“The decision of the Highways Agency recognises the importance, and proven effectiveness, of efficient pre-wet salt spreading,” says Paul Diver, Schmidt’s Project Director for the contract.

Over many years, Schmidt has developed accurate spreading of pre-wet salt using closed loop systems to monitor and adjust dosages and spread patterns to ensure that the job is efficiently done. These techniques can give savings of at least a third on use of dry salt, and also mean much reduced wastage and the pollution that could damage roadside flora and fauna.

“We welcome the opportunity to work with the Highways Agency and with the other supplier to the contract, Romaquip, a well-respected manufacturer of stainless steel spreaders. The whole team at Schmidt looks forward to satisfying the demands of this prestigious and exceptional contract,” Paul Diver adds.

The contract involves spreaders and snowploughs mounted on the latest technology, EGR Euro 4, MAN TGM chassis with Tipmatic gearbox and auxiliary cab heating. The Schmidt Stratos pre-wet spreaders have a hopper capacity of 6.15 cubic metres mounted on 18-tonne, 4x4 chassis, and 9.25 cubic metres on the 26-tonne, 6x4 chassis. In addition, specialist spreaders and sprayers distributing potassium acetate and brine will be supplied. All vehicles will be fitted with innovative, on-board weighing systems. The high speed, heavy duty snowploughs have a clearing width of three metres.

Schmidt Nido is one of the major worldwide manufacturers of winter maintenance products with production of around 2,000 spreaders and 2,500 snowploughs per year. The requirements of the Highways Agency contract represent about 5% of annual production, and consequently Schmidt will be easily able to satisfy this contract and the continuing requirements for high quality winter maintenance products from existing and new customers throughout the UK, and worldwide.