Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has secured a new partnership with Out There, to provide a fleet of nearly 60 vans.

Out There is Northern Ireland’s largest grounds maintenance and landscaping contractor and its new fleet will be supplied through the Donnelly Van Centre group.

The Volkswagen Crafter’s load capacity, build quality, residual values and aftersales support were key to securing the new contract.

Steven Thompson, managing director at Out There, said: “This is an exciting time for everyone at Out There and it’s great to finally unveil the new brand and fleet to everyone. We have around 70 new vehicles that are going to be renewed over the next 18 months, and we are pleased to have partnered up with Donnelly Commercial Vehicles for this first phase.”

The first batch of 13 Volkswagen Crafter vans have been supplied, with the remaining vehicles to be supplied over the next 18 months as part of the firm’s ongoing fleet replacement programme.

The vehicles will be used by the Out There staff to cover various grounds maintenance and landscape contracts all across Northern Ireland and soon in London.

The purpose built vehicles have been modified to ensure that each is able to carry the firm’s plant equipment.  All panel vans have been fully ply-lined, feature bulkhead protection and are fitted with a heavy duty towbar. In addition, a number of the vehicles have been converted to accommodate further crew members with a second row of seats installed and glazed side windows fitted.