Specialist Fleet Services (SFS) is now maintaining North Northamptonshire Council’s housing services fleet under a new deal.
The three-year contract started in August 2024 and encompasses around 100 vehicles, including electric vans, now looked after by SFS at its depot in Kettering.
SFS has already invested in new equipment for the workshop including a 4.5-tonne ramp, additional tooling and diagnostic equipment. In addition, two technicians have carried out Level 3 EV vehicle training to accommodate the hybrid and fully electric vehicles that form part of the fleet.
SFS’s long-term vehicle partnership with North Northamptonshire Council dates back over 20 years. In 2013, the then Kettering Borough Council awarded SFS with a fleet supply and maintenance contract that required the expansion of local workshop facilities, which have now been further boosted by investment in equipment and staffing this summer to handle the latest contract.
Councillor Matt Binley, North Northamptonshire Council’s executive member for highways, travel and assets, said: “Making sure we have vehicles that are fit for purpose and well maintained is vital to ensure that we are able to deliver the services that residents expect and our officers are able to reach all areas of North Northamptonshire to help residents.
“It is also important that we look to the future and it’s great that SFS are now able to support our growing number of hybrid and electric vehicles too.”
Owned by Paragon Banking Group SFS, which celebrated its 30-year anniversary in 2023, SFS runs a nationwide network of workshops and operates its own specialist vehicle hire division, CTS Hire, for the provision of short- to medium-term municipal vehicles.
Bob Sweetland, managing director at SFS, said: “We will continue to invest in the team, the depot and the fleet to enhance the delivery of essential council services.
“As the only independent contract hire company that is owned by a publicly quoted bank, we are in a strong position financially and this gives us the ability to invest in our customers’ vehicles and workshop facilities without any need for external borrowing.”
