Commercial fleet briefs: Latest industry news from Sogo, Microlise, Maxus, Leyland Trucks, Samsara, Hawkstone Commercials and Scania

Sogo reports a leap in demand for LCVs on flexible lease

Sogo Mobility has seen demand for LCVs leap 30% against the previous month in the run-up to Christmas.

With more existing and new customers are leasing vans using its monthly package, it says that December is set to become the busiest month for LCV demand since the pandemic.
Karl Howkins, managing director of Sogo Mobility, said: "The industry always expects a seasonal bump in LCV demand as last-mile delivery services ramp up for the busy Christmas period. However, this year, the rise in demand started earlier and is higher than we've previously seen.

"We have worked hard to ensure that we have the correct volume of vehicles available to meet demand, along with a mix of hybrid and BEV LCVs for logistics companies that need them.

“Despite the doom and gloom on the high street, all our data points toward a busy Christmas for online retail."
Sogo provides leases available from one month to three years, and it operates nationally from a network of logistics hubs, with its offering includes insurance, maintenance, and breakdown cover.

Microlise secures contract renewal with Bidfood

Microlise Group has announced the extension of its partnership with Bidfood, having supplied software solutions to the company for more than a decade.  

Bidfood has been employing Microlise’s 'Fleet Performance' product, providing telematics and tracking capabilities, both of which integrated with temperature monitoring.

Over the years, Bidfood says that the product has played an instrumental role in enhancing the efficiency and reliability of its fleet operations, with the software now in use across 984 fleet vehicles – up 4% from the previous contract.

Charlie Brackley, Microlise Group’s head of account management, said: “We are delighted to have Bidfood onboard for another three years. The trust they have placed in our technology – and our team – over the past decade underscores the substantial value we bring to its operational framework.

“Microlise remains resolute in its commitment to provide innovative solutions that consistently elevate efficiency, safety, and sustainability for Bidfood's expanding fleet.”

Luke Poundall, Bidfood’s procurement manager, added: “We’re really pleased to continue our partnership with the team at Microlise and looking forward to working with them over the next three years.”

Maxus launches annual Christmas food bank appeal

Harris Maxus has launched its annual food bank appeal to support people in need across the UK this festive season.

Participating Harris Maxus dealerships will be accepting non-perishable items for donation and are appealing to members of the public and neighbouring businesses to support where possible.

Mark Barrett, Harris Maxus managing director, said: “We were blown away with the support for our food bank campaign last year, so we’ve brought it back for 2023 and we’re hoping to grow on its success.

“Last year, we deployed more than 30 Maxus vans around the country, delivering food to where it is needed most and supporting the incredible work of local foodbanks through our dealer network.”

Participating Maxus dealerships will be accepting food donations until December 18.

Charities that need vans for donation collections or deliveries in the run up to Christmas can reach out to their local Maxus dealership for support.

Leyland Trucks makes £17k donation

Leyland Trucks’ Helping Hand charity arm has celebrated Giving Tuesday by handing cheques totalling £17,000 to a raft of local charities and organisations on November 28.

Representatives from St Catherine’s Hospice, Derian House, Tender Nursing Care and The Natalie Kate Moss Trust attended Leyland Trucks’ headquarters to receive fundraising cheques from Helping Hand, which over the past seven years, has successfully donated more than £100,000 to numerous community causes.

This year’s fundraiser, organised by Helping Hand, included several events, which kick-started with Leyland Trucks’ truck pull.

In June, numerous teams took on the challenge of heaving an eight-tonne DAF truck over a 125-foot course in the fastest time.

Meanwhile, a Ride and Ramble Day in July featured a 1km and 10km walk, plus a bike ride along Preston’s Guild Wheel trail and an 80-mile Touch the White Rose ride to Settle.

That same month, fun runners and experienced athletes laced up to walk, jog or run 1km or 10km around Cuerden Valley Park, which then culminated in August with a group taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge.

Also in attendance was representatives from local suppliers and partners, including Schneider Electric, Lancashire Daf, Atlas Copco, Amazon, Leyland Rotary and Made Profile – who collectively donated £7,000 as this year’s #LinkingLeyland sponsors.

