Category Archives: Vans In Business

News and information relating to the use and function of vans by UK businesses.

Renault Masters Amber Windows Fleet in Solus Deal

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Renault Master in Amber Windows livery

One of Amber Windows’ new Renault Master vans, which are replacing Peugeot and Ford vans on the company’s fleet.

Leading Midlands double glazing and home improvement company, Amber Windows, is to replace its entire fleet with new Renault Masters.

The company has taken delivery of its first phase of Renault Master 125 hp long wheel base vans, through Renault Trucks Midlands, replacing the Peugeot vans on its fleet.

Amber Windows intends to replace its remaining fleet, a mix of Peugeot and Ford, with more Renault Masters later in the year.

The new Renault Masters, a mix of medium and high roof vehicles, will deliver the company’s own glass products, including windows, doors, conservatories, guttering & roofline and solar panels, from its manufacturing plant in Birmingham to customers across the Midlands and into Sheffield, Stockport and Milton Keynes.

Eddie Taylor, Director, Amber Windows, says:

“We wanted to update our fleet with a larger, stronger vehicle and the Renault Master ticks all the boxes. It is a sturdy but lightweight van which, combined with the longer wheelbase, gives us much better payload.”

“We are extremely pleased with how the Renaults are performing so far and are looking forward to completing the all Renault line-up in the near future.”

Tees Valley Property Company Vela Orders 129 Citroën Vans

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Citroën Relay operated by The Vela GroupTees Valley property company The Vela Group has ordered 129 Citroën vans to replace the majority of its 200-strong vehicle fleet.

Vela, which owns and manages former council housing in Stockton and Hartlepool, has ordered 120 Citroën Dispatch L2 1200 vans, eight Citroën Relay 35 L3 H2 HDi 130 vans and a Nemo 1.3 HDi Stop & Start van, as well as some cars.

The order will be fulfilled by Gateshead dealer Springfield Citroën and the vans will be used by Vela’s maintenance teams to provide a 24-hour service to customers across its 17,000 properties in Stockton-on-Tees and Hartlepool.

All the vans are ply-lined and have been specified with passenger airbags, full steel bulkheads, reversing warning systems and parking sensors. Eighty of the vehicles are fitted with roof bars or tilt and slide ladder racks, and one of the Relays is fitted with an external glazing rack – all installed by Lyndon Security.

All of the vehicles are fitted with Teletrac satellite tracking to minimise response times and to help Vela meet its commitment to health and safety and the environment. Around half of the Citroën vehicles in this Vela Group order have been funded through Citroën Contract Motoring 3 or 4 year, 30,000 or 40,000 mile with-maintenance contract hire agreements – with the remaining vehicles being purchased outright.

Mike Kay, Group Director of Property Services at Vela, said:

“We went through a rigorous selection and procurement process, which included user groups made up of trades operatives, managers and supervisors to evaluate the options offered by the leading vehicle manufacturers. The decision to go with Citroën was based on a comprehensive assessment of suitability, vehicle data, ergonomics and cost.”

Volkswagen Transporter Roadside Assistance Conversion: Close Up

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You can convert a panel van to do almost any job, including some surprisingly heavy tasks. A good example is for use as a roadside assistance vehicle, with built-in tool storage and a fold-out recovery trailer.

The AA and RAC have been using these for a while now, but I’ve not seen a close-up of a conversion before. However, Allianz Global Assistance has recently ordered a fleet of 79 roadside assistance vehicles based on Volkswagen Transporters — and VW has kindly provided these photos.

Allianz Global Assistance Volkswagen Transporter roadside assistance vehicle

One of the Allianz Global Assistance Volkswagen Transporter roadside assistance vans with the trailer folded out.

Inside a VW Transporter with roadside assistance conversion

The same van with the recovery trailer folded away into the storage position.

Fold-out recovery trailer on roadside assistance van

A closer view of the fold-out recovery trailer

Every Transporter has been converted to enable its technicians to carry all the essential equipment they need while on the road, including a compact recovery trailer, diagnostic equipment and dedicated storage for jack, axle stands, tools, common vehicle parts and car batteries.

Racking and tool storage inside the Transporter roadside assistance conversion

Racking and tool storage inside the Transporter roadside assistance conversion

The new Transporter fleet will be supplied from the Birmingham Volkswagen Van Centre, which has worked with Allianz Global Assistance to ensure the vehicles have been converted to the bespoke specification required, and delivered on time.

