The Rental, Leasing and Contract Hire Provider of the Year Award at the Commercial Motor Awards 2017 recognises an outstanding supplier of trucks and/ or trailers on either a rental, leasing or contract hire basis over the last 12 months.
Our independent panel of judges looked for evidence of high levels of customer satisfaction and retention; high levels of fleet uptime and compliance; bespoke fleet management services for customers and the delivery of tailored requirements that show an understanding of a customers’ business. As a new category for 2017, there was no winner at the inaugeral Commercial Motor Awards last year,
Asset Alliance Group (AAG) provides flexible rental, leasing and contract hire of commercial vehicles through its brands Asset Alliance, Forest Asset Finance and Total Reefer. Its managed fleet has grown to just under 2,000 units as of July 2017 – a 35% increase during 2017 alone. The fleet is made up of 43% contract hire assets, 50% Flexi-Hire, and 7% on full fleet management. Its focus on customer satisfaction and retention has allowed it to grow with customers like DHL Supply Chain and Bako Wholesale, while its priority on fleet compliance saw a first-time MoT pass-rate in June of 100% (against an average of 98%). The judges praised the business for its established customer loyalty and; very strong product offer and excellent financial growth.
Fraikin provides contract hire, fleet management and rental solutions. Under the stewardship of new CEO Ed Cowell, Fraikin is striving to become the most customer-focused, competitive and innovative commercial vehicle provider in the UK. Between 2014 and 2016 the business has seen 9% growth in the number of vehicles under contract; a 52% increase in the number of new orders and a 55% rise in contract renewals with significant new customer wins. The first-time pass rate across its fleet stood at 95.5% in 2016, and it has contined to lower average attendance time to breakdowns – from 73 minutes in 2016 to 63 minutes in 2017. The judges said Fraikin had demonstrated a “commitment to developing great customer relationships” and singled out strong customer support, satisfaction and retention.
Hireco has over 40 years of experience in the asset financing market and over the past last four years, it has been the biggest purchaser of trailers in the industry. The business prides itself on being innovative and flexible in its approach -delivering value and customer service to every customer, supplying around 1,000 trailers per year. Amazingly, in the last 12 months, Hireco placed their biggest order yet for 1,300 trailers, managing to successfully place approximately 80% of its fleet on valued contract hire deals, across the whole of the UK. The judges said that Hireco was “achieving positive trends” and was “strong on customer support and satisfaction”.
While Rothdean is known as a long-established and experienced bodybuilder of bulk tippers it also offers a wide-range of vehicles, trailers and plant available for sale, long or short term hire or lease options either plain or in customer’s livery. It prides itself in providing 100% service to all aspects of the transport industry, and many vehicles are purchased direct; repaired, refurbished and painted to the customers’ requirements. The judges said Rothdean offered a “one-stop shop” to a “loyal base of users”.
Ipswich-based Severn Asset Management began trading in 1997 offering commercial vehicle contract hire across 2,000 vans, trucks and trailers to a diverse customer base throughout the UK. Its national fleet support operation in Ipswich, which runs 24/7, prides itself on its comprehensive knowledge of its customers business and operational requirements - essential in dealing with any fleet matters, whatever the time of day or day of the week. Customers benefit from a comprehensive handover of each delivery with detailed explanations of any new features, such as tail lifts and de-mount bodies. Singled out as an “excellent submission” the judges said that Severn’s approach was “totally client driven” pointing to high levels of customer satisfaction, business growth and development, fleet uptime and “innovative ideas to improve service levels and safety”.
TOM Vehicle Rental offers a fixed cost, risk managed fleet solution on car, van, truck and trailer hire for all sizes of fleet across 11 locations in the UK. Over the past 12 months the business has opened a fifth site in England (in Birmingham) and launched its FlexiFix product - for customers who intend tot keep the vehicles long term but still like having an ability to return them early. Its rental offerings are supported by its TOM 24-7 Fleet Management provision, supported by its team of manufacturer-trained technicians. The judges praised the “impressive business development and growth” at TOM and impressive financial growth.
