Fleet safety first

Lawsons retains FORS Silver Accreditation

_{Full commitment to fleet safety standards}

^{Lawsons retains FORS Silver Accreditation}

Lawsons, the leading independent timber, fencing, and builders' merchant in the South East, has once again secured FORS Silver Accreditation, reaffirming its full commitment to fleet safety standards, operational performance and environmental protection across its fleet operations.

FORSight explores how the company continues to raise the bar in transport operations.

^{Photo credits | Lawsons}

Founded in 1921, Lawsons has evolved into one of the UK's leading independent suppliers of timber, fencing, landscaping, and building materials. The family-operated business currently maintains 35 branches and a dedicated truck fleet that serves trade customers.

Lawsons manages over 200,000 deliveries annually requiring a logistics network where safety, performance, and compliance are paramount.

Maintaining its FORS Sliver accreditation signifies the company's ongoing obligation to industry best practice, regulatory compliance and customer expectations.

Dan Hearne, head of group transport, emphasises the role FORS has played in the company's approach to fleet management. “At Lawsons, the safety of our drivers and the public is key and, therefore, front of mind every time one of our vehicles leaves our yards. Knowing that our vehicles are comprehensively checked every day – with additional checks conducted by a manager before each run – provides us with confidence in how we operate.

“This, combined with ongoing investment in vehicle technology and internal driver training, has enabled us to consistently lower incident rates year after year," he says.

Lawsons’ workforce includes more than 150 HGV drivers who receive structured training, development, and regular refresher courses. This training addresses compliance with evolving regulations such as London’s Direct Vision Standard requirements and Ultra Low Emission Zone boundaries that impact urban routing in and around the capital.

Performance metrics
Lawsons has equipped its fleet with advanced safety and monitoring technology, including dash-mounted cameras, side-scan systems, audible left-turn warnings, and real-time telematics. These implementations align with FORS Silver requirements for vehicle safety equipment, noise reduction, and environmental performance.

Chris Harrison, group finance director, notes, “FORS Silver is an assurance not just for our many customers but also for our teams internally. It reflects the standards we expect of our fleet operations, from depot to delivery site. It’s also a great demonstration of our operational values – putting people first, working safely, and ensuring environmental efficiency.”

While securing reaccreditation marks a significant achievement, Lawsons has identified FORS Gold as its next objective. This highest-tier accreditation requires even more rigorous standards in driver management, data-driven performance tracking and continuous improvement methodologies.

“We see FORS as more than just a compliance framework," Hearne states, “It’s a vehicle for driving our own improvement.

ongoing investment in vehicle technology and internal driver training, has enabled us to consistently lower incident rates year after year.

It allows us to benchmark, audit, and enhance how we work across transport and logistics.”

In the construction materials sector, where on-time delivery of safety-critical loads often occurs in high-risk urban settings, Lawsons’ operational approach serves as a model for fleet operators across the industry. Its standards reduce risk and downtime while enhancing the company’s brand reputation in a competitive market.

Lawsons’ continued FORS Silver accreditation demonstrates a transport operation that not only meets, but exceeds standard levels of compliance, while maintaining a commitment to improving operational excellence across all levels of service delivery.

What do you like about Lawsons' approach to operational excellence and compliance?

Ability to benchmark, audit, and enhance transport and logistics operations.
Commitment to improving operational excellence across all levels of service delivery.
Success in reducing risk and downtime while enhancing their reputation.