Fleet briefs: Ogilvie Fleet, Sogo, FMG, Kwik Fit and GSF

Ogilvie Fleet gains Investors in People Platinum (IIP) Status

Ogilvie Fleet has been awarded platinum status by Investors in People (IIP), a UK Government backed accreditation body.

A further improvement on its previous gold standard award, the IIP stated in its report that employees see Ogilvie Fleet as a ‘great place to work, and that job satisfaction is exemplary within the company’.

Ogilvie said the report by the IIP gave recognition to the leasing company for adhering to its mission statement of delivering excellent customer service; operating with trust, transparency, and integrity; being innovative, creative, and unique; considering all environments around it; and providing a workplace where people feel safe, appreciated, and respected.

Gordon Stephen, Ogilvie Fleet’s MD, said: “To have increased the IIP accreditation of Ogilvie Fleet from gold to a platinum standard is a huge achievement, during a tumultuous year for the industry.

“We have always believed that our people are a core asset in providing our industry-leading customer service.

“By ensuring all staff members see themselves as integral to the overall success of the company and feel valued as part of a team, we are able to continue to excel as a company, whatever the industry conditions may be.”

FMG Repair Services inspires next generation of vehicle repairers

FMG Repair Services has welcomed Year 10 students to its IMI accredited technician training and development academy in Goole, to showcase the training, technology and tools involved in vehicle repair and provide advice to students.

The cohort, from the IMI Level 2 Certificate in automotive maintenance course at the nearby Archbishop Sentamu Academy, were shown key aspects of autonomous, alternative fuel and traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle repair and gained knowledge of techniques using welders, paint booths and spray guns.

Mr Fearn, motor vehicle course leader from Archbishop Sentamu Academy, said: "This visit was a fantastic opportunity to see first-hand the developments in an exciting and ever-changing sector and allowed our pupils to experience a flavour of the future of the automotive industry."

FMG Repair Services has welcomed 30 new starters on to its three-year apprenticeship programme this year.

Kwik Fit marks 35-year anniversary

This summer sees Kwik Fit Fleet celebrating the 35th anniversary of opening its first fleet account.

Following the first agreement in 1987, the Kwik Fit Fleet operation has grown year-on-year (YoY) and comprises a team of more than 200 people supporting over 4,000 fleet customers and 1.5 million drivers, it said.

Since fitting its first fleet tyre, Kwik Fit Fleet has replaced more than 20 million tyres and carried out more than one million MOTs on fleet vehicles, with recent years also seeing growth in brake inspections and servicing agreements.

Kwik Fit’s innovations over the last 35 years include the launch of Kwik Fit Mobile and the expansion of this service with Mobile-7, as well as Kwik Fit’s tyre management and fleet web booking systems.

Kwik Fit is also a key partner in Project Tree, a programme which brings together all parts of the tyre supply chain to help ensure transparency and sustainability in natural rubber production.

Dan Joyce, fleet director at Kwik Fit, said: “As sustainability and ESG becomes an ever more critical factor in fleet operator and consumer purchase decisions, Project Tree provides a unique solution to support demand.

“As we reach this milestone, we would firstly like to thank our customers for their support across many years.

“Collaboration with our customers has been vital in influencing our progress and has allowed us to develop and mould our model to suit the needs of an industry at the forefront of technology and innovation.”

Sogo supports veteran’s charity

Sogo, the green mobility company, is supporting veterans by helping fundraisers undertake a national challenge.

The challenge will see a team of 55 ex-servicemen and women walk, run, cycle, swim and canoe 1,500km across the whole of the UK within two weeks.

The leasing company has loaned three vehicles to the On Course Foundation, which is raising £150,000 to help wounded, injured and sick armed forces veterans with rehabilitation. It also helps to create long-term employment opportunities in golf and related industries.

The vehicles, a Nissan Qashqai, a Vauxhall Vivaro van and a Mercedes Benz Vito tourer, will be used to transport participants involved in the challenge to the more than 40 start and end destinations around the UK.

Sogo has also arranged to brand the vehicles displaying On Course Foundation donation details and joint branding.

Mark Schorah, head of events and employment at The On Course Foundation, said: “We are overwhelmed by this generous donation of three vehicles from Sogo for the duration of our 2022 challenge.

“This will help us to achieve our aim of ensuring that the On Course Foundation can meet this latest challenge, one of the most ambitious and testing challenges we have ever mounted.”

GSF Car Parts opens new branch

GSF Car Parts has opened its new St Helens branch – the ninth branch to open in four months.

The branch is located to the south of the town centre on Sherdley Business Park, near the St Helens Linkway.

The St Helens site supplies car parts, tools and accessories to members of the public and the trade, covering all makes of car and light commercial vehicles (LCVs), said GSF.

Aaron Ward, regional manager at GSF Car Parts Greater Manchester, said: “We have a fantastic team at GSF St Helens that blends motor factor knowledge with customer service experience, so we’re committed to providing the best possible service for retail and trade customers across the St Helens area.

“Our existing branches across Merseyside have an excellent reputation for service, quality of parts and great value, so we’re looking forward to building similarly strong relationships with customers in St Helens.”