Commercial Fleet Awards 2017 finalists and winners (picture gallery at the bottom of the page)

FLEET AWARDS

Commercial Fleet of the Year – Public sector

Winner

Gateshead Council

Highly commended

London Borough of Hackney

Finalists

Gateshead Council
London Borough of Hackney

Judges’ comments

This is a credible and competent fleet that is doing all the basics well. The judges praised Gateshead Council for working with other businesses in the local community to spread the road safety message and share best practice, and said it has an excellent focus on training and driver awareness.

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Commercial Fleet of the Year – Business services

Winner

Vodafone

Finalists

Lloyds Banking Group
Siemens
Vodafone
Wates Group

Judges’ comments

Vodafone has an outstanding use of technology which it uses to make tangible improvements to the fleet. It has a major commitment to driver engagement and has introduced a number of impressive initiatives.

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Commercial Fleet of the Year – Utilities

Winner

Scottish Water

Highly commended

Freedom Group

Finalists

Countrywide Farmers
Freedom Group
Scottish Water

Judges’ comments

A diverse organisation but the fleet policy brings together a common ethos by engaging drivers in all aspects of fleet management. The judges praised the sound road risk strategy derived from the intelligent use of technology.

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Commercial Fleet of the Year – Architecture and construction

Winner

PJ Carey Plant Hire

Finalists

Carillion

PJ Carey Plant Hire

Judges’ comments

For a small commercial vehicle operator in a difficult industry, Carey is doing all the right things with limited resource. It takes a dedicated and competent approach to all matters concerning a safe and efficient fleet, summed up by being FORS Gold.

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Commercial Fleet of the Year – Delivery operator

Winner

Royal Mail

Highly commended

JM Hall Couriers

Finalists

Jersey Post Group
JM Hall Couriers
Royal Mail
Wellocks

Judges’ comments

A trailblazer in many areas, not electric vehicles and reduction of cost, Royal Mail impressed the judges with an outstanding submission. Its ability to progress innovative and class-leasing fleet management across a huge scale operator with clear evidence of success is impressive. The judges said its ‘empty legs’ initiative could be a game-changer in eliminating spare capacity.

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Most Improved Commercial Fleet of the Year

Winner

Nationwide Window Cleaning

Finalists

Alliance Disposables
Nationwide Window Cleaning
Siemens

Judges’ comments

With a clear focus and sustained approach to road safety management, Nationwide Window Cleaning shows good savings on a range of new initiatives. It engaged senior management to ensure projects were signed off and engaged drivers to ensure their buy-in to new processes. Its approach is working, said the judges.

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Commercial Fleet of the Year – Safety and compliance

Winner

Balfour Beatty

Highly commended

Carillion
Skanska

Finalists

Amey
Balfour Beatty
Carillion
Scottish Water
Skanska

Judges’ comments

A closely fought category, but Balfour Beatty’s consistent and effective management of safety, not only within its own organisation but in outreach projects in the wider community including local schools, won the praise of the judges. It has very low accident rates that have fallen further due to the efforts made both in the past year and in previous years. Fully committed to safety and a worthy winner.

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Commercial Fleet of the Year – Environment and Low Carbon Award

Winner

Heathrow Airport

Highly commended

University of Cambridge

Finalists

Edinburgh College
Farmdrop
Heathrow Airport
Jersey Post Group
University of Cambridge

Judges’ comments

Heathrow Airport has excellent solutions to address the challenge of its operating environment with a range of initiatives to combat its carbon footprint. Its holistic approach includes strategies to address how its staff get to work, and it also requires its suppliers to provide their own strategies for tackling the environment. This fleet is making a real difference.

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Best Livery of the Year

Winner

Lloyds Banking Group

Finalists

Bank of Scotland
DPD
Lloyds Banking Group

Judges’ comments

With excellent use of design which perfectly represents the brand, the Lloyds livery delivers on key objectives including safety with enhanced visibility. It goes beyond mere graphics with efficiency (pear-shaped box design) and safety (rear cameras and lighting around the base during the dark). No-one could miss this van if it pulled up outside their house.

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Best Fleet Customer Service

Winner

Lloyds Banking Group

Finalists

Lloyds Banking Group
Wellocks

Judges’ comments

The mobile branch solution demonstrates Lloyds’ commitment to its customers. It recognises the concerns of more remote customers and found a well-thought-through solution as evidenced by the testimonials. Visually attractive, the interior environment makes the vehicles an appealing place to be – more so than going into an actual branch!

