Fleet briefs: Latest from FleetCheck, Licence Check, E-Training World, DMN, SVA, Thrifty, Bluestone, Omoda and Jaecoo

DHL Supply Chain partners with Omoda and Jaecoo

DHL Supply Chain has been appointed by Omoda and Jaecoo UK in a new multi-year warehousing contract ahead of their UK debut.

Both brands are built by one of China’s largest car manufacturers, Chery Automobile.  

Through the new contract, DHL will support aftermarket services for both Omoda and Jaecoo by storing spare parts, accessories and components including batteries for electric and hybrid vehicles.

Victor Zhang, executive vice president of Omoda and Jaecoo UK, said: “As we approach the official launch of our Omoda and Jaecoo brands in the UK, we are delighted to be working with an experienced logistics partner with the scale of DHL.

“To ensure both brands thrive in this new market, it’s critical that customers and prospective customers feel confident about having good access to aftermarket services.

“The reliable warehousing solutions provided by DHL will play a key role in helping us to demonstrate an efficient service that customers can trust.”

Mike Bristow, MD manufacturing logistics at DHL Supply Chain, said: “Our specialist services, decades of experience and consistently high quality make us the ideal partner for any manufacturer entering the UK market.

“As experts in ensuring regulation compliance and driving operational efficiencies, our team is supporting Omoda and Jaecoo with market-leading warehouse solutions.

“We are excited to be partnering with these brands as they make their UK debut and will help to establish them as recognisable and trusted players in the industry across the next three years.” 

Cyber security strategies seeing more fleets move to specialist software

Cyber security strategies are seeing more businesses move to specialist fleet software in order to protect sensitive data, FleetCheck is reporting.

FleetCheck managing director, Peter Golding, says the company has seen an increasing number of new customers adopt its software with the introduction of corporate cyber security strategies.

“Businesses running cars and vans hold all kinds of sensitive data – including driver personal details – and there need to be measures in place that ensure a high degree of resilience against malicious parties,” he added.

“Fleet cyber vulnerabilities – like any specialist area of business – tend to be quite specific. Organisations such as ours know from years of experience where potential weaknesses may lie, and the kinds of issues that occur when it comes to vehicle operations.”

He concluded: “We’ve been highlighting for many years that fleets shouldn’t rely on general purpose software such as spreadsheets simply because they are not particularly useful tools for fleet management, but it appears that it is the question of security rather than effectiveness that is starting to gradually drive them out of use.”

New new asset management feature added to DAVIS

Licence Check has added a new asset management feature to the second phase of development of its fleet management solution, DAVIS Fleet.

The new asset management feature is aimed at those fleets which also operate large amounts of plant and machinery and has been developed in response to requests from fleet clients who are often having to resort to outdated spreadsheets to manually manage their non-vehicle assets.

Typical assets could include tractors, fork-lift trucks, trailers, snow ploughs, cherry pickers, mowers, buggies, hedge-cutters, chainsaws, strimmers and many more.

“The new asset management feature within DAVIS Fleet will allow fleets to more effectively manage assets of any description and will alert them to the timing of crucial service intervals,” said Licence Check managing director, Keith Allen.

“This will ensure they remain fully legally compliant in terms of duty of care obligations and their responsibilities towards their employees. In terms of appropriate risk management, it is vital that all plant and machinery is fully serviced and maintained in line with manufacturer guidelines and at the necessary intervals.”

Allen said the new asset management functionality had been developed following feedback from a number of fleet clients, including several local authorities, which had large non-vehicle asset registers but no fully automated method of managing them effectively.

E-Training World launches new training module

E-Training World has launched a new training module tackling the increasing issues of drink and drug driving.

Jonathan Mosley, sales and marketing director at E-Training World, said: “Even small amounts of alcohol or drugs can slow down reaction times, reduce your ability to see distant objects and reduce night vision by as much as 25%.

“Drugs like cannabis can be detected in your system for up to a month after you have taken them. The morning after, drivers can still be over the limit, be prosecuted, lose their job, their home, or worse, be involved in a fatal collision.”

E-Training World’s new online training module uses a combination of high-definition video, in-car and roadside footage and ‘Green Screen’ shots from its new filming studio to help drivers understand the consequences of driving under the influence and how they would feel if they were involved in an incident, particularly if someone was killed or seriously injured.

