Commercial fleet briefs: Latest from Microlise, Stellantis, CoolKit Inseego, Pocket Box, Vanaways and Fleetmaxx

Microlise announces winners of driver of the year awards

Microlise Group has crowned the winners of its 2024 Driver of the Year (DOTY) awards.

The Co-op’s Fraser Macalister was named as this year’s ‘Overall Driver of the Year’, having been selected from a wide and high-quality pool of over 230,000 drivers.

With prizes presented at its annual awards dinner on Monday (March 18), Macalister also won in the Group’s ‘Short Distance’ category, with Andrew Phillips from Tesco and Kevin Bullard from CCF Colchester/Travis Perkins coming a close second and third.

The ‘Long Distance’ category was won by David Staley from BSS Group, while David Rideout from Gist raised this year’s ‘Medium Distance’ winner’s trophy.

The ‘Driver Excellence’ Award – for the operator with the highest percentage of drivers in the ‘final 1000’ as identified in the overall Driver of the Year Process – was presented to Maritime Transport, with Menzies Distribution and last year’s winner Yodel coming a close second and third.

Collecting the Award for going the ‘Extra Mile’ and delivering an outstanding level of service was John Lewis Partnership Driver Terence Childs, while EV Cargo’s Marlon Lessey walked away with this year’s ‘Compliance Award’.

Meanwhile, in recognition of new talent, Stobart’s Kamil Krakowiak took the Young Driver Award and, for time served with outstanding loyalty and commitment, the Lifetime Achievement Award went to Hovis’ Driver, Philip Devonport.

This year’s ‘Most Improved’ Award was proudly received by Jade Small from Waitrose and the ‘Driver Hero’ award – for remaining calm in an emergency while courageously helping others – was received by Gordon Adair, from Tennent Caledonian Brewers (C&C GRP).

Paul Jurevicius, business development director at Microlise Group, said: “This year’s judging was incredibly difficult, as the standard of candidates was extremely high across all disciplines, with so many worthy winners. 

“It makes me proud to be part of an industry with so many professional, dedicated drivers, who constantly go the extra mile to help others.”

All 24 finalists received a Porsche track day at Silverstone, and winners were presented with commemorative trophies.

New Mobilisights fleet management data package for Stellantis Pro One vehicles

Mobilisights has launched a fleet management data pack service to be included in all model year 2024 light commercial vehicles (LCVs) from Stellantis Pro One.

Citroën, Fiat Professional, Opel, Peugeot and Vauxhall LCVs will come with up to four years of an embedded fleet management data pack services to leasing, rental and enterprise fleet operators through a subscription model, already included in the vehicle price. 

“Working together with Stellantis Pro One, we are helping enhance efficiency, safety, and sustainability of commercial fleets including those with electric vehicles, further reinforcing Stellantis Pro One’s dedication to connected services for business customers," said Sanjiv Ghate CEO at Mobilisights.

Rosie’s Bakes chooses Inseego and Pocket Box for telematics-enabled fleet management

Rosie’s Bakes has partnered with Inseego and Pocket Box to adopt a telematics-enabled fleet management solution. 

The commercial bakery, based in Northern Ireland, has rolled out the integrated system across a 29-strong commercial fleet, including temperature-controlled vehicles, which handle the delivery of traditional baked goods, ready meals and snacks to more 300 convenience stores.

“Following a period of rapid growth, we recognised the need for more robust and less labour-intensive fleet management processes that would deliver a higher level of efficiency, safety and compliance,” explained Lynne Murphy, sales and marketing manager at Rosie’s Bakes.

“The Inseego and Pocket Box software interact brilliantly together so we can keep on top of all our fleet-related tasks within the business, making the management of our drivers and vehicles much easier and more effective.”

The Inseego telematics system incorporates front-and rear-facing vehicle cameras, sat nav and two-way messaging to provide an effective way of tracking, monitoring and communicating with vehicles and drivers.

Rosie’s Bakes is now able to upload routes and drop details to an in-cab device for each shift with the aim of reducing delivery miles, improving service levels, and providing a safer alternative so drivers are not tempted to use their mobile phones.

Meanwhile, the Inseego software has been integrated with Pocket Box Fleet, so live data – such as mileage, utilisation and driving styles – can be shared to further automate and simplify vehicle and driver management processes.

The Pocket Box Fleet app also allows drivers to electronically complete vehicle checks and sign a declaration form that they are fit and eligible to drive.

Steve Thomas, managing director of Inseego UK, said: “By bringing together complementary fleet software and hardware, we are providing added value and return on investment to our customers.”

Jason Laight, chief operating officer at Pocket Box, added: “This approach is helping us meet growing demand from a diverse range of companies for digitised solutions that maintain compliance, reduce risk and save time and money.”

Vanaways announces strategic partnership with Fleetmaxx

Fleetmaxx Solutions, which is part of the Oilfast group, has agreed a deal to promote Vanaways as its preferred van supplier to its UK customers.

The Oilfast group provides a range of services from bulk fuel and lubricants, while Fleetmaxx’s specialisms includes fuel cards, tracking services, AdBlue and EV charging.

Liam Nicholas, business development director at Vanaways, said: “This is a great opportunity to continue to grow our business, as well as being something which our customers will benefit from.

“What we want to do is to look after our customers throughout the full process of purchasing and owning their fleet, so a partnership with Fleetmaxx will give them access to potential cost-savings throughout that journey.

“Both our companies are looking to offer something different from the status quo, so it’s a real coming together of values and missions.

“We’re looking forward to a long and thriving relationship which benefits both of our companies as well as, of course, our customers.”

Fleetmaxx provides fuel cards which can be used at more than 3,500 filling stations across the country, including 800-plus HGV stations.

Rob Webb, director at Fleetmaxx, said: “Finding a decent partner on the sale of vans has been a struggle for while, so we’re happy to be teaming with Vanaways and are confident that they share our insistence on quality of service.

“It’s important that our customers have their needs met with reliability and the necessary speed of service, which are what Vanaways is becoming renowned for.”

CoolKit appointed to Ford Pro convertor programme

CoolKit, which specialises in the design and build of refrigerated conversions and body building for LCVs, has been recognised by Ford Motor Company as one of their preferred Ford Pro convertors.

The Ford Pro convertor agreement is entered into with convertors that are acknowledged by Ford to be delivering the highest quality products and supplying converted vehicles that are expected to improve customer satisfaction and productivity.

CoolKit, with factories in Blackburn and Burnley, gained its recognition after careful inspection by Ford of their engineering capability, design and build process controls, and quality control procedures, the findings of which confirmed to Ford that its conversions exceeded their expectations.

Daniel Miller, CoolKit’s managing director, said: “Being designated as a Ford Pro convertor is a great opportunity to build further on our relationship with Ford.

“It’s also a highly sought after seal of approval endorsing the quality of our engineering and manufacturing, which we are very proud of.”