucks.

There were more thrills and spills in the Snetterton circuit of the 2016 British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) at the weekend, with Chambers-sponsored driver Andrew Jordan keeping his lead in the Independents Championship despite a series of tough challenges.
A power steering problem in his Motorbase Focus in the qualifying session meant he had to start the first race around the 2.99 mile circuit from the back of the grid.

Andrew was pushed onto the grass in lap one but still managed to finish in an impressive 14th place, picking up valuable championship points.

A multi car accident forced race two to be halted, and despite pushing forward in the shortened ten lap race, he was hit by other drivers and again crossed the line in 14th place.

The final race of the weekend – again cut short by an early accident – saw Andrew at his best as he raced his way up to fifth place – securing a 23 point lead in the Independents Championship and putting him in contention for overall honours in eighth place.

The next race in the championship will be at Knockhill in Fife, Scotland. At just 1.27 miles, the track is one of the shortest and most exciting on the calendar. High kerbs launch the BTCC onto two wheels as they try to find passing opportunities and faster lap times.

Andrew said: “While the weekend didn’t go to plan, we kept our lead in the Independents Championship and are still in contention overall.
We’ll be carrying less weight into Knockhill as well, so we’ll just crack on and aim to come back fighting.”

As a sponsor of champion racing driver Andrew Jordan, we have had an exciting few weeks watching his dramatic progress in the rounds of the 2016 British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) .

Andrew Jordon Racing

Racing a Ford Focus ST – complete with the Chambers logo on the bonnet – Andrew sped to victory in the opening race in front of huge crowds at the Thruxton circuit on May 7 – his first BTCC win in just under two years.
Since then, Andrew – who drives with the Motorbase Performance team – has continued to deliver strong results. At the Oulton Park meeting on June 4 – 5 he claimed three thrilling top ten finishes – putting him in sixth overall position, while also securing lead position in the Independents’ championship.

On June 18 and 19 at Croft, the Darlington based track, despite his team having to change both his car’s engine and gearbox, he managed a heroic fifth place in two races.

Andrew is now looking ahead to the next 2016 BTCC races that will take place at the Snetterton, Knockhill, Rockingham and Silverstone circuits before the overall winner is crowned at the final event at Brands Hatch on October 1 -2, so watch this space for updates on Andrew’s progress and hopeful victory!

Andrew Jordan 2016 British Touring Car Championship

Andrew says: “I am really happy with how the first half of the season has gone. To settle in to a new team so quickly and now be sitting 4th overall in the Championship and leading the Independent Championship is Fantastic and gives us great momentum going into the
second half of the season. The Championship will be won by consistency so we need to a make sure we finish all the races and score wins and podiums when the opportunity is there.”

Chambers has been a keen supporter and advocate for British motorsport for many years. Our founder Pete Chambers used to drive Porsche cars at prestigious races including Daytona 24 hours and the British GT Championship. So we are very pleased to support Andrew – who made history in 2009 by becoming the youngest ever driver to score a BTCC pole position.

As the UK’s biggest motor racing championship, the BTCC races are attended by huge crowds and take place in an electric atmosphere. We are very proud of Andrew’s achievements and delighted to see the Chambers’ logo on the winners’ podium and race track – make sure you follow ITV4’s coverage of the event!