Fleet Management - are you really in control?

For small and medium fleet users – those having typically between 5 and 50 vehicles – a thoughtful and considered fleet management policy has become unavoidable. A policy is necessary not only for reasons of cost efficiency and management effectiveness, but also because health and safety legislation now demands it.

While proper understanding and control of company vehicles continues to take on growing importance for the UK Businessman, financially it can be difficult for the small-medium fleet user to justify having a member of staff dedicated to the role of ‘Fleet Manager’, as is often typical of a much larger company.

Why do I need to manage my fleet?

• To adequately ensure driver health and safety
• To protect against corporate prosecution
• To protect against Line Manager/Director prosecution
• To maintain effective control of fleet operation costs
• To provide accurate fleet management information
• To ensure effective fleet performance
• To ensure continued employee/driver satisfaction

 

The cost of failing to implement an effective fleet management policy is far greater than the cost of implementing one.

Legislation and growing pressure from Europe means that businesses can and are being prosecuted for failing to comply with minimum standards when it comes to the company driver and accidents involving the public. Police are now actively asking drivers involved in accidents if they were travelling on company business. Companies can be fined substantial amounts of money, scaled against the turnover of the business, and individuals responsible for company vehicle decisions, and Directors not directly involved, can face prosecution and even imprisonment. Vehicle/Fleet insurance and limited liability company status are no protection against this risk.

Failure to implement an effective fleet policy can result in an inconsistent fleet which is not fit for purpose, a de-motivated workforce and spiraling costs.

What are my options?

Most UK SME businesses have failed to recognize the importance of effective fleet management and the value of the opportunity it offers. Typically, vehicles are sourced on a case-by-case basis, from different suppliers, using different funding methods, without adequate attention being given to the above and other important issues. A decentralised approach to vehicle acquisition and funding will necessitate significant and ongoing investment of management time dealing with issues in an inconsistent fleet through multiple suppliers, long after the vehicle has been sourced.

As a solution to this, Allied Vehicle Contracts have been providing fleet management services to businesses like yours for more than 10 years. We are an independent company approved by the main bank-derived vehicle contract providers - companies such as Lex Vehicle Partners, Lombard Vehicle Management, Leaseplan Network and Lloyds TSB Autolease. Using these providers, we source vehicles and funding for UK business fleets.

Acting very much in the same way that an insurance broker does, we will source your vehicle fleet and funding requirements, on your behalf, ensuring that you get the best value and most appropriate solution to your vehicle and funding need. And because we are doing this on your behalf, we will ensure your continuity and consistency of supply by remaining your single point of contact for all such sourced vehicles within your fleet.

But this forms only a small part of the fleet support service that you receive – free of charge. Our payment comes as a commission from the contract providers, so you don’t have to worry about paying us a fee for the work we do for you. The cost to you is limited only to the cost you would expect to pay on a usual vehicle contract hire, lease or purchase finance contract – everything else is free. But the real value starts long before the vehicles are delivered and continues long afterwards.

As your fleet supplier and management company, you will benefit from the following: -

• Fleet Policy development – an in depth car scheme tailored to meet the individual and unique needs of your own business.
• Funding consultation - which will explore all the different fleet funding and acquisition options available to you and identify areas of cost saving and VAT/Corporation tax advantage.
• Corporate Liability guidance – we will weave in a best practice approach for your fleet policy which will help to guard against your corporate risks and build in procedures for ensuring vehicles are adequately maintained and that drivers are properly assessed, within suggested best practice guidelines.
• Fleet Management – We will assist with service and maintenance issues, contract queries, driver advice, test drives, vehicle comparisons, existing vehicle disposal, regular mileage checks and contract adjustments. We will also remotely retain your fleet contract information, accessible by telephone and maintain your fleet schedule, which will be updated on an ongoing basis and emailed to you on request, showing the status of your fleet, costs, driver BIK taxation information etc.
• Newsletters – you will receive our regular newsletter which will keep you informed of new industry developments, changes in legislation, vehicle reviews and special offers.

 

So why not start taking advantage of these services right now – contact us by:

Freephone on 08000 288323 or

Email us at info@avc-contracthire.co.uk