Fraikin currently operates a 30-strong fleet of service vans, which support its 10 in-house workshops and network of more than 600 third party maintenance providers nationwide. Together, these three service channels support more than 9,200 commercial vehicles on contract with Fraikin across the UK.
Managing director Hugh Cole has set a goal for the business to operate at least 60 service vans by the end of 2017, citing the company’s proven mobile proposition as a key ‘value add’ for customers.
Mr Cole said: “Mobile maintenance is becoming an increasingly important part of our flexible service proposition – particularly for those fleets which regard vehicles as a business critical asset and where our window for planned maintenance is narrow.
“In these instances using delivery drivers to pick-up assets and bring them back into a branch or third party repairer can take valuable time. If we can carry out scheduled maintenance on-site, it enables us to get that customer’s vehicle back on the road faster.”
Fraikin’s service vans are controlled from its 24/7 Customer Service Centre in Coventry, which tracks the location of each van via an on-board tracking device. For certain operations, Fraikin has also strategically positioned a flexible storage unit which acts as a mini-workshop on-site, ensuring its technicians have access to the widest possible selection of tooling and equipment. These flexible units also hold parts stock, carefully profiled for each customer fleet, plus house tyre fitting machines and tools for regrooving.
Mr Cole adds: “One of the beauties of our business is that we can tailor precisely how we deliver expert service and compliance for every customer. If a mobile solution will work best, we’ve got the scale and resource to put that into place.”
Fraikin says the additional service vans will be ordered to meet demand, with projections for 15 new vans in 2016, followed by a further 15 in 2017.