The transport team and how it operates are an integral part of how Seras processes waste wood for biomass fuel, and functions so efficiently. This team manages a large fleet of LGV drivers who are responsible for long- and short- distance journeys between Seras’ processing facilities and the Biomass plants we supply with fuel, as well as the collection of waste wood from customer sites and locations across the UK.
Every year Seras keeps more than 1.2 million tonnes of waste wood out of landfill and the business is expanding its commercial skip hire service that collects waste wood in the north-west of England and Yorkshire.
Seras are always on the lookout for LGV drivers across our sites and have a range of LGV driver jobs available, so if a career driving for Seras interests you read on to find out more about how integral the transport team and our driver fleet is to the success of Seras.
Driving Transformation with the Seras Fleet
Lee Gray, National Transport Manager explains how the team at Seras work so effectively with their drivers. “It’s easy to feel isolated as a nomadic worker, but here there’s a lot of engagement between the drivers and the office, that you wouldn’t necessarily always see in companies of this size.”
Seras place a lot of emphasis on ensuring LGV drivers feel a valued part of the team, including a detailed company induction that provides them with all the details they need to reach out. Lee comments, “We look after the drivers we have and engage with them, so we have a good working relationship. It’s far better to invest in the staff that we have than to continually recruit and train new people. We’ve got people that have been in this business for 20-plus years. In an industry that’s often known for a high turnover of staff, we’re very proud of that.”
Seras has more than 30 mental health first-aiders across the business, who are trained to spot the signs of anyone experiencing mental health issues and to support them, directing them to services that can provide more assistance. Part of Seras’ commitment to looking after its drivers is to help support their mental health.
As Lee explains, “With the driver workforce, who are on their own much of the time, we are very conscious about providing support. It’s a key reason why we support men’s suicide prevention charity Andy’s Man Club, because most of our drivers are trampers.”
“We’re big on social interaction with our drivers, too: it’s really important. Every driver is issued with a company handset, so if they want to talk they can. Every driver is given a company email, too, so if they don’t feel comfortable talking, they’re still engaged. There’s always an option there for them.”
Seras offers an employee assistance programme, that includes access to an online doctor, so drivers can book an appointment at a time that suits them. This is available to family members as well, not just the employee.
Overhauling the fleet
Seras are proud of our fleet and the drivers who represent the business out on the road. To reflect this, the large-scale renewal of the Seras fleet began in 2024 and continues at pace in 2025. The fleet consists of 100-plus trucks and 125 moving floor trailers, which has already reduced CO2 emissions by 20-25%.
Joe Sweeney, Fleet and Engineering Manager said, “So far, we have purchased 75 new trucks and several new trailers. We’re now in a fleet replacement cycle which means trucks will be replaced at 3 years old and trailers are being replaced or refurbished, depending on age and condition. a moving floor trailer lasts approximately 10 years.
Alongside that we’ve refurbished 25 of our existing trailers and are now in the process of upgrading the remainder of the fleet.”
Trailer Refurbishment
Seras has refurbished half of our fleet of trailers, which is a cost-effective way of overhauling the trailers, whilst improving safety. All manual roof sheet systems have been replaced with Dawbarn autosheet systems.
This programme has future-proofed the business as it allows for the transportation of various commodities, from the staple loads that Seras carries of waste wood and biomass fuel to things like household waste and salt for gritting roads.
Sebastian Burkhardt, Head of Logistics at Seras, highlights that the new trailers have an aluminium chassis, making them lighter, with a higher payload capacity than previous models. Recently Seras has bought Stas trailers, which gives sustainability across the supply chain.
Sebastian explains, “This ties in nicely with our ESG goals to be more socially responsible because we achieve a better payload, equating to fewer trailer movements, which gives us a saving on fuel and carbon emissions.”
Seras will continue to maintain its fleet to the highest of standards, providing a safe and clean environment for all drivers across the business.
About the fleet
The fleet consists predominantly of Scania R460 Supers and Volvo FH 500’s. The Swedish marques are a favourite not only because they’re the best trucks on the market but also because of the aftersales service, which is first-class.
The fleet of Seras vehicles spend around three years on the fleet before they’re replaced. Drivers will generally stay in one truck for most of the time, especially the trampers on the team.
Lee explains, “The fleet of trucks are rotated between long- and short- distance journeys, for example a vehicle may spend 6 months on long and then some time on short run journeys. This evens out the mileage across the fleet and reduces strain on the vehicles. Effectively, it’s the drivers truck to look after as it’s their home Monday to Friday, however they know at some point it will transition into a day truck.”
Seras aim to make our trucks as comfortable as possible for our drivers, especially as they’re on the road all week. Joe gives more details on that, “We’ll include features that make the drivers feel at home, such as including extra lockers. For some of them it’s a home from home, so we provide as much as we can to make sure they have as many of their home luxuries as possible.”
Career Opportunities and progression
Seras is a keen supporter of career opportunities and progression across the entire business and in support of this has recently appointed a Learning and Development Manager.
The business is a member of the Armed Forces Covenant and gives employees who are ex-armed forces paid time off to treat any mental health issues and find the right type of assistance. We’re also a Gold award employer – the highest level – and have held that status since 2022.
Lee explains, “Ex-armed forces know the value of teamwork and camaraderie, which is important in the business.”
Being part of the Armed Forces Covenant also gives access to leadership training courses provided by the Army and RAF. Lee adds, “all those who have taken the courses have moved on to more senior roles in the business.”
For drivers, as well as the usual Certification of Professional Competence (CPC), there’s a focus on safe and fuel-efficient driving (SAFED) courses this year, which will help ensure the trucks perform better in terms of fuel consumption performance.
Additionally, there has been a lot of driver training on slow-speed manoeuvring, due to some of the highest accident rates in the industry happening during slow-speed movements.
We’re recruiting LGV drivers! Join us at an exciting time in our growth.
The business continues to expand and as part of that is looking for new LGV drivers to join our growing fleet, for example our Widnes site is recruiting for hook loader wagon and drag drivers. We are also recruiting nationwide for HGV moving floor drivers on various shift patterns.
With a range of driver roles available across the different sites, flexible hours and plenty of benefits there are lots of driver opportunities to apply for.
If this sounds like the type of role and environment you would thrive in, we would love to hear from you. Find out more here
