TR Fleet, the fleet management and software provider, has been bought by Italy-based fines management and automotive IT specialist Safo Group.

Safo Group have taken a 75% stake in business and will further develop and sell TR Fleet’s  grey fleet compliance software package, DriveSecure, across Europe.

TR Fleet managing director Julie Summerell said: “When I set up TR Fleet I wondered if there was an existing data hub on the market but I couldn’t find anything that was based on the driver rather than the vehicle. As the business has grown and developed I needed a partner that had a similar vision and commitment to driver safety and would help me develop DriveSecure into the hub that I always thought it could be.”

The DriveSecure package integrates with third party data suppliers and allows fleet managers to manage company employees who drive while on business.

Safo Group CEO Dr Elpidio Sacchi adds: “TR Fleet will not be dissolved but will have its own autonomy and identity. It will be present as TR Fleet in the other countries where we are already present. Our marketing will start to promote both the Safo and TR Fleet offer.

“We already process more than 50,000 fines per year in the UK and we work with some of the biggest parking agents for the electronic exchange of fines. I think there is a lot that can be done for developing the way in which the leasing and rental industry interacts with the authorities.

“We have a fully operating solution that has been adopted by more than 400 authorities. Most companies use leasing or rental products but have so many issues with fines, maintenance, and insurance. They need a professional product.”

Julie Summerell concludes by saying: “We’ve both got some very ambitious growth plans for the UK and I’m assured by Sacchi that they will be mirrored in Europe.”