Liverpool city region waste management specialist Gaskells Waste Services invests £3.2m in new vehicles, upgraded workshop and digital technology. Tony McDonough reports

Waste management firm Gaskells Waste Services has invested £3.2m in new vehicles, upgraded workshop and digital technology to provide real-time data on its trucks.

Based in Bootle, Gaskells has thousands of customers and also operates three depots in North Wales and one in Telford in Shropshire. It is led by managing director Jonathan Gaskell.

This latest investment sees the firm add 12 new vehicles to the fleet, taking its total to 45, including nine new Scania L280 models. It has also carried out an upgrade of its workshop which means all maintenance work can be carried out in-house at the main depot in Bootle.

Additions to the fleet include three Mercedes Econic trucks, with the upgraded workshop featuring a 20-metre pit lane with pit jacks, brake tester, shaker plates and headlight aim adjuster, plus a 12-metre pit with a two-poster column lift and eight mobile column lifts.

“This will mean an even more reliable service for all Gaskells’ thousands of customers across Merseyside, the North West and UK regions,” said Jonathan.

“Being able to carry out maintenance on-site allows a quicker response times to mechanical issues, which in turn means vehicle downtime is reduced, ensuring that waste collection schedules remain uninterrupted.

“Gaskells’ on-site technicians can conduct regular inspections, preventive maintenance, and emergency repairs more efficiently, which helps extend the lifespan of the fleet and reduce costly breakdowns.”

In partnership with supplier Freeway Fleet Systems, Gaskells has introduced a fully digital workshop operation. Freeway is a digital platform designed to streamline the maintenance and management of vehicle fleets.

It provides real-time data on vehicle condition, service schedules, compliance, and repair history, allowing Gaskells to monitor and manage its fleet more efficiently. Replacing traditional paper-based systems also aligns with Gaskells sustainability goals.

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Jonathan added: “Our £3.2m investment demonstrates our commitment to building a future-ready operation, innovation, environmental responsibility, and to continue delivering the highest standards of service to our customers.

“The Freeway system is more than just another piece of software, it’s the digital backbone that connects and optimises our entire fleet maintenance operation. It’s giving us the tools to make even smarter decisions.”