Fleet briefs: Latest from RightLease, Enterprise, Leasing Options, BCA, Autoglass, GSF Car Parts and Runyourfleet

New broker RightLease launches in the UK market

A new car and commercial vehicle leasing brokerage, RightLease, has launched this week, to cater for both corporate and personal leasing customers.

RightLease founder and managing director, Gary Hodder, says customer experience and “market-leading deals” built on the strength of decades of working within the industry and support from some of the UK’s leading funders will be key to the new provider’s success.

Hodder, who is the former MD of BestCarFinder, part of the AAM Group, said; “RightLease has been founded with a clear mission, to understand our customer’s needs and find the right tailored solution.

“We offer any make and model of car, van or pickup, on a lease or purchase agreement. Our strong relationships with manufacturers and our wide panel of lenders gives us exceptional buying power, allowing us to pass on savings and add value to our customers, whilst getting them the right deal.

“Equally important to customers is service and satisfaction and that’s where RightLease promises to set the benchmark - we pride ourselves on our exceptional service.”

He added: “It’s easy to win business but it’s a lot easier to lose it, so retaining our customers is just as important as winning their business in the first place.”

He thanked Kevin Smith of Lex AutoLease, Richard Chadwick and Hollie Crumlish of Alphabet and Anthony Flack of MotorComplete for their support.

Enterprise Flex-E-Rent opens new depot in Limerick

Enterprise Mobility has continued its growth programme in Ireland with the opening of a new Flex-E-Rent depot in Limerick, adding to the existing sites in Dublin and Cork. 

The Limerick site features an HGV and LCV workshop with capacity to expand its services to up to 1,000 vehicles over the next five years.

The expansion will support a wide range of industries, including public sector, utilities, construction, infrastructure, waste management, traffic management, civil engineering, and events.

“We are thrilled to expand Enterprise Flex-E-Rent in Limerick,” said Danny Glynn, managing director of Enterprise Flex-E-Rent.

“Our investment in this state-of-the-art facility will enable us to assist more businesses and public sector organisations with their vehicle needs, whether that’s for a few weeks, months, or even years.

“The launch of this site will also allow us to attract and nurture talent locally.

“Our goal is to create a thriving workplace where people are excited to build their careers.”

The opening of the new depot, says Enterprise, serves as a model for future locations, due to its modern, future-proofed facilities designed to create a desirable workplace environment and offer exceptional service for customers.

GSF Car Parts expands network with new branches

GSF Car Parts has announced the opening of two new branches in Ruislip and Stockton, bringing the total number of GSF locations closer to 200. 

The Ruislip branch spans 6,424 sq ft and supports the network with four new vans and three bikes.

Matthew Ladmore, Ruislip branch manager at GSF Car Parts, said: “This location allows us to strengthen our presence in West London, ensuring that local garages and customers have faster access to the parts they need.”

The Stockton branch covers 5,754 sq ft and employs 14 full-time staff members. Located strategically in the Northeast, this branch is equipped with six new vans.

Andy Gardner, Stockton branch manager at GSF Car Parts, said: “The launch of our Stockton branch marks a significant expansion of our services in the Northeast. This facility will enhance our ability to meet the demands of local customers swiftly and efficiently, ensuring that we continue to deliver the high standards of service that GSF is known for.”

The two branch openings follow the recent launch of a new branch in Chessington and regional distribution centre in Stockport last month, as well as a significant investment in a new 500,000 sq ft national distribution centre in Wolverhampton.

Steve Horne, CEO of GSF Car Parts, said: “Expanding our network allows us to bring our extensive product range and exceptional service closer to customers across the UK.”

Autoglass reduces waste through repair-first strategy  

Autoglass avoided the creation of more than 2,500 tonnes of glass waste in 2023, according to its recently released Responsible Business Insights Report.

The waste avoidance comes as a result of the company’s efforts to limit its environmental impact through a repair-first strategy.   

In 2023, Autoglass repaired rather than replaced 160,894 windscreens. Based on 16kg for the average weight of a windscreen, that means the firm avoided the creation of 2,574 tonnes of waste.   

