In Brief: Scottish Water contract for Masternaut; Cheese has right formula for Booths; and more

SCOTTISH Water has selected Yorkshire-based tracking company Masternaut’s  satellite vehicle tracking system to improve fleet utilisation of 1400 service vehicles.

Because the system provides accurate information, Scottish Water is also able to ensure compliance to road safety legislation as well as improve customer service and reduce running costs.

The company’s 110 scientific vehicles are also equipped with Leeds-based Masternaut’s unique real-time temperature monitoring system, Mastercold.

“Masternaut is a comprehensive fleet management solution that provides a clear view of the fleet in a real time environment. It gives a detailed profile of vehicle activity and it will help with our business decisions going forward,” said John Tripp of Scottish Water.

“We can see whether we are making full use of our fleet assets and it helps our teams to plan activities.”

Masternaut managing director Martin Port said: “Scottish Water is one of a large number of utility companies that have chosen Masternaut, which includes Scottish Power, National Grid and UK Power Networks formerly EDF.

“Our service doesn’t just involve providing the technology; we also ensure our customers are achieving return on investment through our customer growth team. We look forward to making further inroads into this sector.”

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A BLUE cheese made from the milk of water buffalo reared by a former Formula 1 world champion has been listed at regional food and drink retailer Booths.

Buffalo Blue, traditionally handmade by artisan cheese makers Shepherds Purse of Thirsk with milk from Jody Scheckter’s buffalo herd, is now available on the delicatessen at stores across Yorkshire, Cumbria, Lancashire and Cheshire.

Jody Scheckter, who reinvented himself as a pioneering farmer, boasts Europe’s largest herd of water buffalo on his organic farm.

Katie Bell, sales and marketing director at Shepherds Purse Cheeses, said: “Buffalo Blue is made to the same recipe as our famous Mrs Bells Blue and Yorkshire Blue but is slightly tweaked to adapt to the special qualities of Jody’s buffalo milk.

“Early in-store tastings have proved a huge success for our cheese and we are delighted that it has been well received by Booths customers alongside our other blues.”

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AN international trade support service has revamped its offering to help more businesses save money and time on their exports.

South Yorkshire International Trade Centre (SYITC) has expanded its services and aims to create a more joined up approach to export support for businesses across the region.

SYITC is a partnership of all the South Yorkshire Chambers and offers support for businesses locally to grow their global market, a key area outlined in the proposals by the newly launched Local Enterprise Partnership.

Working with other organisations in the region all areas of international trade have been covered, with UK Trade and Investment working on market development, Sheffield Hallam University on business strategy and research, South Yorkshire International Trade Forum running informative network events and Creative Sheffield developing strategic overseas relationships with other organisations providing specialist support and advice.

SYITC is now looking to establish a string of additional core services to make its offering to members unique and enable it to add value to companies’ international trade departments.

Services will cover export training, translation, import and export advice, export documentation, international student placements, letters of credit services and an international trade office consultancy service, helping its clients concentrate on core business issues.

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A NUMBER  of major employers have signed up to take part in Cycling City York’s cycling challenge, which will get underway next month.

Aviva, City of York Council, Natural England, Nestle UK, Shepherd Group, The York Marriott Hotel, DVA and Trustmarque Solutions are among those competing in the challenge.

The event will take place between March 14  and April 3, and is aimed at encouraging people who live or work in York to discover the benefits of cycling.

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