A sustainable fleet, thorough control of costs, drivers involved and a strong environmental policy. It is the pillars on which EcoWerf built his victory as ‘Truck Fleet-owner of the year 2025’. The inter -municipal environmental company from Wilsele is also one of the few fleets in Belgium that already has an extensive decarbonization plan.
EcoWerf, which is responsible for waste collection and processing in 28 municipalities and cities in East Brabant, manages a fleet of 96 trucks and around twenty other vehicles such as wheel loaders, forklifts, agricultural tractors and aerial platforms. Central to their approach is an integral vision of fleet management: from smart purchases and preventive maintenance to thorough education and guidance of their drivers. “For us, fleet management is a strategic extension of our mission: sustainability, flexibility and services,” says Jef Hermans, technical management service manager.
The composition of the fleet reflects the various EcoWerf field of work: rural villages, urban cores and recycling parks. To be able to operate efficiently everywhere, it is used, among other things, on duo -power cars to load two fractions and smaller trucks to collect waste in rural neighborhoods.
Safety is crucial
Each vehicle has an on-board computer that communicates tasks between cars, follows technical checks and ensures real-time GPS tracking. With every emptying of a waste container, the data is also forwarded in real time to the EcoWerf FTP server for the correct invoicing to the end customer.
A 360 ° High-Definition camera system, extra work lights and modern flashlights also make safety in the vehicles an absolute priority. “We do more than the regulations in that area,” says J. Hermans. “But for safety on the street and of our people, that is logical investments.”
Recruitment and training
EcoWerf has 98 drivers and 90 chargers, with an average seniority of more than 13 years. Yet renewal is also a constant here: 17 new drivers were recruited in 2024. “We invest strongly in recruitment and training. New colleagues take practical tests, internally and on public roads. In addition, we regularly organize training courses, from code 95 to operating our specific structure systems.”
Experienced drivers are involved in the purchase of new vehicles and play a ‘star role’ in training colleagues. Stewards check the fleet on the site and act as a link between drivers and management. “They coach and correct where necessary. For example, we increase involvement and quality. In an accident there will also be one of our stewards on the spot to assist the team, to document damage and to provide assistance if necessary. After each accident there is a conversation and an internal evaluation. This is how we learn from every incident so that we can avoid it in the future.”
Maintenance in -house
EcoWerf has its own garage with six experienced mechanics. “That not only lowers the costs, but also allows us to intervene faster with defects and wear,” explains J. Hermans. “Vehicles remain under maintenance contract for an average of 10 years and then run for another two years as a reserve, which ensures an optimal TCO.” The TCOs are evaluated every three to six months, together with the consumption and accidents.
Environment is the heart of EcoWerf. The entire fleet complies with the Euro 6 standard, the last three euros 5 vehicles disappear in the mid-2025. All new persons and vans will be electrically electrically, plus, a government assignment is running for four electric trucks: two trucks for discarded electrical and electronic devices and two house-to-door collections.
J. Hermans: “On the site in Wilsele we have our own digester, which generates electricity and heat from organic waste. It is therefore obvious that we opt for electricity. It is our ambition to have a fully electric fleet by 2038.”
Remarketing
When vehicles reach the end of their lifespan, EcoWerf sells them in packages. “That produces a better price than when we sell them separately,” it sounds. “Because the ‘lesser’ vehicles get than sold. Because we do not want to see no competing gods in our colors, everything goes abroad, especially to Eastern Europe.”
EcoWerf in short
• Head seat: Wilsele (at Leuven)
• Active in: 28 municipalities in East Brabant
• Specialty: collection and processing of waste (GFT, paper & cardboard, PMD, household waste, hard plastics and wood)
• Number of employees: 426
• Fleet: 96 trucks and 20 other vehicles (including wheel loaders, forklifts, agricultural tractors, aerial platforms and telehandlers)