Phil Jones, chairman of Helping Hand and director of operations at Leyland Trucks, said: “It’s been an incredible year, with our famous truck pull, a Ride and Ramble Day, a community fun run and a hiking team taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks. We’re lucky to have an army of dedicated, compassionate, and very hardy fundraisers who are willing to truly go the extra mile in aid of local causes.

“Giving Tuesday is a fitting celebration of the charities we support and the superb work they do. It’s a celebration of the inspirational people who give up time and energy to join in our challenges, the businesses that have taken up our cause as if it’s their own, and the numerous individuals who support us along the way. From everyone at Helping Hand and Leyland Trucks, we want to say a heartfelt thank you.”

Telematics delivers 60% reduction in non-fault claims

Driver coaching and video-based investigations have helped Roelofs Transport cut non-fault claims by 60%.

The international haulage firm operating a fleet of more than 50 Scania trucks, across multiple countries between Italy and the Netherlands, has been working with Samsara to digitise its operations as it continues to grow.

With Samsara’s vehicle gateway, Roelofs says it has reduced the number of processes it had in a typical delivery from 88 to just four - a reduction of 95%.

Additionally, Samsara’s dual-facing AI-powered dash cams have allowed Roelofs to reduce unsafe driving, while shielding drivers in incidents caused by other road users.

Beyond critical event recording, the cameras provide AI-driven in-cab coaching, which offers immediate guidance to drivers based on incidents.

Through improved employee coaching and streamlined video-based investigation, Roelofs says it has seen a 60% cut in non-fault claims, which has also lowered insurance policy premiums.

Dennis Hendriks, operations manager at Roelofs Transport, said: “With Samsara’s in-cab coaching, our drivers can review their coaching event on the same day, or at the next stop, which helps correct and improve driving behaviours, in real-time.”

Philip van der Wilt, SVP and GM EMEA at Samsara, added: “By harnessing vehicle data and 360-degree cameras and feeding them into Samsara's cloud platform, we have transformed Roelofs Transports’ operations to help them to better manage their growing fleet, setting them up for the future.”

Hawkstone Commercials supports men’s mental health with vehicle acquisition

Bridgend-based commercial vehicle leasing broker Hawkstone Commercials has acquired a community use vehicle for a men’s mental health community interest company (CIC).

Lads & Dads Men’s Mental Wellbeing CIC has been gifted the use of a community outreach vehicle to continue its fight against the increasing challenges of men’s mental health in our communities.

Launched in 2019, Lads & Dads focuses on walking, talking, thinking, and supporting. With over 2,000 members and 12 committee members.  

Oliver Lewis, co-director of Hawkstone Commercials, said: “For Lads & Dads to continue providing their support, it is vital they have the right tools available to them.

“As a business, we have invested heavily in supporting our own staff and their mental health, so it’s fantastic to be able to expand our reach to the wider community and play a very small part in the ongoing cause.”

Rob Lester, chairman of Lads & Dads, added: “We rely heavily on our sponsors and supporters to keep our group running efficiently and to be able to offer the care our members need. This comes in the form of organised events and even counselling sessions.

“We are sincerely grateful for the support Hawkstone Commercials have shown us in recent months in the form of sponsorship, but for them to acquire a vehicle for us is just incredible.”

Scania Glasgow’s Scott McLintock wins Technician of the Year title

Scania UK has announced that Glasgow-based day shift Supervisor Scott McLintock has been named 2024 Scottish Irtec Technician of the Year.

He was announced the winner at the Scottish Transport News Rewards awards ceremony, where he collected his prize. He said: “I can’t believe I’ve been named Scottish Irtec Technician of the Year – it means so much to be recognised.”

Paul Smith, dealer director for Scania Scotland, said: “The team is incredibly proud of Scott. He is a real team player. He will help and teach anybody how to do something.

“His ability to mentor and help technicians with a variety of experience improve and get better is priceless. He is undoubtedly a shining example of the talent we have throughout the Scania UK network.”