GERMAN-owned pharmaceutical and laboratory supplies company Merck has opted for contract hire following the signing of a £3.5 million sale and leaseback agreement on its 354-strong fleet. The solus three-year contract was won by Automotive Leasing after a 10-month evaluation.

Debbie Fromage, Merck's fleet controller, said: 'We changed to contract hire through sale and leaseback for financial and operational reasons. The VAT input changes that came into effect strengthened the benefits of contract hire whilst retaining the advantages we previously enjoyed from having our vehicles fleet managed.'