A scheme to improve the image and quality of van fleets was launched at the Commercial Vehicle Show with the Freight Transport Association’s Guide to Van Excellence.

The guide covers areas such as vehicle condition, safe working, driver licensing, compliance and training, and will be regularly updated to keep track of changes in the fast-growing van sector.

The FTA arranged for Transport Minister Mike Penning MP to present Van Excellence accreditation certificates to AAH Pharmaceuticals, Enterprise Managed Services and London Borough of Redbridge as well as Fleet News Award-winning Iron Mountain.

FTA Van Excellence project manager, Mark Cartwright, said: “There has been a massive growth in van use in recent years and the large number of liveried vans on the road means that the way in which they are presented, driven and operated can have an important effect - for good or ill - on the reputation of a company. The Guide to Van Excellence contains information on everything that good operators have learnt through hard work and experience, helping other operators to follow their example.”

James Hookham, FTA’s managing director for policy and communications, said: “We are grateful for Mike Penning’s support for Van Excellence, which endorses the degree of seriousness with which industry has embraced this key FTA initiative. The early adopters of Van Excellence are rightly proud of achieving accreditation for this demanding and comprehensive Code of practice.We look forward to welcoming many more companies through the process in due course.”

So far, 13 organisations operating over 22,000 vans have signed up to the Van Excellence initiative, with some 80 more in the pipeline.

Author: Simon Harris