Fraikin has delivered 49 3.5-tonne Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans to Johnsons Stalbridge Linen Services under a new three-year, full-service contract hire agreement.
The deal, which follows a competitive tender involving three other providers, was based on Fraikin’s flexible approach and ability to facilitate a host of additional extras – particularly the arrangement to replace a number of vehicles at the end of each year.
The new vehicles join a 150-strong fleet and are like-for-like replacements of older variants previously on contract hire with a competitor. The vans will deliver and collect linen from hotels, restaurants and sporting venues in the UK, and are expected to clock up 70,000 miles a year.
Phillip Martin, transport manager at Johnsons Stalbridge Linen Services, said: “Vehicle uptime is paramount to our business and we need our fleet in the best possible condition at all times. Fraikin quickly understood this and, unlike other suppliers, was able to tailor an agreement which would help to continually lower the age profile of our fleet on an annual basis. It was an offer too good to turn down.”
Each Sprinter van has been specified with a forward-facing camera, enabling the firm to monitor driver behaviour and assist with any potential insurance claims.
All maintenance and servicing will be managed by Fraikin through its approved third-party network on a collection and delivery basis, with work scheduled out-of-hours to minimise any disruptions to the business.
Martin added: “From the outset, the Fraikin team offered a level of support that made them stand out from the rest. We have complete confidence in them and will certainly look at growing our working relationship together as we replace more of our older vehicles.”
