To achieve accreditation, Sainsbury’s had to demonstrate that it met the FTA’s Van Excellence standards in its management of over 1,600 online delivery vehicles. Audits of several Sainsbury’s sites were carried out looking at driver skills and online delivery vehicles which were chosen at random by the FTA.
Delivering extra driver training to ensure drivers were safe and considerate on the road along with fitting all vehicles with speed limiters all helped towards receiving re-accreditation. Sainsbury’s was also commended for how the company actively looks for ways to reduce risks to other road users.
The fleet of vehicles travel around 43 million miles per year, making 190,000 deliveries per week to 96% of UK households.
Jon Rudoe, director of online at Sainsbury’s, said: ‘The continued recognition from the FTA Van Excellence is testament to the hard work of our colleagues and 5,000 delivery drivers across the UK. Ensuring we operate our fleet safely and legally is vitally important and we are proud to be the only online grocery retailer to be recognised for this.’
Mark Cartwright, head of vans & LCVs at the FTA, added: ‘The Van Excellence accreditation is based around the Van Excellence code, which sets demanding yet achievable standards for operators and addresses many of the issues frequently cited in criticism of van drivers and operators. Sainsbury’s has demonstrated fantastic commitment to safe and legal operational standards across their fleet and have been involved with Van Excellence since its inception. We are very proud of their achievements and indefatigable passion to achieve the highest standards.’