Independent commercial vehicle repairer Sapphire Vehicle Services has launched a new fleet management division for van and truck operators.
It enables the busienss to take over responsibility for maintaining trucks or vans of any size, configuration or brand, including all service planning and MOT scheduling, vehicle inspections and DVSA tests, as well as looking after account management, reporting of KPIs, Road Fund Licence renewals, and even taking on existing drivers and support staff via TUPE regulations.
The new service is designed to take away the headaches of running delivery vehicles and allow operators to concentrate on what they do best.
“For many companies, owning and operating a fleet is not their core business,” explained Sapphire’s head of fleet services, Paul West.
“Those who make or build products need to get their goods to their customers, for example – but their expertise tends to be in manufacturing not distribution.
“By allowing Sapphire Fleet Services to take over the management of their entire delivery operation, they can rest easy in the knowledge that not only are their vehicles being deployed with optimum efficiency and safety, but they are also guaranteed to be legally compliant.”
The idea was conceived after Sapphire was approached by one of its existing customers – which runs a line-up of trucks to provide traffic management and other services to utility contractors.
“With our expertise, experience and national network of facilities, it was clear we were ideally positioned to offer a high-quality, cost-effective and hassle-free solution not just to this business but to others too,” continued West.
Other customers quickly came on board and Sapphire is now in discussion with more operators – and offering its fleet management services to others.
“Every customer is different and their needs vary from case to case,” added West. “The Sapphire advantage is that we are big enough to take on the management of any fleet, but small enough to offer packages tailored to the individual needs of each particular operation.”
The new solution augments the Sapphire’s existing services. The business maintains upwards of 28,000 trucks and vans for its clients, using dedicated Vehicle Maintenance Units and independent all-makes workshops across the country, all open 24 hours a day.
Through its parent company, Northern Ireland-based Ballyvesey Holdings, Sapphire can also provide customers with vehicles on contract hire, lease or spot rental, as well as vehicle disposal services.
“There are literally tens of thousands of trucks and vans out on the roads, which are kept running smoothly by Sapphire workshops,” outlined Paul. “So even customers who have never heard of us can have complete confidence in our exemplary standards of support.
“By adding a full fleet management service to the packages we offer, Sapphire is becoming a true one-stop shop for everything truck and van operators need.”