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SUPPLIER CATEGORIES

Van/Truck Fleet Management Company of the Year

Winner

BT Fleet

Highly commended

Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions

Finalists

ARI
BT Fleet
Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions

Judges’ comments

The judges praised BT Fleets commitment to apprentices which addresses a major problem in the industry. It has a strong offering on environment initiatives and has done some outstanding work on electric vehicles. BT Fleet is constantly improving despite winning last year and the excellent reduction in vehicle off-road times impressed, as did its wide breadth of service provision.

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Van/Truck Contract Hire and Leasing Company of the Year

Winner

Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions

Finalists

Free2Move
Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions
Lex Autolease

Judges’ comments

Hitachi’s diversity and evidence of working in partnership with its clients shone through, said the judges. The number of engineers shows its commitment to van and truck operators, while its focus on compliance has clear benefits for customers.

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Van/Truck Rental Company of the Year

Winner

Reflex Vans

Finalists

Europcar
Northgate Vehicle Hire
Reflex Vans
SHB Hire
TOM Vehicle Rental

Judges’ comments

Reflex has made considerable investment in to developing innovative services. It has embraced technology and is leading the way when it comes to adding safety technology to vans that really benefits operators, ensuring the vans are just as well equipped as those on their own fleets. Reflex is a responsible company that is helping fleets to manage risk. The judges said it is taking a refreshing approach to rental.

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Best New Product or Service

Winner

Mobileye Shield+

Highly commended

Jaama for My Vehicle App
ProVision Vehicle Cameras for CameraMatics ADAS
Reflex Vans for Flexi-family

Finalists

CanTrack Global for Asset product
FleetCheck for policy Manager
Jaama for My Vehicle App
Mobileye for Shield+
ProVision Vehicle Cameras for CameraMatics ADAS
Reflex Vans for Flexi-family
Vehicle Weighing Solutions for VOPS2
VisionTrack for VT2000 HD telematics camera

Judges’ comments

Mobileye Shield+ was a clear winner from an entry list of 18 new products or services. It is an innovative and comprehensive safety system that can be retrofitted, offering a cost-effective way to reduce risk on the fleet. The judges noted that it was a proactive way to avoid crashes and described Mobileye Shield+ as an essential product for safety-conscious van and truck fleets.

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Customer Partnership Initiative of the Year

Winner

Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions (Amey)

Highly commended

Imperial UK (Sanctuary)

Finalists

Arval (Vodafone)
Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions (Amey)
Imperial UK (Sanctuary)
Labyrinth Logistics (Secured Mail and Acumen Logistics)
Lightfoot (Alliance Healthcare)
QI Van Systems (SSE and Scottish Power)

Judges’ comments

Hitachi has formed a strong partnership for Amey’s complex fleet. It is working closely with the fleet team, attending conferences and introducing numerous initiatives to reduce cost and improve operational efficiencies. And throughout the delivery of the solution, Hitachi has been focused on customer service, assembling a team of industry specialist to manage the fleet.

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Converter of the Year

Winner

Bott

Finalists

Bevan Group
Bott
Clarks Vehicle Conversion
QI Van Systems
Sortimo International

Judges’ comments

This FTA Van Excellent Gold member takes a collaborative approach to working with the industry, and displays excellent understanding of its customers’ needs. Investment in the CAD 3D modelling system with standardised pre-configured wiring looms is impressive. A high quality business that is creating solutions for a wide range of customers.

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MANUFACTURER CATEGORIES

Small Van

Winner

Volkswagen Caddy

Finalists

Citroen Berlingo
Fiat Doblo Cargo
Ford Transit Connect
Peugeot Partner
Volkswagen Caddy

Judges’ comments

The Caddy is a trailblazer when it comes to safety with a host of innovations including post-collision braking and AEB fitted as standard. It is also pushing forward with petrol models more suited to urban environments while fleets benefit from strong residual values and excellent support from both manufacturer dealers.

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Medium Panel Van

Winner

Volkswagen Transporter

Highly commended

Peugeot Expert
Citroen Dispatch

Finalists

Citroen Dispatch
Ford Transit Custom
Mercedes-Benz Vito
Peugeot Expert
Vauxhall Vivaro
Volkswagen Transporter

Judges’ comments

The reasons why the Transporter is the top pick in the medium van category are endless: driver appeal, reliable, safe, breadth of range, great trim levels, excellent engine options, strong residuals, four-wheel drive option – the van is a strong performer across all the key criteria.

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Large Panel Van

Winner

Volkswagen Crafter

Finalists

Fiat Ducato
Iveco Daily
MAN TGE
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Renault Master
Volkswagen Crafter

Judges’ comments

The Crafter is brand new from the group up and has raised the bar in this segment. Volkswagen listened to its customers and addressed their concerns by producing a van that prioritised safety and met their operation needs. It has the emotional appeal by being car-like to drive, and the practical appeal, such as the load lashing points in the back. As close to faultless as it gets.

