Fleet briefs: Latest from UK Fleet Insurance, Auto Windscreens, Liquid Fleet, APC, Safe2Drive, Digital Innk, Inseego, R2C, E-Training World and Select Car Leasing

Not adhering to manufacturer service intervals impacting RVs, says Liquid Fleet

Drivers who do not get their lease or rental cars serviced on time are costing vehicle procurement and fleet management specialist Liquid Fleet thousands in lost residual values (RVs).

Drivers who are not vigilant at strictly following the manufacturers service intervals such as 12 months or 20,000 miles are often preventing franchised dealers from purchasing these vehicles at the end of our customer contracts, it claims, with dealers claiming the car’s OEM warranty is being invalidated.

Liquid Fleet’s commercial director Martin Potter says this issue is becoming more and more commonplace and is clamping down more firmly on this issue.

“The issue applies particularly to 12-and 24-month-old cars where the manufacturer’s servicing guidelines haven’t been followed to the tee,” he said.

“Franchised dealers either turn their back on these used cars or offer us a price way below market value because they claim the car’s warranty is compromised. This is potentially costing us between £500-£1,000 per car in lost residual values at disposal time.”

Liquid Fleet has also seen the issue extend to parts and oil if a customer doesn’t use a main franchised dealer during their life with the car and doesn’t use the correct parts and oils recommended by the manufacturer.

Potter continued: “Unless the customer can prove to us on their service invoices that they have used the correct parts, oil and filters a franchised dealer will also avoid the car, as it is seen as technically out of warranty.

“All these technicalities are causing us huge operational issues as it means we must opt for a different disposal strategy for these nearly new cars.”

UK Fleet Insurance launches Instant Quote Comparison for SME fleets

UK Fleet Insurance has launched its Instant Quote Comparison Service, specifically designed for small fleets with three to 30 vehicles.

The service aims to offer the best rates available against a background of substantial premium increases over the past two years.

Barry James, CEO of UK Fleet Insurance, said: "Our Instant Quote Comparison Service leverages advanced technology to provide immediate online quotations, ensuring our clients receive the very best prices.

“We work with a panel of 22 UK insurers to guarantee competitive rates, tailored to the specific needs of each business."

Recognising that different industries have unique insurance requirements, UK Fleet Insurance offers bespoke solutions for the specific needs of businesses.

Fleet service network doubles at Digital Innk

Digital Innk has seen the size of the service network available on its platform double to 5,500 sites across the UK and Ireland in the past six months.

The company has invested in its ViSN platform to accelerate innovation and has launched 22 new features in 2024 to help fleet companies operate more efficiently. 

Angela Montacute, CEO of Digital Innk, said: “It’s been a busy start to 2024, where we’ve welcomed new fleet customers to the platform and rapidly expanded the service network.

“The innovations we’ve introduced are helping to cut repair times and create a better experience for drivers. 

“We are working closely with fleets through our regular customer forums to ensure that we continue to deliver the efficiency gains they need today and equip them with the latest AI-driven technology.” 

The ViSN platform has benefited from a new capability that allows consolidated invoices to be generated, aggregating SMR transactions into a single invoice for customers. The online booking system has also been redesigned to increase the speed of use. 

Auto Windscreens opens service centre in response to ADAS demand

Auto Windscreens has opened its first service centre within London’s North Circular area in response to increased demands for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) calibrations in and around the capital.

In the past 12 months, the company has seen a 20% rise in windscreens requiring ADAS calibrations in and around London, compared to the previous 12 months.

Sean Draycott, operations director at Auto Windscreens, said: “ADAS calibrations are a significant and growing part of our business, since most new vehicles now include at least one safety feature as standard.

“In line with our plans for growth, our new Park Royal site is the first of many that we intend to open in the future.

“This is our fifth location within the M25, complementing our existing sites in Romford, Crayford, Croydon and Heathrow. It’s our most central site in the capital and is perfect to serve the increasing number of customers we’re seeing in London.”

Inseego joins Crown Commercial service framework for telematics

Inseego has achieved supplier status on the new Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Vehicle Telematics Solutions framework following the successful participation in the procurement agency’s previous agreement.

During the past four years, the fleet technology specialist has experienced strong growth within the public sector, providing advanced fleet and video telematics solutions to local authorities, healthcare trusts, emergency services and other government organisations.

“The public sector is under huge cost and service pressures, so our aim is to deliver advanced telematics solutions to help organisations overcome many of the fleet challenges they face,” said Steve Thomas, managing director of Inseego.

“We are extremely pleased to be awarded a place on this latest CCS framework, which reflects our position as a proven supplier to UK government departments, agencies and public bodies within the UK.”

The agreement will run for an initial 24-month period, including an option to extend for a further 12 consecutive months, with suppliers tasked with delivering hardware, software and associated services that help improve fleet efficiency and optimise risk management.

It replaces the outgoing RM6143 Vehicle Telematics Hardware and Software Solutions framework.

APC awarded Gold RoSPA for health and safety achievements

The APC has received a Gold RoSPA award in recognition of its exceptional health and safety standards.

A RoSPA award is an annual award, which recognises the efforts of businesses that focus on health and safety within their premises.

Key to the APC’s recognition has been the training of 32 staff members in Institute of Occupational Safety and Health courses (IOSH), supported by consistent health and safety committee meetings.

The business has also made investments in initiatives such as the introduction of a training academy, health and safety inductions, including personalised training sessions with on-site trainers, all of which have strengthened safety protocols.

