Ginsters has announced a new four-year contract with Hitachi Capital Commercial Vehicle Services for the provision of fleet management services. Hitachi Capital won the contract by offering the most competitive proposition for the 171-strong van fleet.

Ginsters’ review of its management service provider was in response to rising costs across its van fleet. As a delivery fleet with varied routes, damage control was becoming a concern, which also highlighted a lack of robust controls on maintenance costs. Hitachi Capital provided a transparent plan that offered an open book on maintenance costs and provided insight into potential whole life costs for replacement vans.

Hitachi Capital Commercial Vehicle Services will manage all aspects of the van delivery fleet including servicing, licence renewal, driver checks, vehicle maintenance and reporting. Its technical control team, part of the in-life vehicle management function, will also ensure that labour rates are honoured and supplier costs are managed.

Gary Bound, buyer at Ginsters said: “Hitachi Capital Commercial Vehicle Services presented a package to Ginsters that highlighted certain areas within the fleet where costs could be reduced in the long-term. Hitachi Capital offered us a solution with more control and visibility of overall spend which would help us manage costs for long-term financial gain. This will be important to the future of the business as we are looking to expand our fleet organically, as business allows.”

Jon Lawes, divisional managing director of Hitachi Capital Commercial Vehicle Services, said: “Our expertise in the food retail sector means that we are well equipped to meet Ginsters requirements. Our overall goal is to drive down whole life costs by adding value and improving efficiency across the fleet. We are working closely with Ginsters’ current provider to ensure that the transition period is smooth and to reduce any impact on the fleet.”

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