Eurocell outsources management of mixed fleet to Fleet Alliance

Eurocell , the UK’s leading upvc window, door and conservatory manufacturer and distributor, has appointed vehicle funding and fleet management specialist, Fleet Alliance, to manage its 400-strong vehicle fleet.

Publicly quoted Eurocell, based in Alfreton, Derbyshire, has over 160 trade depots around the UK, and operates a national fleet of around 200 BMW and Volkswagen badged cars and a further200 Mercedes vans, all diesels.

The company took the decision to outsource the fleet after initially managing it internally. But as it grew, the management of the vehicles became too time-consuming and too great a drain on resources.

“At that point, we decided to call in an outsource specialist and selected Fleet Alliance,” said Adam Morey, Procurement Manager, Eurocell Building Plastics.

To increase the professionalism in the management of the Eurocell fleet, Fleet Alliance has implemented its cloud-based fleet management and reporting suite, e-Fleet, which now carries full details of all Eurocell vehicles.

This allows access to all fleet information via desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone on a 24/7 basis, thus increasing control but reducing fleet administration costs, and allows more effective management of the fleet regardless of the number of funders.

Meanwhile, powerful management information reporting tools allow the generation of numerous combinations of reports, covering key areas such as vehicle condition, mileage management, P46, P11D and MID reporting.

At the same time, Eurocell drivers can now access a dedicated portal to see all models that are available on the company choice list for their particular job grade; to request quotations for their next new vehicle; and to order new vehicles online.

To increase compliance and controls on the Eurocell fleet, Fleet Alliance has also introduced its award-winning e-Fleet Mobile app for all company drivers.
Integrating seamlessly with e-Fleet, the web-based app allows Eurocell’s company car and van drivers to access key support services, update business and private mileage and electronically complete vehicle inspection reports.

Drivers are also able to book their next service directly through the app with nominated garages, this speeding up the whole service delivery process.

As well as enhancing service levels to business drivers, e-Fleet Mobile also provides a number of key fleet management and compliance benefits, including improved mileage management and recording, closer control over vehicle servicing and the meeting of duty of care requirements.

The web app is fully compatible with the latest iPhone, Android and Blackberry hand-held devices now commonplace in business, and integrates seamlessly with the e-Fleet system.

Eurocell currently operates a dual badge policy for its company car fleet on a four year/100,000 miles replacement cycle. Fleet Alliance will look to leverage its existing competitive tendering strategy through a preferred panel of contract hire funders, thus helping drive down acquisition costs.

The company also operates almost 200 light commercial vehicles over a five year replacement cycle, mainly specially converted Mercedes Sprinter chassis cabs, which are based at each trade depot and used primarily for transporting goods to trade customers.

“Although it is still early days yet, first impressions of working with Fleet Alliance are very favourable, and we look forward to them improving process efficiency, driving down costs and increasing driver support,” said Adam Morey.

Martin Brown, managing director at Fleet Alliance, added: ”We always aim to provide high levels of customer service and support – in fact, it’s at the heart of everything we do.

“With Eurocell, we will be aiming to improve fleet efficiency through a series of fleet management measures, as well improving control and compliance measures across the whole fleet to ensure the company meets its duty of care requirements.”