New livery marks growing strength of Thames Water partnership

Lanes Group Technical Director (right) with Steve Spencer, Head of Customer Field Services (Waste water) at Thames Water, and a van sporting the new livery.

A smart new livery for Lanes Utilities vehicles reflects the growing strength of a successful partnership with Thames Water, says its director Andy Brierley.

The new van and truck signage combines bold Thames Water branding with the Lanes Utilities logo, giving customers and the public confidence in the quality of the service it represents.

Lanes Group is the wastewater network maintenance partner for Thames Water. The new branding will be rolled out on a selection of specialist drainage vehicles in its fleet.

Lanes Utilities Direct Andy Brierley said: “The new designs are clear, fresh and confident, so they perfectly reflect our approach to serving Thames Water’s 15 million wastewater customers.

“We have worked with some of the UK’s top branding experts, and used innovative optical imaging software to develop new signage about preventing behaviours that cause sewer blockages, including fatbergs.

“Since Thames Water awarded Lanes Group a wastewater maintenance contract in 2012, our relationship, and the quality of the service that has flowed from it, has gone from strength to strength.

“We’re delighted to be now playing a key role in Thames Water’s supply chain family, working ever more closely with our Thames Water colleagues to strive to deliver excellent customer service.”

Since 2014, Lanes Utilities has been Thames Water’s sole wastewater network maintenance partner. This arrangement has fostered closer integration of operations that is greatly benefiting customers.

Lanes Utilities has introduced key innovations, not least in digital and Cloud-based operational controls, speeding up service delivering and underpinning continuous improvement in customer satisfaction ratings.

Last year, Lanes Utilities and Thames Water moved into the Customer Solutions Centre, a new operational hub in Slough, Berkshire, so their planners, schedulers, and customer service personnel can work together in integrated teams for the first time.

The innovation has resulted in Thames Water and Lanes Utilities being shortlisted for the Partnership Award in the Water Industry Achievement Awards.

Andy Brierley’s work in developing the Thames Water partnership was last month recognised by the Future Water Association awarding him its annual People Award.

Andy Brierley said: “The desire to deliver excellent customer service, the benefits that can be gained from digital technologies, and the opportunities to improve productivity while controlling cost, are driving closer supply chain partnerships.

“Our new vehicle livery is the latest sign of the success of this approach.”