SMR network management company Fleet Assist is looking to grow its customer base of contract hire and leasing firms.

The Cambridgeshire-based business delivers to contract hire and leasing companies a national network of more 7,000 service outlets without the cost and challenges of setting up and managing such an operation themselves.

Among the key benefits are pre-agreed terms and conditions, pricing and service standards with quality management and performance monitoring. There is also an optional technical authorisation team to validate all SMR work undertaken should clients wish to outsource the function.

Marshall Leasing, which operates a fleet of around 6,000 vehicles, was among the first contract hire companies to utilise Fleet Assist.

Managing director Peter Cakebread, who is also presently chairman of the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association, said: “Whether a franchise dealer or independent garage, working with Fleet Assist provides us with accounts at many more repairers than we would typically be able to manage for a leasing company of our size.

“Accessing such a large national service, maintenance and repair network also provides Marshall Leasing and our clients with access to prices that could only usually be achieved by larger leasing companies.

“The Fleet Assist network gives us a huge amount of comfort, as it does our customers whether they operate vehicles in cities or far flung parts of the UK or holiday in those areas, that Marshall Leasing can support them through approved garages with no requirement for drivers to pay the bill themselves.”

Fleet Assist recently expanded its suite of services to include outsourced Driver Services. It enables contract hire and fleet management company car and van drivers to book their vehicles in for SMR work at the most cost effective appropriate location and convenient time.

St Claire said: “The Fleet Assist business is growing rapidly as we aim to help our customers - contract hire and leasing companies - reduce their maintenance and back office costs by using our nationwide managed network of agents, analysing where savings can be made and then implementing a wide variety of projects.

“In addition to the recent launch of Driver Services and most recently technical authorisation to our product portfolio, Fleet Assist also plans to develop and launch further new products and services that will benefit customers.”

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