SWISCo (SouthWest Integrated Services Company) has returned to an all-Schmidt sweeper fleet to help it meet its street cleansing and other obligations under Torbay Council’s ‘Operation Brighter Bay’ mission.
Formed during the pandemic in 2020, SWISCo is a 100% Council-owned, at-arm’s-length operation, which manages statutory services throughout Torbay on behalf of Torbay Council.
And to meet its street cleansing obligations under ‘Operation Brighter Bay’, which began in April 2024 and is the local authority’s commitment to make real improvements to the public realm across Torbay, it has now opted for four compact Swingo sweepers and a truck-mounted Street King 660 from Aebi Schmidt.
The decision renews a long-standing relationship with Aebi Schmidt, which dates back many years, but ended when the Council opted to explore the broader market.
‘We have renewed our relationship and have returned to Schmidt sweepers because of their greater reliability and enhanced performance over our previous supplier,’ says Neil Coish, Head of Service – Environment Services at SWISCo.
Swingos and Street King 660 play a key role in ‘Operation Brighter Bay’
Now one of the largest employers in Torbay with 450 staff, a near 100% growth rate since launch, SWISCo employs 11 sweeper drivers, and feedback from them regarding the Schmidt sweepers has been universally favourable.
Dave O’Neill, Street Cleansing, Asset and Strategy Manager reports: ‘We run the sweepers on two daily shifts from 6.00 am to 2.00 pm and from 2.00 pm to 10.00 pm, tackling first the town centre and then the outlying streets and residential areas.
‘And the feedback from my operatives is that the Schmidt sweepers are reliable, with greater suction performance than their previous machines. They love the ease of use of the Swingos, while the larger SK660 has been very useful during the current leaf-fall season, as we have many trees across the Torbay area.
‘We have specified all four Swingos with the heavy weed brush upgrade to help us tackle the weed issues that we also have across the area, “he added.
Support, training and back-up
Another factor that supported SWISCo’s decision to return to Aebi-Schmidt was the after-sales support and training options offered to both operators and technical team members.
We have had an excellent relationship with Aebi Schmidt for many years, and, in addition to outstanding equipment, they provide valuable technical advice and support.
“Its expertise and ability to discuss our requirements in detail made it a straightforward decision to renew our working relationship with them,’ said Neil Coish.
Nick Carter-Brown, Area Sales Manager at Aebi Schmidt, commented: ‘We are delighted to be working with SWISCo again and supporting them in their efforts to deliver a brighter and cleaner Torbay under ‘Operation Brighter Bay’.
‘We are confident in the capabilities of both our sweepers in playing a key role in helping meet those objectives, and proving their efficiency and reliability across the larger Torbay operating area.’