Autoglass is also taking action to electrify its fleet of vehicles as part of its wider sustainability drive. By the end of 2023, 69% of the company car fleet of Autoglass was fully electric, up from 35% in 2022.

The business also ordered more electric vans to be delivered in 2024, as it moves to reduce tailpipe emissions from its commercial fleet. 

It is also focused on maximising reuse, recycling, and recovery and eliminating landfilling waste.

Amy Shuffleton, head of responsible business and internal communications at Autoglass, said: “Although we have made some significant strides in sustainability as a business, we continue to set ourselves ambitious goals.

“We want to ensure that our daily efforts are geared towards embracing greater responsibility and showcasing how businesses can be a driving force for positive change for the planet and society.”  

King’s messenger commends Runyourfleet for commitment to innovation

The Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire, Tim Cox, made an official visit to Runyourfleet to present the firm in Henley-in-Arden with its the King’s Award for innovation.

He was formally presenting the award to CEO Steve Whitmarsh and the team at Multifleet Vehicle Management, which trades as Runyourfleet, in his role representing the King.

Cox and his wife Penny were joined by the High Sheriff of Warwickshire, Rajvinder Kaur Gill, and representatives of local commerce including Eileen Schofield, president of Solihull Chamber, and Kevin John, vice president.

Runyourfleet received the King’s Award for the development of its online platform, which enables the business to service a customer base of over 1,200 businesses across the UK, providing fleet management services for more than 32,000 vehicles.

The company was one of 252 organisations nationally to be recognised with a King’s Award for Enterprise, and just one of 59 businesses to be recognised for innovation.

Whitmarsh said: “This is an award for everyone who works here, and I am immensely proud of the success we have worked together to achieve.”

Leasing Options celebrates milestone with Drivalia

Leasing Options has celebrated a significant milestone alongside Drivalia, following what it describes as an unprecedented start to the year. 

Over the past six months, more than 1,000 customers have benefited from the partnership between Leasing Options and Drivalia, accounting for 20% of Drivalia's contracts this year.

In recognition of the Leasing Options team's achievements, Drivalia visited the Leasing Options offices and treated the entire team to a celebratory lunch. 

Mike Thompson, chief operating officer at Leasing Options, said: “Reaching this milestone in such a short period is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team. 

“For Simon and his team to come over and give personal thanks to the Leasing Options team was an amazing gesture and really underscores the strong partnership and mutual appreciation between our two companies.”

Simon Leake, head of indirect sales channels at Drivalia, added: " Leasing Options has demonstrated outstanding performance and commitment to excellence.

“Their contribution to our growth has been significant, and we felt it was important to personally celebrate this achievement with them.”

Toyota GB and Kinto UK renew remarketing agreement with BCA

Toyota GB and Kinto UK have renewed their remarketing deal with BCA for a further three years. 

Kinto offers a wide range of vehicles via the BCA Online sales programme, featuring a selection of ex-fleet and lease cars and LCVs with all eligible vehicles offered with BCA Assured. 

Kinto sales are held every Tuesday and Thursday with EV and LCV stock appearing in BCA’s segmented specialist sales programme.

Stock is located at BCA centres nationwide and BCA customers can bid on Kinto stock via BCA Online and the BCA Buyer app. 

Blaine Colston, general manager vehicle operations at Kinto, said: “This renewed partnership with BCA will continue to deliver an efficient, sustainable and profitable remarketing platform to support Kinto’s continued growth.”

Emma Rowberry, wholesale remarketing manager at Toyota GB, added: “We are delighted to renew our remarketing partnership with BCA, building on the momentum we have generated over the past years. 

“BCA offers the economies of scale and a diversity of services to meet our needs, connecting our brand to a vast buyer base supporting our vehicle remarketing activities and maximising the residual value of our vehicles.”

Craig Purvey, BCA’s chief operating officer, concluded: “We are delighted to retain this remarketing deal which offers our buyers a regular source of desirable and saleable cars and vans direct from one of the UK’s leading fleet management companies.”