Ringtons has added 58 Caddy vans plus a Transporter and Crafter to its fleet, which now consists of more than 250 Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles vans.

Ringtons, based in the North East of England, is a tea and coffee business that delivers tea, coffee and confectionery across the nation via a doorstep delivery service, and wholesale division which caters to leading hotels, restaurants, cafes and businesses. It was founded by Samuel Smith in 1907 and has remained a family-run business throughout four generations.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has worked with Ringtons for a total of eight years, delivering on average 60 to 70 vans per year.

Ringtons has a long-established relationship with Lookers Van Centre in Newcastle but with its fleet dispersed across the lower North East area, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ network of Mobile Service Clinics was a deciding factor for the firm to extend the partnership.

Mobile Service Clinics are a crucial element of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles ‘Working With You’ brand promise, helping to meet customer needs and ensure businesses avoid or minimise downtime costs.

The number of Mobile Service Clinics is continuing to grow, with 20 due by the end of March and 30 by the end of 2019.

Stephen Killinger, operations manager from Ringtons, said: “Ringtons prides itself on a long history of providing faultless customer service and we believe that Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles can help us to maintain this reputation, not only by providing us with excellent vans but also through its thorough aftersales programme.”

Trevor Hodgson-Phillips, head of service and Parts for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, added: “We are delighted that Ringtons has returned to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles to increase the fleet.

“We are particularly proud of our Mobile Servicing Clinics and the aftersales support that we are able to provide so I’m pleased to hear this was such a crucial factor in securing the deal.”