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Venson puts LCVs on the road to help npower make fleet decisions
VAN drivers employed by npower, one of the UK's largest energy suppliers, have been given a huge say in the company's future commercial vehicle strategy courtesy of a roadshow organised by fleet supplier Venson Automotive Solutions.
It was the first time that Venson has organised such a roadshow for a client with five manufacturers - Citroën, Ford, Peugeot, Vauxhall and Volkswagen - all exhibiting their range of light commercials.
Earlier this year Venson extended its business partnership with npower to August 2009 after winning a two-year extension to an existing three-year contract hire and fleet management agreement.
MeterPlus, the metering business of npower, operates a near 1,000-strong light commercial van fleet and is responsible for the installing, reading, maintaining and removing of meters for npower, and other energy suppliers, who supply millions of homes with gas and electricity every day.
Next year around 600 vans on the fleet are due to be replaced. Additionally, a further 50 vehicles will be renewed this year.
Crucial considerations in npower's vehicle decision-making process are: wholelife costs', reducing the fleet's environmental impact - the company is aiming to cut vehicle emissions by 5% each year through MPG improvements and in-vehicle driver requirements including safety equipment, accessibility, headroom, legroom and ground clearance.
Stuart Lee, business support manager for MeterPlus who oversees the fleet operation, said: 'Previously, drivers have provided feedback on the vehicle specifications we have opted for and that has raised a number of issues but the vans have already been on the fleet.
'Therefore, as we have a major fleet replacement programme over the next 18 months we have engaged drivers in the advanced decision-making process.
'It is important that the drivers are happy with the vehicle they are provided with because it is their working environment. Their views from the roadshow will help drive our decision-making on the acquisition of the new fleet.'
About 25 drivers and managers from npower's meter reading, installation and revenue recovery divisions were able to view at close-hand car-derived vans, medium-sized vans and large panel vans from each vehicle manufacturer in a static display. They then took to the road in each vehicle and marked each model's unique characteristics on a range of issues and on-road performance.
Venson sales director Simon Staton said: 'The key to the company winning the new contract was the relationship that we have forged with npower and the understanding of their business on a day-to-day basis. The success of the roadshow and the way the manufacturers also embraced the concept, underlines that as an independent fleet supplier, Venson can differentiate itself from other vehicle providers.'
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