IRTE Skills Challenge News

Knorr-Bremse sponsors IRTE Skills Challenge

27th Feb 2011

Registration for the IRTE Skills Challenge is now closed, but as bus operators gear up to pit their technicians against each, key sponsor Knorr-Bremse outlines their commitment to the event.

Knorr-Bremse, the leading worldwide supplier of braking and suspension control systems for buses, trucks, trailers and other commercial vehicles, is an innovative developer of advanced electronic and pneumatic systems, supplying virtually all leading vehicle manufacturers.

With a commitment to quality and extensive expertise in the fields of electronic, pneumatic and mechanical engineering, which continues through the development, production, delivery and after-delivery process, Knorr-Bremse provides quality-focused service throughout a product’s life.

Knorr-Bremse also offers extensive training programmes to develop its technicians, whilst supporting customers by providing product training.

A strong advocate of improving standards in engineering and maintenance, Knorr-Bremse proudly sponsors the IRTE Skills Challenge, believing that recognising technical and practical knowledge of UK bus engineers is a perfect fit with its ethos of technology leadership and excellence. With its braking and electronic systems, Knorr-Bremse has been making a crucial contribution to road safety for 100 years, and now wants to encourage the technicians who guarantee future industry safety.

Along with a primary focus on safety, Knorr-Bremse advocates the development of staff expertise in maintenance, to reduce costs. Replacing brake calipers represents a considerable expense, and is generally unnecessary. To help prolong the life expectancy of brake callipers, regular maintenance, plus fitting the correct brake pads and discs, is key.

John Simmons, Knorr-Bremse bus market specialist, has worked with major bus operators for many years, developing and implementing skills. He says: “We have supplied a program of free of charge on-site caliper training sessions at major bus operators’ premises, often carried out during early morning or late night to fit in with shift patterns. In every case, the operator saw major benefits from reduced vehicle downtime and lower servicing and replacement costs. Recently we have been working with Arriva Southern Counties on their mobile training bus, which has been very successful addition to their first-class training program.”

To help operators reduce costs, the Knorr-Bremse diagnostic tool, “NEO”, enables effective PC diagnostics on Knorr-Bremse ABS & EBS systems (ADL, MAN, SCANIA, VOLVO etc). This eliminates the need to call service agents, reducing downtime and costs.