CONTINUING a partnership started in 2007, Movanos star as Fleet Alliance supplies CET’s new van fleet with a mix of Vauxhalls and Fords in replacing the bulk of the 70 vehicles for CET – which provides specialist outsource services to the insurance and construction markets – in one go.
Fleet Alliance has managed the CET fleet since 2007, and was recently voted the company’s National Supplier of the Year for Outstanding Performance in its annual awards scheme.
To help CET make the correct choice for its new vans, Fleet Alliance brought in a series of demonstrators from different manufacturers for the company to evaluate, on the basis that they met the client’s criteria of ‘being fit for purpose’.
As a result, and based on feedback from CET drivers, the company subsequently switched to two different marques for its two main vehicle-using divisions – materials testing and site investigations.
Why choose these vehicles?
Drivers in the materials testing division opted for Ford Transit Connects, choosing the 270 SWB Low Roof ECOnetic 2.2 TDCi 100ps model, plus five Ford Ranger 4×4 XL Double Cabs.
The site investigations team chose the Vauxhall Movano panel van, either MWB or LWB L3 2.3CDTi 125PS diesels to meet their requirements.
All the vans were heavily customised including racking, ply lining, false floors, wash hand basins, LED light bars, beacons, forward-facing cameras and satellite navigation.
They were funded by three-year/90,000 miles contract hire packages with a pooled mileage facility to avoid excess mileage charges. Funders were selected by Fleet Alliance using competitive tendering to select the most cost competitive leasing rates from a panel of preferred funders.
CET has its headquarters in Castle Donington, Leicestershire, and operates on a national basis through five regional offices, with a workforce of around 240 employees.
The company supplies a range of specialist outsourced services to both the insurance and construction sectors. These include home emergency response, claims management, subsidence investigations, drainage services, materials testing, environmental consultancy, geotechnical investigations and contaminated land surveys.
Finance director Stephen Humphrey paid tribute to Fleet Alliance’s abilities in sourcing, funding and supplying the ideal vehicles to meet the company’s needs.
“We need vehicles that are robust and fit for purpose as we typically operate in rugged terrain around the UK. They also need to be customised to meet our exact needs with a lot of extra specification.
“Chris Cooper of Fleet Alliance brought in demonstrators for us to evaluate, and once we’d made our decision, handled all the procurement process and ensured we got very competitive rates for our vans.
“He also took care of the customising process to ensure it was hassle-free and made sure all our vehicles were delivered ready to drive away. His services were invaluable.”
Chris Cooper said: “We were delighted to renew this contract to supply CET’s vehicle needs and keep its workforce mobile throughout the UK.”
Fleet Alliance managing director Martin Brown added: “We always aim to provide high levels of customer service and support which we believe sets us apart from most of our competitors.
“With CET we were able to put together a highly attractive and very competitive package to meet their total requirements, as well as handling all customising, signwriting and delivery.”
