SSE has purchased 16 new bespoke roadmenders from Econ in total, with funding provided by Novuna Finance.

The roadmenders are the latest to have been manufactured at Econ’s state-of-the-art facility in Ripon, North Yorkshire.

Complete with a ‘hotbox’ and self-loading debris tipper, features that are unique on Britain’s roads on the same vehicle, the distinctive black roadmenders are playing a key role in ensuring that drivers and pedestrians are not inconvenienced when SSE is carrying out work that involves digging up roads and footpaths in their area. 

The versatile hotbox keeps the asphalt, which is needed to ‘patch’ the surface holes required for accessing underground cables and other items, at the correct operating temperature, enabling repairs to be made around the clock. An increased volume of jobs are also possible without crews having to return to base because their material is no longer usable. 

Importantly, the innovative design and technology of the roadmender means that SSE has saved an estimated seven figure sum over the lifetime of the contract with Econ as only one vehicle is required to dig up and repair. This also saves time as multiple crews and vehicles are not required to work separately at the same site.

It has also had a positive environmental impact with fewer miles needed to be driven by multiple vehicles.

The three latest vehicles to roll off the Econ production line, which replace existing vehicles already being used by SSE, take the total manufactured for SSE over the duration of the eight year supply contract to a total of 19. 

Jonathan Lupton, Econ Engineering’s Managing Director, said: “We are extremely proud of our long-standing relationship as a road repair partner of choice with SSE, a leading energy company which like us has sustainability at its heart.

“This latest supply deal is not only testament to the talent of our fantastic workforce but also to the multiple advantages and benefits our all-in-one roadmenders provide. 

“Our hotboxes and mobile road patching plant equipment keep road maintenance teams working more effectively and efficiently.”

Gemma Trew, Fleet Operations and Development Manager at SSE, added: “Our ongoing partnership with Econ is a well-established one and continues to be highly beneficial for SSE.

“It comes from a shared ambition to improve and speed up the way vital public infrastructure is delivered and maintained, reduce impacts on the public and help the environment.

“Econ’s roadmenders have made a positive difference to the services we provide, and we look forward to welcoming these latest state-of-the-art vehicles into our fleet.”  

Family-run Econ Engineering is the UKs leading manufacturer of winter and highway maintenance vehicles, supplying 85% of the nation’s gritters. It recently delivered the first ever fully electric model, the E-QCB.

Econ, which has been established for more than 55 years, has its main manufacturing base in Ripon, with engineering hubs in Alloa, Scotland, Sowerby, Thrisk, Halesworth, Suffolk and the Welsh capital of Cardiff.