Ford Launches Transit24: A 24-hour Service Promise

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Mechanic inspecting Ford Transit Custom as part of Ford's Transit24 serviceFord has launched Transit24, a service level agreement designed to provide fast and consistent aftersales services to its commercial vehicle customers.

Part of Ford’s on-going investment into the UK’s largest dealer network, Transit24 will help to minimise vehicle downtime and reduce whole life costs for Ford customers. The new initiative comes in the wake of the launch of the Transit Custom, which forms the first part of the complete renewal of its commercial vehicle line-up by 2014.

More than 90 of Brentwood-based Ford’s 200-plus commercial vehicle authorised repair network will be identified as “Transit24 Dealers” to provide first class service, maintenance and repair for all commercial vehicles. They will provide priority treatment for all urgent work and aim to complete vehicle-off-road repairs on the same working day, or within 24 hours.

Each Transit24 site employs Ford-trained technicians and offers specialised workshop equipment, tools and training, and can look after all service, maintenance and warranty work. They will offer while-you-wait servicing to suit the customer, including late night appointments at least once a week, and will respond to online service booking requests within 20 minutes.

Collection and delivery of vehicles can be arranged and every vehicle leaves the dealership washed and ready for work. Fleet National Pricing for 25-plus fleets ensures the best prices for routine servicing and fixed-content jobs.

Jon Wellsman, Ford of Britain Customer Service Director, said:

“This initiative from Ford provides added value and convenience for our customers. Ford offers a class-leading range of commercial vehicles and technologies and with the most accessible dealer network in the country, the aim is to offer the best and most widespread care and assistance for Ford customers.”

Other benefits include using only genuine Ford parts, whether in stock or delivered to the dealership by 9am the next day, and a sophisticated internet-linked vehicle diagnostics system. Other dedicated back-up from Ford includes an electronic recalls programme and the support of a dedicated team at the Ford Fleet Service Centre.

Every Ford Transit and Transit Connect comes with a comprehensive three year/100,000-mile manufacturer’s warranty and with Ford Assistance, a premium roadside assistance package which includes ‘load continuation’, so that in the event of a breakdown, the load can be delivered before the vehicle is taken to a repairer. Ford also offers a free Fleet Accident Management service to all business customers.

This could be a deal that appeals to busy van hire companies and trade operators, for whom every hour of lost availability directly equates to lost earnings.

BT Fleet & TomTom Business Solutions Join FTA’s Van Excellence Scheme

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BT Fleet and TomTom Business Solutions have joined Hertz, ATS Euromaster and Route Monkey as Industry Partners of the Freight Transport Association (FTA) backed scheme Van Excellence.

The Van Excellence scheme was launched by the Freight Transport Association (FTA) in 2010 to promote high standards of van operation and driving by accrediting operators against an industry code of good practice. The scheme has grown strongly since it was launched and its membership list now includes many industry and household names, such as Tesco, British Gas and BT.

The two latest companies to join, BT Fleet and TomTom Business Solution, has joined as ‘industry partners’, as Mark Cartwright, the FTA’s Head of Vans and Light Commercial Vehicles, explains:

“Industry Partnership of Van Excellence is the perfect opportunity for two such highly respected organisations as BT Fleet and TomTom Business Solutions to become involved the scheme”

Other companies that have already joined Van Excellence as industry partners include car and van rental firm Hertz and tyre network ATS Euromaster.

Industry Partners are an important addition to Van Excellence helping to promote and endorse the Van Excellence Code amongst their customers and encourage its standards to be adopted and followed throughout the light commercial vehicle sector.

In addition to supporting Van Excellence, the Industry Partners will be working with FTA on a number of different initiatives throughout 2013, including a Van Excellence supplement, developing best practice guides, and three new conferences throughout the UK.

For more details about Van Excellence and a full membership list, visit www.vanexcellence.co.uk.

Dyson Energy Takes 20 New Iveco Dailys To Meet Heating Needs

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Dyson Energy Iveco Daily

Dyson Energy Iveco Daily

Business is booming for West Yorkshire-based Dyson Energy Services, which is expanding its domestic heating division with the addition of 20 new Iveco Daily 35S11 vans.

The new 3.5 tonne Dailys, built on a 3,300mm wheelbase, join an existing fleet of more than 200 commercial vehicles – with a further 15 Dailys expected to follow in early 2013.

Supplied by Northern Commercials, the delivery marks the first of the latest generation of Daily van to enter operation with the customer, which has been a major operator of Iveco vehicles for over a decade.