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Pick-Up of the Year

Winner

Toyota Hilux

Highly commended

Isuzu D-Max

Finalists

Ford Ranger
Isuzu D-Max
Mitsubishi L200
Nissan Navara
Toyota Hilux
Volkswagen Amarok

Judges’ comments

The Hilux is the workhorse of the industry. It is outstanding off-road and virtually bombproof on all terrains. But it is also good on the road, with strong driver appeal and a long list of safety equipment fitted as standard. A real ‘go-anywhere’ vehicle.

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Low Carbon Truck of the Year

Winner

Iveco Stralis NP

Finalists

DAF Trucks CF and XF
Iveco Stralis NP
Mercedes-Benz Trucks Actros

Judges’ comments

Iveco was willing to try something different and succeeded in producing a vehicle that significantly reduces both CO2 and NOx emissions. Its use of CNG and LNG power is a breakthrough for distance trucking and marks a major stride forward in making alternative fuels operationally acceptable within the industry.

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Truck innovation of the year

Winner

Mercedes-Benz Trucks Active Brake Assist 4

Highly commended

Renault Trucks electronic parking brake

Finalists

DAF Trucks Silent Mode
Mercedes-Benz Trucks Active Brake Assist 4
Renault Trucks electronic parking brake

Judges’ comments

The ABA4 is a major safety advancement which should reduce collisions and therefore improve uptime. It will be particularly suited to urban environments and the pedestrian safety aspect could be used to improve the public’s general perception of the industry.

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HEADLINE CATEGORIES

Supplier of the Year

Winner

Reflex Vans

Highly commended

BT Fleet
Fleet Source

Finalists

ARI
BT Fleet
Fleet Source
Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions
Reflex Vans
SHB

Judges’ comments

Although it has less resource than some major industry suppliers, Reflex has been highly innovative – even willing to reduce its profit margin in order to develop and improve its service offering. The judges were impressed by its quality submission and said Reflex has brought something new to the market. It is the standout supplier at this year’s awards.

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Van of the Year

Winner

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Finalists

Ford Ranger
Ford Transit
Ford Transit Connect
Ford Transit Custom
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Mercedes-Benz Vito
Vauxhall Vivaro
Volkswagen Caddy
Volkswagen Crafter
Volkswagen Transport

Judges’ comments

The win for Sprinter is a good indication of fleet opinion – it is beloved by many companies operating in a multitude of industry sectors. The judges rated the Sprinter highly within its category and it continues to be a very strong contender, despite being due for replacement next year. Sprinter remains for many industries the vehicle of choice for fleet.

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Truck of the Year

Winner

DAF LF

Finalists

DAF LF
DAF CF
DAF XF
Iveco Daily
Mercedes-Benz Actros
Mercedes-Benz Antos
Mercedes-Benz Arocs
Mercedes-Benz Atego
Mercedes-Benz Econic
Volvo FH

Judges’ comments

The LF has a short turning circle and low emissions making it idea for urban environments. It is a driver favourite with its spacious cab and excellent driving experience. Recently facelifted, the LF continues to lead the sector with a competitive cost of ownership backed by a comprehensive manufacturer support package, which includes DAF Aid.

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Van Fleet Manufacturer of the Year

Winner

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

Finalists

Fiat Professional
Mercedes-Benz Vans
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

Judges’ comments

After almost sweeping the board in the van categories with outstanding new and revised models that are setting new benchmarks in their respective sectors, Volkswagen deservedly takes the top prize. The company offers excellent support for all types of fleet, large and small, with dedicated back-up from the van dealer network. It has put the focus on listening to customers and providing them with the vehicles and support they need.

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Truck Fleet Manufacturer of the Year

Winner

DAF Trucks

Finalists

DAF Trucks
Iveco
Mercedes-Benz Trucks
Renault Trucks

Judges’ comments

DAF has updated or renewed all its trucks, focusing on improved safety and environmental features and providing an excellent driving experience with competitive cost of running. The company has the personal touch with it comes to customer relationships with excellent support and service network and continues to introduce innovative new offerings such as its Silent Mode for urban operations.

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Commercial Fleet Manager of the Year

Winner

Julie Madoui, Skanska

Finalists

Paul Brown, Freedom Group
Norman Harding, London Borough of Hackney
Paul Tate, Siemens
Julie Madoui, Skanska
Ted Sakyi, Wates Group

Judges’ comments

Julie runs a highly efficient operation which has clearly defined strategies for every element of fleet management. Her appetite to improve from an already strong foundation impressed the judges. Her willingness to pass on her knowledge, particularly in the community and through the supply chain, is commendable. She has a clear and sharp focus on safety but recognises that fleet management is not just about vehicles and rental rates, it’s about the people who make it all work.

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