One of the UK’s largest electrical retailers has switched to a sole supply, full outsourcing deal with Activa Contracts to ensure its fleet is cost-effective to operate and fit for purpose.
Lowestoft-headquartered Hughes, which has retail outlets across East Anglia and the Midlands, operates a 175-strong vehicle fleet comprising 140 light commercial vehicles and 35 company cars.
Historically, the firm outright-purchased virtually all its vehicles with a small number being leased, but has now decided to contract hire all company cars and vans following a comprehensive funding review by Activa Contracts, the Milton Keynes-based division of Arnold Clark Finance.
Hughes, which previously operated a multi-badge van fleet, has also signed up exclusively to Ford and Vauxhall vehicles.
Additionally, Activa Contracts’ ‘one-stop shop’ van solutions’ strategy sees vehicle partner Bott ensure all new Hughes’ vehicles are fit for purpose with appropriate conversions, racking and livery.
Activa Contracts is also providing a full range of in-life vehicle and driver services to Hughes including fleet and accident management and risk management that includes employee driver licence validation, while also overviewing Hughes’ driver handbook to ensure that it meets current best practice standards.
Chris Thornton, finance director, Hughes, said: “The van fleet is business critical to Hughes. Therefore, it is vital that it is not only fit-for-purpose and operationally cost-effective, but as a high-street retailer a smart liveried van fleet delivers ‘free’ advertising to the company.”
For more of the latest industry news, click here.
