Sapphire launches new fleet management service

Sapphire Vehicle Services has extended its range of solutions by launching a fleet management division.

The company said it can take over responsibility for maintaining trucks or vans of any size, configuration, or brand, including all service planning and MOT scheduling, vehicle inspections and DVSA tests, as well as looking after account management, reporting of key performance indicators (KPIs), road fund licence renewals, and taking on existing drivers and support staff via TUPE – Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) – regulations.

Through its parent company, Northern Ireland-based Ballyvesey Holdings, the company can also provide customers with vehicles on contract hire, lease or spot rental, as well as vehicle disposal services.

Paul West, head of fleet services at Sapphire, said: “For many companies, owning and operating a fleet is not their core business.

“Those who make or build products need to get their goods to their customers, for example – but their expertise tends to be in manufacturing not distribution.

“By allowing Sapphire Fleet Services to take over the management of their entire delivery operation, they can rest easy in the knowledge that not only are their vehicles being deployed with optimum efficiency and safety, but they are also guaranteed to be legally compliant."

The company said the idea for a fleet management service came after the company was approached by one of its existing customers – which runs a line-up of trucks to provide traffic management and other services to utility contractors.

West added: “With our expertise, experience and national network of facilities, it was clear we were ideally positioned to offer a high-quality, cost-effective and hassle-free solution not just to this business but to others too.

“Every customer is different, and their needs vary from case to case. The Sapphire advantage is that we are big enough to take on the management of any fleet, but small enough to offer packages tailored to the individual needs of each particular operation.”