Bedford-based BBS Fleet Logistics, which specialises in providing support and logistical services for leasing companies and large national fleets, is sponsoring Bonito Squadra Corse throughout the 2014 season, including the Ladies Tour of Britain in May.

The fleet services specialist is providing support and medical services via a specially adapted and liveried BMW 5 Series Touring car, which will follow the cyclists during the three-day international stage race around Bedford from May 3-5, when it will be manned by Dr Stuart Short, the appointed medical officer.

This will be followed on Thursday, May 8, when the Ladies Tour of Britain will have a stage finish on the embankment in Bedford, and the Bonito Squadra Corse team will again be racing and supported by the car.

BBS Fleet Logistics provides support and logistical services to some of the UK’s largest leasing companies and independent, national fleets, and works closely with sister company and fleet management specialist, Ampthill-based IFC Fleet Services.

One of the company’s specialities is in providing fleet operators with ‘re-home’ services. This applies when an employee in a large organisation moves within the business to another part of the country, leaving behind their company car to be reallocated to the next incumbent.

At the fleet client’s instruction, BBS Fleet Logistics collects the car, refurbishes it to the required standard, stores it in a secure compound if required and then delivers it, in accordance with the client’s deadline, to the new driver.

Colin Cripps, managing director of BBS Fleet Logistics, said that the ‘re-home’ service was a niche speciality, but one which a number of large fleets saw as an essential service when company car drivers were switching vehicles due to a changed job function or location and their vehicle was being reallocated.

“We are increasingly providing ‘re-home’ services for large fleet customers, when their own clients’ staff are moving within the organisation, and their company vehicle is being reallocated to another driver,” he said.

Cripps, a keen cyclist himself, explained that the company had decided to sponsor a ladies cycling team this year for the first time for several reasons.

“Firstly, this year will see the 2014 Tour de France starting in Leeds in July, while the Ladies Tour of Britain will be based around our home town of Bedford in May. So we thought that was not only a great promotion for the town, but that cycling would be very high profile this summer.

“However, we also wanted to provide the same type of logistical support for the ladies that we do for our fleet customers, and ensure that we were delivering a service on time and to a designated standard.

“And like the ladies, we provide a national coverage that includes the whole of the country. That is why we have made the BMW 5 Series Touring available for their exclusive use,” he said.

More articles on: