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Mercedes-Benz CharterWay’s 15th anniversary comes as no news to the Evening Standard who has consistently called on the financier to provide fleet solutions since becoming its first customer in 1992.
The international commercial vehicle, financial services, contract hire and fleet management arm of DaimlerChrysler has developed lasting relationships across all sectors and its clients include Great Bear, Panasonic, Harveys The Furniture Store and Vodafone McLaren Mercedes.
Mercedes-Benz CharterWay, alongside dealership SG Smith, has tailored its fleet packages for the city paper as its distribution systems have evolved.
And, with the 125 Evening Standard drivers responsible for distribution throughout Greater London and beyond, the paper’s transport manager says having a reliable fleet is ‘worth its weight in gold’.
The Evening Standard’s transport manager Steve Howe says his drivers make up to 200 stops a day while others are travelling as far a field as Bournemouth to ensure the paper’s three editions reach readers.
To meet this demand, Steve’s fleet consists of 120 vans, the majority being Mercedes-Benz Vito and Sprinters. Steve says there is little scope for breakdowns and repairs with ‘all hands on deck’ required for deliveries.
The Evening Standard’s drivers are split into two teams, the first being responsible for delivering the bundles of newspapers from the Surrey Quays headquarters in London to depots across the city. The second team then distributes papers to the hundreds of London retail outlets and vendors from these sub-depots.
And with Steve balancing the pressure of making sure the paper is circulated around the M25 with inflated fuel, tyres and vehicle maintenance costs, the fleet manager said he’s operating in an increasingly tough environment. A cost efficient, safe and unfailing fleet has been identified as being imperative to his operation.
Steve said the finance provider and the local dealership had continued to outperform competitors in price and convenience, especially with its contract hire offering. “Every aspect of the fleet’s management is dealt with under the one package, which offers my team convenience,” he said. “Under the contract, SG Smith provides a technician on site every day of every week and ensures the vehicles are on the road without a problem. This service alone is priceless. |
“And, if there ever is a problem with any aspect of the management of the fleet or the service we receive, the dealership will work with us to ensure a solution is developed.”
Steve himself has worked for the Evening Standard for 29 years after being introduced to the newspaper industry by his father, who also worked in newspaper distribution throughout his career. Steve has been running the paper’s fleet for the past seven years.
The newspaper’s vehicles are provided by South East London Mercedes dealership SG Smith.
Dealerships work with Mercedes-Benz CharterWay to develop a finance package that is tailored specifically to each customer’s requirements. Michael Duggan, SG Smith sales manager, said it is the flexible finance offering and ongoing support Mercedes-Benz CharterWay provide that make the partnership a success for all parties – including its customers. “Mercedes-Benz CharterWay’s customer service focus is aligned with our own business priorities and therefore as a team we can ensure we’re providing the very best solution to our clients,” Michael said.
Mercedes-Benz CharterWay account manager Stuart Bennett said in the Evening Standard’s case, contract hire was an obvious solution.
“Contract hire offers the fleet manager a combined leasing arrangement with repair and maintenance as well as support included in one fixed monthly payment,” Stuart said. “This means you know in advance precisely what your costs will be on a month-by-month basis. There are no hidden surprises or cash flow-disrupting peaks and troughs.”
Stuart concluded: “It is the partnerships that we develop with our dealerships and customers that allows us to work closely with our clients, learn and understand their business and make certain their fleet evolves with the company’s growth. However, by taking the fleet management hassle out of their hands, clients are put in a position of being able to concentrate on core business issues without the associated fleet headaches.”
To find out more about how Mercedes-Benz CharterWay can help you and your organisation go to www.charterway.co.uk or contact your local Mercedes-Benz dealer. |
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