The 12m³ vans will be spread across Dyson’s network of nine depots and will remain in operation for five years, clocking up around 30,000 km a year with a two-man crew.

Ian Morrall, Director of Dyson Energy Services, explains: “We’ve been running Dailys for years as they are reliable, competitive on fuel and the perfect size for our business. They are also popular with drivers; especially these latest models, which have added driver comforts and an improved driving position.”

Iveco’s current Daily sees interior noise reduced by 5 dB(A) during the most common operating conditions (between 1,600 and 2,000 rev/min), to ensure a more relaxing journey for the crew.  Interior upgrades over the previous model include a new adjustable steering column, in combination with a seat which offers a greater range of adjustment.

Each of the vans is powered by a 2.3 litre FPT Industrial engine capable of delivering up to 106 hp between 2,700 and 3,900 rev/min, and up to 270 Nm of torque between 1,800 and 2,600 rev/min, driven through a five-speed synchromesh gearbox.

Dyson Energy Services splits its fleet funding between outright purchase and full service leasing from Iveco Capital. Vans and trucks located at its depots in Brighouse, Gateshead, Manchester and Sheffield are purchased by the company and serviced within its own workshop, whilst vehicles further afield (in Birmingham, Crawley, Glasgow, Northampton and Southampton) are leased and maintained via the Iveco dealer network.

Each of the new Dailys features a striking orange and blue livery and will be on the road five days a week.  They have been signwritten as ‘Dyson Energy Services’, following a recent change in company name from ‘Dyson Insulation’. The change reflects the wider scope of the company, having been founded more than 30 years as a small firm installing loft insulation with one depot in West Yorkshire – but which has grown into a much broader energy service provider employing in excess of 400 people.

British Gas Adds 138 Nissan Primastars To Fleet

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Nissan Primastar in British Gas livery

One of British Gas’ new Nissan Primastar vans, which will be used by the company’s service engineers.

British Gas has taken delivery of 138 Nissan Primastar vans for its home and business fleets, in a vote of confidence for Nissan as a fleet van supplier 

Nissan has delivered 138 short and long-wheelbase Primastar medium vans to bolster the energy provider’s service fleet.  The British Gas home services division has taken delivery of 80 Primastars and the remaining 58 for its business services division.

All of the vans are in British Gas cyan blue and thanks to the support of Sunderland-based Nissan’s  Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) the vans were able to be equipped with internal racking to house the engineer’s tools and parts, a telematics system and an impactful livery .

Over five years of service each Primastar will cover up to 90,000 miles en route to delivering maintenance services to businesses and residential homes across the country. The deal comes after British Gas successfully trialled the Nissan e-NV200 last year as part of its ambition to switch 10% of its 14,000 LCV fleet to electric over the next three years.

British Gas general fleet manager Colin Marriott said:

“We’re delighted with the new Primastars and the conversion work to fit racking, telematics and striking liveries.  Throughout this deal the professional support from Nissan has been excellent and they are now proving to be a serious LCV fleet manufacturer.  The e-NV200 trial was a success and we’re happy to continue to build our relationship with Nissan with these new Primastars.”

Jon Pollock, Nissan’s corporate sales director said:

“This is a prestigious order that underlines our commitment to LCV growth .  The Primastar is an ideal van for British Gas and the engineers will enjoy the good levels of driver comfort and ample load space to carry all of their tools and equipment.  With SVO’s support on the conversion we were able to ensure that British Gas has taken delivery of some excellent bespoke vehicles without impacting the vehicle warranty.”

Nissan has never been a big player in the UK van fleet or van hire sector — but deals like this could help change operators’ perception of the brand, especially if it is able to deliver large number of pre-converted vans to fleet customers.

Ford Transit Custom Provides Clear Vision For Window Cleaner

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Andrew Wilkinson of H2O Cleaning Contractors takes delivery of the First Ford Transit Custom sold in the UK

Andrew Wilkinson of H2O Cleaning Contractors takes delivery of the First Ford Transit Custom sold in the UK

The first all-new Ford Transit Custom sold in the UK has been put to work by a high-tech window cleaning service.

Andrew Wilkinson, owner of H2O Cleaning Contractors in Lincoln, bought – and drove away the same day – a Ford Transit Custom from Evans Halshaw Ford dealership, making him the first customer to take delivery of Ford’s award-winning van.

