Kwik-Fit Fleet wins three year contract with ALD Automotive

ALD Automotive, one of the UK’s leading contract hire and leasing companies with more than 47,000 vehicles on its fleet, has signed a new three-year contract for fast-fit and tyre management services with Kwik-Fit Fleet.

The new deal, which extends to the end of 2011, builds on a four-year partnership and continues to give company car and van drivers access to Kwik-Fit’s UK network of 670 centres and more than 200 mobile units.

In addition, apart from a 24/7 service to ALD Automotive customers through Kwik-Fit’s Fleet Service Centre, the contract gives fleets access to vehicle tyre safety checks undertaken by Kwik-Fit Mobile technicians in company car parks.

The tyre safety checks, which will identify under or over inflated tyres and those with tread deficiencies, are one of the key components of DriveSafe, ALD Automotive’s comprehensive suite of risk management initiatives designed to provide employers with practical and cost effective solutions for staff who drive on business, but the checks are also available as a standalone service.

With the Government urging health and safety laws as well as road traffic legislation to be applied more rigorously to at-work driving incidents in a bid to cut road accidents, companies are being urged to ensure risk management strategies are in-place – with tyre checks one vital feature of a comprehensive policy.

The current fine for driving on illegal tyres is £2,500 per tyre and three points per tyre on a driving licence. In addition, poor tread on a tyre could be the cause of an accident and an increasing focus on the causes of at-work road crashes is likely to mean tyre wear becomes an even greater issue during police and health and safety investigations.

Nigel Fletcher, deputy managing director, ALD Automotive, said: “Minimum vehicle downtime is essential for all fleets and the service provided by Kwik-Fit Fleet to our customers to-date has helped to maximise operating efficiencies.

“Meanwhile, ensuring tyres meet the legal requirement is a vital part of any corporate risk strategy and DriveSafe with the involvement of Kwik-Fit Fleet and our other key partners, will ensure business use vehicles are operated in line with health and safety best practice.”

ALD Automotive has insisted that information on tread depths of tyres removed, brands and size of tyres fitted, mileage of vehicle at time of replacement and the reason for tyre replacement are all captured by Kwik Fit electronically.

The company has also worked with Kwik Fit Fleet to ensure that the way the information is captured and stored allows ALD Automotive to populate its internal systems with tyre maintenance history at the push of a button.

Reflecting on the new contract, Mike Wise, head of Kwik-Fit Fleet, said: “Safety and efficiency savings dominate the minds of contract hire and leasing companies and their customers. Like ALD Automotive, Kwik-Fit Fleet has a fundamental focus on helping companies to manage occupational road risk and ensuring budgets remain in check. We are delighted to have signed a new contract with ALD Automotive that takes our business partnership into the next decade.”

Author: Faye Sunderland, July 23, 2008
Filed under: ALD Automotive,Fleet management,Fleet news,General interest,Kwik-Fit