A major investment is being made by Kwik-Fit in its light commercial vehicle tyre fitting proposition and in expanding its range of mechanical services to fleets as the number of vans on the UK’s roads continues to rapidly rise.

More than 40% (1.6 million) of approximately four million business vehicles on the UK’s roads are estimated to be LCVs and the size of the van fleet is expected to increase further, particularly as demand for home deliveries continues to rise as a consequence of the internet shopping boom.

To meet increasing demand from fleets for a wide range of van-related products and services, Kwik-Fit Fleet is investing in:

• An expanded range of tyres in centres that will cover the top 80%+ of LCVs with premium, mid and budget priced choices across each of those sizes

• New specialist LCV equipment in its 800 UK centres - the largest network of any fast-fit provider

• Additional light commercial vehicle training for staff

• Ensuring that the vast majority of the centre network can accommodate LCVs, including the growing number of hi-roof, long wheel base models as well as car derived vehicles, while making details of those centres and their specific facilities available to customers.

Centres are starting to be ‘tooled up’ for the improved offering to LCV fleets, which includes the purchase of six-tonne trolley jacks, five-tonne axle stands, wheel clocks, extensions bars and tyre cages.

The announcement came today (Tuesday, April 24) on the opening day of the 2012 CV Show at the NEC, Birmingham, where Kwik-Fit Fleet is exhibiting.

Neil Kidd, UK business development manager SMR and MoT for Kwik-Fit Fleet and co-ordinating the organisation’s LCV strategy, said: “The developments will ensure a consistent capability of a range of service to light commercial vehicle fleets across the centre network and a transparent and consistent service to customers.

“We will also ensure that centres are fully stocked with an expanded tyre choice and that staff have access to the very latest technical information so they have the capability to work on all types of vans.”

Department for Transport data to December 31, 2011 reveals that there are 34.2 million licenced vehicles on the UK’s roads of which almost 28.5 million are cars and 3.25 million are vans - an increase of 4.5 million cars and almost one million light commercial vehicles since the turn of the century.

With almost 50% of those vans being operated by public and private sector fleets and the remainder owned privately and run by sole traders and small businesses, Kidd said: “There is a major opportunity for Kwik-Fit Fleet to capitalise on the growing van market.

“We are also aware that a number of the major contract hire and leasing companies are further developing their light commercial vehicle service and Kwik-Fit Fleet, which already has business partnerships with most of their organisations, must be able to offer them and their customers a robust and consistent proposition nationwide.”

Kwik-Fit Fleet’s further expansion into the UK light commercial vehicle tyre repair and replacement, servicing and MoT markets, represents the latest investment in the business by owners Itochu Corporation.

The Japanese company acquired the Kwik-Fit Group last year and has already embarked on a multi-million pound refurbishment programme across the company’s high street centre network.

The first new-look centres in Glasgow, Stafford, Strood, Stevenage and Newbury are operational and work will commence imminently on the next 60 Kwik-Fit centres.

The investment will mean Kwik-Fit centres have a modern and comfortable feel whereby the traditional centre counters will be removed and replaced by desks and flat screen monitors. The reception area will have modern relaxed seating, tea and coffee making facilities and be equipped with WiFi and flat screen televisions.

Kwik-Fit Fleet sales director Peter Lambert said: “Kwik-Fit Fleet is the largest provider of fast-fit and related services to the UK company car market and we anticipate that the investment we are making in centres, staff and equipment to cater for the light commercial vehicle market will further increase our share of the corporate sector.”
 

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