The Transit Custom is well-suited to independent vehicle operators’ offering strong residual values, a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and class-leading load-carrying ability. The vehicle comes with the improved 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi engine available with Auto-Start-Stop, which provides class-leading fuel economy and CO2 emissions from 178g/km.*

Andrew said: “I am very impressed with how the Ford Transit Custom has been engineered and the large payload it can carry, meeting our need to carry a half-tonne water tank in the back.  It drives more like a car than a van and the fuel economy I’m getting is excellent.”

David Petts, Ford Britain Transit marketing manager, said: “The new Transit Custom offers a complete package to a wide range of customers and we are delighted to add H2O Cleaning to them. Its fresh looks, innovative design features and attention to detail, combined with its car-like interior and driving dynamics make it an attractive purchase.”

The Transit Custom is the first of several Ford commercial vehicle models to be introduced that will form a whole new line-up by 2014. It features a number of new loadspace features such as the load-through hatch in the bulkhead for extra-long items, and the integrated roof rack which can be folded away when not in use. The driver also benefits from the latest Ford technologies such as Lane Keeping Aid and Ford SYNC.

The new Transit Custom range is available from £17,495.

Fast Dispatch From Citroën

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A Citroën Dispatch operated by IT services provider Wincor Nixdorf

One of Wincor Nixdorf's 50 new Citroën Dispatch vans

Fleet renewals don’t have to take months and months from conception to delivery, as Wincor Nixdorf and Citroën have just shown.

Fast work was required by Citroën when Wincor Nixdorf UK Ltd – a specialist provider of IT services and support to the banking, retail and business sectors – wanted 50 vans in a hurry to meet the start date of a new contract.

From initial assessment by Wincor Nixdorf to delivery of its 50 Citroën Dispatch HDi 90 manual L1H1 1000 Enterprise vans took just two months.

Jill Woolnough, Wincor Nixdorf’s Fleet Manager, commented:

“To meet the financial, operational and environmental requirements of a new contract, we urgently needed to replace our existing, larger panel vans. The Dispatch was assessed against other vehicles and showed that it was able to meet our requirements, thanks to its mid-size, three-way load accessibility, low running costs and high levels of standard equipment.”

Acquired on three year, with maintenance, Pendragon contract hire agreements, Wincor Nixdorf’s service engineers will cover up to 105,000 miles in their Dispatch vans. The Dispatch vans are the latest face-lifted models, with revisions to further improve fuel economy and cutCO2emissions. They all benefit from the addition of aerodynamic panels underneath the body and a ‘volt control’ function to optimise battery charge management by the alternator, which results in a combined cycle fuel economy of 42.2mpg and CO2emissions of just 177g/km.

Supplied in unliveried Arctic Steel metallic paint, the Wincor Nixdorf Dispatch vans offer their drivers a very high level of standard equipment, including air conditioning, Bluetooth®, rear parking sensors, remote central locking, electric windows and electric mirrors. This is all in addition to Citroën’s standard specification Trafficmaster Smartnav package, complete with Trackstar stolen vehicle tracking.

Van Innovation Fuels Savings For Lenham Storage

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With fuel prices looking likely to remain at record highs, it’s no surprise that forward-looking transport companies are increasingly keen to try out new technologies that promise to deliver significant fuel savings.

One such company is Lenham Storage, which has more than 260 vehicles based at its depots in Maidstone and Andover. The company operates across the weight range, from 3.5t to 44t and is keen to save fuel and cut emissions wherever possible.

One of its latest trials is of this Mercedes-Benz Sprinter luton, which has an aerodynamic Bevan ICON Luton body.

Lenham Storage Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Luton with Bevan ICON body

Lenham Storage's Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Luton with Bevan ICON body

This futuristic body continues to provide a payload of more than 1,200kg but offers the potential for “significantly improved fuel economy”, according to the manufacturer.

Lenham Storage Managing Director Keith Abrehart agrees, commenting:

“Additionally we operate a Sprinter fitted with a futuristic aerodynamic Bevan ICON Luton body; this too is showing valuable savings over and above a traditional bodied vehicle.”

Higher up the weight range, Lenham is trialling the first 12-tonne Atego Hybrid in the UK and after twelve months’ use, the firm is seeing fuel savings of around 15%, with CO2 savings to match — an impressive outcome that shows the benefits of hybrid drivetrains in urban environments; the Atego normally operates in central London.

Lenham is also trialling 14.6m and 15.65m tri-axle trailers with rear steer as part of the Department for Transport’s Longer Semi-Trailers trial.