Determined to prevent fuel theft becoming a problem for its 250-strong vehicle fleet, R Swain & Sons Ltd recently became the latest large transport company to begin fitting InstantFit NECK-IT units to its vehicles.

Fifty vehicles, a combination of DAF 85’s and ERF ECX and ECS, already use the devices and units are currently being fitted each month to trucks based at the company’s Rochester, Manchester and Woodville sites.

The decision to use the units manufactured by TruckProtect, the only European-based company dedicated to developing devices to prevent diesel fuel theft from commercial vehicles, followed extensive testing and the rapid realisation that they delivered what was promised.

Although the company says fuel theft was only an occasional problem that occurred from time to time whilst vehicles were parked-up in lay-bys and truck parks, it was nevertheless keen to stamp it out altogether. The only problem to date with this plan was that it had been unable to find a device that worked effectively and that didn’t interfere with daily operations in the process.

Commenting on the decision, Barry Miller, the company’s Workshop Manager, said: “We were starting to use a competitor product when TruckProtect contacted us and claimed they had the solution we were looking for, so we decided to give them a try.

“I was immediately impressed at how easy the InstantFit NECK-IT units were to fit and delighted the units could be quickly transferred from fuel tank to fuel tank without damaging the tank neck. But most of all, I liked the fact that they stopped fuel theft immediately and didn’t in any way interfere with fuel filling operations. We have a fast filling pump here and the units cope well with its speed. There is never any splashback, nor any spillage.

“As a result of fitting the units I would say any fuel thieves attempting to steal from our vehicles would be lucky to get a spoonful. The InstantFit NECK-It units really are that good and are certainly the best we have found to date that tackle the problem of fuel theft effectively,” he adds.

In addition to the units fitted to R Swain’s DAF, ERF and Volvo fleet, TruckProtect has also developed InstantFit NECK-IT devices for Isuzu and Scania vehicles, plus the 60mm Bayonet Medium for mid-range trucks and an 80mm unit for larger trucks. It now has units available that fit nearly all makes and model of commercial vehicle on UK roads, plus some units specially designed to fit vehicles mainly used on the Continent. New units are being introduced all the time and over 10,000 have been sold in the first 12 months since launch.

Russell Fowler, CEO of TruckProtect, says that R Swain & Sons Ltd joins a growing list of hauliers fitting InstantFit NECK-IT units to their vehicles in a bid to stay one step ahead of fuel thieves.

“We are happy to let potential customers have test units to try because we know the system works and are confident it is the only truly practical solution currently available to tackle and overcome the problem of fuel theft,” he says.