Econ Engineering of Ripon hails new winter vehicle contract

Econ Engineering of Ripon has secured the order with Ringway Infrastructure Services in support of Ringway’s long-term highways contract with Kent County Council.

The vehicles are currently in production and will be delivered in the coming months.

Jonathan Lupton, managing director at Econ, said: “This significant supply contract with our long-standing partners at Ringway and Kent County Council reflects the trust our partners place in Econ to deliver robust, innovative and reliable vehicles nationwide.

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“We are proud to support Ringway and Kent County Council, delivering essential services for communities across the UK.”

The fleet includes mainly pre-wet spreaders for primary roads, with a smaller number of dry spreaders for secondary routes.

Other vehicles in the order include permanent mount hotboxes and units equipped with Econ’s quick-change body system, offering both spreader and insulated tipper body options.

All vehicles feature the distinctive Ringway yellow livery, an e-plough with market-leading hydraulic angling, and the Ringway logo on each plough frame.

Additional safety and operational features include the Motormax five-point camera system, Brigade BS8000 reverse radar, and side guard infill panels.

Built on DAF and Mercedes-Benz chassis, the vehicles are equipped with Spargo X controls and CRC Distributor technology.

The fleet will be supported by Econ’s repair and maintenance cover for eight years.

Pat Connolly, contract director – Kent, at Ringway Infrastructure Services, said: “We are delighted to be once again working with Econ to support our Kent County Council contract.

“Effective winter service plays a vital role in keeping our community moving.

“Working closely with Econ ensures our fleet is fully prepared to deliver safe and reliable precautionary treatments during the winter season, allied with the peace of mind the repair and maintenance package provides.”

Senior representatives from Kent County Council and Ringway visited Econ’s Ripon factory.

Peter Osborne, cabinet member for highways and transportation at Kent County Council, said: “I was seriously impressed by Econ Engineering.

“Both sites that I visited were absolutely fantastic and a great example of British engineering at its finest, from design to completion of the final product.”

Econ Engineering supplies 85 per cent of the winter maintenance vehicles to local councils and private contractors from its North Yorkshire-based factory in Ripon.

The company also operates engineering hubs in Alloa, Sowerby, Halesworth, and Cardiff.