“We used to be seen as a business that did vans and now we are seen as having expertise and a centre of excellence.”

The first target early in 2011, along with achieving FTA Van Excellence accreditation, was to build an expert team.

Cook refers to it as a centre for excellence. “We manage the elements of running a van business, maintenance, residual values and internal systems to have a network that is capable of providing a total package and the expertise needed,” he says.

He adds that the elements of the service that make it stand out include the level of support for customers where GE Capital is able to accommodate particular requirements or conversions.

“We have strong relationships with premium converter companies,” Cook says. “One of the areas where we needed to improve our offering was the supply of relief vehicles, and we have succeeded in doing this.”

Cook says that the company now has a great deal of credibility as a van specialist.

Strong background in commercial vehicles

Cook says the commercial vehicles division has a broad focus, from 50-vehicle fleets that need a combination of high quality with competitive pricing, to major blue chip companies that are looking for a complete, consultative, outsourced service.

Key members of the team have a strong background in commercial vehicles and this expertise is also enhanced by GE

Key Solutions’s fleet consultancy group in identifying and recommending the optimum LCV fleet policy: where fitness for purpose, long-term savings and efficiencies are top of the agenda.

Cook says examples and case studies of the Key Solutions group enabling fleet operators to achieve significant savings have been well documented.

And while it has been gaining a reputation for commercial vehicle expertise, it has also been trying to establish itself as one of the key providers of electric vehicles on contract hire.

“We’ve had two Ford Transit Connect electric vans available as demonstrators for more than a year now,” says Cook.

“Unfortunately, because of financial problems with the company that provided the electric technology for Ford, it is no longer available.”

The Transit Connect Electric has a top speed of 75mph and a range of up to 80 miles.

Its lithium-ion battery pack is charged with a standard 240v power outlet and a full charge can be completed in about eight hours.

“Since we’ve introduced the demonstrators, they have been booked out almost permanently,” says Cook.