LEISURE and brewing group Whitbread has renewed its 10-year old sole-supply arrangement with GE Capital Fleet Services. The deal will see GECFS continue to supply 2,969 vehicles throughout the UK on contract hire with a full maintenance package and direct driver contact.

GECFS subsidiary Avis Fleet Services first won the Whitbread account in 1989, and in 1993 completed one of the UK's largest ever sale and leaseback agreements with the group that includes the brands TGI Fridays, Marriott Hotels, Pizza Hut, Stella Artois and Boddingtons.

In 1997 the two companies signed a 'partnership sourcing' contract that established an open-ended supply arrangement, and avoided the need for Whitbread to go out to tender regularly for its fleet. Fiona Conway-Hughes, Whitbread's facilities director, said the firm had established an 'excellent relationship with GECFS'.