DMN expansion continues as fleet services demand increase

DMN Group is extending its nationwide storage capacity with the commissioning of two new hubs in Livingston, Scotland and Cannock, West Midlands.

The 4-acre site in Livingston and 8-acre flagship site in Cannock will increase group capacity -by 1,600 vehicles as DMN Group looks to manage increased demand for its fleet services operation as well as allow them to better meet customer needs for time-critical pool fleet services.

The Livingston site will be operational from mid-May with the Cannock site due for completion in late August 24. Both are new builds from the ground up and will include SMR, valet, inspection and storage plus fast dispatch utilising other DMN group companies for its clients' logistics requirements.

The expansion means that DMN Group will house over 4,000 vehicles at their eight sites in Romford, Peterborough, Hixon, Cotes Heath, Smethwick, Brierley Hill, Cannock and Livingston.

Nick Chadaway, managing director at DMN Logistics, said: “The ever-changing needs of customers have prompted us to be innovative in the services we provide, offering bespoke fleet services and a one-stop single vehicle or high-capacity logistics and vehicle inspection solution to support the efficient running of fleets and fleet management.”

DMN Fleet Services pool management ensures vehicles are available as soon as needed, through the MiStorage web portal, which also monitors the real-time position, availability of the required vehicle and drivers, equality in the use of the fleet, vehicle safety, fleet security and reduces administrative work - enhancing efficiency.

SVA gifts a Nissan Leaf to West Sussex Fire and Rescue

Shoreham Vehicle Auctions (SVA) has gifted West Sussex Fire and Rescue a Nissan Leaf to support its firefighter’s EV education.

The 10-year-old electric car will play a key role in training the service’s firefighters on how to deal with EVs safely when they are involved in a road traffic collision.

“Currently there are no standards in place to manage an EV when it has been involved in an accident, so practical training sessions with a real car are invaluable,” said Matt Whatley, watch manager for operational training at West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.

SVA’s MD Alex Wright is encouraging companies in the car industry to consider gifting an EV to their local fire service.

He said: “West Sussex was very grateful for our donation, and Matt thought it was the only service in the country with a real EV to use to carry out practical training. We are encouraging OEMs, dealers, leasing companies and rental companies to consider gifting an EV to their local fire service.”

Bluestone integrates with Siemens Financial Services API

Independent finance broker, Bluestone, has collaborated with Siemens Financial Services (SFS) to offer its customers an end-to-end online platform that enables an auto-decisioning facility for their financing requirements.

Established in 1996, Bluestone is an independent broker and provider of asset finance to UK organisations in both the private and public sectors.

The company works with more than 1,200 vendors in sectors ranging from IT hardware and software, through to interiors, catering and general assets, helping them access the largest portfolio of specialist banks and funders in the UK.

Mark Hargreaves, finance director at Bluestone, said: “Bluestone has been working with Siemens Financial Services (SFS) for over 30 years and over that time, we have transformed quite significantly as a business.

“We are proud to have developed to be much more consultative, examining our clients’ requirements and coming up with imaginative financing solutions and structures to truly fit their needs.”

Thrifty renews partnership with MND charity

Thrifty Car & Van Rental - powered by Scot Group - has renewed its commitment to the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation charity for a sixth consecutive year.

The My Name’5 Doddie foundation raises funds to aid research into Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and to support fellow sufferers. The charity was set up in 2017 by rugby legend Doddie Weir shortly after he was diagnosed with the disease.

To date, Thrifty has raised over £300,000 for the cause through its fundraising activities. The business has provided regular donations, auction prizes, event fundraising and also supplied logistics support vehicles for MND events.

Thrifty UK managing director Martin Wilson said: “I met Doddie more than 25 years ago when we were both playing for Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club.

“When Doddie was diagnosed with MND he faced it with such determination, setting up the incredible My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.

“It’s a cause close to our hearts at Thrifty and we’re very proud to continue our partnership supporting the mission to create a world free of MND.

“This year, we’re excited to be adding to our fundraising power by getting Scot Group’s new vehicle rental brand Switch involved too.”

The business aims to make a significant difference to thousands of lives through its charitable giving programme, which also supports Hospiscare, an adult hospice charity based in Devon.