The operational enhancements have collectively resulted in a 51% reduction in accidents for the firm.

Jonathan Smith, chief executive of the APC, said: “The health and safety of our people remains our number one priority at the APC.

“We have always strived to embed a strong health and safety culture within our business, supported by continued investments into our health and safety practices.

“Achieving the RoSPA Gold Award this year not only reflects these efforts, but is testament to the dedication across the business in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our people."

Julia Small, RoSPA’s achievements director, added: “Workplace accidents don't just pose financial risks and operational disruptions; they significantly impact the quality of life for individuals. This is why acknowledging and rewarding excellent safety performance is vital.”

R2C launches finance integrations add-on software for quicker workshop invoicing

Fleet software specialist R2C is launching a new module which can help to streamline and reduce the administration of invoicing, and potentially improve cashflow for workshop operators.

The finance integrations add-on works with the firm’s existing i2i digital invoicing module and allows users to integrate with accounting software such as Sage 50. It will soon also be able to be used with Sage 200, Xero and QuickBooks.

Finance Integrations allow workshop operators to send invoices in real time digitally to help ensure financial administration is up to date.

Ash Connell, commercial director at R2C, said: “The real advantage of finance integrations is its intuitive user experience with a simple set up businesses can be up and running in minutes.

“We’ve designed Finance Integrations to help save businesses time and boost productivity by automating the process to give real-time invoicing, reduce invoicing errors and ensure a secure platform.

“Our new module means workshop operators have one less thing to worry about, with the finance aspect taking care of itself they are free to dedicate time to ensuring vehicles are off the road for as little time as possible.”

New filming studio and equipment investment at E-Training World

Online driver profiling and e-driver training provider E-Training World has made a significant investment in filming facilities and equipment to further upgrade its next-generation online driver profiling and training experience.

In 2023, the company launched its new online driver profiling and e-driver training system after two years of software development and over 5,000 miles of filming.

Available on a globally recognised software platform, with a tablet- and mobile-ready experience, the system uses high-definition in-vehicle, roadside and drone video footage to genuinely replicate the on-road experience.

E-Training World has now made a substantial investment in new office space, which includes an additional ‘Green Screen’ studio.

The ‘Green Screen’ is a tool for superimposing footage behind actors, and the permanent studio allows for superior sound and lighting when filming training videos, demonstrating the company’s commitment to providing best-in-class driver training.

Graham Hurdle, managing director at E-Training World, said “Taking filming, editing and production in-house gives us far greater flexibility to produce high-quality driver training modules. We have also invested in staff training for drone flying, filming and editing, as well as hi-tech cameras, sound equipment, lighting and drones.

“In the videos, we are using actors who have been in TV advertising and some well-known dramas. This investment in high-quality production means we can provide engaging training experiences at the leading edge of driver training solutions.”

Safe2Drive launches new approach to road risk management

Safe2Drive has announced details of its new road risk management platform designed to keep businesses compliant.

Using their 25 years’ knowledge and experience in the sector, alongside collaboration and feedback from clients over many years, the Safe2Drive team, which includes industry road risk experts, Allan Gibbons, Scott McLennan, and Sinead Moy, have built a bespoke system that aims to bridge the shortfalls identified in the marketplace.

Gibbons, Safe2Drive founder, said: “The fastest growing risk we see is drivers using their own cars for company business, known as the grey fleet drivers, and we believe these vehicles must become visible within a company’s compliance reporting to comply with regulatory requirements.

“These employees must ensure their vehicles have a valid MOT, road tax, and ensure they add ‘business use’ to their own insurance policy. 

“Businesses have a duty of care to their employees, and knowing they are fully insured when driving for company business is crucial.”

The Safe2Drive platform enables both a fleet manager and employee, via an app to jointly manage this important exchange of information to ensure that the business and the driver operate secure levels of governance and legal compliance.

Select Car Leasing raises funds for Sue Ryder

An annual football match played between Reading’s Select Car Leasing has raised more than £1,000 for palliative and bereavement support charity Sue Ryder.

The yearly exhibition has been a fixture of leading vehicle lease firm Select Car Leasing's calendar since 2022, with games played at Reading FC’s Select Car Leasing stadium.

This year saw a side managed by Select’s Joint CEO and founder Mark Tongue securing bragging rights having recorded a 5-2 win against a team watched-over by fellow Joint CEO and founder James O’Malley.

Goals from Ryan Amos, Tim Cowper, Matt Eldred, Charlie Cooper - and an own goal from the opposition - secured the victory.

And with donations still flooding in, more than £1,000 has been raised so far - all of it going to the Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice, located in Southcote, Berks.

Tongue said: “The buzz around this year’s charity football match reached fever pitch and occasions like this are to be savoured as it brings the whole company together.

“But, of course, there’s a much more important reason to hold the match, and that’s to raise funds for Sue Ryder, a charity we’ve supported as a company since 2014.

“Many of us here at Select, and people from across Reading, have been personally touched by the incredible work the charity carries out and we’re extremely proud to be in partnership with them.”

The Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice offers palliative care and support to people across Berkshire living with a life-limiting condition, as well as supporting their families.

Jennifer Patient, community fundraising manager at Sue Ryder, said: “We are so grateful that Select Car Leasing chose to support Sue Ryder once again through their successful charity football match.

“The support we get from businesses such as Select Car Leasing means Sue Ryder can continue to provide compassionate end-of-life care for those that need it. We are so thankful for their support.”